Teaching Art: Homeschool 101 (Part 4)

Teaching Art is easy! In our Enrichment Program, Art Study is on Day 1 for 20-30 minutes. Alternate art appreciation with art projects every other week like this:

• Week 1: Art Appreciation (Art History or Artist Biography with a Picture Study)
• Week 2: Art Projects (develop your skills; work on 1 per term such as Drawing, Watercolor, or Sculpting)

But what does the Art lesson look like?  In Teaching Art: Homeschool 101 (Part 4) we will look at an easy pattern anyone can follow: look, read, talk, write, recite.

1. Look (5 min.)

To begin the lesson, look together at a Picture Study for a few minutes, and let the children take in the beauty, commenting as desired. You will learn to observe closely and appreciate beauty. Post the Picture Study in your home to be enjoyed throughout the week. Give brief art commentary so children can discover for themselves. That's it! 

How should I choose a Picture Study?

• Select a Picture Study from the Art Period (see Scope & Sequence below) you have selected for the year.
• Select a Picture Study from the Artist's Biography you have selected to read for the month or the term.   

     |  let the children take in the beauty

2. Read (10-15 min.)

Next, enjoy reading together from an Artist Biography for about 10-15 minutes. Make sure the book is a living book! That is one that brings the story to life. This is so enjoyable, because knowing the artist brings meaning to his art. 

Here is a list of artists from which to choose: Artist Biographies to Study

     |  KNOWING THE  artist BRINGS MEANING TO HIS ART.

3. Talk (1-5 min.)

After reading the living book, ask one child to give an oral narration which takes about 1-5 minutes. (Say, "Tell me the story . . ." ) Another child can fill-in a missing part. This helps to cement the details of the story in the mind as it develops language skills, but more importantly, it's a conversation! You and the child are getting to know the artist.

4. Write (1-5 minutes)

Next, ask the student to write some basic facts in a question and answer format into a composition notebook, which I call the Recitation Notebook. Use the 5 W's (Who, What, When, Where, Why) to formulate questions. It might say:
      Q:  When did LEONARDO DA VINCI live?
      A:   (1462-1619)

Younger Students (grades 1-6) might write 1-5 facts and Older Students (grades 7-12) might write 6-10 facts. This only takes about 1-5 minutes!

5 Recite (1-5 min.)

Finally, spend a few minutes reciting the past lessons (for the Term or for the Year) from the Recitation Notebook. You will be surprised at how easy memory work is with this method - for the child and for you!

So, remember, teaching art is easy with these five steps: look, read, talk, write, and recite. What about Art Project day? Just get out the art supplies and let your child enjoy working on the project of choice (draw, watercolor, or sculp)! 

As a bonus, I will share with you a Sample Schedule and Scope & Sequence!

Sample Schedule for Enrichments

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Scripture Memory ​(5 minutes)	Scripture Memory ​(5 minutes)	Scripture Memory ​(5 minutes)	Nature Study
Habits (5-10 minutes)	Poetry ​(10 minutes)	Habits ​(5-10 minutes)	...
Art Study ​(20-30 minutes)	Latin Study ​(20-25 minutes)	Music Study ​(20-25 minutes)	...
Family Literature ​(20 minutes)	Family Literature ​(20 minutes)	Family Literature ​(20 minutes)	...

This is taken from Enrichment Study Volume 1.

Scope & Sequence

Here's an easy way to plan. Each year chose a time period to study. Our time periods parellel our Christian Study series. Where to begin? I recommend beginning at the beginning - the ancients and going in chronological order.

​Remember to alternate week-by-week with studying Art History/Biography and doing Art Projects. Add artist and major pieces to the Timeline as you meet them.

Year	Time	Art History	Art Projects
1	Monday, 30 min.	Ancient Art Artist Biographies	Term I: Drawing Term II: Watercolor ​Term III: Sculpting
2	Monday, 30 min.	Middle Ages Art ​Artist Biographies	Term I: Drawing Term II: Watercolor ​Term III: Sculpting
3	Monday, 30 min.	Colonial Art ​Artist Biographies	Term I: Drawing Term II: Watercolor ​Term III: Sculpting
4	Monday, 30 min.	Industrial Art ​Artist Biographies	Term I: Drawing Term II: Watercolor Term III: Sculpting or Oils
5	Monday, 30 min.	Modern Art Artist Biographies	Term I: Drawing Term II: Watercolor ​Term III: Sculpting or Oils
6	Monday, 30 min.	American Art Artist Biographies	Term I: Drawing Term II: Watercolor ​Term III: Sculpting or Oils

Helpful Resources

​​ON THE BLOG

• Our Schedule for Peaceful Days​
• ​Enrichment Study 1 - Free Booklist
• Artist Biographies to Study (A List)

IN THE SHOP

• Program 1: Christian Study
• Program 2: Enrichment Study
• Program 3: Individual Study