Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art Experiences in the Styles of Great Masters (Bright Ideas for Learning)

Originally published in a homeschool support group newsletter in the summer of 2008.

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My son hated art. At age two, he scribbled over my Betty Crocker's Cookbook index and some of my Rolodex address cards at age two but then refused to hold a writing tool from that time onwards. On the few

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occasions we dined at a sit-down restaurant, he'd turn down the proffered crayons and coloring page. In preschool, he rejected most crafts and wouldn't dare dirty his hands with paint or glue.

I loved craft projects as a child and still do. As a mom and a homeschooler, I believe my child should have a basic knowledge of various art media and elements. For kindergarten and first grade, I used Five in a Row's art appreciation lessons to develop some familiarity with art. Yet, I thought my son needed some hands-on experience.

Then I discovered How to Teach Art to Children. (See description at this title.)

To accompany either the above resource or your history curriculum, try "Discovering Great Artists."

The artists are listed in chronological order, beginning with Giotto (early Renaissance). Chapters 2 through 3 cover the major art movements through the mid-20th century. Chapter 4 deals with everyday art. Chapter 5 provides "Make It and Play It” projects, which reinforce the knowledge of the artists. Chapter 6 contains a glossary of terms and helpful indexes.

Each project entry gives a brief biography of the artist, a materials list, and instructions. Project difficulty is indicated by a symbol on the top of the page. All illustrations are black and white. To get a better feel for a given artist's style, find a book of the artist's work in the library to study.

Using these resources hasn't turned my son into an artist. Yet, they have reduced his reluctance toward art; some days, he even asks when we will do our next project.

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