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.

Our Classroom Interim

Well it looks as though my husband might embark on a home improvement project-finishing our walk-up attic but until then WE will be using my makeshift classroom. Also we do almost all art, science experiments and projects at the kitchen table.

All our curriculum books are in this bookshelf. The top two shelves are mom's supplies that are difficult to reach for a reason ;) The middle shelf holds all Junior's books including his level 1 and 2 reading books and My Little Engineers curriculum books. The bottom two shelves hold art, art and more art supplies and our Lapbook/Unit Study stuff.

Next, each boy has his own desk to work on along with their workboxes. At first I didn't like that the bottom drawers were deep but as it turns out those drawers work great for science, art and unit study stuff (which usually require a lot of supplies). Each wall has some poster pertaining to their main focus of study and bulletin boards to display their lovely art.

In another corner of the room is a supply closet that holds Juniors subject bins and my teacher manuals. Below that are bins filled with music, science supplies, math supplies and games, workbooks and coloring books, and bins of activities to keep the Tiny Queen Bee occupied. Nothing was more frustrating last year then not being able to find the right supplies required for activities, hopefully this will amend that problem this year. Best part is this closet closes.

Between the closet and bookshelf we have pocket sleeves that hold various worksheets to keep Junior busy should he complete a subject and I'm not available to help him move onto the next. He can simply grab one off the hook and work on them. I took apart about 8 workbooks of various topics and put them all together in a binder so I can just pull the worksheets out and throw them in the sleeves. 

I lucked out when I asked my father-in-law if he had any extra bulletin boards and he DID! As the year progresses the walls will be filled with art projects, and seasonal themed stuff. The boards hold our scripture memory verses, and morning routine stuff.

Lastly is my All About Spelling wall and United States of America map. The boys will be spending a lot of time staring at this wall ;)

So that's it, that's all. Its a cozy little room. I hope to add a few more shelves, and good comfy reading chair, and maybe some great memories, that is if we don't make a move up to the attic. 

To be continued...

Grace to You,

Jenna

 

Our Curriculum 2012-2013

Hi Everyone! Well its that time of year again as the start of our school year is quickly approaching. I've many changes to our curriculum from last year and I think its going to be great.

Junior (first grade):

• Language Arts: Alpha Omega LIFEPAC Level 1, All About Spelling Level 1
• Handwriting: Horizon Penmanship Level 1
• Arithmetic: Saxon Math Level 1
• Bible: LIFEPAC Bible Level 1
• Science: I.ScienceMaTe Level K/1, Apologia Zoology 1 and up
• History/Geography: Alpha Omega LIFEPAC Level 1
• Music: Famous Composers Unit Studies, Piano Lessons
• Art: Meet the Masters 
• P.E.: Weekly Workout Fitness Program at our YMCA, Horizons Health/P.E. level 1
• Unity Studies: Stay Tuned!

Supplemental Books (other then books used in his curriculum studies):

• KUMON workbooks: Time, Money, Mazes, Amazing Art Projects
• A+ workbooks: Addition, Subtraction, 50 States books 1 and 2, Famous Landmarks, Presidents, Insects, Sea Creatures, Dinosaurs, and Space Exploration (these are $1.00 from Target whoohoo!)

 

The Little Engineer (pre-k):

• Confessions of a Homeschooler K4 curriculum which includes:
• Bible
• Math 
• Reading 
• Writing
• Art 
• Music and Movement
• Sight Words
• Vowel sounds/blends
• Motor Skills

• Books:
• Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
• KUMON: Mazes, Alphabet Games, Numbers, Easy Telling Time, Easy Counting Money
• Level pre-k reading books

The Tiny Queen Bee:

• Anything we're doing that she's interested in besides complicated science stuff :)

 How do I keep it all organized?

Last year I found that if I didn't have anything planned for the week or day then I didn't know what to do with the kids other then a random art project. That's why I love these books. I organize my curriculum by weeks not by dates on a calendar because some weeks just don't go well and this way I know we're not skipping lessons in the books to stay "caught-up" but still can go through 180 days of school. Another reason why is that it helps me to keep track of what units are coming up so I know what books to check out from the library, supplies we need, etc. Lastly, these books work well because they help to keep track of what we've accomplished for our portfolios throughout the year. 

 

School starts tomorrow, wish us luck!

10 Great Non-conventional Summer Activites for you kids!

10 Great Things to do with your kids during the summer!

10. Rock Climbing.

• This could be either somewhat expensive or cheap depending on where you live. Some recs have a rock wall while other places offer a class and belay certification then free climbing time. Let your kids bring along a friend for a group class. Kids love this!

9. Fly fishing.

•  Yes even little girls might like to go fishing. A lot of outdoor stores offer an angler education class. In most states kids do not need a fishing license for catch and release but adults do, Kmart/Wal-mart sell a one-day license for both and have great, cheap gear.

8. Rafting.

• Make a day out of it. If you have little ones maybe wait a few years with this activity. Rivers are rated at levels of danger so pick an easier level river and hold-on to your britches. Use the internet to search White Water Rafting Tours.

7. Horseback riding.

• There's always some country right outside your city where pony rides are offered. Not every child grows up on a farm or around horses. This might be a great opportunity to let your kids experience large animals!

6. Home-Depot build workshops.

• Home Depot's are everywhere. You may not know it but on Saturday mornings they have short workshops where kids can actually use real equipment to build. The Link!

5.   Plan a meal.

• Let your child pick out a recipe(s) for dinner. Make the shopping list, go to the grocery, and let them cook the meal with you. This is a great way to show what goes into meal planning and if they do most of the work they're likely to eat it, and it gives them a great sense of accomplishment. (ps. let them help dad grill too)

4. Load up on LEGOS

• On the first Tuesday of every month during the summer kids can construct and take home "mini build" Lego projects. Building commences at 5p.m. and is limited to the first 300 children. Visit stores.lego.com to find store listings and info.

3. Do some good, Donate.

• Almost every person I know have toys laying around that their kids no longer play with or enjoy, clothes/shoes your kids have outgrown, old books you no longer read, or just things you don't need. Take a week and tackle 1 room per day and start collecting. There are donate boxes and/or Goodwill centers locations in almost every city. Kids can gain a new understanding about blessing people who have less.

2. Barnstorm

• Pottery Barn offers kids' activities all summer, including a Tuesday morning book club. Regular attendance earns a gift. Go to Potterybarnkids.com/events for information. The Link!

 1. Culture Club

• Target sponsors many free or super cheap concerts, museum events, and cultural happenings all summer. Find events in 32 cities at Target.com (at the bottom of the page under "about Target" click on "company information," then "community outreach," then "arts+culture.") Then go to the city closest to you! The link!

 Some of these things might be out of the ordinary for you and your family, however I believe that as a parent if you're willing to show your kids that you are willing to go out there, try new things, even if its not your cup of tea then your kids are likely to try new things as well, even if its a little scary.

Grace to You, 

Jenna