I try to keep homeschool simple in the spirit of Charlotte Mason. But Sprite and I have so many ideas, and we are interested in so many things. We want to do it all. Of course, that’s impossible, so we must pick and choose.
One of the ways I am able to include sketching into our homeschool day is directly related to using a literature-rich curriculum. I still read aloud to Sprite quite a bit. This is an area where I part with CM somewhat. She felt that children should read for themselves once able to do so. Of course, I require Sprite to read independently. But some wonderful books are beyond her comfortable reading level. Those are the ones I read to her.
During those reading times, what does Sprite do besides listen? Most often she draws, sketches, or does some sort of craft — origami, walnut shell crafts, etc. I don’t usually require anything particular from her while I read aloud. The choice is hers.
Personally, I cannot draw or paint and concentrate on a audio book. In fact, I find it most distracting when my classmates carry on conversations during my Chinese watercolor lessons. But Sprite has no trouble with accessing the creative side of her brain while she engages in verbal activities.
My answer to finding time for sketching is to use read-aloud time. As I read aloud to her, she works on art. This is homeschool multi-tasking at its best. The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2010 calendar has provided lots of interesting subjects to copy (pictured). I’ve already received my 2011 copy.
My girls love to draw while I read as well. We also have our 2011 copy of the Met Museum of Art Calendar – I ordered one at your suggestion and we can’t wait to start using it! 🙂
Great idea about the calendar. Thanks– I think I’ll get one for this next year 🙂
The moment I start reading, my girls reach for paper and pencils! They love to sketch. All the time! In fact, I have to insist they pay close attention when I read science or geography and there are pictures and details they must observe. I think the difference here is the need to copy artistic detail and style from the painting or picture, and present a picture at the end that shows this keen observation.
I love your post on simplicity! We can’t do it all, all the time – and shouldn’t even try. But when things flow together and there is joy and learning in that process, then I think we have a great homeschool journey.
My daughter is a ‘sketcher whilst listening’ gal, too.
I’m glad you posted about that calendar again, too. Thank you!
I’ve just order a copy from Book Depository .. and they’re having a 10% off sale at the moment (yay!!!!)
http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=alecat (send your friends and family emails to receive a discount voucher)
I still read aloud to my daughter too. This year she is in 6th grade and reads most of her work on her own. But I still read Literature and Bible to her. Part of it is selfish on my part because I enjoy these two so much. She also sketches while I read to her. Next year I will probably let her start reading everything on her own.
Blessings
Diane
Great sketching inspirations there Jimmie! I love Sprites use of color and details in her cheetah sketch! I handpainted a bench in cheetah spots! 🙂 But that’s a post for another day LOL!
Back to homeshooling… my husband also read allowed to our children after they could read quite well on their own…It was ” his ” time with them on the couch at night… and they all loved it.. One time he actually fell asleep mid sentence…. we still laugh about that!
Here’s a post in regards to sketching that you might find inspiring… you can sketch anyplace!
http://www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.com/2009/11/art-day-plein-air-with-susan-slowey.html
Happy Sketching!
Deb
Glad you and Sprite liked the Shakespeare videos pre-K style! LOL I love the Shoe one too.
Ya know-I still read a lot of the material aloud (one child is dyslexic, the other is mildly dyslexic and has some eye issues) and I find they retain it better when I read it. And what is so funny (to me cuz they wouldn’t admit it) is when I am reading something and the two bigger kiddos (22 and 20) are around, I “catch” them listening in. I dunno, but me thinks that is something most never outgrow. And that is wonderful!
Sprite is quite the artist there-I am quite impressed!
(and my youngest has to be doing something whilst I read to keep his hands busy and his mind focused-but I need quiet when I read-so maybe it is an adult thing?)
Thanks again for having all your wonderful info on your lens Jimmie! I hope it blesses others as it has me!
We do something similar for our little kids. We want them to be present in the room while we are reading our history texts with the big kids and so we provide coloring sheets with a picture of the story we are currently working on. After doing it for a while, the big kids wanted to participate! We have found Dover Coloring books to be a fantastic history resource!
I hope to never ever stop reading to my kids!! 🙂
and I’d go so far as to say, that I bet that’s not so anti-CM as we might think! 😉
oh and sketching while listening… hmmm. I have the same problem sometimes. 🙂 but my kids do NOT. since the beginning they often draw their narrations and so they often like to have their sketches be a work in progress as I read. 🙂
Thanks for the reminder. My DS10 loves to be read to and is always busy doing something while I read. He has excellent retention so I let him…The Met calendar is great. However, I do go through and take some out at the beginning of the year. Great post. Thanks!
My children like to draw or craft while I read aloud too. It took me awhile to get used to that. I thought they were ignoring me! Sprite did a wonderful job on her picture!
Mackenzie does a lot of sketching while I read aloud. As long as she’s quiet and listening I’m all for it.
Cool picture. What great practice. Maybe she can write a children’s book about China and illustrate it.