Picasso or Pavarotti? The Importance of the Arts
June 26, 2019
|
|
Deborah Wuehler
Art & Music: Disruption or Calling?
|
|
Stacy Farrell
Studying the Masters Can Be Fun!
|
|
Dara Halydier
The Arts: Their Importance and Their Definition
|
|
Diana Waring
The Possibilities & Opportunities for Teaching a Love of A
rt
|
|
|
Art & Music: Disruption or Calling?
I used to dislike the arts in our homeschool. Not that I didn’t love creating with my kids or watching them create or listening to their music, but sometimes it seemed like a disruption to the schedule of the “important stuff.” I could not see the long term benefit until I looked back.
Life is like that sometimes. We are not all knowing. And in my lack of knowledge, I had lack of appreciation. Why? I felt like music was a disruption because of the time, monetary, and travel commitments weekly, but we did it anyway because I knew how important it was. And I disliked the mess and the cleanup of art. It seemed like I never could quite catch up as we raced to the next thing with paint splatters or clay or glue stuck to a child or a chair. But we did it anyway because I knew there were so many brain connections being made through all of the mess and noise!
They learned so many things through all the hands-on creativity. Only God knew that one child would have an art major/career, and another is both an artist
and a musician. Who knew? It was only by His direction we became involved in art classes, music lessons, museums and concerts, etc. All of these things were involved in the shaping of the gifting from God even though I was oblivious. Not all of the kids became artists or musicians, yet they all grew in knowledge and appreciation.
As we allowed God to guide our homeschool path, He brought forth what He knew all along. He knows your children and the gifts and talents He has given them. Trust Him to direct you as you walk this path of obedience.
Instead of squelching a child’s natural bent to get the “more important academics” done, let art and music
be the important academics (colleges often give scholarships for just these areas)! The children may begin to understand the creativity and artwork and beauty of God Himself through observing His creativity through art and music. He shaped each child, and He has good works for each one to do. Let’s get them creating art and copying the Master Artist Himself and bring Him glory in all we do.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10.
Check out the following links from back issues of our
free
digital magazine. Better yet, get the
free
app
and each new issue will pop up automatically every quarter!
With you on this walk of faith,
~Deborah
|
|
Join Mrs. Beth and her sidekick, Gasfy, as they journey through the Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art eras. Learn about the lives of such artists as da Vinci, Rembrandt, Monet and van Gogh while studying the techniques that distinguished them as masters. Entertaining, Educational, and Easy to Use.
|
|
Studying the Masters Can Be Fun!
Most of what I learned K-12, I’ve forgotten. But so much of what I learned in the process of educating my children has literally
transformed my thinking.
Isn’t it cool how homeschooling gives us another opportunity to be educated?
We learned to appreciate the art and music masters.
My mom played classical music in our home when I was growing up; so I had a bit of exposure to it. But when I taught art and music history at our homeschool co-op, I began to more fully appreciate the contributions made by the classical masters.
Together, we studied great composers such as Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel; Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert; Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, and Rachmaninoff.
We also studied the lives and works of great artists such as Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael; Rembrandt, Monet, Degas; Renoir, Cassatt, and Van Gogh.
Hands-on activities help us retain what we learn.
Taking an introductory look at the development of art and music, we worked with timelines, art notebooks, and postcard-sized prints.
Although the focus of the class was art and music history rather than the mechanics of creating art, I devoted a portion of the course to experimenting with art projects (in keeping with the style and methods of the masters studied).
Our studies established a standard of excellence.
Studying these great masters taught us to appreciate the complexity and skill required to produce great work. It gave us a standard against which we could judge the quality of other music and art genres.
Because I taught art and music history multiple times, my sons had multiple opportunities to be trained to recognize key works and nuances of style.
Whenever possible, make learning fun.
After we finished studying a particular group of artists and composers, we played a fun game in class. It pulled together all the different aspects of our learning in a way that challenged and amused.
It was simple, yet effective.
