mamato3 Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 I'm looking for an art curriculum for my 4 and 6 year olds. I'm not very crafty and this is something I will easily overlook in our homeschooling if I'm not very intentional about doing art projects. I have Drawing with Children, but don't find it very accessible (I haven't had the time necessary to sit down with it and come up with meaningful lessons). I hoping for a not too expensive curriculum that will help make sure my kids learn all that they should about different types of art/mediums. suggestions???? thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecclecticmum Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 We use Harmony Fine Arts, the guide book is cheap, it is all "scheduled" and you can pick and choose (has lots of options, I tend to pick and choose from all of them). It has art & music appreciation, colouring pictures from the masters, plus lessons for different mediums (usually based around the artist you are studying). I also schedule in once a week, a silly craft/art project, I just do a search around pinterest. I usually prefer something thats not really "educational" related, is fun and messy, this allows me to do something I wouldn't already do, and since I have it scheduled in I actually do it. This week its Cornstarch Packing Peanut Sculptures (you dip your finger in the water, wipe over one end of packing peanut, and then attach it to another one). There are other programs available: - Meet the Masters - Artistic Pursuits etc I like Harmony Fine Arts, because it is easily customisable and has enough options that I can personalise it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 We use Harmony Fine Arts, the guide book is cheap, it is all "scheduled" and you can pick and choose (has lots of options, I tend to pick and choose from all of them). It has art & music appreciation, colouring pictures from the masters, plus lessons for different mediums (usually based around the artist you are studying). I also schedule in once a week, a silly craft/art project, I just do a search around pinterest. I usually prefer something thats not really "educational" related, is fun and messy, this allows me to do something I wouldn't already do, and since I have it scheduled in I actually do it. This week its Cornstarch Packing Peanut Sculptures (you dip your finger in the water, wipe over one end of packing peanut, and then attach it to another one). There are other programs available: - Meet the Masters - Artistic Pursuits etc I like Harmony Fine Arts, because it is easily customisable and has enough options that I can personalise it for me. A bit of a threadjack... I've been looking at Harmony, but my hesitation is that they recommend all these extra pieces. What do you use to make it work? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquility7 Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 Not sure if this is really what you are after, but DS and I are really enjoying Meet the Masters. It is art practice and history combined. Each lesson has an online presentation (with scripted narration for the parent) about a famous artist. At the end of the lesson is a project that reflects some aspect of the artist studied. The presentation usually takes us about 20-30 min and also includes explanations of various art vocabulary relevant to that artist (texture, composition, contrast, etc.), and then the project is another hour or so. It is fun and we are both enjoying it and are learning a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecclecticmum Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 A bit of a threadjack... I've been looking at Harmony, but my hesitation is that they recommend all these extra pieces. What do you use to make it work? :D You'll have to explain a bit more, LOL. As I said, I tend to use a lot of the options, but I don't get anything more than neccessary. We are using Grade 1, and I am looking into Grade 2 purchases now. - I purchased the colouring books, as I like the ability for them to colour/paint and use different mediums with the books, rather than just having my pre-k 2 kids painting an entire page in green and pronouncing it "bath-time picture" :lol: yes, they do do that. :tongue_smilie: Since the music was "older" music I was able to obtain it free by downloading. For info on the masters/composers, I printed out (but didn't have to) an info sheet from a classical kids site. With the ebook version art prints are available in the back of the book, I also use google images for the particular art piece we are studying that week. If you have an ipad, or a computer you could be close to, some different art mediums, and paper, you could probably get away without printing or purchasing anythin except the guide, just being resourceful. I do have the Oxford first book of art (purchased from ebay for $10 total) and the other art book, but you could replace those with google images, and information on the "subject" at hand with a quick google. Some lessons in the options occassionally are links to online art lesson plans, and when without, you could make do with doing an imitation/copy of the current weeks picture. IMO HFA can cost as little or as much as you want, and I personally think under $20 for a "scheduled" art & music guide, is pretty darn cheap ;) We also don't use watercolours here, I replace them with food