I learned a long time ago that my son learns best with a multi-sensory approach. His comprehension and retention is so much greater when we focus on the more experiential aspects of a particular topic.
The problem is, sometimes, it’s really challenging to find ways to engage his need for hands-on learning. In fact, for many years, I spent hours scouring the internet, looking for creative ways to enhance our textbook learning.
When I found the academic videos included in You ARE an ARTIST I was excited, but more so, relieved. I could take the subjects we were already studying in more formal ways and instantly make them more engaging for my kiddo, just by clicking play and letting Nana do the teaching!
While we have used You ARE An ARTIST across many different subjects, including nature study, language arts and history, this year, we are incorporating it into our science study. I continue to be grateful for the support it provides for my sons’ learning needs and today, I want to share a bit of how it works for us.
How We Make Art A Part Of Science
You ARE an ARTIST offers several different video courses that align well with many traditional scientific studies.
For example, we completed the Shark Art lessons as a part of our Marine Life and Oceanography Study. We also did the I Drew It Then I Knew It Inventor course as we completed a unit on electricity.
This year, we are starting off with an astronomy study and including the many chalk pastel courses as part of our learning. Again, this helps to solidify any reading or more formal learning we complete, by allowing my son the opportunity to engage with the topic in much more creative and hands-on way. (We have also use art as a way to “test” what my son has really learned and will again with this unit.)
Here is a snapshot of what I have planned for the first two weeks of this particular science unit:
Week One
Day One: Look at and discuss a poster of the solar system
Day Two: Read about the planets
Day Three: Complete You ARE An Artist Video Tutorial – Saturn (While we both follow the lesson, my son and I will discuss what we have learned so far about Saturn in particular and the planets in general.)
Week Two
Day One: Watch YouTube Video about Haley’s Comet
Day Two: Read about comets and meteorological events
Day Three: Complete You ARE An Artist Video Tutorial – Haley’s Comet (While we both follow the lesson, my son and I will discuss what we have learned so far about Saturn in particular and the planets in general.)
The Art In Space Video Course Super Bundle has 17 video tutorials all about the solar system, space exploration, comets, super novum and more. I will add more astronomy topics as we progress through our textbook and incorporate more of the bundle’s art videos accordingly. By the time we are finished up with the astronomy book, we will have covered six full weeks of study – and we will have had fun doing it!
Why Art Is An Essential Part Of Science In Our Homeschool
This approach has made all the difference in helping my child engage in what we are learning and retain it as well. He can tell you a lot more about electricity, not only because we read about it in a book, but because we discussed it as we created our own chalk pastel art all about it. I imagine the same will be true for astronomy once all is said and done.
It works well for my child, but the truth is, it also works well for me. The planning is easier and the lessons are already defined. All I have to do is get out the art supplies and relax.
I can’t imagine a better way to learn science in our homeschool.
Hands on Science Art Lessons for Your Homeschool
Here are some fun ways to learn with art:
- Skeletal System Activities for Kids: Everything You Need for Learning and Fun!
- Homeschool Anatomy Study: Diagram of the Ear
- Diagram of the Heart
- Diagram of a Cell
- Diagram of an Eye
- Diagram of a Bacterium
- Diagram of a Tooth
You might also like:
- Why Art is So Powerful in Helping Struggling Learners
- Why Combine Art and Academics?
- How We Use Art as an Alternative to Testing
- Homeschool Science and Art Curriculum Match Up
Shawna Wingert is a special education teacher turned writer, speaker and consultant. She is also a homeschooling mom of two brilliant boys with differences and special needs. Shawna has written four books for parents – Everyday Autism, Special Education at Home, Parenting Chaos and her latest, Homeschooling Your Child With Special Needs. She helps parents of children with learning differences, behavioral challenges and special needs every day at DifferentByDesignLearning.com.