Little Bears Family Homeschool Study Notes

Arts and Crafts

Contents

* Introduction * Themes * Textbooks & Literature * Internet Resources * Suppliers *

Introduction

We haven't been terribly adventurous in our art & craft so far, although I have lots of ideas and ambitions, but not a great deal of expertise to put them into practise!

One thing I hope to do in the future is to keep "nature note-books" for art & science as encouraged by Charlotte Mason. I have already started doing some little sketches on loose sheets myself on our nature walks, but Tommy isn't keen yet. I think one important thing with art is to allow artistic ability in children to develop, and to have reasonable expectations of what can be achieved at what age. So at the moment all Tommy is doing is getting used to using the materials of paint, paper, brushes, modelling material and so on.

Another thing which Charlotte Mason encouraged was to give children real access to great works of art, so that the children could "develop a relationship" with the painter and his art. This is also something I would like to do, but of course there's no way we can afford to buy (or even rent) prints. I had intended to just borrow books from the library for this purpose, but it may be worthwhile trying to negotiate extended borrowing periods with your library.

Some Themes for Art

Colour(s) * Texture * Styles * oil painting * watercolour * sketches * portraits * landscapes * still life * sculpture * collages * printing * tie-dying * religious themes * individual artists & pieces of work * artists from particular countries * art from particular time periods *

Recommendations for Textbooks, Magazines and Art Collections

Art History

• "Sister Wendy's History of Art", published by Dorling Kindersley

Drawing & Painting

• A fantastic example of a "nature note-book" is "The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady" by Edith Holden
• The Usborne "What shall I do" series: "What shall I Draw" "... Paint" "...Make" in one combined volume: £10.99 hb
• The Usborne "Starting Drawing" and "Starting Painting" in one combined volume with "Starting Lettering" = £9.99 pb

Crafts

• The Usborne "Book of... * Papier Mache * Masks * Origami * Printing * Making Models * Stencil Fun * Making T-shirts * etc. from £3.99 each

Magazines

• Art Attack Magazine

Internet Resources

• UK Schools Resource Index, Creative & Performing Arts page:- http://www.liv.ac.uk/~evansjon/arts/menu.html
• Blue Web'n:- http://www.kn.packbell.com/wired/bluewebn
• You may be interested in looking at the National Curriculum for Art at Key Stage 1 as a reference guide.

Further suggestions would be welcome

Suppliers

The expense of materials may obviously cause a problem for home educating families, so it may be useful to be creative in our use of available materials; for example, recycling materials. You may find that you can borrow some of the above books or order them from your local library.

GLS Dudley has a fairly extensive range of art & craft supplies and you may be able to get small amounts at not too unreasonable prices.

If your firm can offer special reduced rates for home educating families and would like to be mentioned on this website, please e-mail us:- littlebears@tesco.net

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© Sharon Mortemore
08 November, 2000