Weekend Links ll September 25, 2026

 

Printable State Facts Sheet

50 U.S. State Cards

Super Bowl Geography for Kids

Use Hymns to Teach Truth and Doctrine

7 Creative Ways to Use Sticky Notes in Your Homeschool

Carols for the Coming Christ {Review}

 

In this 37 day devotional, author Adam Tice takes the reader on a journey through the carols of Advent through Epiphany in order to deeper understand God's heart.  Each entry includes the words of a song, the scripture it references, a one page devotional on God's character, reflection questions, and a response prompt.  Prompts range from deeper reflection, journaling exercises, writing poems and songs, and responding in other artistic modes.

I didn't love this book.  While it was interesting to see the variety of carols chosen, it quickly became redundant.  Additionally, I started to notice that Tice really stretched his application in the devotional section.  I did some studying and found that the connections he made were out of context and poorly supported.  He introduced personal bias in several entries, so much so that I was put on guard each time I came to this devotional.  With that in mind, I cannot recommend this title.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

2026 Homeschool Goals ll September Check-In!

 Happy September!  It's time for my monthly check-in for our 2026 Homeschool Resolutions.  I realized this week that I haven't updated since the May.  We've been busy living life over here.  The summer went so quick and just like that, we're into our homeschool year again. I was trying to keep these resolutions at the top of my mind so I can keep making progress.  I felt so convicted about at the beginning of the year.   So when I realized how long it had been, I started to get nervous.  But coming back to them this week, I realized, we've worked a lot of these goals into our weekly rhythm already.  As for the ones that have fallen by the wayside,  I'm pulling out my calendar to put in daily habits. 

So today I'm doing a check-in to keep myself accountable.  I've copied my resolutions here and I'll put my current updates in bold,  just to help keep things at the top of my mind.

Our 2026 Homeschool Resolutions:

1. Reading Scripture together--While my kids each have their own devotional and Bible study times, I would like for us to incorporate some Bible reading together.  I'm hoping this will open up some dialogue about what we're reading together and start our day on a good note.--We didn't do great on this over the summer, but when school started, our Scripture reading went right back into our Morning Basket.  In just the last six weeks of school, we've read through six books of the New Testament, one chapter at a time.

2. Praying together each morning--I realized our prayer times together have become route.  The idea is that having this prayer time in the morning will open up an opportunity for us to share a little more freely.  And practicing public prayer will make it less intimidating to pray with a group.--This is the habit that we've made the least progress on.  While I do pray with the kids each night, I do really want to pray with them in the mornings as well.  I think this is the one I need to write down.  I'm thinking of adding it to the end of our Morning Basket and see how that works for us.

3. 12 Read Alouds in the Year--We love our read alouds. And I love that reading good books together gives us a chance to adventure together... even on a limited budget.  As the kids have gotten older and the books longer, 12 books feels like a good goal for the year.-- We've really been keeping up our read aloud habit, bring out total for 2026 up to 13 books so far ... with The House of Sixty Fathers and the Hawk that Dare Not Hunt By Day in May, Jungle of Bones and The Wednesday Wars in June, The Pursuit of God in July, and Building 903 and The School of Obedience in Aug.

4. Go on 12 Hikes this year-- Ok, we've made hiking goals before and failed miserably..  So I'm keeping it really simple this year.  Only 12.. should be doable.--So at the beginning of the year, we were not doing well with hiking.  But camping absolutely helped us out.  Over the summer, we hiked waterfalls, hiked multiple trails in the redwoods, and found trails near the lava beds.  Currently, we're up to seven hikes (5 of them being over the summer).  Also, my youngest son went on a two week adventure with the first 6 1/2 days completing a 60+ mi hike in the wilderness.

5. Celebrate Lydia's graduation--I can't believe I'm graduating my second kid.  Unbelievable!  I have a feeling the way we celebrate this one will be very different from the way we celebrated the first.  But I want to make it just as special so it's time to start planning now.--We had a beautiful graduation ceremony and family party in May.  And instead of doing a big party, she wanted to camp in the Redwoods which we did in June.

6. One on One Dates--Yes, this is parenting.  But with homeschool, parenting and education bleed into each other.  Having strong relationships and time to listen can only allow for more openness and connection during our homeschool days.--We've done a little here and there.  In the past two months, we've had a one on one at least once with each of them.  

