Impressed by Impressions of Impressionism
February 16, 2010 by Kristina
This is one fun project that I did with a group of boys, last year, to present at an art show in our town. The first thing I had the students do was a lesson from one of my personal favorites: Drawing Textbook, by Bruce McIntyre. It doesn’t look like much on the surface yet it packs a mighty punch of information that you and your family can use from age six to adult.
You can read more about it here: http://www.avdp.com
I then reviewed the Seven Laws of Perspective. This is what I taught, in a nutshell:
- Surface ~ things that are closer to the eye are drawn closer to the bottom of the picture
- Size ~ things that are nearer to the eye should be drawn larger
- Surface lines ~ these lines wrap around the object you are drawing to give it three dimensions
- Overlapping ~ things that are closer to the eye overlap the further parts
- Shading ~ this is used to give volume to the object that you draw
- Density ~ things that are closer to the eye are drawn with more detail than things farther away
- Foreshortening ~ the whole object is foreshortened, to give proper dimension
I have found that students really like the fact that there are rules to art and once you learn them, you get to have fun “breaking” them! We often know what looks good to our “untrained” eye, but not why certain things work for us and others do not. The Seven Laws of Perspective lend a lot to helping a person appreciate a particular piece of art or not.
The lesson for this particular day centres around Impressionism, using acrylic paint on paper.
What you hope to achieve: students will attempt to create an Impressionist painting following the directions given from the DickBlick lesson plan. You can find a ton of lesson plans at the site: www.dickblick.com or go here, specifically: http://www.dickblick.com/lessonplans
Think of this project like pixel-izing the image, in a way, breaking the image down into pieces that come together to create the whole.
Webster’s Dictionary defines a pixel as “a discrete element that together constitutes an image”.
Small brush strokes make us think of Seurat. More like pointillism, with very fine strokes. Large brush strokes imitate Van Gogh. Larger brush strokes are also very visible, individually, but together create a full picture.
What you need:
- Paper to paint on
- Brushes
- Water to clean brushes
- Paper towel to dry brushes
- Acrylic paint in the following colours (or whatever colours you have handy), if I am going to go technical on you:
- Marseilles Yellow (put on your best fake French accent to say that one)
- Scarlet Red
- Lapis Blue
- Olivine Green
- Mummy Brown
- Ivory White
Now, I’ll let you in on a simple secret … I went to the Dollar Store, here in my small town, and picked up dollar acrylic paint. Easy.
You can choose to mix colors, copying what is shown in the sample, or actually buy paints in the colors you want to have in your finished painting. We also liked the idea of having our work framed so I bought cheap canvas boards to paint on, also at the local Dollar Store. You can paint on cardboard, painted white first, if you want something more stiff than paper. Get creative! Just because I suggest you go out and purchase paint does not mean you have to!
The biggest challenge is in the brush strokes you must use. All your strokes must be vertical and on the small side. Paint the flowers first, entirely in yellow. To apply the paint, all you have to do is touch the brush to the canvas or paper, laying down the bristles of your brush, then pick the brush up again. The paint should be fairly heavily applied in order to imitate the impressionist brush strokes.
You also need to continue painting wet. Don’t let the layers of your flowers dry out in between colours. After the yellow petals have been painted, use the orange that you either mixed (yellow and red) or bought. Leave some areas of the flower solid yellow.
- Then add the red, leaving some spots solid yellow and some spots solid orange.
- The leaves are formed first in yellow, then greens.
- Water is a combination of blue and white. Use the white paint to “highlight” certain areas, mimicking light.
- Shading is done by using brown mixed with blue.
Hope you are equally impressed!
Kristina is a happily married wife in her eleventh year of homeschooling the flybytheseatofyourpants method. So far her two boys seem intelligible and relatively unscathed. She is an intern Educational Therapist with NILD and in her spare time loves to scrapbook, paint, make linoprints and write novel study guides. In your spare time, check out her blog On Fire at: www.kristinacamp.blogspot.com
Laying a Foundation for Preschoolers
January 12, 2010 by Christin
Something I am learning about having preschoolers in the house is this: I am laying the foundation for them now.
