How do we engage art history in our homeschool so that our children might enjoy too?
If we remove art, acting, handiwork, innovation, and the written word from our homes, we would be left doing the dishes and heading to bed after the kids were snuggled in their beds.
Rather, we watch, we play, we read, we discuss and debate, we click and tap, we sew and knit, we draw and paint. We discuss art history in our homeschool in so many ways.
Possibly, in another life, I was a liberal art major. No time like the present as a homeschool mom.
I endeavor to introduce my children to composers of different periods, music of different genres, books of different flavours, and art of different eras.
Mostly because I wish I so love learning about it! (The benefits of the homeschool mom life).
Therefore, I offer a full flavour, a cornucopia of interesting things in a basket, of the liberal arts in our homeschool.
Introducing one of our very favourite book series in picture book style, the Katie series by James Mayhew.
This is a series we discovered on our visits to Paris’ Louvre and London’s National Gallery: Katie by James Mayhew. (You can find all the best curriculum options in museums and galleries.)
These vividly illustrated picture books are representations of renowned artists that most of us know.
Katie Meets the Impressionists includes artist study of:
- Claude Monet (my favourite, I might have named my homestead after his gardens).
- Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Edgar Degas
If you’re interested in pointillism, check out Katie and the Bathers:
- Georges Seurat
- Paul Signac
- Camille Pissarro
You’ll know this one: Katie and the Mona Lisa. Except that the real-life painting is much smaller than depicted in the book…and surrounded by dozens of onlookers at all times.
Are you interested in post-impressionism? Katie and the Sunflowers depict post-impressionists:
- Vincent Van Gogh
- Paul Gauguin
- Paul Cezanne
You can even Discover Art with Katie in a Stickerbook style and Colour with Katie too. (I don’t know about your kids, but when I’m doing a morning readaloud, most of my kids want to do something with their hands, so choose a sticker book or colouring book too).
Naturally, I like reading and re-reading these books to my kids, and this educational focus makes me feel that their education is well-rounded.
(Also, they’ll be capable of discussing the basics with their future soirees).
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls”
Pablo Picasso
Reimagine your Homeschool Workbook
Introducing the Reimagine Your Homeschool Workbook! Reflect on the past year, assess what worked and what didn’t, and build the homeschool you truly want. Evaluate curriculum, routine, philosophy, and plan for the future. Get renewed inspiration and fresh ideas.
Check out these other fine arts ideas:
- How to capture your charmed homeschool
- Homeschool Fine Arts in your Homeschool, Even if Your Kids Don’t Want To
- How to Create an Afternoon Liberal Arts Program
- How to Do Fine Arts in a Child-Directed Way
- Do you offer homeschool mentoring for new homeschoolers?
Teresa Wiedrick
I help homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.
