An Art Curriculum You Can Appreciate

Submitted by Tony Silva on Thu, 10/21/2010 - 1:05pm

Spears Christian Art Curriculum
www.SpearsArtStudio.com
$39.95 to $149.95

Spears Art Studio has found a way to combine fine arts, crafts and an appreciation for things spiritual in their Christian Art Curriculum. Written by Diane Shields Spears, an art educator, the curriculum strikes a balance between core learning areas, art appreciation and practical art.

While we “tested” the October and May themes, this review will use the December theme as an example as parts of it are available in the online samples at Spears Art Studio.

Here is a listing of some of the curriculum the company offers:

  • K-8 Curriculum

  • high school Curriculum

  • Calligraphy Curriculum

  • literature guides Curriculum

More than art for art’s sake…

The version of the K-8 curriculum we used was on a CD ROM and included an overview of the course showing the entire scope of weekly themes, art activities, patterns and posters – nearly 500 pages covering all grades from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Packaging this product on a CD ROM may lead you to make the wrong conclusion. This is not a hastily written eBook. In fact, it is among the most well organized and structured programs of any kind I have seen in 20 years of homeschooling.

Ms. Spears shows sensitivity not only for parents who are inexperienced in art appreciation – and in practical art – but takes the meaning and purpose of art (from a Christian perspective) seriously. This is best seen in the statement about what the curriculum can accomplish:

1. Relates art, its appreciation and skills to our relationship to God and His Word;
2. Stimulates confidence in the ability to be creative by requiring students to increasingly make attainable choices appropriate to each grade level;
3. Develops students in listening skills, observation skills, following directions, depth and color perceptions, eye-hand coordination, “stretching” already acquired skills, using many different media, and exercising problem-solving skills;
4. Uses materials readily available to limited budgets;
5. Provides SOLID ART INSTRUCTION (not “busy work”) which covers basic art concepts
6. Provides instructions and diagrams in the simplest form so that ANY teacher can present and carry out the lesson successfully even if that teacher has had limited art training;
7. Provides 269 separate art activities and 137 reproducible patterns, posters, and examples.

Instructions are clear and the art examples easy to follow. One minor quibble is that much of what appears in each weekly theme refers back to the Introduction. However, as you work through the curriculum, you’ll see that many of these references are the same from week to week. For example, each week, you’re reminded to use one of several evaluation tools; the Rubric is in the Introduction.

At the top of the theme page you’ll find the title for the weekly theme, the learning objectives for the theme, scripture references (a great opportunity for structured memory work) and a theme expression. In the actual lessons, the objectives often refer back to the theme objectives. I found this a bit annoying at first, but it forced me to go back to the theme page where the purpose and objectives of the week were reinforced. It would probably have been better to just say, “Review the weekly theme objectives”, but once you get used to this approach, it is fine.

Half way down most theme pages is a section on art history and recommended images. I had no problem finding examples of the pieces using Google Images. PARENT NOTE: Find the images and download them before your class. Be careful of sending your kids on an art treasure hunt using Google Images. You’ll also find a “Teacher Inspiration” section which has some great suggestions for discussion topics and ways to present your lessons.

The theme page is followed with lesson pages for each grade level – and in some cases, a lesson for all grades. Look at all of them as you may find something in a different grade that is just right for your child. The projects are thoroughly explained in a friendly way – no tedious instructions here. We noticed a pattern week to week of alternating between art and craft, but that could just be our perception.

If I can do it, is it really art?

The answer is a resounding, “yes!” Most of the projects can be done using materials available in the typical homeschool setting. The course was designed for teachers on a tight budget. If you want to buy art materials though, Spears offers art tools on their Web site. Hardly anyone would argue that there are not people in the world who have a natural talent for fine arts. However, the study of art and the techniques artists use is valuable for all of us. If drawing – one important component of art – is intimidating for you, check out the article, “How to Teach Drawing” in the K-8 Curriculum. The article mentions books that teach drawing and explains their benefits. We hope to review “Draw Write Now”, a series we use in our home in the near future. But for the money, if you need a comprehensive art curriculum that is both easy to teach and fun to learn, visit Spears Art Studio and look over their extensive collection of samples. You probably will not leave without placing an order.

4.5