This is a season of habit training, not just academics and fun creativity {although that is important as well}.
Laying the foundations of habit training now will save much time and energy later. One of my favorite quotes from Charlotte Mason:
“The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days; while she who lets their habits take care of themselves has a weary life of endless friction with the children. All day she is crying out, ‘Do this!’ and they do it not; ‘Do that!’ and they do the other. ‘But,’ you say, ‘if habit is so powerful, whether to hinder or to help the child, it is fatiguing to think of all the habits the poor mother must attend to. Is she never to be at ease with her children?”
There are several key elements to laying a foundation for preschoolers.
Habit Training
There are many excellent habits to learn, but a few really important habits for very young children include:
- responsibilities (or chores), such as making their bed and cleaning up their toys/books, daily
- keeping a regular schedule, in which events happen in the same order most days of the week. I understand for some of us it doesn’t seem necessary because we thrive on flying-by-the-seat-of-our-pants. However, our young children may not adapt well to this type of unpredictability. Having meals and bed times set and predictable helps children know what is going to happen next and makes them secure in their environment which can result in a more confident, happy child.
- complete obedience, such an important habit to learn early in a child’s life. This will establish who is in authority, thus making homeschooling run that much smoother later on. It is no easy task to get into a power struggle every time lessons are given. Our children must learn early on to obey quickly and happily. They need to know who is in charge and that disobedience will not be allowed. I cannot stress enough how important this is for a smooth-running home school.
Time
Often, in the midst of giving attention to our school age children in their lessons, we forget our young children need our time as well. They may have days when they can keep themselves occupied, but they still need some undivided attention from us on a daily basis. What we do with them during this time isn’t as important as the time itself, but here are a few suggestions:
- puzzles, games, blocks, instruments
- reading aloud, drawing, coloring, painting
- take a walk (alone with your child), or bike ride
- child directed play–allow the child to choose an activity
Planned Academics
I find it beneficial and foundational to have 1 to 3 structured academic activities each school day. It goes along with habit training and laying some of the groundwork for more formal lessons later. Once preschoolers reach school age, it may not be easy to expect them to sit down for a length of time without having this prior training. Some ideas for planned academics include:
- simple counting games
- alphabet book
- file folder games
- arts & crafts
- reading stories
- practicing letter formation
Preschoolers are bright and lively children. This is a tender age for forming and shaping good habits, spending quality time, and laying a good foundation for their home school future. Not only will this create “smooth and easy days” for the preschooler, but also for the mother.
Christin is the wife to Jonathan and mother of 4 children. She is an avid list planner, organizer, reader, writer, and dedicated to the journey of becoming a gracious woman. She delights in the small things in life and uses her camera to capture them and make them distinguished. It takes daily recognition and connection with Jesus to remind her that she can do nothing without Him and that it is He who directs her each and every step. Visit Christin at her blog, Journey to a Gracious Woman.
Cootie Catchers for Learning
January 12, 2010 by Jimmie
Here is a simple idea to spice up your homeschool lesson – make a cootie catcher! All you need is a square piece of paper, folded according to these directions.
Usually the person holding the cootie catcher asks his partner to choose a number. Then he opens the cootie catcher back and forth that many times. Next the partner chooses a numbered flap from the exposed sections and answers the question underneath. You don’t have to use numbers. You can use colors, symbols, or letters to label the flaps.
Your cootie catcher has four flaps, each with two portions. So in all, you’ve got a maximum of eight sections for information.
Think of all the ways you can use them:
- Math Facts (times nine multiplication facts, for example)
- Fraction and Decimal Equivalents
- Spelling practice
- State abbreviations
Actually, cootie catchers work well for questions on any topic. Have your child select the questions and write them inside the flaps. Then let her manipulate the cootie catcher as you choose a flap. Since your child has the cootie catcher, she has to say if your answer was right or wrong. Then switch roles and quiz your child.
See how much repetition is happening? You child chooses the questions, writes the questions, asks you the questions, and verifies your answer. These cootie catchers are wonderful, sneaky things!
