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- by Jeanette Steiner
  
Homeschool Art Curriculum Reviews

The arts are an important part of any homeschool curriculum. The arts allow children to express their creativity, explore their inner thoughts and feeling more deeply and gain an appreciation for beauty. Countless studies clearly prove that art education and the humanities not only develops the right side of the brain but it also develops neural body-brain connections critical for children to realize their full potential in all areas of study. In this article when I say "the arts" I mean visual arts such as painting, sketching, sculpture and the like, as well as art appreciation.


Art appreciation curriculum

How to use Child Size Masterpieces for Art Appreciation or "Mommy it's a Renoir": This well-known Montessori-style program uses postcard-sized art prints to teach art appreciation to children as young as preschoolers. This program requires a bit of preparation on the parents part making folders for the "matching" that the child will do.

Art History Lesson Plans by Catherine Kinslow: This program covers 22 influential artists from the early 1400s until the 1980s and covers all of the main artistic time periods (renaissance, impressionism, post-impressionism, etc.). Only four books are required to go through the lessons as well as various basic art supplies and Dover art stickers. This program is one of my favorites and highly recommended.

Art technique curriculum

Visual Manna: This curriculum incorporates art concepts and vocabulary, techniques, and appreciation all in one curriculum. It introduces a wide variety of media, including drawing, pottery, weaving, painting, paper mache, sculpting, etc. It is multilevel so that you can teach all of your children at the same time. Thirty art prints are included to foster appreciation.

Art Adventure at Home: This is a complete art curriculum for students in grades K-12. The "Foundational Level" is for students in grades K - 2. The "Intermediate Level" is for students in grades 3 - 5 and the "Advanced Level," can be used for middle-school students or as a one credit course for high-school students.

Each volume contains over 100 step-by-step lessons. These lessons present the basic elements of art (line, shape, color, and texture) in five different units (drawing, print-making, painting, sculpture, and crafts). This covers all areas of art experience (not just drawing or crafts) with clear objectives presented in each lesson. In addition, art history is integrated directly into the curriculum.

I have used all of these programs and have enjoyed them all. Even though the "art technique" programs include some art appreciation, I highly recomment that you use a seperate art appreciation curriculum as well. Having a good grasp of the evolution of art and knowing what methods were pioneered by "the masters" is an important part in developing a trained and critical eye.

So roll up your sleeves, break out the paints, plaster and pastels and have fun!