7. Plan 6+ homeschool field trips--Having one kid graduated and two in high school, I realize more every day just how small this window of time really is.  So field trips mean so much.  Making time to enjoy learning, experience new opportunities, expand their horizons... I have 2 in the works right now, with multiple tabs open for potential learning over the next year.--Sometimes it's hard to identify where homeschool ends and life begins.  But some of the things that we did over the summer that I would classify as field trips include: going to the Lava Beds Monument.  So far we've gotten in 3 formal field trips and lots of fun outings as well.  I'm currently working on a few things for the fall.

8. Stay invested in our homeschool group--Our high school home group has been a lifeline this year.  Giving my kids an opportunity to make likeminded friends AND be mentored by other quality parents... WIN/WIN!  I'm definitely making time in our schedule to keep this going.--Unfortunately, it looks like our homeschool group is fizzling out for the fall.  I still have hopes of reviving it with a few families, but currently chances are looking slim.

As you can see, my theme this year is CONNECTION, CONNECTION, CONNECTION!  Now more than ever, I'm well aware of how important relationship is in our homeschool.  Everything flows from that starting point.  So happy to be raising my very best friends.

Are you making homeschool resolutions this year?

Our Fall Family Bucket List

 We're rolling into fall and creating our bucket list for the season.  Fall is a busy time in our house, with lots of celebrating and enjoying the season.  Here's just a few of the things we have planned.

*Hike Lassen Peak
*Go to the Pumpkin Patch
*Scrapbook one year's school photos

*Host a chili cook-off
*Carve pumpkins
*Toast pumpkin seeds
*Make Halloween costumes
*Bake Maple Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
*Plan ahead for Christmas
*Take the kids' annual photos

*Go to the salmon festival
*Decorate the front porch
*Make applesauce in the crockpot
*Watch the stars come out
*Make pumpkin pancakes
*Go to the local apple festival

*Try a new fall inspired recipe
*Attend at least one field trip

*Host a bonfire party

What's on your to do list for the fall?

Weekend Links ll September 18, 2026

 

Printables & Activities for Fire Safety Week

DIY Jeopardy Game Board

Music Lessons for National Hispanic Heritage Month

Cats Lapbook

Free Tree Nature Study Printable

September Homeschool Favorites

*This post was originally published on 9/19/17.  Enjoy!

 

We're finding our rhythm for the homeschool year and pulling out some of our favorites.  From drawing books to character development, these are some of the tools we're using in our homeschool.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱11 yrs, 👧9 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

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Music Attribution:

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Fall Reading List

 Nonfiction:

The Promised Christ by Sherri Hughes-Gragg

Raising Critical Thinkers by Julie Bogart

Uninvited by Lysa trekkers

Fiction:

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Sanditon by Jane Austen

Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

Honoring Christmas by Linda Tyler

Read Alouds:

The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg

The Hour That Changes The World by Dick Eastman

A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

A Kidnapped Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

What Are You Reading?

The Amish Candlemaker's Fake Fall Marriage {Review}

Brigitta Lantz is tired of being hemmed in by the Amish life.  Carefree, she looks at the world and sees things that are actually appealing... light... fun.  The Amish life feels constricting.  If only there was a way to appear happily married and yet maintain her freedom...

So she comes up with a plan to arrange a fake marriage with an eligible bachelor, Levi Mueller, all the way across the country.  For Levi this solves a problem as well... he can appear married in order to keep the family farm and his standing in the community.  Win/ Win for both Brigitta and Levi.

But when their secret leaks out, they find their future teeting in the balance. Will they realize their growing feelings for each other?  Or will their fake marriage get in the way of a real romance?

This is the first book that I've read from author Mckenzi Boone.  It was a fun, unique take on one of my favorite genres.  At times, Brigitta's character felt a little too rebellious.  Some of the things she said or did, didn't ring true.  But the unique storyline made up for any character flaws and kept the book fun and enjoyable.  I'm rating this one 3.5 stars and recommend it for anyone looking for a light hearted Amish read.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review.  All opinions are my own.