For variety, try these altered cootie catcher ideas:
- Use a BIG square for a super sized cootie catcher.
- Use colored paper or decorate the cootie catcher with stickers, stamps, or sequins.
Have you ever tried using cootie catchers for homeschool? What topic did you use? Have any photos to share with us? Your comments are always welcome.
Jimmie is a former public school teacher turned homeschooling stay-at-home-mom. A sense of humor, faith, and creativity keep her “pressing on” in her unique situation — living and traveling abroad with an only child in a bilingual environment. Visit her blog at Jimmie’s Collage.
Five Simple Ways to Add Art Appreciation into Your Homeschool Routine
November 24, 2009 by Jimmie
1. Get an art calendar and hang it in your home. Make a point to spend time at least once a month discussing what you see in the artwork. Each month you will have a new reminder and a new art print.
2. Take a field trip to an art museum, an art gallery, or even an artist’s studio. Remember that visual art includes pottery, sculpting, drawing, architecture, and printmaking. Don’t limit yourself to paintings. Look in your yellow pages to see what options you have locally.
3. Choose a favorite children’s book illustrator. Look through as many of his books as possible. Have your child talk about what makes his style unique. (It may be helpful to compare or contrast his work with another illustrator). Then let your child copy his style as he illustrates his own story.
4. Find art that matches the period of history you’re studying. Look for paintings that reflect the historical events in your curriculum, for example art of the American Revolution.
5. Stop and appreciate art when you see it no matter where you are. Is there a unique sculpture at the community center? Is there a reproduction of a famous painting hanging in the mall? Take time to pause and discuss it with your children. For discussion starters, try this PDF.
Jimmie is a former public school teacher turned homeschooling stay-at-home-mom. A sense of humor, faith, and creativity keep her “pressing on” in her unique situation — living and traveling abroad with an only child in a bilingual environment. Visit her blog at Jimmie’s Collage.
Encourage Your Children to Express their Creative Side
Oh how I love art and crafting. Although all my kids have their own favorite activities, I am a watercolor fan. I truly wish I had a bit more time to develop my drawing and painting skills. When I lived up north I would take the littletons to art museums often. The true beginning of this activity began for me the first time I was taken to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This is my most fond museum memory, and will likely always be my favorite museum for that reason. However, living close to the city, I had the ability to visit museums often. There are so many in and outside of NYC. As I grew into adulthood and moved to the Ohio Valley, I found respite in the resources in Pittsburgh, Pa. You could have found me, pushing a stroller, nursing a babe, and talking about what we were seeing; always a marvel to me.
Here in southwest Florida, there is not much museum hopping to be had. Certainly nothing as what I had been accustomed to. I have been to several museums, but it seemed that as the littletons grew to be eldertons, they did not have the same interest and thus time took hold. Imagine my surprise when a littleton told me the other day that she was going to have her art displayed in a museum one day. It wasn’t astonishing that she wanted to showcase her art, but that at four, she even knew museums existed. She has not been taken to a traditional museum yet and we don’t discuss them…at least that I can recall. At any rate, you can tell she is the most art oriented of the group.
Although she comes up with the most amazing ideas on her own, left to a room filled with art supplies this girl will astound you with her creativity and vision, I often research a wide variety of art ideas with an even wider variety of mediums. I have wanted to share this wonderful site, but today is the day I introduce it. I have been pondering through this site for the last several weeks and am truly finding so much held within, that a mere post cannot possibly encompass all it has to offer.
Often times art is left behind in our homeschool world. We want to teach it, but for a variety of reasons, such as inadequacy or time limitations, we push it to the side. The thought process that is involved in creating is intricate and beneficial to other functions of the brain. Creative thinking strengthens other areas of thinking such as logic. Creativity is like exercise for the brain. So don’t worry about teaching a specific art. Instead encourage your children to create anything and everything. Don’t limit your children with your thoughts of what art is. Let your children guide you. Creating with Knex, is art. Drawing with chalk on the sidewalk is art. Turning a box into a robot is art. Painting rocks is art. Change your thought of art as an extracurricular activity to one that views art as an integral part of brain development.
