Haunting Chopin Waltz and Free Chopin Resources

Another great find on YouTube to share with you....Chopin's Waltz No. 10 in B Minor. I have listened to this piece over and over in the last week. Enjoy!



You can click here to listen on YouTube.com.

Jimmie from Jimmie's Collage and Notebooking Fairy has built a WONDERFUL Squidoo lens on Chopin. I love all the resources she lists and you can build a fantastic composer study with the information she has pulled together. Thanks Jimmie!

Here is another favorite Chopin resource on Adventures in Mama Land.

If you would like a Chopin compilation, here is the ONE I listen to at home.

Handicrafts- Appropriate and Essential for High School?

Handicrafts in high school take on new significance as your teens explore areas of interest. My boys have long been fans of working with their hands and I am sure it comes from watching their father in his workshop. The shop is a place where their dad invents and explores and he has always allowed the children a place to have their own projects.

As your children grow, you can allow more freedom to take a project and personalize it. Don't limit your definition of handicrafts to things like sewing and knitting. Find projects that give your child skills they can apply as they grow into adults.

Here is an example from our family.


We started a few years ago to work with leather and leathercrafting tools. I purchased a kit to get us started (linked below on Amazon.com), found an old book on Applied Leathercraft (linked below on Amazon.com), and then we used the internet for ideas. What I love about this handicraft is that it is highly practical but still has an element of artistic flair that can be added by embellishing the leather with patterns and designs. My boys loved the physicality of the projects.


Hammering the stamped designs is hard work and takes patience and practice. I let them use scrap leather to learn with before starting on the actual projects in the kits. (You can purchase scrap leather at most craft or fabric stores.)



The instructions that come with the kits are very well done and you will feel confident about these projects even if you have never done this sort of work before.

Here are the kits we purchased.


Here is the book we used to learn the history of leathercrafting and then the step by step tutorials for making projects in addition to the ones in the kits.



As an off-shoot from working with leather and Mr. A's interest in making his own belts, he designed and made several belt buckles while working in his welding and metal fabrication class. Here is one that is not very practical but he really likes it.



His did a series of projects with horseshoes after the belt buckle.

I am really glad that I found Charlotte Mason's ideas and methods before we hit high school when I might have been tempted to pass up the opportunity for handicrafts with my boys. Looking back on the past few years I see how allowing time for these sorts of activities and calling it school has given them time to explore things and build on skills learned to make personalized, practical projects.

I encourage other CM families to give handicrafts a place in high school. 

Lists of project ideas from the Applied Leathercraft book




I don't know what a "toilet-set case" is...probably don't want to know.

This post will be a part of the up-coming Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival on handicrafts.

High School Graduation - The Dust Settles

This post has been brewing for a few weeks and it will take some courage to post it up for all of you to read.

Mr. A had a wonderful graduation season shared with family and friends. He has a stack of cards and a lot of photos from the gatherings and now he is setting off on another road, a road that does not include college in the fall. He has set a course for himself that will be rather different and is shaping up to look more like a Gap Year experience, one that I never thought he would choose. (I enjoyed reading this article on Gap Years.)

He has goals for himself....travel, ministry to others in a variety of ways, and getting his pilot's license.

It looks like at least for the fall semester he will be focusing on those aspects of his life that he hopes someday will come together as one career. Neither my husband or I have any problem with his goals....it is just scary to watch as he spreads his wings wider and wider and in this case to see him literally fly away.



When we see our children taking their own road in life it is sometimes tempting to interfere, to insert our dreams into their lives. Not everyone needs to go to college straight from high school and some people don't need to go at all. This particular son sees college as a tool and not as the ultimate goal. He will go when he needs to go and as I have seen over the last year he will find a way to learn what he wants to learn.

I already see the blessings being poured out on his decisions. Exciting and scary at the same time.


Since the beginning of May he has accomplished all of these things totally on his own initiative:
1. Job shadowed an electrician.
2. Started and is near completing a certified course in forklift operation.
3. Helped sheetrock a new place of worship.
4. Started a new job and received a promotion.
5. Found someone to help him learn a particular type of welding (TIG)
6. Began self-teaching how to play the piano.
7. Reviewed his ground school textbook and studied the Private Pilot's test book while on our camping trip.
8. Learned how to pull a trailer and back it up with confidence.