colouring and water, so I just have the larger sized "mini bottles" of the primary colours, and mix to provide a "rainbow" on the plastic palette bowls we have. With so much information available online, plus the library, I don't see why you have to pay for anything much apart from the guide, its more of a personal decision on what's best, easiest and more budget wise for you. Let me know if I haven't answered your question properly xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeterbug Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 This is what I'm hoping to use... http://www.officialhomeartstudio.com/ It's DVD based. It might actually get done around here! There are sample lessons on the site. Easy to combine different ages. In the meantime we are doing random projects from Maryann Kohl books and Art Projects for Kids. I also intend to use Usborne Art Treasury at some point, it has a (very) brief bio on an artist and a related art project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spetzi Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 Meet the Masters is available through Home School Buyer's Coop now. We're going to use that in our co-op this fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen. Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 I really like the web site Deep Space Sparkle. It has all kinds of projects for different ages. Also, Making Amazing Art by Sandi Henry might be what your looking for (our library has it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIS0320 Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 Atelier is perfect for a non-crafty mom. It is DVD based, the lessons are good and it is pretty hands off. My daughter has produced some very nice art using Level 1 this year and will begin using Level 2 in 2nd grade. http://www.homeschoolart.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EducationX2 Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 I really like the web site Deep Space Sparkle. It has all kinds of projects for different ages. Also, Making Amazing Art by Sandi Henry might be what your looking for (our library has it). I use both of these resources, plus Pinterest and lots of google searches. I was going to get an actual art curriculum, but money is limited for me and I decided I'd rather put that money into more art supplies. I sat down one day and wrote out a list of important concepts/mediums, (which can be found by looking on various art blogs), then I just found a couple projects to go along with each concept. When DD gets a little bit older, I'll get a more formal program, but for now I feel like this is enough. It didn't take me long to get everything organized for this, and now it is all put together and scheduled like any other curriculum. Also, I schedule a block of free art time. This is where all those extra art supplies that I have come in. :001_smile: This is a nonstructured art time. The most I do is sometimes pull out certain supplies, like I'll pull out a handful of popsicle sticks and tell her to create something with it. She also has a large toy box full of arts and crafts supplies that she's allowed to use- markers, glue, paints, crayons, felt, paper, etc.etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 This isn't a curricula, but my kids love it: https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/Mikes-Inspiration-Station/?c=1 Meet the Masters is more teacher intensive, but we did enjoy the lessons. I had trouble working the lessons into the schedule sometimes- but that's a character flaw in me not the program. ;) In the end, as our subscription was expiring, I just did the online informational lessons with the kids and we skipped the actual art projects. :blush: But, just learning about the various artists was still interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriciaS Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 I'm not sure if this uses different mediums, but http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com has an art curriculum she made that covers different artists and their paintings, then has a few projects for each artist making a copy of the original works. I haven't read through it too thoroughly yet, but my library has all of the books her lessons are planned on, so it would only cost you the price of art supplies and a little paper and ink. HTH! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 This is what I'm hoping to use... http://www.officialhomeartstudio.com/ It's DVD based. It might actually get done around here! There are sample lessons on the site. Easy to combine different ages. In the meantime we are doing random projects from Maryann Kohl books and Art Projects for Kids. I also intend to use Usborne Art Treasury at some point, it has a (very) brief bio on an artist and a related art project. Thank you for mentioning Home Art Studio!! I had never heard of that before (I'm amazed how many times I end up saying that lately!). I really like the look of it. I was thinking of getting Atelier, but something that bothers me about it is that they have no samples on their website at all. :confused1: :glare: I like the sample videos of Home Art Studio and I like the descriptions of what it taught on each DVD. I see that there are 18 lessons on each DVD, which is what each Level of Atelier has. Home Art Studio is so much more reasonably priced!! Yay!! You could get