Now, I know art projects can be expensive. Mom can also become overwhelmed with the idea of coming up with projects. However, I want to share this GREAT page on frugal and recycled craft ideas. You can find that page by clicking here. While the page will likely give you a lot of ideas for your home art, I recommend you bookmark the site (Creativity Portal) and spend time when permitted perusing all it has to offer. This isn’t just for kids! So encourage all your children to express their creative side. Creativity Portal will help you along the way.
Leslie Valeska is the wife of Thomas and homeschooling mother of four children who reside in SW Florida. Her family operates Fresh Gear Solutions, LLC and enjoys RVing. She is the founder and director of Simple Journey Ministries which was established to encourage, inspire, and support women on their journey to Godly womanhood. Leslie is also employed as a vintage seamstress by Vintage Vixen.
Fall Into This Idea for Art (Part 1)
November 18, 2009 by Kristina
Fall is one of the most perfect seasons as far as I am concerned; I only wish it lasted longer. I love to breathe in the scent of warm soil, slowly decaying leaves, and the myriad of spices begging to be added to purees of pumpkin, squash or apple. How can one spend any amount of time outside and not be inspired to at least attempt some form of art, be it painting, photography or poetry?
When my husband and I taught art lessons, one of our ideas came from all those vegetable displays that are so rampant at this time of year. What a wonderful way to glorify God by portraying or replicating His creation. This is, artistically speaking, the hardest art form for me, so if you also discover that watercolour painting is harder than you first thought, don’t get discouraged. Practice makes perfect, so they say. In any case, you will be trying something new and exposing yourself to new avenues of expression. I hope you will enjoy both the fruits of your labour and the “fruits” of the season, afterward!
What you need: ( some of these materials will not be used until Part 2 )
Watercolour paper, watercolours, water for rinsing brushes, paper towel to blot with, brushes, assorted seasonal gourds, fruits and vegetables, salt (preferable coarse salt), plastic wrap, sponge, pencil, tape, imagination
While watercolour paper is, obviously, ideal, you can experiment with different sorts of papers, keeping in mind that watercolour paper will allow for the best absorption of the colour. If you do not have a watercolour set (no, you do not need to run out and purchase the most expensive tubes of watercolour paints. The “cheap” dollar store watercolour paint sets are perfectly fine for playing with colour)
If you can find a copy of a watercolour for beginners type book at the library, check it out! My personal favourite is: Watercolour for Absolute Beginners, by Bill Whitsett.
What you do:
Ask your child(ren) some questions about watercolour painting, like:
Q. What supplies do you think we need to paint with watercolour?
Q. What kind of brush do we need if we want to paint details?
A. small, thin, round brushes that can hold a point
Q. What kind of brush do we want for painting with watercolour, in general?
A. large round brush
Q. What if we want to paint a large area, like the sky?
A. a flat brush, about 1 inch, for large areas
Q. What are warm and cool colours?
A. Warm colours are yellows and reds. Cool colours are blues and greys.
Q. Why do we need water containers?
A. We need two water containers, one for rinsing and cleaning paint colour from the brush, and one for getting clean water on the brush. This way, our colours don’t end up looking like mud!
Try this:
Paint a picture using only one colour, (monochromatic), but experiment with shading, making some parts of the image darker than others. Things that are in the foreground should be shaded more than those in the background.
Put some watercolour on a small section of paper, perhaps cutting the paper into a 3×5 card, making sure that it is wet enough for salt to be absorbed into the paint, but not so wet that the salt alters the paper. Sprinkle the coarse salt (you can try table salt, but often the result is less than impressive) over the paper. This is an example:
Try sponging on paint, then try painting, but using the sponge to remove some of the paint, trying to allow the sponge to leave a mark in the paint, as only a sponge can do.
