Acknowledging Him
Mar. 3, 2009
Art and music study, Charlotte Mason style
Posted in The Academy
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When my first born was in the womb (ahhh, the memories) and I started reading about homeschooling, one of the things I was so excited about was being able to study all the things I never learned about school. My kids, I thought, would learn about the great artists, and be fully familiar with classical music, and speak Latin....And then it came to teach those things and I had no idea where or how to start. Gulp. And then, O Glorious day! I came upon Ambleside Online and they had it all right there, and made it seem so easy! It doesn't matter if you are not a strict Charlotte Mason-er (I'm not), and you don't need to use their whole curriculum (I don't; but if you want to, it's FREE!). The wonderful, hardworking people at AO have set up a schedule for 12 YEARS worth of artist and composer study! Here's how it works: they have chosen 3 artists for each "school year," and have listed links to 6 or so works by each. Same for composers, only the composers are not linked, so it would be up to you to get a few CD's (I found great inexpensive ones at CBD). Here's what art and music study looks like at our house, though I guess I should mention that I am not strictly following the AO schedule. For no reason other than when I started this year, I didn't want to start with Bottecelli, because I didn't think his work would interest my kids very much. We started with DaVinci last term, because he seemed to fit right into our study of the middle ages, and Bach, who was on the schedule. This term we are studying Pieter Breugel the Elder, who also fit into our history studies quite nicely; and Mozart, because I didn't have a Franz Liszt CD. Another thing I love about homeschooling - I'M the teacher, and can arrange the lessons to suit my needs. Anyhow, here's what we do (are you still with me?) Every two weeks or so, I change the background picture on my computer to the one we're studying:  Breugel - Tower of Babel (1563)Then, the kids all crowd around and we talk about it - what we see, what we think is going on, how it compares to the artists other works, etc etc. Repeat a couple times for each work, and add in a biography or two for fun. Sounds simple, right? It is. But you'll be amazed by how much your children learn and retain. You can also print out the works at home, or have them printed at your fave photo processing place, or order them from one fo the fine ladies at AO. It's a similar routine for composer study. This week it's Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. All of my classical music is on my iPod. I put it on the little speakers in the kitchen and we listen while we eat lunch or draw pictures or fold laundry, the same piece on repeat 5 or 6 times. We've also enjoyed reading biographies of the composers. The other day I caught my 6 year old humming Piano concerto #21. When I asked her if she'd like me to turn on the music, she said yes, but that she preferred Bach :) I'm in love - my lovies enjoy classical music, and even have preferences! AO also has suggestions for studies in folk songs, poetry, and even Shakespeare! For folk songs they suggest purchasing The Homestead Picker's Folksongs. It is on my wishlist, but for now we are using I hear America Singing which I purchased many years ago. Because my kids were already familiar with the CD, I am doing more than 3 songs this year. For folk songs I encourage them to dance around and sing along. Because every child should know the words to Clementine and Home on the Range :) Now I just have to find a good way to teach Latin... |
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Mar. 6, 2009 - Untitled Comment
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Posted by Mar. 10, 2009 - LOVE IT
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Posted by Nana