Blessings on your lessons,
Stacy
|
|
From making flash cards to water coloring to graphic design, Spectrum Noir has a full range of art & design products to help fulfill your education needs.
|
|
The Arts: Their Importance and Their Definition
Drawing, music, and dance are great extracurricular activities, but should they be a part of everyone’s school curriculum? Should science- and math-oriented students also learn to dabble in the arts? Researchers say, “Yes!” Kids who have experienced the arts firsthand are four times more likely to win an academic award; eight times more likely to receive a community service award; and are likely to score higher on their SAT college admission test scores according to a study by Shirley Brice Heath of Stanford University.
Kids not only develop their fine motor skills wielding a paintbrush, but they also learn the basics of math and science.
Exposure to art also boosts self-confidence and will help them to become better readers and writers. According to
Learning Lift Off, ten reasons children should be involved in the arts are improvement in creativity, academic performance, motor skills, confidence, visual-spatial skills, decision making, perseverance, focus, collaboration, and accountability. Another skill that is developed in art is being able to take an abstract thought and bring it into concrete form.
Children who are trained in the arts also realize and accept their uniqueness, thus raising their level of Biblical self-esteem.
Throughout history, art has been an expression of religious beliefs and ardor. The study of art history is a great way to see how different civilizations in different time periods viewed God, man, death, angels, and life. From this, one can tell what world view the culture embraced. In our own time, we see the arts disintegrating into chaos as God is being left out of the cultural and social fabric of our nation.
So how do you, as a homeschooling mom or dad, incorporate art into your hectic schedule? You may need to expand your definition of art. Art can be found in baking, arranging flowers, decorating a room, taking pictures, quilting, sewing, or scrapbooking. As a mom who didn’t like the mess of art, I kept a craft box furnished with scraps from sewing, boxes from the kitchen, buttons, and other odds and ends available for rainy or sick days. The boys often made costumes and acted out Bible stories, historical events, or just played cowboys and Indians.
Whether you choose to practice a more formal type of art: drama, instrument lessons, singing, dancing, etc., or you keep art as a more informal, spontaneous part of your homeschooling, every child will benefit from getting messy and dabbling in the arts.
Dara Halydier is an author, speaker, and mom of five grown boys! She homeschooled for twenty-one wonderful years and is now encouraging other homeschooling families. She is the executive director of Abiding Truth Ministry and the author of the Practical Proverbs series and other books. Dara has learned life’s lessons the hard way—experience! The lessons she shares come from truths that she has learned from dealing with chronic pain, having moved thirty-three times, having four boys with learning disabilities, and having overcome a past of abuse to proclaim God’s grace, forgiveness, and freedom. Find out more at
www.abidingtruthministry.com
.
|
|
Affordable Online Art Education. Your children will get excited about art, art history, and art techniques by creating art from these easy to use lessons from the comfort of your own home. Downloadable PDF notebooks are included with every bundle. Lessons never expire and can be used multiple times!
Yellow Spot:Sun
|
|
Let
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine help you navigate the waters of homeschooling!
Summer 2019 issue
is shipping now! Discover ocean careers, middle school electives, strategies for teaching multiple ages, and more.
Over 120 pages of teaching tips, resources, and practical advice!
|
|
We are accepting applications!!
Are you passionate about homeschooling products and sharing about them with others?
We are looking for homeschool bloggers and vloggers to join our dynamic team. Click the link below for more details and to complete the application!
|
|
The Possibilities & Opportunities for Teaching a Love of Art
Dear Friends,
How do we help our children become art-loving, beauty-making people? Obviously, there are natural giftings and talents that come into play. But beyond what is hard-wired into them, there are
possibilities and
opportunities to inspire and nurture your children in the arts.
The first is to recognize the wonderland of opportunities moms and dads have for exposing their children to
greatness in art. My husband taught me this when our kids were 9, 7, and 5. He knew we would be driving through Helena, Montana, and was aware that this city boasted a number of Charlie Russell paintings. To prepare our kids to really “get” this great American painter of the West, he went to the library and found a children’s book of Russell paintings. As we traveled, my kids—especially seven-year-old Michael—pored over the pages.
When we actually arrived at the museum, I was stunned to see my elementary-aged son stand mesmerized before one of Russell’s paintings
When the Land Belonged to God, which depicts vast herds of American bison on the plains.
After many minutes of his absorbing the painting, I tentatively suggested that we leave. Michael turned to me with shining eyes and said, “Mom, that’s MY painting!” He was noticeably moved by the greatness of what we had seen.
