| Author | |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: July 05 2010 at 10:03am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I'm reading through Drawing With Children by Mona Brookes (one of the many books I'm reading right now!) and have found it so helpful.
I was pondering on how to make the connections with our nature journaling (which is woefully inadequate), and found that Harmony Art Mom has compiled some lessons with just this in mind!
Her lessons (see also sidebar)
Squidoo: Drawing With Children: Nature Journal Style also by her.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: July 05 2010 at 10:30am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I really like Drawing With Children!! As long as it's not "done too young." Even though the examples in the books are drawn by young ones too....(ages 5-6)...I couldn't imagine "teaching a child how to draw" at that age, unless they were begging for it. Barb started her boys when they were 7 & 9.
I LOVE all of Barb's posts on that squidoo page, Jenn!!! They are so GREAT! I have them printed off and REALLY want to use them....maybe next spring when I'm not pregnant and dd#3 is a bit older!
I used these plans last summer with my 8.5 and 7 yo (who's very artistic) and they got a lot out of it! I wanted to do it again this summer, but I think my 6.5 yo isn't ready and the girls are getting watercolor lessons from a neighbor.
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: July 05 2010 at 12:05pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh, that link of lessons is fabulous, Suzanne, thanks.
Yes, I agree a bit on age level, but I do appreciate her advice on how we talk and encourage the children on art.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
amy_payson
Forum Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17
|
| Posted: July 09 2010 at 1:45pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I am also reading through Mona's book right now. I find it interesting and it seems to make sense and it makes me eager to try it (as if I need one more project on my plate!)...BUT...I also find it goes against some of my natural inclinations as far as art goes.
I have never been a huge fan of draw the basic shapes and turn it into the desired object. Hated those books as kids, although her approach seems a bit different. I loved drawing as a kid and still do as an adult (WHEN I can ever find the time for it) but don't know how I feel about structured art classes. We do picture study and/or composer/artist study occasionally (usually corresponding with history) and I let the kids illustrate when too young to do narrations or to make their own picture flashcards when trying to memorize something (usually a language). My creative children love this approach and draw every chance they get. My more logic oriented, perfectionist boy tends to not go there. I think Mona's approach would actually help him but I'm afraid it may hinder my creative child.
When I was in public school I did love art class but I came to hate it by 6th grade and never went on because we were "told" what to draw/make. (The unschooler in me?) I took it up again in college and love it.
I know that Mona's books are often found in Charlotte Mason circles (our main method when doing formal work). Does anyone else in this group love or hate this Monart technique? Do you feel it goes well with the CM approach or inhibits it? Curious as to what others think. Thank you for any feedback!
Amy Payson
simply necessary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: July 09 2010 at 2:32pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Amy I think you pose an excellent question!
Do we structure art lessons at the possible cost of killing creativity?
Or do we simply let them go with their natural creative impulses without offering them the tools that might help them express themselves more clearly?
Really what I strive for is balance.
I have one daughter who I think, of all of my children, is the most creative, artistically speaking. I have found with her that the thing is to offer her regular, very simple art instruction (perhaps introducing a new medium or technique, etc), and then the rest of the time back off and let her create.
What this does is allow her plenty of scope for her creative impulses, but also offers her a larger *kit* of tools and techniques that she can then use (or not) at her own discretion when she creates her own works.
I do find that she uses some, but not others. I also find that when she does use a technique or material we've learned together, it is because she *needed* that particular thing to properly express what she was working toward in her individual work. This gives me some validation for what we are doing.
So as far as the Monart, I cannot specifically address that issue because I have not used it. But as far as the balance between lessons/creative freedom, I think it applies to any art curriculum.
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
amy_payson
Forum Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17
|
| Posted: July 09 2010 at 3:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I think I may have answered my own question. Thanks to your above links....this one especially:
Art as Copywork
I see now exactly how it would correspond to a CM approach. I would still love to hear other's ideas on how this has been incorporated in your own lives.
Amy Payson
simply necessary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: July 09 2010 at 4:08pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I think there are 2 things to consider.
Balance
Readiness and Interest
Last summer when we did the "lessons," I was super vigilent about creating lots of time for open-ended art projects and just plain-ol' mess-making! Fun with colors, fingerpaint, big paper, lots of mediums. One of the reasons i do these things in the summer is so that we CAN be outside making messes and it doesn't drive me batty.
I also showed my girls the book and gave them an idea of what these lessons were and asked them if they wanted to do them. They screamed YES! So, I knew we were ok. 
If "lessons" give a certain type of child a confidence that they wouldn't have otherwise, then it's GREAT!
But, if it makes them feel like they have to have everything PERFECT and not be creative, then....no...I wouldn't do it. Dd#3 falls into this category, which is why I am not doing ANY sort of "drawing lessons" this summer with her or them. But, they are learning how to use their watercolors from a neighbor. Which, for her....is different from drawing lessons.
Part of it is ability, part of it is temperament and just who she is...in which case, she'll be better able to cope when she's older....because, of course, I won't stop "lessons" just for her....but it would be a different focus, and she'd be older.
I also think that simply by homeschooling and encouraging art-in-the-home by having the mediums and space THERE.....the creativity-encouragement is just there. Then.....watch, observe, ask....see if they want further information or a technique.
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: July 09 2010 at 4:12pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
amy_payson wrote:
I think I may have answered my own question. Thanks to your above links....this one especially:
Art as Copywork |
|
|
And, I just clicked over on this and I remember reading that post last year, and LOVED IT! It makes perfect sense, doesn't it? But, I'd never thought of it like that!
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: April 11 2011 at 11:44am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Bumping this up-
I'm about to start using Drawing With Children with my dc. My ds is 8, and he told me he wants to learn how to make his drawings look more real.
I've read through this thread and have printed out the lesson plans ( a HUGE help- otherwise the book felt overwhelming to me).
Does anyone have any other thoughts as I get ready for this adventure?
Helpful hints? Suggestions?
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Drawing With Children
