Today I am going to share with you some homeschool art tips. How to squeeze it in, and some of our favorite homeschool art resources, books, and websites.
Well, I don't like that! I want them to keep being creative, so I am trying to find more ways to squeeze it in. All that messy goodness tends to make me/us want to skip the art projects (even though I absolutely love it, sometimes I just don't want to get it all out). I'm here to suggest some ways to maybe squeeze some art time back into the homeschool day, or week.
Want some tips on teaching art? Want to know how to make it more simple? Here are some things I've learned over the years...
1. Pick lessons that are shorter in length that involve mostly drawing and coloring, using some simple mediums like oil pastels, chalk pastels, or sharpie markers. Some of our favorite drawing tutorials include: Hodgepodge chalk art, Rob art for kids hub,
2. Make supplies easily accessible. I am still working on this one. I think if I could have everything in one place life would be so much easier...Instead I have to chase supplies around which means I'm less likely to tackle an art project on a busy school day.
3. Round up supplies ahead of time. This kind of goes along with #2. It is so helpful to have everything on hand and ready when I know there is a certain project I want to do, and I'm not running around like a crazy lady while the kids are antsy to start (this happens way too often).
4. Let DVD's or YouTube do the teaching. There are so many tutorials out there. Sometimes if I'm unsure of what I'm teaching I will be less likely to tackle the project with the kids. But, when we include a live tutorial I feel more confident.
5. Let them have the time to be creative. I know this sounds like the opposite of squeezing it in, but when art projects go smoothly, and the kids feel like they had time to do what they wanted, art is a happier thing. More happy art = more desire to do art. Right?
6. Expectations. Don't set expectations so high. Let the kids create, and don't expect some elaborate masterpiece that will take forever. Most art projects really only take less than an hour. Sometimes even just 15-30 minutes. But, on the flip side, also set a time limit if your children do like to take hours creating art. This happens at our house. What I think will be a quick art project turns into a half-day art fest because my kids just want to keep creating. Don't be afraid to put a cap on it.
7. Pick a day. Have a special day set aside for art. Once a month, once a week.
8. Find excuses to create art. Holidays, seasons, movie (characters) and special lessons are the first things that come to mind. Often we skip over the elaborate project that is part of a lesson because it's too much work. Sometimes those projects can make great art, don't skip them if you can.
Want some ideas to get started with art in your homeschool? Here is a round-up of some of our favorite resources:
Books
- USborne book of art ideas (or any USborne art books)
- Draw, write, now books
- Ed Emberly's drawing books
- How to draw 50...
- ARTistic pursuits
- Drawing with children (this was our first homeschool art curriculum)
Websites
- Harmony fine art (sketch Tuesday)
- Hodgepodge chalk art (link above)
- Rob art for kids hub
- No time for flashcards (lots of preschool art ideas)
- Deep Space Sparkle
That wraps up day 2 of my 5 days of homeschool tips. I hope this was helpful, and that you want to go see what others are sharing for tips. Just click on the links below!
Dawn @ Double O Farms
Dawn @ Guiding Light Homeschool
Debbie @ Debbie's Homeschool Corner
Diana @ Busy Homeschool Days
Diana @ Homeschool Review
Elyse @ Oiralinde: Eternal Song
Emilee @ Pea of Sweetness
Erin @ For Him and My Family
Jen @ Chestnut Grove Academy
I love seeing how others do art. It is not my favorite subject, and therefore often gets skipped. Love these ideas!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to push art aside isn't it. I decided a year ago to pay for art lessons for my kids, for a few reasons. They are all arty, it gives me a break and if we do let art slip at home I know that they are still getting it from these lessons. I've also considered some DVD programs so will have a look at the ones you've linked.
ReplyDeleteYes! Art classes are so great. I have done this off and on as well.
DeleteOur family enjoys art so much but it is easy to let it fall to the wayside. We have been able to join a free art class at a local non-profit art center and it has been wonderful. You have given some great links here. We have used Hodgepodge often and we really like Artistic Pursuits. - Lori
ReplyDeleteoh yes, rounding up those art supplies first.. VERY important. :)
ReplyDeleteon and odd note.. I could not get pinterest to pull up a single photo from this post for pinning so went with a generic one.. it was just odd...
We don't do enough art. My mother is an artist so I need to coral her into teaching us a course.
ReplyDeleteArt is a favorite at our house, too! I make it a priority otherwise I will talk myself out of it... The house is so clean...we have to be here at a certain time...but when I make it a priority, we have so much fun!!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has really enjoyed art so I have done my best to include it as part of our studies, and to give her plenty of opportunity to just create on her own.
ReplyDeleteThose of us that co-host the Virtual Fridge art link-up would love to have you share your projects with us each week. (hint hint :-) )
Oooh, an art link-up! I will definitely be checking that out. Thanks for mentioning it!
ReplyDeleteThese are some good ideas. I'm not very creative, but some of my children are creative. If I provide supplies and time, they come up with some great stuff!
ReplyDelete