So, think about it. What can you see, hear, or watch in your local area—or on your upcoming summer vacation—that displays the beauty of a master painter, composer, dancer, or playwright? If at all possible, prepare your children beforehand for what they will see, using books, CDs, or the internet. It will help your kids “own” the actual art as something uniquely special for them.
Second, consider your own approach to the arts. If you want to nurture your child’s “inner artist,” how do
you personally respond to art? Whether or not you find that music, painting, dance, and theater touch your heart, you can still be supportive as you intentionally begin to appreciate the beauty, power, and expressiveness of the creative arts. Your children learn a lot from your responses. If you are interested, chances are they will make a note of it. If you are bored, they will pick up your cue.
Art is a
very relational subject. The way you expose your children to its greatness, and the way you respond yourself will be the most significant ways you can help your children develop a love for the arts.
Stay relational!
Diana
|
|
Want to change it up a bit while continuing to expand your family’s learning right through the summer months? With courses like
Let’s Do Art Outside,
Podcasting to Change the World,
Bug Science, and
Beginner Drum Lessons, your children won’t even realize they are still “in school”! Be prepared for the new school year, too! Need hands-on ideas? Want interactive content? Prefer courses with video components?
SchoolhouseTeachers.com has all this and much, much more!
Join by 6/28/19 using coupon code FIREFLY to lock in your $10.95 per month rate – and get your first month for only $5!
|
|
California
Look What's Happening!
Christian Home Educators Association of California - The 36th Annual CHEA Homeschool Convention will be held on July 11-13, 2019 at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA. Visit
www.cheaofca.org for more information or contact them at
CHEAinfo@cheaofca.org.
|
|
Florida
Look What’s Happening!
Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) is hosting the 2019 Fun in the Sun Florida Keys Field Trip on June 28-29, 2019 in Marathon, FL. Contact
office@fpea.com for more information or visit
www.FPEA.com/events to register.
|
|
Are you trying to figure out how to assign separate classes to each of your students within
SchoolhouseTeachers.com
? Watch this
tutorial
to learn how to use the great Bookmark feature to organize course assignments!
|
|
FREE
Share this newsletter with a friend, and be sure to let those
|
|
Did you know?
Every class is INCLUDED for ultimate members!
No limits.
|
|
At a time when many schools are doing away with their art programs, homeschoolers have an opportunity to discover hidden talents and allow their creativity to shine. With the art courses on
SchoolhouseTeachers.com, students in kindergarten through high school can learn new techniques, meet artists throughout history and from around the world, and experiment with a variety of mediums such as sculpture, painting, watercolor, colored pencil, and more.
Or, if your students prefer music to art, students in elementary through high school can enjoy learning about the history of music and famous composers. They can study music theory and even take guitar, violin, and drum lessons without ever leaving home.
If you haven’t joined
SchoolhouseTeachers.com, come give us a try! If you or someone you know would be interested in teaching or writing for us, let us know. You can email me at
bhudson@TheOldSchoolhouse.com. Discover the wealth of materials available right at your fingertips at SchoolhouseTeachers.com.
Bonnie Rose Hudson
Director of SchoolhouseTeachers.com
A division of
The Old Schoolhouse
®
Magazine
|
|
in the latest issue of
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.
|
|
is now available for FREE online!
Click the graphic to read it cover to cover!
|
|
Read the SUMMER 2019 issue free
or download the free mobile apps
Get the print issue
here
.
VIEW BACK ISSUES:
Current subscribers go
here
to access all back issues.
Read the free 2018 Homeschool Supplement at
CharlotteMasonClassical.com
to learn about Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, nature studies, and literature-based homeschooling from industry experts and parents like you.
|
|
"I just wanted to thank you for the encouraging message of your email I received this morning. It is so nice to be reminded that God has called me to homeschool and I should stay the course."
--Tammy Mowell
|
"So love reading TOS on my iPad from cover to cover every month!!!"
--Leigh Anne McGrady
Dunwoody, GA
|
|
The Old Schoolhouse®
has MORE for you!
Check out these resources:
Who We Are:
|
|
If you liked today's
Homeschool Minute
, please
email the editors
and tell us what part you liked most. It's a huge blessing to receive feedback!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
