Search Results for: blog teaching art when you draw stick figures

Charlotte Mason and Art Study

Charlotte Mason called art study “picture talks.” The students were expected to express what they saw in the work or art. How does the painting or artwork make them feel? What do they see? What colors are in the picture? What is the artist trying to convey? These are questions to guide your art study. Your role as the teacher is simply to guide the student but not do the talking yourself. This is not time to lecture but engage your child in conversation about the work of art. Art Study is best implemented by focusing on one artist’s works … Continue reading →

Pen and Paper

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I’ve started working on writing again (in-between my long stints of reading) and I’m realizing a disturbing trend that must have started with the dry erase boards (and probably in grade school or perhaps even earlier). It is the limitation of the digital. I grant, it’s not a complete limitation but there is certainly a tendency toward predefined types of marks and predefined layouts of those marks (columns, rows, etc…). I never fully realized how limiting these predefined structures are when working towards creative ends. A couple of weeks ago I had a great conversation with one of my professors … Continue reading →

Even Teachers Don’t Finish the Textbook

Do you have a tendency to think of yourself or your child as being “behind” because you’ve been teaching for three weeks but your still on week one according to your teacher’s manual? Do you worry about not finishing the textbook? I have a little secret for you. . .even teachers don’t finish the textbook! What Is Behind Anyways? For some, especially those of us who homeschool under strict regulations, there is a certain amount of added stress by not moving forward in the curriculum. Many parents feel like if they don’t finish the textbook or all of the lessons … Continue reading →

Teaching Art When You Draw Stick Figures

I am an excellent artist. . .of stick figures. But I decided this to be good blog fodder because I think in essence, it begs a deeper question: how can you teach anything that you’re not naturally good at? My Philosophy on the “Specials” Really, you can teach your child anything you want–at least at the most basic level. I remember when my youngest daughter was four or five, she decided that she wanted to play violin. Everyone assumed that we would sign her up for lessons, but instead, I decided to teach her on my own. I don’t play … Continue reading →

More Art “Stuff” from the Stick Figure Queen

In my last blog, I said I would talk about ideas for when you go to visit the art museum, and a few of my favorite things to teach art. A Few More Things I Like for Art I’ve already written a about some of my favorite picks for art and some suggestions for teaching. Of course, I think for every homeschooler, as our needs change or even just our course work, so do our ‘favorites’. Usborne Internet Linked Book of Art This book is definitely for the older child as it is more about art appreciation and viewing fine … Continue reading →

Random Tips on Teaching Art and Art History

It seems that we homeschoolers know the importance of a well rounded education. In fact, I have often said I feel like if I didn’t homeschool, my kids would miss out on all the wonderful opportunities sitting under our noses here in New York City. However, art, P.E. and sometimes music education are lacking in many homeschools. Either we don’t know how to do it or what to do. I know for me, art is not my thing. My stick figures are barely discernable. Yet somehow, I’ve managed to school fairly artistic children. A friend recently asked me how I … Continue reading →

Reading Scriptures with Young Children

Yesterday, I posted a blog called “Choosing Your Battles at Scripture Time.” In it, I talked about how it can be difficult to get children to pay attention to the scriptures, and that we want to make scripture time as positive as we can so that our children will want to read them by themselves later on. I also promised some tips for how to make scripture time less of a battle. This would be that promised blog. 1. Read scriptures while gathered around the dinner table. Most children take longer to eat than the adults do, and you can … Continue reading →

Candy Land – An All Time Classic Board Game

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My three-year old has been home everyday for a month now. We yanked her out of her old school/daycare in mid-May, allowing her to be home with her new little sister, her mommy and, depending on the day, one of her grandmothers or myself. The sure-to-be painful transition back to school starts on Monday, June 18th. It is a new school, but is running a camp format for the summer, something totally new and fun, so we are hoping the excitement and adventure quality of camp will help her overcome any trepidation she may experience (wishfully thinking, I know). In … Continue reading →