Fun, hands on, artsy K and 3rd grade ideas?

[mommymilkies]

I feel like all of my fun and cool ideas were used up by my oldest two kids. My brain has holes in it or something becaus I am not nearly as much fun. My 5 and 8 year olds like doing Artistic Pursuits and Mapping the World with the "big kids", but I would like something next year for them that is much more np hands on and focused on their age groups. I don't mind crafts and hands on stuff, provided it uses convenient materials. ;)

 

Can anyone give me good ideas for (preferably secular or secular friendly) fun programs for kids. I read about Moving Beyond the Page, LLATL, Winter Promise Children of the World (too pricey??), but there are conflicting reviews. HOD did not work for us. We like Sonlight but they want more to do than just reading and maps.

 

Sorry, to clarify, are there any curricula that are:

 

Teacher intensive

crafty

artsy

inexpensive

hands-on

secular or not over the top religiously incorporated like HOD (no offense, it's just not my brand of religion)

[Erica in OR]

This wouldn't be a program, so not nearly so convenient, but I love this art project website for grades K-5: http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/. You can sort it based on grade level and locate projects you'd like to use. The materials are mostly what you would normally have on hand for doing art.

 

Erica in OR

[Ecclecticmum]

What about oak meadows craft books? Each grade usually has some sort of craft book, plus the k-3 process of learning manual has how tos on a lot of craft/art stuff I believe. Or look up steiner/waldorf crafts/handwork/art, they are usually seasonal & nature based so easy to get supplies for.

 

Weefolkart has craft instructions and ideas on her blog.

 

Or perhaps make their art program accessibility. Have a little area where there is everything available to them (glitter, toothpicks, glue, paint, masking tape etc) and keep some bags/boxes with recyclables available. This is the main breakdown for Project Based Learning (I have her book and love it).

 

Or the Maryann Kohl books? These are funny, arty/crafty and are about process not product. She has plenty of different books.

 

If you like the nature idea, but need a book, something like Earthwise or Festivals Together? Earthwise concentrates on green/nature crafts, outdoor kids building, greening your house etc. Festivals Together has craft etc ideas for international festivals (wesak, easter, divali, chinese new year etc)

 

There is also new child montessori, they have an art/craft guide that looks very thorough.

[Oakblossoms]

Would you consider KONOS? I used it with my older two and it was quite fun. I didn't get crazy with it though. Just a pile of books and an activity or two. I am actually trying to figure out if I want to go back to unit study with my younger two.

[Walking-Iris]

Are you wanting just arts and crafts ideas or whole curriculum ideas or literary ideas? You're already familiar with the Waldorf methods. That OM stuff is good for art time. I use the EarthWays for Waldorf crafts too. Might be better for your two youngest ones though. For crafts you could just use something like Kids Create or Multicultural Kids Craft Book. Or any crafts book or Pinterest board really.

 

I've been using PWB with my younger two (it's recommended by MBTP for pre school--I've flirted with the idea of using that at times--but the book can be used with 2 year olds up to 1st grade easily enough) and we love it. But since I got it from you maybe you didn't like it! LOL

 

http://www.kinderart.com/ I've used this website for as long as I can remember. It helps for those times when you just need something to do.

 

LitWits have Pinterest boards that are pretty inspiring for adding a craft to a read aloud. http://www.litwitswo...rkhops-gallery/

 

That Caldecott Across The Curriculum I showed you is pretty hands on. Sort of like FIAR, which I think would be fun to do if adapted to make secular.

 

A Trip Around The World is a pretty crafty geography book.

 

You can just keep letting them do ArtisticPursuits if they like it. My Kinder loves it. Literally. He kisses the book and hugs it and screams when I get it out.

 

You could also just dig in and do all those Outdoor Hour Challenges once a week. That's the pot calling the kettle black. ;)

 

I've also seen and sort of liked KONOS.

 

http://www.kiwicrate.com/

 

For your littlest one. I'm seriously thinking about subscribing to this for my dd's 3rd bday gift.

[mommymilkies]

What about oak meadows craft books? Each grade usually has some sort of craft book, plus the k-3 process of learning manual has how tos on a lot of craft/art stuff I believe. Or look up steiner/waldorf crafts/handwork/art, they are usually seasonal & nature based so easy to get supplies for.

Weefolkart has craft instructions and ideas on her blog.

Or perhaps make their art program accessibility. Have a little area where there is everything available to them (glitter, toothpicks, glue, paint, masking tape etc) and keep some bags/boxes with recyclables available. This is the main breakdown for Project Based Learning (I have her book and love it).

Or the Maryann Kohl books? These are funny, arty/crafty and are about process not product. She has plenty of different books.

If you like the nature idea, but need a book, something like Earthwise or Festivals Together? Earthwise concentrates on green/nature crafts, outdoor kids building, greening your house etc. Festivals Together has craft etc ideas for international festivals (wesak, easter, divali, chinese new year etc)

There is also new child montessori, they have an art/craft guide that looks very thorough.

 

 

I did part of a Montessori training program and just don't have the physical or mental energy for it anymore. Lol we were also Waldorf for years, so we've done every project in those books. I think that's why I feel a little used up! I think I'm looking for curricula. I have ideas books, but planning it out is getting bothersome. I need something that says "It's February! Time to do xyz before you forget and it's July!". Lol

Would you consider KONOS? I used it with my older two and it was quite fun. I didn't get crazy with it though. Just a pile of books and an activity or two. I am actually trying to figure out if I want to go back to unit study with my younger two.

 

 

I've been trying to learn more about this but half the pages I find on here searching come up as an internal error. Ugh!! Frustrating!

 

WalkingIris, I knew you'd chime in. ;) kiwicrate looks awesome. I think I've seen others like that, but the price of some of those. Yikes! D you have A Trip Around the World?

[Kathleen in LV]

This site also has some fun ideas for a variety of grade levels:

 

http://www.mrsbrownart.com/index.htm

[Oakblossoms]

KONOS might have samples. Basically it has a character trait. Under each character trait are different subtopics. Your suppose to use those to teach the character trait. Each subtopics has lists off books, vocabulary words, and activities for a variety of levels. So, there is some planning. Although, I just opened the book and asked the kids what they wanted to study. Huge books. Covers at least three years.

 

I totally get you on the I just want something to tell me what to do. My kids are such a huge age range now. It is nuts some days. I am planning on either KONOS or OM with my younger two. OM gives a list of things to do each week, for each subject. You plan what to do on what days. It follows the seasons in the younger years. I found it was not a good fit for my special needs son, nor my son who hate writing and busy work. I think it will be a great fit for my daughter who is already writing and trying to read.

 

I hope you can find something you like and that works. I have moved to more workbook stuff than I would like because I barely remember to shower much less who did what today.

[PachiSusan]

Have you ever tried Atelier Art? That is really fun. Comes with a CD of a teacher teaching the lesson and you can teach it or just let the student watch it.

[mommymilkies]

I have bought and sold OM at least 6 times now. In fact I have one listed in the Classifieds now. ;)

 

I will check out Atelier Art. We already have Mark Kistler, which they love. I would like something *more* teacher involved instead of less, though. I have focused too heavily on the older kids for awhile and I'd like to redirect myself some. :)

[tjlcc]

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