ARTS / CRAFTS CURRICULUM Visuals Or Resources to Gather in Advance
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ARTS / CRAFTS CURRICULUM visuals or resources to gather in advance. A Now that we’ve covered the basics of the substantial chunk of the manual that is common program, let’s talk materials. If you’re guessing ☼Atelier Homeschool Art (PK-12) to all 8 levels. This provides you additional you’d have to amass a mountain of art supplies Looking back on my homeschooled years resources relevant to the program as a whole each year to use the program, you’ll be pleas- while Rainbow was still a primarily family-run including an overview, background informa- antly surprised that the core materials used in endeavor, I am impressed and thankful that tion, art concepts introduced in the program, a all levels are pretty basic! In fact, there is ONE Mom made an effort to include art as a constant list of the artists studied, tips on visiting an art art supply kit designed to be used with all levels part of our curriculum. Not that it didn’t occa- museum, how to hold an art show, evaluation of the program. While this kit doesn’t include sionally take a backseat some weeks (or months, guidelines, objectives for all levels, a master list everything needed at each level, it includes the when we were traveling to conventions or of materials, a glossary and a bibliography. main art supplies that are used at all levels. You working on the catalog!) but she never left it off The lesson content and progression are well- will need to provide a few additional materials the list as something we just “didn’t have time rounded and seem well thought out. Lesson and household items for some lessons, especial- for.” As an adult, I can see that the constant progression was designed to first lay a founda- ly for Level 8 projects and extension activities. exposure to the creative process and the ready tion in the core art concepts and media, then The program's pacing is up to you. Ultimately, availability of art supplies influenced the way I to provide more open-ended lessons that allow the 18 lessons are designed for a year’s worth learn and work. When I was in biochemistry students to use what they’ve learned to develop of art. The Parent/Teacher Manual suggests and had to memorize all of the amino acids, I their own style. Core art concepts (line, color, spending one hour per lesson at Levels 1-4, and didn’t think twice about sitting down and creat- shape, pattern, texture, space and composition) 1¼ hours at Levels 5-8. While some lessons are ing my own set of illustrated flashcards. In one are emphasized or reinforced in every lesson, naturally divided into parts, other projects may anatomy class we had to learn not only all of along with experience in using different media just take longer to complete, demanding more the muscles, but also the origins and insertions and techniques. When you also consider the lesson time. If you incorporate the art apprecia- on the bones so I created my own color-coded tie-ins to children’s literature, cross-curricular tion program, you may also end up spending poster. So when I started examining the Atelier connections and art appreciation, it’s impressive some days focusing more on art appreciation or (ah-teal’-yea’ – yes, I had no idea how to pro- how everything has been carefully “packaged” pursuing extension activities. All in all, you’re nounce it either!) program, I could appreciate into very manageable lessons! The years of looking at spending about one hour per week the publisher’s commitment to teaching art and classroom testing in developing the program on art, with some flexibility on how much you their belief that a foundation in art enhances just seem well-used as far as keeping “the best of cover at a time. about every other area in life, from academic the best.” Each lesson stands on its own and While there are a lot of potential roadblocks performance to self-confidence. And because taken as a whole, is a refreshing mix that prob- for including art as a part of your curriculum, I they are so dedicated to art education, they ably wouldn’t get old even if you repeated a feel this program successfully eliminates quite have designed this program to remove just about level’s lessons a second year. The lessons also a few of them. Parents or co-op teachers don’t every art instruction “roadblock” imaginable. strike a great balance between being structured need any art experience to use the program, the The first thing you’ll notice about Atelier is and open-ended. For instance, the first lesson lessons are effective but don’t require a huge that it is video-based, which is about the next in Level 1 explores lines. Students then create time commitment, you can use it with children best thing to having an art teacher come into a large caterpillar made up of round segments of multiple ages and you don’t need to acquire your home! This sets Atelier apart from other and fill in those segments with all kinds of lines. a mountain of art supplies. The program is also art programs which attempt to remedy the “I Although everyone is drawing a caterpillar, no non-consumable, so you can reuse it again and can’t teach art” mindset by either being more two will look alike! again. And to cap it all off, the lessons are student-directed or providing video instruction One other appealing aspect of the program engaging, fun, and children will be exposed as an optional resource. Each level contains 18 is its flexibility in terms of use with students of to many different artists and techniques even lessons on three DVDs (Modules) and a Parent/ different ages. Although there are eight levels, if you don’t pursue the art appreciation option. Teacher Manual in a binder. I appreciate the these are targeted to students in overlapping age You can easily use this program at home or in completeness of the video lessons. Each one ranges. If you have multiple children similar a small co-op and I can almost guarantee that begins with a look at the actual materials used in age, you can pick a level that fits their age students will enjoy the projects and be proud of in the lesson, so you don’t have to guess at what range best and everyone can do art together. their work. Now I understand why we’ve had size paper to use, or how which colors of paint In fact, because it was designed originally as customers ask us repeatedly for Atelier! – Jess you'll need. The art concepts and related project a classroom program, some lessons will work EACH PROGRAM . 155.00 139 .95 are introduced by the art teacher, often followed better or will be more engaging as a family or 053979 Level 1 (PK-1) by a short “warm-up” which gives the student small group. Suggested ages are listed with 053980 Level 2 (K-3) some experience in using the chosen medium or each level, and you can also visit the publisher’s 053981 Level 3 (1-5) lets them focus on a simpler exercise before they website at www.homeschoolart.com for a chart 053982 Level 4 (2-6) start their main project. The lesson’s art proj- which shows the progression much better. 053983 Level 5 (3-8) ect is then introduced, discussed, and viewers Although art appreciation is tied into several 053984 Level 6 (4-10) actually get to see it to completion between the lessons per level, you can flesh out this com- 053985 Level 7 (5-11) art teacher demonstrating parts of it, and then ponent further with the addition of the optional 053986 Level 8 (7-12) seeing children in a classroom setting working “Great Art Appreciation Program.” There are EACH ART PRINT KIT . 30.00 28 .95 on the project. Each lesson features examples three levels of this program, one designed for 053988 Levels 1-3 of completed works from other students at that Levels 1-3, one for Levels 4-5 and one for 053987 Levels 4-5 age level, which is encouraging and inspiring Levels 6-8. Each program consists of a pack 053989 Levels 6-8 as far as making you want to pick up your own of 8” x 10” art reproductions and loose-leaf paintbrush and get started right away! cardstock informational pages (designed to be While the DVDs do most of the actual teach- added to the Parent/Teacher manual). The first ing, the Parent/Teacher Manual arms the parent several sheets outline objectives, provide back- with complementary instruction including les- ground on the program, describe art criticism, son objectives, a list of materials, an outlined offer teaching suggestions and include LOTS procedure and assessment information. This of general questions for discussing, analyzing, enables you to be the on-site supervisor and interpreting and judging an artwork. The rest of facilitator, even if you can’t even draw a stick the packet provides background information on figure. You will want to read through the lesson each masterpiece and artist featured in the pack, in the manual beforehand, as there will be some as well as discussion questions and activities/ art supply set-up and occasional additional extension opportunities for each one. 1032 Art See page vi for key to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act warning labels.