Teaching Simply
This book is designed to involve each child in a time of parent/child interaction followed by a time of working independently. Parents read the lesson, participate with the child in short observation activities or discuss art works by the masters, and then provide the child with materials for the art project. The child creates original works of art about subjects of his or her choosing. This book can be used at home or in the classroom.* Lessons take five to ten minutes to present. Optional exercises will take longer. Projects take thirty to sixty minutes, depending on the child’s approach and attention span. WHAT ARTISTS DO The first section of the book covers the activities artists engage in when making art (composing, imagining, looking), how to use the materials of an artist (watercolor crayons, pastels, pencil), and the various types of subjects artists work from (landscapes, people, still life). Activities broaden the child’s awareness of the world he or she lives in. The child explores drawing and painting in this section. Fourteen lessons give students plenty of opportunities to find out just what it is to be an artist! WHAT ARTISTS SEE The second section of the book covers the elements that artists use in two- dimensional and three-dimensional work such as shape, form, line, and color. The child explores collage, paper works, drawing and color mixing while gaining experience in handling scissors, glue, folding paper forms, drawing materials, and using a brush. Seven lessons give children opportunities to make art that originates from their interests. WHERE WE FIND ART The third section of the book looks at art in caves, pyramids, cathedrals, etc., covering ancient art from cave paintings to book illumination of the Middle Ages. The child uses various media including chalk pastels, oil pastels, clay, and paper works. The child explores mural, pottery, clay modeling, paper art, bookbinding, and mosaic techniques. Fifteen lessons give children even more opportunities to explore art media while learning about the many places in which ancient cultures created art. *Since classroom environments are often more limited than the home, the teacher in a classroom will need to bring in interesting subjects for children to work from and observe. Pots, models, a jar of goldfish, a shell collection, or bowls of fruit and vegetables are just some of the rich sources I’ve found at home or have been able to purchase for a small price. Small caged pets such as lizards, turtles, rabbits, etc. can be brought in by students who own them and create high student interest. Suggested outings can be local, and I highly encourage you to take them! Simply stepping outdoors provides an active, rich environment from which children can create.
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