For Children

For Students

The Programmes outlined below are Ontario Curriculum Based Programmes that are subsidized by the Ontario Arts Council. The cost of each presentation is $6.00 per student. Contact Pauline for more details.

Storytelling and Music

In the oral tradition of storytelling Pauline Grondin has delighted audiences in Canada, Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland. Following her French Canadian and Irish roots she tells a potpourri of fairytales, myths, legends, folk tales, self penned and first person stories to children and adults of all ages. Participation songs on a number of instruments often enhance the telling of the tale.

Time : One Hour

This program can accommodate up to 300 students at one presentation or individually per class or grade level

Curriculum Links
Grades K to 8 Language Arts, Drama, Language
Grade 3 Pioneer Life
Grade 6 & 7 Aboriginal People
Grades 3 to 8 Heritage and Citizenship

Stories of Women in Upper Canada during the War of 1812

Pauline Grondin is an 1812 reenactor, professional storyteller, heritage performer and historical interpreter. In recognition of the Bi-centennial of the War of 1812 she will tell stories of the women, and their times.

Pauline is the voice of Mrs. Gage on the War of 1812 documentary on History Television, released in 2012. She is the social historian for the Southwest Ontario Barn Quilt Trail to be displayed on part of the 1812 route, a permanent route established in recognition of the bicentennial. Pauline is also the historical advisor for the Lincoln Lamplighter Tours for their bicentennial productions.

The Women of Upper Canada were left at home and in the soldiers’ encampments with the war of raging around them.

The War of 1812 opened up a world of drama, conflict and struggle for survival both on and off the battlefield. The stories of “The Women” is a glimpse into their life as they experienced the stress of an enemy invasion, watched as their personal possessions were damaged or stolen, or their houses put to the torch.

Many stories of these women grace the pages of history declaring them heroines of the war. Some of their stories are legend, handed down through family and friends.

Literacy For Learning

"The ability to speak and present is an art"- Aristotle

In this workshop, students will experience the excitement of learning through storytelling. It will help develop drama skills and oral literacy and encourage participants to be risk-takers in a non-threatening environment.

Time: Half day

Curriculum Links
Grades 3 to 8 Language arts, oral and visual communication, drama, writing, reading

Exploring our Heritage

Pauline Grondin is a historical interpreter, reenactor, and professional storyteller. Her experience will bring history, and the lives of the pioneers, to life before your eyes. The typical life of an early settler in the 19th century will be explored from your point of view. Chores, family life, apprentices and more will be relived with each class.

This programme includes original and reproduction artifacts and clothing for the students to see, touch and smell. Preserved grains and food in muslin bags and crocks and the wares of the blacksmith and tinsmith will be experienced first hand.

A favourite is the heritage toys and crafts for the students to play with and a quill pen and ink to sign their name in a paper book.

Time: One hour

Curriculum Links
Grades 1 to 8 The Arts, Drama, Heritage and Citizenship
Grades 1 to 5 Canada and World Connections
Grades 2 to 5 Traditions and Celebrations
Grade 3 Pioneer Life
Grade 7 British North America, Aboriginal People

One Room School House

Take your class back to the 1800's as they learn their lesson with slate and slate pencil. The beginnings of school in Canada and the opportunity for education will be discussed and the students will participate in some old-time lessons as they are taught the proper etiquette for a pioneer child whilst participating in typical gender lessons. The three "R's" weather signs, the science of farming and more will be studied by your pioneer students

Time One hour

Curriculum Links
Grades 3 to 8 The Arts, Drama, Heritage and Citizenship
Grade 2 Traditions and Celebrations, Rules and Responsibilities
Grade 3 Pioneer Life
Grade 7 British North America

HerStory History

Pauline's Performances are a collection of self penned
narratives of some of Canada's heroines and pioneers

Marguerite LaRoche France to Canada 1542

Elizabeth Davis Ghent Revolutionary War

Anne Morden Dundas Valley, 1787

Laura Secord Heroine of The War of 1812

Elizabeth Rapleje St Thomas, The War of 1812

Marie Anne Gaboury Grandmother of Louis Riel

Annie Connor Ireland to Canada, 1847

Abigail Becker Heroine of Long Point, 1854

Louisa Robinson Allan Toronto 1855

Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Educator and Author

Emily Ferguson Murphy Suffragist and Reformer, 1917

Minerva Hall Toronto's Centennial, 1934

Ruth Ireland Burlington 1855

Queen Victoria

Lucy Patrick Lambeth (London) 1809

Edith Cavall Heroine of World War 1

Elizabeth Fisher Stong York (Toronto) 1816

And Many More... 30 to 45 minutes

Curriculum Links
Grades 3 to 8 The Arts, Drama, Heritage and Citizenship
Grade 3 Pioneer Life
Grade 7 and 8 British North America, Aboriginal People, Revolutionary War, War of 1812

Piecing Together Canada's History Through Quilts

A Programme that showcases handmade quilt designs from the past.
Stories, Traditions and Superstitions honour the quilt designs from long ago.

No thread running through Canada's history is stronger or more consistent than in their use as links between women and their female descendants. Many women felt that the female family, past, present and in the future was important and that these generations were united by the quilts that were the works of their hands and their hearts.

Irish Legends and Tales

Meet the wee creatures of the Emerald Isle

The Leprechaun, the Pooka, the Fir Dirrig, the Banshee and the Irish Cinderlad (Ireland's version of Cinderella) come to life with Pauline's spinning of the yarn. Unlock your imagination as you travel across Ireland.

Time: One Hour

Curriculum Links
Grades 3 to 8 The Arts, Drama
Grades 2 to 5 Traditions and Celebrations, World Connections

The Traditions and Legends of Hallowe'en

Hallow'en dates back to the Samhain's end of the summer festival and has its roots deep in the traditions from the British Isles and France. Many of these traditions traveled to Canada with the Scottish and Northern Irish in the early 1800's and the people later added modern Victorian traditions based on the "old ways" .
Children will learn that their modern celebration is not very far from the holiday celebrated by children across the sea and in Canada of long ago. Hallowe'en is seen in a different light with more meaning for the modern traditions!

Time: One Hour

Curriculum Links
Grades 2 to 5 Traditions and Celebrations, World Connections
Grades 3 to 8 The Arts
Grade 3 Pioneer Life

The Legends and Traditions of Christmas

Students will learn of the boy Nicholas who became St. Nicholas and our present day Santa Claus, and the people who wrote the first poems and stories in his honour. The traditions of the Pioneers who first came to Canada will be presented with samples of some of their crafts and decorations. If requested this programme can include a craft. Upon request, the background of some of the traditional stories and songs of Christmas will be included.

Time :One Hour

Curriculum Links
Grades 2 to 5 Traditions and Celebrations, World Connections
Grades 2 to 8 The Arts
Grade 3 Pioneer Life
Grades 3 to 8 The Arts- Music, Visual Arts, Drama