Relational Homeschooling
Dear Friends,
Good morning! As I contemplate today’s topic, the strains of classical guitar music (John Williams [Guitar] Radio on Pandora) soothe my heart and mind. Looking up from the desk in the hotel room, I see a lovely artistic photograph of stones on a shore. Creativity is welcomed in this environment. Good discussions, thoughtful insights, and a delight in being alive are deeply impacted by this beautiful music and eye-catching art.
Let me offer a contrast from yesterday. As we prepared to leave our previous hotel room (we are traveling between conventions this week), I was once again struck by the soul-less emptiness of a room that lacked the beauty of art. The one unremarkable piece hanging there was not able to overcome the utilitarian ugliness of the room. A few hours later, we stopped for a quick lunch at a restaurant. Once we were seated, the blare of unappetizing music was so pronounced that it became an unwelcome intrusion. Leaving the premises was a blessed relief!
So, in one experience, music enhanced creativity and delight, while in the second experience, music debilitated and crushed. The art in one place enriched, while the art in the second left us in visual poverty.
What does that have to do with today’s topic? I believe that art and music are creative gifts from our artistic and musical Creator. To help our children grow in their love and understanding of these two areas will enrich their lives, and, if they are gifted as artists or musicians, to enrich the lives of others.
There are SO many ways to do this! Don’t feel less than others because you don’t paint or play an instrument. Instead, begin learning about the masterpieces in art and music with your kids. Discover the fascinating lives of the creators of these masterpieces as you delight in the beauty of their work. Try your hand at painting, drawing, sculpting, cartooning, graphic designing, and photography. Take the adventure of singing rounds, folk songs, hymns, and your favorite tunes. Pull out that old guitar, dust off the piano, buy a reed for the clarinet in the attic, and let your kids begin to discover the one-of-a-kind invigorating experience of making music.
Remember, in all of these endeavors, stay relational!
Diana
P.S. This is a passion of mine, and my out-of-the-box curriculum shows it. Experience amazing art, architecture and music in Ancient Civilizations & the Bible; Romans, Reformers, Revolutionaries; and World Empires, World Missions, World Wars. (www.dianawaring.com)
AND, delight your kids with the music of America in my new book & CD sets: America, Westward Ho!, and Musical Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Coming soon! ( www.dianawaring.com/blog)
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A division of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine
Did you know? Every class is INCLUDED for members! No limits!
If you’re looking for art and music resources written in enjoyable and accessible ways, then take a look at SchoolhouseTeachers.com.
Brenda Ellis of ARTistic Pursuits brings Art Techniques lessons designed to help your children become visually aware of the wonderful world they live in and enjoy the process of putting ideas and images on paper.
If your teens are considering developing their artistic gifts into a ministry, check out Sharon Jeffus of Visual Manna and her Studio Art for Teens class. Don’t miss the Student Gallery!
You want to expose your children to art but you aren’t sure where to start? Why not try introducing it through a subject such as history or science? Check out biweekly unit studies on Everyday Easels.
Jerry Jennings, recording artist, performer, teacher, and author, delivers monthly Beginning Guitar lessons through videos and printed material.
Music is a language, and in order to fully appreciate it, one first needs to understand how it works. Michelle Martin’s course introduces the basics of Music Theory and pieces of classical music which illustrate the concepts.
Nancy Blue’s Beginning Violin class “Strings of Praise” will have you and your children learning to play the violin before you know it! Nancy’s 33-week course includes video instruction and uses primarily the Suzuki method.
For a complete listing of all our art and music resources, visit our Site Content page on SchoolhouseTeachers.com, where exploring art and music is as easy as Point. Click. Teach.
Don’t forget our 19-Gifts Special! If you purchase a 90-day membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com, the curriculum arm of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine for $19, you not only lock in that rate for as long as you maintain the membership, you also receive 19 incredible gifts from Jim Hodges Audio Books, A Journey Through Learning, King Alfred’s English, and many more. Stop by The Old Schoolhouse Store today for all the details and to lock in your super sale price. But hurry, this offer is only good until June 30, 2014!
One family. One fee. How do you Schoolhouse?
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Looking for an instrumental music curriculum?
The ocarina is a perfect choice because it is inexpensive and easy to play. Our ocarina homeschool packages include everything you need to teach your children the ocarina. Please visit STLOcarina.com for details.
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At Visible Music College, you aren’t learning to be an artist. You are an artist, learning. Music, ministry, life: this is where the three intersect. Our accredited bachelor degree programs in music, music production or music business place equal emphasis on spiritual, professional
and academic. Learn more at Visible.edu.
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How can parents introduce
preschoolers to the classics?
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.
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