Put some watercolour paint on another small card of watercolour paper, then press down on the paper with plastic wrap. Do not smooth the plastic wrap out as though you are coving a dish before putting it in the fridge. Leave it wrinkled and smushed up (is smushed a word?). leave it on for quite a while, “forgetting” about it for a few hours usually ensures a great result! Here is my husband’s example:
Try other ideas you come up with, as a family, and make predictions about what the results might be. Next article I will talk about painting fruits and vegetables. In the mean time, set up a display of one to three fruits or vegetables and begin making a rough sketch of them. You can practice adding shading and depth if you like, thinking about the 7 laws of perspective, but save one sketch that is mainly the outlines, like this:
Kristina is a happily married wife in her eleventh year of homeschooling the flybytheseatofyourpants method. So far her two boys seem intelligible and relatively unscathed. She is an intern Educational Therapist with NILD and in her spare time loves to scrapbook, paint, make linoprints and write novel study guides. In your spare time, check out her blog On Fire at: www.kristinacamp.blogspot.com
Homeschooling-The Whole Family Approach
October 7, 2009 by AngelaP
I just love that homeschooling can be something the entire family can experience together.
Just as not all people are gifted in all things, so perhaps they should not teach all things.
In our home, I teach from a curriculum just because it helps me stay focused and accountable. I adore the privilege I have to teach my children. I teach them best the things I like the best. All individuals are limited in certain ways and that is why we absolutely need a whole family approach.
I absolutely love all things history. When I teach it I am passionate and excited about the subject. This effects the learning environment positively. The students also want to learn the things that their teacher is excited about. A teacher’s excitement better keeps the children’s attention.
Now, let’s take Math. I cannot even fake excitement about this subject. It is much needed but I cannot get that same excitement in it as I can history. But, my husband is very excited about math. He is the one who the children learn from and he is their main teacher on this subject. We enjoy dividing things up because we are taking a whole-family approach.
Another way that we approach the whole-family method is within our family of friends who home school. The children are in Art, P.E., and Ballet classes because neither my husband nor I are very gifted in these areas. It is great that they can learn from these other gifted people the things that they are excited about.
We were never meant to do this alone. We are a community. What support do you have with your homeschooling?
Angela Parsley, of the international ministry Refresh My Soul Ministries, is a wife and homeschooling mother to her 2 young daughters. Angela is also a contributing author to a devotional book entitled, “Standing on the Promises of God” and Radical Revolution, a devotional site for teen girls through Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Carnival of Homeschooling #196
September 29, 2009 by The Amies
A morbid reason to homeschool
Henry found a new reason today, a morbid reason, to homeschool. Posted at Why Homeschool
Every student should have a unique reading list that can reflect their unique abilities and interests.
Lee presents What’s Up With Homeschool Reading Lists? posted at The HomeScholar Helper.
A fun unit study for grade schoolers
Lisa Smith presents 6 Ways To Study Greece And The Olympics Without Nodding Off posted at Stretch Mark Mama.
Supporting my sister and her hassles with her son’s school bring back memories of why I made the choice to homeschool
Cristina presents Giving Birth to an Educational Philosophy posted at Home Spun Juggling.
ChristineMM of The Thinking Mother shares thoughts about reading, literacy and education after hearing a speech given by author David Balacci on BookTV this weekend.
ChristineMM presents Thoughts on Educated Kids and Literate Adults posted at The Thinking Mother.
This is a fun fall art project that is appropriate for preschoolers and up.
Amy @ Hope Is the Word presents Messy Monday: Watercolor Leaf Garland posted at Hope Is the Word.
This article examines the timeless genius of Leonardo DaVinci and poses the question of where our students might be if we allowed them to follow their passions freely without the structure that many of us impose in defining what is “school.”
Belinda Bullard presents Chronicles of a Blessed Heritage – Our First Week of Summer posted at Chronicles of a Blessed Heritage – Homeschool Blogger.
Personal testimony of our journey to homeschool with the Word as our basis for education.
Lisa presents God’s Curriculum posted at The HomeSpun Life .
This is a unit study for the secret garden I wrote for my kids who are elementary age, with added activities for preschool aged children.
Jennifer presents The Secret Garden posted at schooling memoirs.
I hope this story of my son’s homeschool journey through high school graduation will be an encouragement for mothers who are homeschooling for the long haul.
Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home presents (In)Courage: A Mother’s Hope posted at (In)Courage.
