The deep breath before the plunge
Aug 17th, 2007 by lapazfarm
Ok, so maybe it’s not as dramatic as that, but I do feel like I am holding my breath, waiting to dive in homeschool-wise around here. I have a great feeling about this year. It’s going to be the best yet, I am sure. I just need to put on my big girl swimming suit, hold my nose, and go ahead and jump in.
And I will, just as soon as I finish a few more things. Like putting finishing touches on my science room.
Anyways, here is one little distraction great resource I thought I’d pass on while I am working on that:
Our Art Curriculum this year
From the website: This delightful treasury combines dazzling art from around the world with exciting projects to do that will inspire every young artist. It includes famous European paintings, delicate Japanese prints and traditional African masks, and each work of art is followed by a project influenced by the artist’s methods or ideas.
Get it here or from your favorite Usborne consultant.
Now, I already have this book, somewhere:
And I’ve never used it. It seemed like a great idea, but it sat on my shelf all year last year and the year before without so much as a single use.
And you may wonder what’s the difference? Because they seem the same, based on the descriptions.
Well, the difference is that the Usborne book is written to the child, with simple engaging biographies, full color pictures, a bit of picture-study, and easy-to-follow directions to the projects. While Discovering Great Artists is a great resource, it is written to the adult (that would be me) which leaves it up to the adult (me again) to inform and inspire the child. And that really is not the way we work around here. At least not where art is concerned.
However, one glimpse at the lovely color-filled pictures in the Usborne book and I know the kids will want to break out the art box and get started, dragging me kicking and screaming along behind with their enthusiasm inspiring me to join in.
My hopes are that the Usborne book will do the inspiring, and if I can find the 2nd book (it’s around here somewhere, I swear!) I’ll use it as alternative projects if the ones in the first book fail to excite (not likely) or I don’t happen to have the required materials (more likely).
Both books do, btw use fairly simple, common art materials. Nothing fancy or expensive needed.
Now, that should hold you over until I can get my science room done.
Deep breath…
That Usborne art book *just* arrived yesterday. LOL
I got the library to buy ‘Discovering Great Artists’. When it arrived I was glad I hadn’t bought it myself… Like you, I found it rather disappointing.
Well, we liked the Kohl book, but that Usborne looks right up my (their) alley!! Awaiting the Science room, ahem….
I saw the Great Artists book on your blog last year so I checked it out from the library. I checked it out for almost four months, returned it, saw no one else wanted it, and checked it out again. lol. I love this book and I’m very greatful to you for posting it.
I’ll have to check into the Usborne book. I picked up a book on Impressionism today that looks really good. The kids like Van Gogh and Monet so hopefully this will get them into others as well.
The Usborne Art Treaury is my new fav! It’s wonderful, but I still really enjoy Kohl’s book, as well. I think you hit the nail on the head though that they are geared to different audiences.
Looks like you have a great year ahead of you! I can’t wait to watch; you’re one of my home schooling heroines.
I just got Kohl’s book for this year. My kids like the looks of some of the projects, so I hope they’ll be inspired, even though the book is directed to the adult. A friend of mine used the Usborne book last year and really enjoyed it.