all 6 levels of Home Art Studio for less than 1 level of Atelier....and you'd get 108 lessons compared to 18. :hurray: I'm so excited....this just made my day! :party: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeterbug Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 Thank you for mentioning Home Art Studio!! I had never heard of that before (I'm amazed how many times I end up saying that lately!). I really like the look of it. I was thinking of getting Atelier, but something that bothers me about it is that they have no samples on their website at all. :confused1: :glare: I like the sample videos of Home Art Studio and I like the descriptions of what it taught on each DVD. I see that there are 18 lessons on each DVD, which is what each Level of Atelier has. Home Art Studio is so much more reasonably priced!! Yay!! You could get all 6 levels of Home Art Studio for less than 1 level of Atelier....and you'd get 108 lessons compared to 18. :hurray: I'm so excited....this just made my day! I'm so glad! The only reason I don't own this yet is because their international shipping is unreasonably high- I think it was $36 for one level, more than the cost of the dvd. I am shipping it to relatives in the US and they will bring it over later this year when they visit. I had the same thoughts about Atelier, no samples? It looks great and I've heard good things about it on these forums but there is very little product description and no samples to look at. Here's a couple of reviews of Home Art Studio if you are interested: 1+1+1=1 Everyday Snapshots- there are more on her blog but they aren't tagged well, you have to search for Home Art Studio to find the other entries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Atelier is perfect for a non-crafty mom. It is DVD based, the lessons are good and it is pretty hands off. :iagree: And watching the other kids so it has made my non-arty guy willing to pick up the brush and paint. It is the ONLY art he will do, and he asks for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Not curriculums, but here are my favorite sources for FREE arts and crafts lessons... Dick Blick KinderArt - this is hands-down my favorite. A ton of awesome ideas! Augsburg Drawing (pdf's from Google Books) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrissySC Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Drawing with Children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristenR Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I had a hard time implementing Drawing with Children. So I ended up crafting my own easy and fun artist appreciation unit. I did purchase Atelier during the last co-op for use next year, so this one that I made up was a fun and easy intro. We are still finishing it up but you can see what we've done here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivingHope Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 http://www.creatingamasterpiece.com/index.html These DVD art lessons were recently recommended to me. I have been using chalk and oil pastels lately in our nature journals and would love to get the DVD that emphasizes pastels while creating a lake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrissySC Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I had a hard time implementing Drawing with Children. So I ended up crafting my own easy and fun artist appreciation unit. I did purchase Atelier during the last co-op for use next year, so this one that I made up was a fun and easy intro. We are still finishing it up but you can see what we've done here. It is my spine. From there I use other items too. You sound like me - I call us the curritwisters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 (edited) Thank you for mentioning Home Art Studio!! I had never heard of that before (I'm amazed how many times I end up saying that lately!). I really like the look of it. I was thinking of getting Atelier, but something that bothers me about it is that they have no samples on their website at all. I bought Atelier "cat in bag" (sight unseen) in desperation. When I put it in I was :tongue_smilie: because the woman seemed so BORING. However, kiddo finds her encouraging and reassuring and watching the other kids do art has really been the KEY to getting him to be willing to not be Mr. El Perfecto every time he picks up a brush. I looked at the samples of Home Art Studio, and I see two problems for my non-arty kid. One, she announces what grade it is (instead of levels). While that may mean nothing to some kids, my fella is very vested in working hard to be at or above grade. This would definitely deflate his balloon. How well I remember hating art because I wasn't as good as my peers. Two, while she is personable and perky, a catch phrase like "be creative" would fly right over kiddo's head. So, if a child is art-adverse, Atelier might be a better choice. As I said, the presenter seemed like verbal Valium to me, but she really knows how to talk to children. Home Art Studio looks more appropriate for kids who don't care how imperfect their art is, or are good enough to match her productions (and aren't flustered by Happy and Peppy and Bursting With Love* presentation styles). *a reference to a Felix Unger song Edited July 1, 2012 by kalanamak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Before this year I used the KinderArt website and just random