Public schools force kids to praise the Prez!
Hall Monitor presents School Students Sing Praises of President Obama posted at DetentionSlip.org.
This post is about persevering in your homeschool, even in the midst of discouragement. We will reap a harvest if we don’t give up!
Molly Evert presents Don’t despise the small things posted at Counter-cultural School.
Article on the pluses and minuses of purchasing the eFormat version of hsing products.
Sheri H presents To eBook or Not to eBook: That is the Question Part I posted at Homeschooling on a Wing and a Prayer.
It is always a blessing to have God give us His Words of encouragement as we begin a new school year!
Tammy presents “and so we begin” posted at Garden Glimpses .
My six-year-old is learning to knit, and it’s so exciting to watch her at work.
Jennifer Bogart presents Learning to Knit posted at Quiverfull Family.
Idea for organizing books!
Angela Mills presents Too Many Books? Here’s One Solution! posted at Angela Mills.
A comprehensive site for learning about the Holocaust.
Susan Gaissert presents Exploring the Holocaust « The Expanding Life posted at The Expanding Life.
A very talented photographic artist from Etsy has volunteered to custom create the winner’s choice of 3 designs. Perfect Halloween greeting for your friends and family! Not many have entered yet, so there’s a great chance of winning!
Susan Gaissert presents Custom Halloween Photo Cards Giveaway posted at The Frugal Homeschooling Mom.
There are dozens of ways to introduce your child to the world of crafts. Here are some easy and inexpensive starter projects.
Annette Berlin presents Mother-Daughter Craft Projects posted at Craft Stew.
A book review of the two volume set Mathematicians are People, Too — living math biographies.
Jimmie presents Mathematicians are People, Too posted at The Curriculum Choice.
How to handle a sick child — should you take the day off or keep doing school?
Jimmie presents Homeschool with a Sick Student posted at Jimmie’s Collage.
Review of “My Big Drawing & Tote Board” by Barker Creek and its many uses in our home school.
Jacque presents Great Home School Buy: Draw Write Now Tote Board posted at Walking Therein.
A review of a phonics/reading program called Rocket Phonics. I have been very impressed with the program.
Lacey presents Rocket Phonics – A Review posted at We Love To Homeschool.
This is an article the Lord placed on my heart last month, to help our local homeschool family.
Jennifer Southern presents To School at Home or Not School at Home, That is the Question! posted at Creative Learners.
This article is a little bit of education and family. I share what we’re doing this year with our homeschool, in the midst of doctor’s appointments and dealing with special needs.
Lisa Coburn presents Making Homeschool Work for Your Family’s Version of “Normal” posted at Back to Nature at the Wyldhouse Homestead.
Nature Study for the Very Young ~ Indoor and outdoor activities to explore nature with the Nature Explorers Club
Michelle @ Delightful Learning presents Nature Explorers Club: Horse Chestnut Tree posted at Delightful Learning.
This is a post I wrote to encourage homeschool moms. I have also listed my favorite homeschooling books along with why I enjoyed them in this entry!
Candace presents His Mercy is New: Encouragement for the Homeschooler posted at His Mercy is New.
This is a blog entry about surviving as a homeschool mom with depression.
Candace presents Surviving hard days… posted at His Mercy is New.
Stephanie presents Point Pleasant posted at Adventures in the 100 Acre Wood.
Karen presents Free-Range Justification posted at The Stone Age Techie.
Mrs. White presents Just a Regular Mom posted at The Legacy of Home.
Debbie presents The Architect and The Artist: Workbox Ideas posted at The Architect and The Artist.
Wendy Hilton presents Our Crew’s Ship – Benefits of Homeschooling Your Special Needs Child posted at Our Crew’s Ship.
Lori Boling presents Combing Art with Nature walks posted at Loving Learning at Home.
Debbie Phillips presents Charlotte Mason Homeschooling posted at Debbies Digest.
Heather presents Finding the Home in Homeschooling posted at Marine Corps Nomads.
Lara DeHaven presents Review of Rosetta Stone Software posted at Texas Homesteader.
