Recently a friend asked how I “get” my kids to do art. I just stared at her genuinely confused because I never had to “get” my boys interested in artistic expression. If anything I have to “get” them to do math, Latin, and clean their bedrooms. I still have to “get” my Marine to clean his room when he visits. I never once considered homeschool moms having problems getting their kids to “do art”.
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ~ Aristotle
Both my boys definitely have a natural talent for creating. Their father has created numerous framed pieces around our home. He is a golf course architect. He is always creating. I on the other hand have never taken an art class myself, but always wished I had the opportunity. I’ve taken it for granted how much my kids love to express themselves through art.
My oldest is still drawing his heart out. Now just all military inspired sketches since he’s a Marine. He always wanted to play guitar and we provided lessons for one year until he just practiced every second of the day. He eventually taught himself how to play piano as well. He is very tactile and gifted! You can read how he turned sidewalk chalk art into a business: What Raising an Artist Looks Like over at Chalk Pastel Art.
My youngest has been on stage since early elementary school. I had no idea he could act until a church play opened our eyes to his ability to memorize & completely transform into character. One year he was co-lead in 2 different plays and didn’t miss one line! Every time he stepped on stage it was like a switch flipped and he was no longer our boy. He was completely that character. Now in middle school he performs 2 musical theater shows every year with our local performing arts academy. With his delayed fine motor skills drawing has never been easy. He would rather preform than draw.
Maybe your family isn’t as comfortable with the term Fine Arts because it sounds a bit too fancy & intimidating. It first had me thinking of Pride & Prejudice with a meek woman quietly learning needlework and expected to play the pianoforte after dinner parties. So what are the fine arts & why should we teach them?!
7 Types of Fine Arts
Thankfully, fine arts is plural and as a home educator you have MANY choices when planning high school credits! Hopefully this explanation will help! The 7 Fine Arts consists of: Painting, Sculpture, Literature, Architecture, Theater, Film and Music. If you’re nervous about teaching Fine Arts this definitely covers a variety of classes!
Why Teach Fine Arts?
Now that we understand what the fine arts consist of it’s more important to wrap our heads around why we have to teach them!! And here is where I get all excited about Fine Arts! Google shares: Fine arts provide learners with non-academic benefits such as promoting self-esteem, motivation, aesthetic awareness, cultural exposure, creativity, improved emotional expression, as well as social harmony and appreciation of diversity.
That sure does sound lovely to me. Promoting self-esteem, cultural exposure, improved emotional expression, social harmony, appreciation of diversity. It sounds like a healthy and lovely opportunity for all teens – especially when reports are showing more and more how stressed, unhappy, and anxious teens have become than any other time in our history. Maybe we should be treating classes like fine arts as something more valuable and important than just a credit to knock out.
Art is not a thing; it is a way. ~ Elbert Hubbard
Middle School Fine Arts Friday
I have now started to incorporate Fine Arts Friday around our table. It’s at least one day of the week when we dive into some art education, hands-on learning, and self expression! I’m starting with Art & Music Appreciation downloads from ChalkPastelArt.com.
Both me & the 14yr old sit at the table and go over the pdf material, together. I might have missed out on art classes in high school but there is no reason for me to miss out on them now! We are learning so much about artists!
High School Fine Arts Credit
I have already decided to incorporate Chalk Pastel Art’s Fine Arts Curriculum for 9th grade homeschool. These classes are unlike the chalk art tutorials we’ve done in the past – following Nana stroke by stroke to make one masterpiece. These pdf downloads: also use online sources for viewing artwork for each time period studied. In addition to reading and viewing the artwork, the student is directed to write a one to two-page summary for each time period or topic covered.
However you decide to incorporate Fine Arts into your homeschool – enjoy the time growing, expressing, and learning together!
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