Weekend Links ll September 11, 2026

 

What is a group of deer called?--

Fun Facts for Curious Kids

25 Fun & Brain Boosting Ways to Play Memory Games for Kids

Beethoven Lives Upstairs Unit Study

Best Games & Books to Teach Kids About Money

Herbal Study Unit Study

A Heart Set Free {Review}

 

When Renee Mast inherits her grandmother's farm, she begins to question the family's past.  Why did her parents leave Bird-In-Hand?  Why did they cut off communication with the whole family?  What secrets did her father take to the grave?  Torn between honoring her parents and finding answers, Renee returns to the farm to settle her grandmother's estate.  But once there, she begins to receive threats about selling the farm.  Someone is determined to warn her off ... even at the risk of hurting her and her friends.

Jerome Graber also lives and works on the farm,  Living a solitary life, Jerome blames himself for the accident that took his fiancé's life.  He becomes determined never to love again, and so the isolated work on the farm suits him.  Until Renee arrives and Jerome finds himself set to protect her.  

Can these two come together to uncover Renee's past?  And protect the future of the farm from whoever is trying to destroy it?

A sweet romance wrapped in mystery... A Heart Set Free has a wonderful way of developing at just the right pace.  Renee's positive and gentle demeanor is a breath of fresh air, and although the romance aspect was somewhat predictable, it unfolded in an easy manner.  The friendship between her and Jerome played out in a relatable way, with the two truly connecting as friends.  And there were several layers of mystery that keep my interest: why Renee's father cut off connection, who was trying to take the farm, why was the mysterious neighbor so reclusive, etc.  This book was layered, the characters were well-written, and the storyline had just enough intrigue to make it a cozy read.

Fans of Amish fiction will enjoy this latest edition by Amy Clinton.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

How Homeschooling Has Changed My Heart

 *This post was originally published 10/20/22.  Enjoy!

(Click on post for video) 

Opening up about how homeschooling has changed me in ways that I could have never imagined.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑21yrs led to 👱17 yrs, 👧14 yrs, and 👱 11 yrs. Scripture Memory System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RE1TZJi5k4&t=4s 2021-22 Homeschool Read Alouds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5AXS5J4AcY&t=531s Fall Reading List: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z6WehiITk0 My Mom Notebooks ll Homeschool Tools for Mom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJJXrNEGTk0 Five Books that Shaped Me as a Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P59UdxwXA6o&t=2s Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

Weekend Links ll September 4, 2026

 

Johnny Appleseed Printable

Teaching Character with Andy Griffith

From Mom Burnout to Bounce Back

Johnny Appleseed Lapbook

Autumn Handicrafts

5 FREE Story Map Graphic Organizers

How We Use Technology In Our Homeschool

 To be completely honest, I'm not a homeschooler who likes to use a lot of technology in our home.  I'm always encouraging the kids to pick a hobby or book over online gaming.  We're tracking our hours for the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge.  Our oldest son didn't even get a cell phone until he was 15 years old, and even then, it was reluctantly.  I've always wanted our home to be characterized by creativity and simplicity.  

But as our homeschool has evolved, so has my philosophy on technology.  We have found that there are some things online that can and do benefit our educational journey.  However, as we've cracked the door to technology, we've also encountered a lot of "fluff" and over inflated claims.  So how do we sort out the good from the bad?  How do we utilize the best options without allowing technology to take control of our homeschool?

For us, the key has been to use technology for specific purposes and keep them limited.  Not allowing my kids to have free range of technology.  And keeping it low stimulation and simple, fulfilling a specific purpose and not simply being used for entertainment.

These are some of the ways in which we've used or continue to use technology in our homeschool:

*Audiobooks--

Audiobooks are perfect for keeping things simple.  Hands can be kept busy with handicrafts, sketching, or puzzles while the whole family enjoys a book together.  I find this to be especially helpful when my voice is just too tired, but I want to enjoy the book along with the kids.  Or if we're traveling to visit family.  Audiobooks are a great way to keep the kids engaged while stuck in the car.  We utilize audiobooks for read alouds, folk tale reading, and Story of the World history lessons.

*Typing Practice--

When my kids hit 2nd or 3rd grade, we added Dance Mat Typing to our summer curriculum.  They enjoyed the challenge of trying something new and adding it to the summer kept it from taking over our school hours.  After a summer or two of Dance Mat, we transferred to Typing Club which also challenged them to type faster.  

Once they had the typing basics down, I encouraged them to type their history narrations, work on creative writing, and type their compositions.  This allowed them to keep practicing while also making it applicable to something we were already learning.