Aimee presents homeschool talk: lapbooks posted at Aimee’s Land.
Dana presents The power of a story posted at Principled Discovery.
Lynn presents Mummies, Flowers and Blue Dolphins posted at Eclectic Education – Homeschool Blogger.
Kimberly presents Multi-level Homeschooling: Little Ones posted at Raising Olives.
Kerry presents 8 Habits of a Happy Homeschool Mama posted at A Ten O’Clock Scholar.
Art Museum Scavenger Hunt
September 6, 2009 by Christine
There is something magical about a child’s first up-close-and-personal experience with fine art. The richness of the subject matter, the variety of styles, genres and time periods, the range of emotions and colors, all combine to make lasting memories and mental pictures that will influence our children’s perception of art for their entire lives.
The question is not what you look at, but what you see.
Henry David Thoreau
I myself remember each time I have been to a new art museum – from the Rijksmuseum in Holland, to the Children’s Book Illustrator exhibit on our trip to Maine – and each experience has filled me with a sense of beauty that can’t be replaced. No child is too young to take part in the expressions of beauty displayed in your local art museum.
Of course, without proper focus and direction, children can become overwhelmed and come away with nothing specific for their memory to retain. That is why, as with anything else in our homeschooling adventure, it is our job to prepare them for the journey with a well-planned “prelude” of expectations, questions and guidelines for looking at, and seeing, what is before them. Some museums have children’s activities and exhibits to start them off, but don’t be afraid to bring them to see the regular exhibits as well. Giving them specific concepts, subjects, and styles to look for will make for an exciting hour or two lost in the world of art! The anticipation is killing me, so let’s get started!
Here is a list of just a handful of ideas for the search:
- a portrait of a child
- a traditional still life (like this one or this one)
- a cubist still life such as this one
- a painting made only with dots (pointillism)
- a painting primarily in warm colors
- a painting primarily in cool colors
- a painting primarily in black and white
- a sculpture made of metal
- a painting with lots of shadows (such as this one. The term for this kind of painting is chiaroscuro meaning “bright-dark”)
- a painting of a celebration
- a sculpture of an animal
- a painting using mostly geometric shapes
- an impressionist painting (in the style of Monet)
- a painting using thick globs of paint
- a painting with a feeling of sadness
- a painting of a battle
- a painting or sculture using symbols (such as an olive branch, dove, etc.)
- a sculpture that is broken
- a landscape with people only included in the background, or not at all
- a portrait that looks almost like a photograph
- a portrait that is completely unrealistic
- a piece of art that doesn’t seem to you like a piece of art
- a painting of a specific place (Paris, London, George Washington crossing the Delaware, etc.)
- a painting with a lot of your favorite color in it
- a painting of a snow scene
- a painting of Mary and Jesus (there are so many styles to find with the Holy Family as subject that a lot of discussion can take place about what is different and the same- expressions, use of light, shape of face, colors, etc.)
Download this list to print and use on your next scavenger hunt.
I could go on forever! Use this list as a jumping off point for your scavenger hunt and adjust it according to the ages of your children. Have the older ones choose two to compare and contrast, or choose a style that they particularly like and write a report. Younger ones can simply find a picture in an art book and recreate it with art supplies. If you are not near an art museum have the children search in a large coffee table book on art from your local library.
The sky is the limit and the possibilities for discovery are endless! I hope you enjoy taking your family on this search-and-find mission!
Christine is a Christian, homeschooling mom to three boys and a girl, ranging in age from 9 to 2 years old. She is a musician by trade, eclectic in homeschool style, and continues to grow and learn along with her children in this journey of life and discipleship at home. Visit her blog at Fruit in Season.
Saying Goodbye to Summer
September 3, 2009 by Kristina
If you are like me, saying goodbye to summer isn’t as difficult this particular year since the summer weather we are used to simply never arrived. Sad in some ways, but makes you switch gears quickly enough if you aren’t a year-round schooler. We usually *do* some form of school during our summer “break” but this time, we ended up doing a myriad of other things. Change can be good!
