Ads 468x60px

Aug 24, 2012

Meet the Master: Vincent Van Gogh


 
Hello Everyone welcome to our new year curriculum for art called MEET THE MASTERS! When I found out it came with the option for homeschooling I was sold! Basically it works like this:

Step 1: Online Art History slideshow
Step 2: Worksheet technique pages
Step 3: Create a work of art based on the lesson

Why I like it so much? 
  • Because you don't need art teaching experience to teach the lessons to your kids. 
  • They use their hands on activities rather then just textbook work.
  • Because its broken down into sections so its easy to follow. 
  • And lastly, because of the joy I see it brings my kids when they get to pretend to be a famous artist and do the same art that Van Gogh did ;)
You can buy the entire curriculum (35 artists) or by track which is 5 artists. Track 1 includes Van Gogh, Cassatt, Mondrian, Picasso, and Monet. 
Our day with Vincent Van Gogh
We started the lesson by putting hats on the boys with little NON-lit tea candles so they could pretend to be painting at night like Van Gogh when he painted Starry Night. Then went through the computer slideshow while I read along. Next, worksheets where the boys could practice adding shapes to objects to create a textured look. The the fun part: learning how to draw broken line spirals with oil pastels around stars to create our own starry night.

The results!

Interesting Fact: Van Gogh only sold one painting his entire life.

Grace to You, Jenna 

Unit Study: Birds


Our first unit this year was birds, yes birds. On Monday we read through a few bird books then did a craft about Toucans from Tippytoe Crafts.


He was very proud of his Toucan
"Birds of a feather flock together"
On Tuesday-Thursday we combined science with our unit study and explored the aspects of birds and how to look at nests but not disturb them from our Applied Science curriculum. Then did a little art by painting eggs and placing them in an abandoned nest from our backyard that I balanced in a tree.

Step 2: Determine if our robin eggs would they fit in a robin's nest.
Step 1: Gently put the eggs in the nest.

The nest will stay there until it is seasoned. Then we'll add it as an exhibit to our classroom. I got the fake wooden eggs from a craft store then had the boys color them with oil pastels.
After that we painted pictures of the still life.
On Wednesday we headed down to the park for some bird watching with our handy-dandy binoculars! Then watched videos on YouTube...amazing! Weaver Bird Video.

On Thursday we learned about two dimensional versus three dimensional items ie birds eggs as spheres.

On Friday we did another craft with Peacocks and finished off the week by pretending to fly around the backyard.
For information on this craft go to Tipptytoe Crafts.



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Popular Posts

 

A Mother's Prayer

Lord bless my home and anyone who enters. Lead me daily so that I am always aware of You! Whether educating my kids, cooking or cleaning may my attitude always be that of a servant. Give me the words to guide my children to You, to know You, Your character and love You, Lord. Please teach to have patience and to always be learning. Lord mold me through each stage of life so I am continually growing and pursuing You no matter what. Lord I want to be a great mom and wife and I know that if I look only to You for help that I can accomplish this, the love for my family that I desire to show them. Lord I'm amazed by You and I love You. Amen.

Full of Life, Full of Love

"The spirited child-often called "difficult" or "strong-willed"--possesses traits we value in adults yet find challenging in children. Research shows that spirited kids are wired to be "more"-by temperament, they are more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and uncomfortable with change than the average child." It seems as though we have three, and they are very much like me. What does this mean? I need to be compassionate, consistent, confident, controlled, all with a gentle yet firm approach. Yes my plate is full.

Motherhood: A rigorous training ground

What an awesome responsibility mothers have to their children. Cultural stereotypes promote the idea that giving birth miraculously endows women with kindness, compassion, and goodness. But we all know better. Many of us can witness that we are made more aware of our weaknesses and impatience after becoming mothers than we were before. Godliness and generosity are not prerequisites of giving birth; they are characteristics that God hones and whittles into our character over time. Motherhood provides a rigorous training ground where we can display practice and model the disciplines of love, honesty, and compassion before our children. --Rebecca Laird