*Language Lessons--

Somewhere in the early years, my kiddos became interested in other languages.  While I do know a few languages (mainly Spanish), they had a wide appetite. So while some of them wanted to learn French, we had to outsource.  We turned to Duolingo (with supervision).  There is some questionable worldview integrated into the lessons so Mom stayed close by, but it served our purposes of introducing a new language for free.  Other sources to check out might be Rosetta Stone, Babble, or The ULAT.

*Documentaries--

These are great for learning about new cultures, various animals, science concepts, and historical events, just to name a few.  Currently, we are utilizing documentaries for learning about other countries and for learning about the ballet and its famous performers.

*Piano Lessons--

We use Hoffman Academy to supplement our piano lessons.  When the lesson books start to feel too dry, we use Hoffman for a few days.  It's fun, engaging, and self-paced.  There is a lot available in the free accounts, and a treasure trove in the membership.

*Math Class--

There comes a point after Algebra I where my brain simply cannot teach math.  When my high schoolers hit that point, we utilize Compass Classroom or DIVE videos to teach Saxon math.  I also have one student who really loved Teaching Textbooks in the middle school years.  Teaching Textbooks has a 7 day trial offer that we used before purchasing and their cost is very reasonable.  Another source that we haven't tried personally, but have heard good things about, is CTC Math.  They also allow for a free trial.

*DIVE into Math and Science--

DIVE has been one of the sources we've used for high school math and the teacher is very knowledgeable.  The lessons are clearly laid out and easy to follow.  We've also used DIVE for Integrated Chemistry and Physics and we found that class to be very thorough.  The classes are reasonably priced and they provide a very reasonable sibling discount.

*Paint, Chalk Pastel & Art Tutorials--

There are a multitude of art tutorials on Youtube.  One of our favorites there is Arts Hub for Kids.  We used this one a lot when my kiddos were in the elementary years and still use it quite a bit in our free time.  Another favorite is Chalk Pastels.  Nana is a great teacher.  Not only is she a wonderful artist, but she also explains a lot about the pastels and techniques.  She has an extensive library of videos on her website and the membership is well worth the price.

*No Sweat Nature Study--

We started using No Sweat Nature Study last year with my seventh grader and I really wish I would have started it sooner.  Cindy West presents a 45 min to a hour long presentation on some aspect of nature study live twice a month.  The lessons are well presented and thorough, and she also guides the students in an illustration of what they've learned.  We use these lessons in two ways.  Sometimes we use them just for exposure to new concepts in science.  Other times, we'll use them as a starting point for further investigation.  There is a multitude of resources available on the site for deeper inquiry.

*Star Identification App--

My son is obsessed with space.  So my husband download a star/planet identification app on his phone.  It's great for stargazing or identifying constellations and planets that we're studying.  We love to use this one of weekends and it's also great for tracking planets in different seasons.

*World Watch News--

We started using World Watch News when the kids were in middle school.  I had no idea what I was missing.  These are 10 min new segments from a Christian worldview.   But don't let that fool you.  They are fairly unbiased and contain a mix of world news, national news, and human interest stories.  We enjoy adding them to our morning basket.  They also offer a news based magazine.

*Music in Our Homeschool--

Music in Our Homeschool is a HUGE resource for studying music and composers.  The founder offers sample lessons from time to time that we've utilized for seasonal studies, but we've also used her mini-Christmas musicals lessons.  I've got my eyes on some of her high school courses as well as the Shakespeare course.  These are great way to add some music into your homeschool with minimal prep.

*Hillsdale College--

This one is for my own personal continuing education.  Hillsdale provides a wide variety of free courses from government, to literature, to economics.  My personal favorites to learn from have been their literature and Bible courses.

Other resources that I've heard good things about, but have not used personally include:

*Answers in Genesis app--

The Answers in Genesis app has a heavy focus on science and apologetics, and offers viewing for supplementing homeschool or family entertainment.  Subscription based.

*Canon Plus--

Canon Plus offers audiobooks, family shows, podcasts, sermons, and more.  And they have added a kids section.

*Nightzookeeper--

Geared toward ages 6-12 years, Nightzoo Keeper is designed to help kids improve their reading and writing skills.  They also offer a 7 day free trial.

*The Great Courses--

The Great Courses has a HUGE selection of courses.  They have class on government, architecture, music, literature, history, nutrition.  Looking at the catalogue, they seem mostly geared toward high school and older, but I'm seeing a large selection of titles that we would be interested in. 