We formally begin school this week, a week earlier than normal in our neck of the woods, going by the Public System’s calendar, and in my mind there is nothing sweeter than starting school off with “something fun”. I managed to track down a ton of treasures for this posting; hope you enjoy, and remember, they’ll hardly cost you a thing!
I first saw this game being played at an Historical re-enactment village, then found the instructions in an old book of mine, no longer in print, called Things to Do. Who can pass that title up? The “thing” is Bowling Hoops, and here is how you “do” it:
This is a traditional autumn game and the idea is for the bowler to perform as much as possible with as little effort on his or her part. The difficulty comes in challenging the bowler to run through the rolling hoop, if the hoop is large enough. Parents, do NOT get the notion that you are still young and sprite enough to also do this. Do not ask me how I came to this conclusion.
What you need: if one player, you only need one hoop and a stick or some other item with which to make the hoop roll on its side. If two players, one small hoop, one larger hoop. Two players can attempt to bowl or roll the smaller hoop through the larger one. Simple fun.
Another game involving the hoops is called Turnpikes.
What you need: one large hoop, two stones and several players. The object of the game is to set two stones a bit wider apart than the width of your hoop and the hoop itself needs to be rolled through them as quickly as possible, without touching either of the stones. If it touches or misses the stones’ mark, the next player takes a turn until he or she misses.
One last idea is to play Posting.
What you need: as many players as you can muster up, one large hoop. Have the players stand, ideally, in a circle, at various points. Having players stand in a line will work, too. Choose a player to begin the game, having him or her run with the hoop, rolling or bowling it as quickly as they can, to the first “post” (where the next person in the line or circle is standing). That player then takes the hoop and rolls it as fast as he or she can to the next post and the first player then stands in the vacant spot. The idea is that as the players become more familiar with rolling the hoop, there is no stopping play. The hoop will continue to be rolled from post to post (player to player), picking up speed, making for a very active and fun game.
SO, what about fun for the more sedentary folks? I haven’t forgotten … art ideas abound!
What about the tried and true painted seed pot? All you need are: empty yogurt pots, baby food jars, or another type of container that isn’t needed for anything else, like a purchased clay pot if you choose, some scouring powder (if you wish), pencil and poster paint. These would be a great give to teacher idea, if your children attend any kind of Sunday School program or club. They will also look great decorating a table if you simply cannot bear to part with the finished product.
If you do not want to use the scouring powder, to rub away any lettering on the yogourt pot, you can use paint to cover the entire outside of the pot before sketching out your design. Sketch what you would like to paint onto the pot then paint with colour remembering to not make your brush too wet. Allow the painted pot to dry.
This last art idea requires parent supervision at all times but was just too cool not to share. It is called Paper Butterflies.
What you need: thin paper, a postcard (or piece of cardstock), a sheet of butcher paper, pencil, crayons, glue, cotton balls (or, preferably, the cotton you buy in bags that is already stretched and more like tubes), tape, a hot oven. Where we live, you are permitted to have an outdoor fire as long as you have a source of water or fire extinguisher nearby and are cooking (marshmallows totally count!), so an open fire in a backyard is nothing to blink an eye at around these parts and would be, in my opinion, the preferred method of burning for this idea.
What you do:
- Draw some lovely butterflies on thin paper (like tracing paper), colouring them and then cutting them out.
- Glue a piece of 3 inch long cotton to each butterfly
- With the tape, fasten the end of the cotton to the postcard (or cardstock cut into a rectangle approximately the same size of a postcard)
- Heat the sheet of butcher paper in the oven for a few minutes
- Take the paper out of the heat and rub it swiftly using one way strokes
- Quickly hold the brown heated paper over the butterflies on the postcard or cardstock and they should fly. As soon as the brown paper is cold, they will drop. To make them fly again, simply re-heat the butcher paper.
Kristina is a happily married wife in her eleventh year of homeschooling the flybytheseatofyourpants method. So far her two boys seem intelligible and relatively unscathed. She is an intern Educational Therapist with NILD and in her spare time loves to scrapbook, paint, make linoprints and write novel study guides. In your spare time, check out her blog On Fire.