Okay, typing up the list helps me see that this is a child that can learn anything he puts his mind to when the time is right. We shall enjoy watching him grow in the year to come.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Cleaning Shelves - Check Out My For Sale Items

Hop over to my Harmony Art Mom Bookshelf blog to see what I have put in the for sale stack.

There is a lot of stuff so use the labels on the right sidebar to sort things a little for your convenience.

Read the top tab for purchasing information.

Thanks for looking,
Barb

Narration in High School - Using a Variety Makes Learning Come Alive

As I file away our work at the close of this school year, I am struck by how many kinds of narration my high school aged boys used throughout their courses. The personalized learning is what makes narration stand out among methods of evaluation of learning in our high school...much better than a test or quiz. I am impressed with the idea that no matter how they narrate an assignment, in the end,  they are simply telling me back in their own words in a way that makes sense to them how they interacted with the ideas presented in their reading.

We actually discuss the material together and often I have not read the material so I will just listen as they tell me what they took away from the reading. This may seem intimidating but if you have built a solid foundation and your children are reading well and engaging in the material, they will be able to give you an idea of how the assignments went. As suggested in Charlotte Mason's volumes, I try not to get in between the book and my child.

The simpleness of narration is its beauty. There is no "correcting" of papers but I get to enjoy reading my child's words and listen to his voice as we work our way through our school week. 

• Written notes in a Commonplace Book (History, Biographies, Speeches)
• Written summaries on a notebook page (History, Government, Literature, Chemistry, Poetry)
• Images and words on notebook pages (History, Chemistry, Poetry)
• Drawings and sketches as part of our chemistry work (any science course)
• Formal essays (History, Geography, Government, Science, Literature)
• Poster boards (History)
• Videos (History and Chemistry)
• Poetry recitations

If I feel my boys have not grasped the concepts or ideas they need from a book, I will ask open-ended questions and many times this reminds them of something they wanted to say and just left out of the original narration. I can look back at all the different variations on narration and know that we truly learned something.

I'm a happy homeschool mom.

You may also be interested in reading more in-depth about our high school experiences with narration:
Narration in Our High School Plans.








Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.

Grant Wood Project with Markers and Paper

Here is a fun and easy project we did in our study of Grant Wood. Mr. B loves to work with markers so this was a perfect fit for him. Grant Wood is part of my new Harmony Fine Arts Grade 4 plans.

First you view some of Grant Wood's paintings (here is a good PLACE to view) and get an idea of his style. We looked at quite a few before Mr. B decided to make his own landscape version....something like Grant Wood did in this painting: Young Corn.




He started by drawing dividing lines for each section.




He then took markers and did a different pattern in each section.

It looked like fun just playing with the different colors and textures.


Finished up it was fun to look at and I am going to hang it up in my living room. :)

Here is a lesson plan for something similar.


I highly recommend the Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists: Grant Wood book for a fun introduction to his major paintings.

Have Fun!
Barb-Harmony Art Mom



Mr. B's favorite markers

Poetry for High Schoolers: Langston Hughes

I am cleaning up my desktop at the end of the school year and filing away many resources. I wanted to complete this series while it was still somewhat fresh in my mind. I will put a link to the first post on my sidebar for future reference in the Charlotte Mason category. 

Our final poet for the year was Langston Hughes. What a nice change for Mr. A to enjoy this interesting poet and the sound of his words. We enjoyed reading aloud his poems and it gave us some insight into a period of history from this man's view.

Week 1:
Read as much of Langston Hughes' poetry you can this week in the time allotted. Tell me what you observed about his poetry. Choose one poem to share with me at our Friday meeting. Did you like the words? The topic? The rhyme?
We watched this video: Langston Hughes and His Poetry.


Week 2:
Watch this short video about the Harlem Renaissance.

Take notes to share on a notebook page...add an image.