What what you add to this list?

What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll August 2026

 Fiction:

Emma by Jane Austen

Emma is the classic matchmaker.  She's always on the lookout for the next couple she will bring together.  And it doesn't help that several of the couples she has introduced end up getting married.  But she insists that she will never marry herself.  Along the way, she befriends Harriet, a child of unknown parentage, that Emma is determined to introduce into high society.  Along the way, Harriet passes in and out of love with not only one, but several gentleman, including Mr. Knightley.  This match produces some dire consequences as Emma soon comes to realize that she carries for Mr. Knightley herself.  Whitty, clever, touching on the themes of class, propriety, and friendship, this book is classic Jane Austen as she balances a whole cast of interesting characters, bringing each one to life.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

This book follows the Dashwood family: Mrs. Dashwood ruled by her fervent desire to see her daughter's married, Marianne who's heart always lead the way, and Elinor who rather chooses to take things slowly and cautiously.  When the family finds themselves living in Barton, they meet a handful of eligible suitors: Willoughby with his dashing good looks, Col Brandon with his steadfast nature, and a returning beau, Edward, though quiet, proves himself to be a true gentleman.  Over time, they all learn what it means to be ruled by one's emotions and whether or not a little reserve is more advantageous.

This is one of Jane Austen's books that I've read previously and prior to reading Mansfield Park, I would have said this is my favorite.  If you're looking to start reading Austen's novels, this is the one I would begin with.

Nonfiction:

Making Peace With What I Can't Control by Lysa Terkeurst

See my full review here.

Read Alouds:

Building 903 by Lois Lowry

See my full review here.

The School of Obedience by Andrew Murray

Does this title look familiar?  I read it for myself in June to see if I wanted to share it with my sophomore son.  The beginning is a little slow and the text is complex.  So I put it into our read aloud list so we could discuss it together.  Here's my review from June:

As we see from Scripture, Christ was our example of full obedience to God.  He followed God's plan of redemption even to death on the cross.  In The School of Obedience, Murray lays out Christ's total surrender and how we as Christians are to follow in His steps.  This book is small, but mighty.  It's dense, thorough, and thoughtful.  Rather than presenting obedience as legalism, Murray shows the true freedom that comes from obedience and how it draws us into the fullness of Christ.

What are you reading?

Weekend Links ll August 28, 2026

 

Easy Ways To Do Art For Homeschoolers

Impressionism Artists Notebooking Unit

15 Fun Preschool Spanish Curriculum for Homeschoolers

How to Teach Foraging in Your Homeschool

Aviation and Flight Resources for Your Homeschool

September Holidays and Homeschool Ideas

 Looking for a few ways to add some fun to your homeschool?  Here are just a few of the holidays and fun days you can celebrate this month:

Sept 4th--Lazy Mom's Day
*Have the kids make their own lunches
*Drop the curriculum for the day and go on a field trip
*Order takeout
(This might be my favorite holiday of the month)

Sept 8th--International Literacy Day
*Take a trip to the library or attend story time
*Write journal entries from the perspective of your book's main character
*Create a puppet show based on a favorite fairy tale

Sept 13th--Grandparent's Day
*Make cards for the grandparents
*Surprise the grandparents with a visit and lunch
*Become a Grandparent Servant for the day (mow lawns, cook, etc)
*Adopt the elderly in your neighborhood

Sept 13th--Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day
*Plan a meal and grocery shopping with the kids
*Bake a special treat with the kids for after dinner
*Practice measurements with baking muffins for breakfast

Sept 16th--Playdoh Day
*Make Pumpkin Pie playdoh
*Try making textured playdoh
*Set up a themed playdoh center

Sept 22nd--First Day of Autumn
*Collect fall leaves
*Take a nature walk and take photos of the changing leaves
*Enjoy a cup of apple cider

Sept 27th--Tourism Day
*Create a brochure for somewhere you'd like to travel
*Research a family trip for next summer
*Create a travel brochure for your hometown

Sept 28th--Good Neighbor Day
*Take a treat to your neighbors
*Adopt an elderly neighbor to take care of
*Host a block party

What days are you celebrating this month?