art/music appreciation by looking through art books and reading bios and stories about art. This year and for next I've started with Drawing With Children. You don't really need to plan lessons because the book is already laid out in lessons. Just go through each chapter systematically after giving your child the level eval test in the front. Don't plan on ever completing DWC, there's enough drawing technique and lessons to get into high school. I've also started Artistic Pursuits (the very first book). I'll use it with my K'er and 4th grader. It has weekly lessons. For appreciation I've decided on starting with Harmony Fine Arts. You wouldn't have to *buy* all of the suggested materials. Most are online. we have our own art books to look through and a lot of music can be downloaded or inter library loaned. She doesn't say anything about Classical Kids in the pdf I have, but those are wonderful to have around to listen to. I did get the Child-Sized Masterpieces art cards and a set of Dover art cards. Those are fun for the kids to look at. For crafty things I like the Little Hands Art Book. Fine arts is good, but sometimes kids just need to make something out of construction paper and glitter kwim? A lot of things (looking at the art cards or books and listening to music) just happen naturally, like play, without a schedule. But it helps to set aside an afternoon or even two to do a quick project together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I'm so glad! The only reason I don't own this yet is because their international shipping is unreasonably high- I think it was $36 for one level, more than the cost of the dvd. I am shipping it to relatives in the US and they will bring it over later this year when they visit. I had the same thoughts about Atelier, no samples? It looks great and I've heard good things about it on these forums but there is very little product description and no samples to look at. Here's a couple of reviews of Home Art Studio if you are interested: 1+1+1=1 Everyday Snapshots- there are more on her blog but they aren't tagged well, you have to search for Home Art Studio to find the other entries. Thank you! I'll check out these reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I bought Atelier "cat in bag" (sight unseen) in desperation. When I put it in I was :tongue_smilie: because the woman seemed so BORING. However, kiddo finds her encouraging and reassuring and watching the other kids do art has really been the KEY to getting him to be willing to not be Mr. El Perfecto every time he picks up a brush. I looked at the samples of Home Art Studio, and I see two problems for my non-arty kid. One, she announces what grade it is (instead of levels). While that may mean nothing to some kids, my fella is very vested in working hard to be at or above grade. This would definitely deflate his balloon. How well I remember hating art because I wasn't as good as my peers. Two, while she is personable and perky, a catch phrase like "be creative" would fly right over kiddo's head. So, if a child is art-adverse, Atelier might be a better choice. As I said, the presenter seemed like verbal Valium to me, but she really knows how to talk to children. Home Art Studio looks more appropriate for kids who don't care how imperfect their art is, or are good enough to match her productions (and aren't flustered by Happy and Peppy and Bursting With Love* presentation styles). *a reference to a Felix Unger song I'm glad your ds is enjoying Atelier. I can see your points. I guess it just all depends on the child as to which one is better then. I know my dd has the habit of asking how long she gets to do something that she really loves.....how many years can she do such-in-such before the program ends. She always wants to start everything at the very beginning and finish until the very end. I was showing her the site and told her there are K - 5th grade DVD's. We watched the K sample and she said to please start with K. LOL! It doesn't bother her at all. What does bother her is knowing that there were levels below her grade that she would miss out on. She just doesn't want to miss out on any of the projects. For her, I think it's actually better that there aren't other kids on the lessons, otherwise she's always wishing she could be with other kids in a group doing something like that. I kind of like the idea of just her and the art teacher. What's cool too is that you can upload your art projects at the site and the art teacher will comment on each one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I tried twice to edit my previous posting, but it won't work. :glare: So, I'll start a new post here. I had commented earlier that there are 18 lessons on each Home Art Studio DVD just like each level of Atelier (I read that here where it says: "The 18 projects (on each DVD) students will complete are designed to illustrate the elements and principles of art in an age appropriate way."). But, if you zoom in on the back of each DVD it says how many projects...which is: K ~ 18 projects 1st ~ 18 projects 2nd ~ 18 projects 3rd ~ 16 projects 4th ~ 14 projects 5th ~ 13 projects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicoryChick Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I like Evan-Moor's How to Teach Art to Children Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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