Week 3:
Read more of Langston Hughes' poetry. Make a collage of words and images and title it "Langston Hughes".

Week 4:
Read "The Weary Blues" and then listen to it on YouTube: Poetry by Langston Hughes.



Week 5 and 6:
One last week of reading Langston Hughes' poetry. Pick a favorite to recite for the family. Complete a notebook page.

View these YouTube videos:

I, Too (Read by Langston Hughes)
Montage of a Dream Deferred (Read by Danny Glover)
The Negro Speaks of Rivers (Read by Langston Hughes)

Finish your notebook page for Langston Hughes.


Our Poetry Schedule:
Weeks 1-6 Edna St. Vincent Millay
Weeks 7-12 Robert Browning
Weeks 13-18 Robert Frost
Weeks 19-24 Carl Sandburg
Weeks 25-27 W.B. Yeats
Weeks 28-30 E.E. Cummings
Weeks 31-36 Langston Hughes

You can click on the "poetry for high schoolers" tag at the bottom of this post for all the other entries in this series. I hope this series has been helpful and given you some ideas for your own poetry study. We kept this year light and simple and Mr. A thoroughly enjoyed his poetry. I think concentrating on reading and then following up with simple activities has helped him develop an "ear" for poetry like he has not had before. What more could a mom want for her children?

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Announcing HFA Grade 4- Modern Art and Music Plans are Ready!

HFA Grade 4
Modern Art and Music

Harmony Fine Arts Grade 4 plans are now ready for your family. The new Grade 4 - Modern Times plans are available in both ebook and print editions.The ebook version includes everything in the print version plus art prints that you can print for your family.

*36 Weeks of Plans - 6 artists and 6 composers. (See sample for a complete list.)
*Three Options for art and  improved plans for composer study. (See sample for Weeks 1-6.)
*Ebook format includes links to internet sources for viewing artwork, additional activities, and YouTube listening and viewing. (See sample for how much depth this gives your study if you wish it for your family.)
*Ebook and Print editions include notebook pages and coloring pages to use as a follow-up to your study. Grade 4 has more notebook pages to choose from than Grades 2 and 3.
*Ebook format includes art prints to view and/or print out for your personal use.
*Resources can be seen on my Amazon.com store.
*Newly revised plans for Drawing With Children....more in-depth with extra projects scheduled for each section.

Ebook Version $17.44 

Print Version $19.95 plus postage

I have revamped the Grade 4 plans to reflect updated materials available on the internet and on my blog. I also include more thorough instructions for picture study. Families will be required to purchase far fewer resources and the resources used are readily available. You can view the required materials at my Amazon.com store (click the different options and categories on the left side to view all materials needed).

The print version has the same content as the ebook version but the internet links will need to be typed in by the user. The print version also includes all the same notebook pages and coloring pages but because of cost the art prints are not provided. All artwork referenced in the plans is available for viewing on the internet with links provided.

I have endeavored to keep the plans on a grammar stage level and have left many activities and artists for the logic stage (Harmony Fine Arts Grade 8). Families with children in both age groups may want to purchase both plans but they will not directly correspond week by week. You may wish to print out the samples for both plans to compare artist and composer lists.

Please Note:
If you have a Grade 4 plan now and would like to trade it in for a new version, please email me as well. I know that some of you purchased the Grades 1-4 Bundle and if you are wanting to trade in your Grade 4 plans from that purchase for the new version, please email me as well.

I am totally flexible and will work with you if you communicate with me:
harmonyfinearts@yahoo.com


Harmony Fine Arts has been awarded Practical Homeschool Magazine's Reader's Award - Honorable Mention for both Art and Music Appreciation plans 

If you have any questions, please email me anytime.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom

I've Got Rhythm.....

This week I'm listening to George Gershwin! Wow....what a great collection of music he wrote for all of us!

Here is something fun for you, guaranteed to make you smile.

American in Paris...I've Got Rhythm
You will have to click over to view this awesome video and hear a little Gershwin. (Another one from Harmony Fine Arts Grade 4)


Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Summer Music Treat: Scheherazade-Young Prince and the Princess

This is one to sit with your eyes closed and just imagine.

