I enjoy looking at art and learning about various artist and art periods. It is an interest I like to share with my kids. I take the kids to art museums during vacations and when there is a new exhibit in town. I also invite and encourage them to learn about art and to makeContinue reading The Benefits of the Visual Arts
The Guided Learning Studio
Happy 2019! I am excited to start the new year with ideas about the kinds of learning and teaching happening in my home. I started this blog just about a year ago as a way to share the ways I encourage my kids’ interests. At the time, I was also supporting the learning needs ofContinue reading The Guided Learning Studio
Tips for Visiting Art Museums with Kids
I know it is not easy to visit art museums with kids, especially young kids. We visit natural history and science museums a lot more often than art museums but I love art and have wanted to instill an appreciation for not only making art at home but also for looking at art.Continue reading Tips for Visiting Art Museums with Kids
Prehistoric Art
In my last post Learning About Art, I wrote a summary about our study of western art in preparation for visiting museums in Europe. Before sharing my thoughts on visiting museums with kids and looking at Modern art, it would be helpful to see how we studied each art period or artist. Continue reading Prehistoric Art
Summer Days and Learning at Home
When school gets out, the kids and I spend the first week or two of summer vacation unscheduled. There are no camps, classes, or planned activities for the day. We hardly even leave the house during the day. I need these couple weeks to slow down and recharge as well. It is during these slowContinue reading Summer Days and Learning at Home
Exploring Shapes and Making Connections
This summer we will be spending almost three weeks in Europe. We are starting our trip in the Swiss Alps then spending time in Florence, Paris and finally Ireland. (Where we get to visit friends we miss greatly.) I hope to prepare the kids for the art and architecture they will encounter on the trip.Continue reading Exploring Shapes and Making Connections
Spending Time Together
The last couple of weekends have been a little busy for our family. Saturdays seem to belong to the kids’ sport meets, games, or practice. We feel worn out when the weekends are busy and don’t include time to refresh or relax. During busy weekends, it feels extra important to find ways to connect and spendContinue reading Spending Time Together
Galaxy Art
The enthusiasm for space continues! Yesterday, the kids looked at photos of galaxies and stars in books and online. My 11-year-old and 6-year-old each used different materials to make a picture of a galaxy. My daughter experimented with Maya Mists spray paints (from a crafty friend) and some acrylic paint to make her image. (WeContinue reading Galaxy Art
Teaching at Home
I recently realized that tutoring has always been part of my life. In high school I tutored students in math at the local middle school. As an engineering student in college, I volunteered at a high school. Tutoring is what led me to consider switching majors to education. I enjoy the learning and teaching process andContinue reading Teaching at Home