Making Peace With What I Can't Control {Review}

 

Bestselling author, Lysa Terkeurst offers an alternative to the frantic control mindset we can sometimes fall into.  She offers up a path for releasing what is already out of our control anyways.  Control isn't always motivated from a bad place.  Often we see the choices our loved ones are making, and we know the outcome can only bring heart ache.  So it starts with a little worry... a small comment... a desire to help them find a healthier path.  Before we know it, we're sucked into their chaos, trying to get them on the right track, our minds in an absolute mess.  If only we could find the right words... the right conversation... the perfect illustration to show them how destructive their choices are... And we find the joy and peace being sucked out of our lives in an attempt to bring health to someone who doesn't want to be healthy.  

So what's the answer?

In Making Peace with What I Can't Control, Terkeurst helps her readers find the balance between concern and control.  She identifies the fears that drive many of us, contrasts healthy relationships with controlling ones, and wrestles honestly with the Lord and His will.  Most helpfully, she not only helps her readers identify the patterns, but also offers real life strategies for how to get out of them.

This book was so helpful for me.  It can be difficult when faced with challenging relationships.  Where is the line between being a wise voice in someone's life and crossing over to control?  And what do you do when you realize you have crossed that boundary?  Not only does the author walk through common controlling issues, but also the deep underlying motivation: fear.  I think this is one of the most commonly overlooked parts of control... how do we allow others to make their own choices when their choices could have devastating effects on us?  So often our culture encourages us to cut them out of our lives, but some relationships are more complicated than that.  Terkeurst acknowledges this and equips her readers with real ways to handle these delicate situations.

Honest, real, candid... this book is helping me let go and place these individuals in God's hands.  That's not to say that it's easy.  Real letting go takes time.  That's why I'll be reading this book again.  Filled with Scripture and deep wisdom, I know that Making Peace With What I Can't Control will be a lasting tool in so many lives.  Highly recommended.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

How We Teach Artist Study

 

(Click on post for video)

(Video from a few years ago/ text goes more in depth)

Artist study is one of those subjects that I used to think I just didn't have time for.  It wasn't something I grew up learning and I just didn't think I could make the time to learn about art to teach it to my kids.  Who has time for artist study between grammar lessons and hatching caterpillars and dinner to be prepped and the baby crying?  It was just too much.

Little did I know just how easy Artist Study could actually be.

A couple of years ago, I set out on a journey to incorporate more art into our homeschool.  In order to keep it from being lost in our day, I decided to anchor it one morning a week in our morning basket.  My goal was to simply get the kids familiar with different artists and styles of art.  It wasn't to give them a complete overview of art history, but rather to consider art, enjoy it, let it shape them.  I wanted them to see art as something accessible to anyone, to form a relationship with it.  To see value in it purely for what it is.

And it had to be both quick and easy!

So here is how we got started:

1. Start early-- This is my one regret in artist study.  I waited until my kiddos were in middle school before I jumped in.  I wish I would have started younger so they were have had years more to enjoy good art.

2. Choose about 6 paintings from one artist to cover over the course of 12 weeks--We follow the Ambleside Online rotation, but you can choose any artist you enjoy.  We observe one painting per week and then loop though them a second time.  This means we are exposed to about 3 artists per year.

3. Show the painting to your student for about 5 minutes-- discuss what you both notice.  How does the title refection the action in the painting?  What details can you notice?  Does this painting remind you of anything others you've seen by the same artist?

4. Have your child tell back-- Now turn the painting over and ask them to tell back what they remember.  What details can they specifically recall?

5. Review the painting together-- Take a second look at the painting.  Where their details correct?  What do they notice now that they didn't notice before?

6. Display the painting for the following week-- Remind children to take notice of it for a few minutes every day.  Allow the details and feeling of the painting to be observed.  

7. Have your child give you an oral or written narration-- At the end of twelve weeks, ask your child which of the six paintings was their favorite.  Have them give you an oral or written narration, including any details they recall, as if you've never seen the painting yourself.  Ask them to describe why they chose that particular painting and any other information they'd like to give you.  Younger children can also try to imitate that painting with a drawing or painting of their own if they choose.

It really is that simply.  Add in a trip to a local museum if you'd like, but don't feel pressured to take it any further.  Read a book about the artists life if you want to go deeper, or just keep it simple.  Remember the goals are exposure and enjoyment.  It amazes me how this little once a week practice has completely changed the way my kids feel about artists and art history.  And our lives are so much richer for it!

Do you include artist study in your homeschool?  Would you like to try?

Weekend Links ll August 21, 2026

 

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