Scheherazade-The Young Prince and the Princess

by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov



This is going to be part of my new Harmony Fine Arts Grade 4 plans.....the music in this level is so delicious I can hardly wait to hear how you all enjoy it!

My favorite part of the video is from about 6:30 to 7:30....the violin. Sweet.

Enjoy!
Barb-Harmony Art Mom

If you want to have a CD with this piece and more from Rimsky-Korsakov: Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits

Homeschool Curriculum Review Round-Up

I submitted a few reviews to the Homeschool Curriculum Review Round-Up over at HappyHousewife.com. It is that time of year again and it is always interesting and exciting to start planning a few new things to include with next year's courses. We haven't nailed down everything for next year and have a few areas that I need to fill in with new ideas so a good Round-Up of reviews is very timely.

I also have written quite a few reviews for Curriculum Choice in the past and you may be interested in reading reviews from other contributors.

You can pop over to Squidoo to find some of my curriculum choices for ideas.

Enjoy your planning!
Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Chalk Pastels for Beginners #2 - Picture Study Tips As Well

Harmony Fine Arts Grade 4 plans call for some work with chalk pastels and I found the need for some very basic chalk pastel videos. I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for so I decided make two videos of my own to post on YouTube and link to for the plans. Chalk Pastels Video #2

This is a follow-up to my first Chalk Pastels Video #1.

If you want to see all my art related videos, I have them all on a separate blog: Harmony Fine Arts.

Look for supplies like these at your local art supply store.

Announcing Harmony Fine Arts Grade 3 - Late Renaissance to Early Modern Art

HFA Grade 3 
Late Renaissance to Early Modern Art

Harmony Fine Arts Grade 3 plans are now ready for your family. The new Grade 3 - Late Renaissance to Early Modern plans are available in both ebook and print editions.The ebook version includes everything in the print version plus art prints that you can print for your family.

*36 Weeks of Plans - 6 artists and 6 composers. (See sample for a complete list.)
*Three Options for art and  improved plans for composer study. (See sample for Weeks 1-6.)
*Ebook format includes links to internet sources for viewing artwork, additional activities, and YouTube listening and viewing. (See sample for how much depth this gives your study if you wish it for your family.)
*Ebook and Print editions include notebook pages and coloring pages to use as a follow-up to your study.
*Ebook format includes art prints to view and/or print out for your personal use.
*Resources can be seen on my Amazon.com store.
*Please Note: Option 3 - Artistic Pursuits K-3 Book 2 is used over a two year period for money savings and a more thorough coverage of the material. I supplement the AP lessons with picture study and additional activities to give you a connection between the AP topics and the time period.

Ebook Version $17.44 

Print Version $19.95 plus postage

I have revamped the Grade 3 plans to reflect updated materials available on the internet and on my blog. I also include more thorough instructions for picture study. Families will be required to purchase far fewer resources and the resources used are readily available. You can view the required materials at my Amazon.com store (click the different options and categories on the left side to view all materials needed).

The print version has the same content as the ebook version but the internet links will need to be typed in by the user. The print version also includes all the same notebook pages and coloring pages but because of cost the art prints are not provided. All artwork referenced in the plans is available for viewing on the internet with links provided.

I have endeavored to keep the plans on a grammar stage level and have left many activities and artists for the logic stage (Harmony Fine Arts Grade 7 ). Families with children in both age groups may want to purchase both plans but they will not directly correspond week by week. You may wish to print out the samples for both plans to compare artist and composer lists.

Please Note:
Also if you have a Grade 3 plan now and would like to trade it in for a new version, please email me as well. I know that some of you purchased the Grades 1-4 Bundle and if you are wanting to trade in your Grade 3 plans from that purchase for the new version, please email me as well.

I am totally flexible and will work with you if you communicate with me:
harmonyfinearts@yahoo.com


Harmony Fine Arts has been awarded Practical Homeschool Magazine's Reader's Award - Honorable Mention for both Art and Music Appreciation plans 

If you have any questions, please email me anytime.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom