I'm so uncertain about art. I mean, do you just give your kids a bunch of art supplies and let 'em at it, or do you have structured art "lessons" where you actually teach them art techniques?

I have to ask this, because Devin is not "arty" and if left to his own devices will not do "art projects". I have to FORCE him to do crafty things, and that's not something I'm really going for.

Just curious.....

You know, Jerick could care less about art/crafts also. Basicly any small motor skill aside from legos. So I encourage the legos as art :shrug: We sometimes photograph his creations and he'll dictate a story about them (granted he is younger).

I also get out art supplies for dd and I and invite him to join. I find that when I get out the paint he is good for about 5 mins and then he is over it. Whereas Julia will go for hours.

He like to stick things in clay. Not typical art but I'm sure there is an artist somewhere getting paid to do something simmilar.

My goal is to continue to provide him with opportunities and increase his exposure to great works of art as he ages.

Something I have a difficult time remembering is that there is all types of art. Fabric art/quilting is my persoanl fav. Jerick has enjoyed making a quilt and would love to do more. I just have to let him.

That's a good point - a lot of things are art aren't they?!?

I've been flipping through rainbow resource and wtm all evening, and I think what I'm going to do is get him a resource book on the great masters - so he's exposed to great art, and then encourage him in any way he seems interested artistically. Talking to him tonight he says he's interested in learning how to draw comic books. Let's see - art + writing, yep - I think I'll encourage comic books. ;) I'm sure there are other things - I know when we dig out play doh for Logan - Devin ineviteably slides over to "play with Logan". So, I guess I can find a few things.

Still wondering what others do for math though....please share.

What about trying "Meet the Masters"? It's a unit type study where you study one artist, learn about his painting technique then eventually you try out that atyle of painting. I hear it's an awesome program.

Gavin (6yo) isn't much into art either. He'll draw a random picture every so often...usually of some sort of Star Wars guy lightsabering another Star Wars guy. :lol: Avery (4yo) however, is the crafting queen and will go on for hours and hours and hours. LOL...when we take her to the Lakeshore store on Saturday's for the free Make and Take art projects it drives Gavin nuts because she takes F O R E V E R!!!!!!! Marcellus (21 mo) loves to do crafts with his big sis.

That said...if the paints are out, Gavin will come over and do a five minute painting :)

We have lots of art stuff, and I usually just let the kids do what they want with them.

I did a homeschool story group for a while locally, where I planned an art craft (went internet searching for stuff age appropriate) that went along with a story I would read, and we'd invite the homeschool kids over each week. That got my kids doing art stuff. (you should see the adorable paper plate owls I have on my wall right now:) ) I do have to say though, my ds often disappeared while everyone was doing the craft since he just doesn't have much interest in that kind of thing. His 6 yr old friend, also would do the same thing. The girls on the other hand loved doing the crafts and would even ask to do them again later in the week when their friends weren't there.

I think there will be plenty of time to study art more when they are bigger. That "Meet the Masters" program sounds pretty neat. I may check into that.

Funny you should mention "meet the masters" that's what we decided to go with. I have a similar music curriculum and I think this is our speed. Today we bought a spirograph and I think that's probably his speed as well. When we were at the library we found a couple of "cartooning" books, and he checked them out and begged for a new notebook to draw cartoons in. That's what he's doing right now in fact.

Thanks again for all of your advice!

Wow Fab advice! This will be our 1st yr hs'ing & I was planning on using the ideas here- http://www.digis.net/~gardnerp/art.html

"meet the masters' sounds fascinating... I'm going to look into that. Art appreciation is dear to my heart :)

Ds (6) loves to craft.. paint especially. The community we live in is very 'art oriented'. with our own gallery's & studios. We are actually having our 'blue moon art festival' tomorrow.. Next month dh will begin taking ds to pottery classes & he will also attend painting classes with one of our local artists.

Jenn , I love the lego/dictate idea. Ds loves to build .. really it is all he does in his free playtime & will build with anything lol.. oh & I love your sig pic it's precious :heart: