Not many people know this, but I actually have a degree in Art (well, a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design specifically), because I wanted to be an artist before I wanted to be a teacher. That being said, just because I have a degree in Art, doesn't mean that I know how to teach it. Because I don't. I haven't the foggiest idea on how to teach The Monk how to mix colors, or background vs. foreground, or how to play shadows in a line drawing. I know that I've studied them, the various techniques and such being taught to me the numerous art classes that I've taken, but how to re-create that learning so that someone else can understand and utilize them...nope. Not a clue.
Which is why I'm thankful for Deep Space Sparkle. This site not only offers art lessons for kids of all different grade levels (some of them for free), but also complete units as well as lessons for the teacher on how to teach art to kids! Especially homeschool teachers! I love that. Plus, all the lessons (that I've seen so far) have a materials list of what is needed upfront and step-by-step guidance of how to run through the lesson. These lessons are built by an actual art teacher who has a classroom and a budget* (albiet, it is probably a very limited budget) for supplies at her disposal (although, after talking with the delightful Patty from DSS, she tells me that she gets most of her supplies as Walmart or Target and that most everything is under the $5 range, so, that makes the idea of purchasing new supplies a much more tolerable thought!).
As a homeschool mom, I don't have such a luxury of large space that can be paint-splattered, or any kind of funds given to me by anyone, ever... Most art work is done at our desks (really messy work is done at the kitchen table) or on the floor. I don't have tempura paints, a plethora of oil pastels, or beautiful watercolors...we have a bin of broken crayons, markers, some old oil pastels from my college days, dollar store construction paper, and a will to make do with what money we have left over from our grocery budget (which now can be stretched due to the knowledge of where to purchase said supplies). So, when it comes to some of the materials that she recommends for these projects, or the room in which it takes to complete them, I find myself having to get creative and altering the lessons to suit us (but, then again, isn't that what we, as homeschooling moms, do?). Still, these lessons are fun, very interactive, and when I throw in some of the knowledge that I have brushed off from the back recesses of my mind and add those to what we are doing, then The Monk is enjoying art lessons way more than he used to and he is creating some fantastic pieces that he is very proud of. So, that's awesome.
If you are looking for a place to start, have no idea what the heck you are doing, or just need some fun things to enhance art lessons, I highly recommend Deep Space Sparkle as a go-to. Just sayin'.
Well, cheers!
Which is why I'm thankful for Deep Space Sparkle. This site not only offers art lessons for kids of all different grade levels (some of them for free), but also complete units as well as lessons for the teacher on how to teach art to kids! Especially homeschool teachers! I love that. Plus, all the lessons (that I've seen so far) have a materials list of what is needed upfront and step-by-step guidance of how to run through the lesson. These lessons are built by an actual art teacher who has a classroom and a budget* (albiet, it is probably a very limited budget) for supplies at her disposal (although, after talking with the delightful Patty from DSS, she tells me that she gets most of her supplies as Walmart or Target and that most everything is under the $5 range, so, that makes the idea of purchasing new supplies a much more tolerable thought!).
As a homeschool mom, I don't have such a luxury of large space that can be paint-splattered, or any kind of funds given to me by anyone, ever... Most art work is done at our desks (really messy work is done at the kitchen table) or on the floor. I don't have tempura paints, a plethora of oil pastels, or beautiful watercolors...we have a bin of broken crayons, markers, some old oil pastels from my college days, dollar store construction paper, and a will to make do with what money we have left over from our grocery budget (which now can be stretched due to the knowledge of where to purchase said supplies). So, when it comes to some of the materials that she recommends for these projects, or the room in which it takes to complete them, I find myself having to get creative and altering the lessons to suit us (but, then again, isn't that what we, as homeschooling moms, do?). Still, these lessons are fun, very interactive, and when I throw in some of the knowledge that I have brushed off from the back recesses of my mind and add those to what we are doing, then The Monk is enjoying art lessons way more than he used to and he is creating some fantastic pieces that he is very proud of. So, that's awesome.
If you are looking for a place to start, have no idea what the heck you are doing, or just need some fun things to enhance art lessons, I highly recommend Deep Space Sparkle as a go-to. Just sayin'.
Well, cheers!