Stacia Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I keep leaning more & more toward needing 'open & go' curriculum. (I'm a certified curriculum-tweaker, so it pains me to say that, lol. :rolleyes:) So, in researching options to meet the open & go criteria, I'm thinking "Handle on the Arts" looks pretty promising for an art/music study. http://www.handleonthearts.com/shop/ Has anyone used this? Comments? Help! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenKitty Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I've never used it, but it looks interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hoping to hear from anyone who has used this program. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K in MI Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I'm currently using the Apprentice Arts with our hs co-op; this is the program that is based on units, rather than the Time Traveler, which is based on historical eras. As far as "open and go" -- it's all in the box, other than craft supplies. It includes a nice mix of art appreciation, arts/crafts based on what is studied, music appreciation and basic musical terms, etc., architecture, and a bit of pantomime, etc. My co-op class has 9 children, ages 6-12; most are on the younger side. Hope this helps, and let me know if I can answer any other questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 I'm currently using the Apprentice Arts with our hs co-op; this is the program that is based on units, rather than the Time Traveler, which is based on historical eras. As far as "open and go" -- it's all in the box, other than craft supplies. It includes a nice mix of art appreciation, arts/crafts based on what is studied, music appreciation and basic musical terms, etc., architecture, and a bit of pantomime, etc. My co-op class has 9 children, ages 6-12; most are on the younger side. Hope this helps, and let me know if I can answer any other questions. Thank you! Hooray -- I'm glad to hear from at least one person who has seen this in real life. LOL. I'm considering this w/ my 6yo & 9yo (soon to be 7 & 10). How is retention? Do the kids enjoy the program? Do you feel it's worth the investment of $, esp. for a single family vs. a co-op? I'm not sure which program I'd pick. I was thinking of going ahead & getting the Apprentice Arts, starting now until summer & then finish it in the fall. After that, I was thinking of getting the Time Traveler one, which would fit in well at some point next year as we're planning to do ancients then. How are the art supplies -- which types of things are needed? All pretty standard stuff, or will I be running out to find unique supplies a lot of the time? Any other comments? I love art, but find that I just never pull stuff together for us to do -- kind-of falls to the back burner. Same w/ music. This looks like something fun & easy (for me) to implement & could help ensure that we get art & music back into our regular routine. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K in MI Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Thank you! Hooray -- I'm glad to hear from at least one person who has seen this in real life. LOL. I'm considering this w/ my 6yo & 9yo (soon to be 7 & 10). How is retention? Do the kids enjoy the program? Do you feel it's worth the investment of $, esp. for a single family vs. a co-op? It is a sizeable investment, isn't it? I bought it initially to use just with my son, but the opportunity to do it with the co-op came up, so that's what we're doing. I personally think it would work better on a family basis; I have to decide what to do/leave out in order to fit things into a 50-minutes-per-week-for-10-weeks schedule. For a family, it involves 10-20 minutes a day, 4 times a week. The quality of the pictures, CDs, supplies, and lesson book are great. I think it is worth it. (And it all comes in this nice cardboard box with a handle -- hence the name.) Even with the co-op, I only spend about 1/2 hour each week in preparation. I'm not sure which program I'd pick. I was thinking of going ahead & getting the Apprentice Arts, starting now until summer & then finish it in the fall. After that, I was thinking of getting the Time Traveler one, which would fit in well at some point next year as we're planning to do ancients then. How are the art supplies -- which types of things are needed? All pretty standard stuff, or will I be running out to find unique supplies a lot of the time? The supplies are what would commonly be used: markers, pencils, crayons, scissors, paints, paper, etc. There are a few art activities that might take some planning-ahead (sillouettes [sorry -- can't spell!], etc.), but there really isn't anything unusual or weird. Any other comments? I love art, but find that I just never pull stuff together for us to do -- kind-of falls to the back burner. Same w/ music. This looks like something fun & easy (for me) to implement & could help ensure that we get art & music back into our regular routine. It is easy! That's what I like about it. I'm leaning more now towards a Charlotte Mason style, and this fits in well. Thank you! Let me know it you'd like any other questions answered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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