Again not affiliated, just thought you might like this
Spears art studio
http://www.spearsartstudio.com/ Spears Art Studio is an art curriculum with a Christian twist. Every lesson has a verse from the bible inside it while some lessons (especially around Christmas and the like) are very faith-based. But most aren't and even those that have a Christian themed can be easily adjusted to suit whatever theme you'd like.
Beyond that point, this art curriculum is doesn't take a crafty or amateurish approach at all, even at young grade levels. This is professional drawing instruction. It has ideas that are the foundation of true art and drawing techniques. That doesn't mean that it is not fun however, because it is! It just means that the instructions are weaved into the fun. I was simply amazed by the wealth of ideas for drawing, coloring and handiwork presented in this curriculum! This is definitely a RICH curriculum!
The included introduction to the curriculum gives very basic instruction on how to draw, drawing techniques and so on for teachers.
I reviewed the K-8 and high school art curriculums, but there are other products provided as well. You can view a free report about the benefit of art and samples of the curriculum here as well:
http://www.spearsartstudio.com/curricintro.html I thought the high school review was a bit too far out here, but I'll post it if someone wants it
Grades K-8 curriculum:
http://www.spearsartstudio.com/k-8.curric.intro.html There are 4 lessons each month throughout the year. The themes are repeated annually, but the focus of the lesson and the project itself is different for every grade. Of course, they get more advanced by grade.
Each lesson has its own objectives, and art principles and art skills as well as cognitive skills needed for it. Each lesson plan includes a guide for teachers on what to talk about, how to conduct the activity and sometimes an extra activity as well.
· Almost all of the ideas are enjoyable and original, for example drawing profiles, drawing with dots …etc
· The instructions for the techniques introduced are brushed upon but not always given in detail.
a. For example, the lesson plan will tell you "draw a picture of something" but it won't tell you how to do that exactly or instructions on drawing something specifically. This wasn't consistent throughout though, for example a pastel drawing of clouds was explained in detail; which colors where used, how they were used…etc.
b. When asked about this, the owner told me that she students have a better idea of the major shapes in objects as they progress through the curriculum, and that the aim for them is to draw freely without looking at another person's rendition. If the animal is recognized as the intended animal, then the drawing is successful. In this way, the drawings are fresh and delightful.
c. She also recommends use of inexpensive How to Draw booklets as "free time" use when a serious lesson is not intended. Sucha s using them for students who were waiting for other classmates to finish the main project and as reference for major shapes.
d. Templates (patterns) are provided usually for younger students or for projects that require symmetry or traceable templates. By not providing templates for everything, students are encouraged to invent as much as possible.
e. I personally would have preferred templates for everything, so I wouldn't have to search if I didn't want to and the same goes for detailed instructions for drawing. The multitude of ideas in this curriculum does make up for this for me for the time being, though! Personally, I think these would last even beyond 8th grade
· Not all of the lessons are just about drawing; there are other stuff such as crafts with leaves and other natural artifacts, posters on the wall where stuff is added and removed, use of yarn, oil pastels and other materials as well. Examples of more hand-on work includes string art, basic sewing and stained glass drawing.
· I think the best demonstration is to go look at some sample lessons on the website, here:
http://www.spearsartstudio.com/k-8.curric.intro.html · And the table of contents here:
http://www.spearsartstudio.com/k-8iminfo/k-8samplepktpdf/b.overview.pdfand
http://www.spearsartstudio.com/k-8iminfo/k-8samplepktpdf/a.tablecontentswhole.pdf All in all, I think this is a great art curriculum that is worth its money in value. I am no expert and that is specifically why I think this is a good curriculum; most children aren't experts too!
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