Author: Jamie Gault

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Five Easter Activities Perfect for Tweens and Teens

What if I told you You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages? Nana also has a brand new art lesson appropriate just for your tween or teen!

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

Finding Activities For Tweens and Teens Can Be Difficult

Because teens and tweens have different needs than younger children, finding activities to meet their needs can be difficult.

Tweens are budding teens. Tweens develop and desire independence and begin to have a maturity with deeper thoughts and conversations. At the same time, they don’t completely put away their childlike toys; horses, dolls, light sabers, Legos to name a few. But a mother will notice that they will gradually begin to lose interest. They are in the ”in between” stage.

Teens have complete independence in many ways (they definitely still need their parents’ guidance), are able to tackle more challenging activities, and in some areas, take on a more grown up role. For example, taking on jobs, driving, leading worship at youth groups.

“…but the things of childhood will slip away from her. The little girl loses interest in her play world. She who did play whole days with her dolls now leaves them in their little beds whole weeks at a time.”

Mable Hale, Beautiful Girlhood p. 20

I remember a particular Easter weekend, when my four children five and under piled into our vehicle to head to Grandma’s house. My fourth, a mere three weeks old, experienced his first road trip and looked so tiny tucked in his car seat. His older siblings, full of eagerness, fidgeted in the backseat, asking the famous question, “are we there yet?”.

Momma, tired from packing all day and feeding baby every few hours, couldn’t wait for everyone to meet her little squishy bundle of joy. She was thankful for her husband as he knew she felt exhausted, and helped pick up any pieces she missed for this trip.  Little did momma know how quickly these precious days would become fond memories. Little did she know how quickly those four little faces would change throughout the years.

Beautiful Girlhood

Upon arrival at Grandma’s house, the sweet aromas of freshly baked pies greeted us with a warm welcome. Grandma’s hand sewn apron gave subtle hints that she worked hard all day as she hugged us at the door. Aunties prepared tables with special plates, cups, and silverware passed on from generations. Grandpa, uncles, and dads placed extra chairs around tables and brought in firewood to keep us all cozy. Those little feet, belonging to cousins, rang a chorus of “pitter patter” as they excitedly anticipated all the Easter goodies and activities.

These were the days when my children giggled enthusiastically at my silly faces. These were the days when I could scoop up a few children with a twirl and hear them chuckle without restrain. These were the days when they would beg for an Eric Carle or Karma Wilson read aloud at bedtime.

Presently, the quad finds embarrassment when I dance down the aisle at the grocery store. I couldn’t pick one up for a twirl if I tried. Although they still love picture books and a good read aloud, they have moved onto the classics of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkein.  

This adventure from childhood to youth happens so quickly, and my mother’s heart wants to keep their childlike ways a bit longer. But it’s impossible to make time stand still even for a moment. Children will undoubtedly walk through the stages of their growing and maturing years; with the teen and tween years holding their own noticeable hallmark.

And, we can help them transition with activities designed with them in mind!

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

5 Easter Activities Perfect For Tweens and Teens

With Resurrection Day approaching, are you searching for Easter activities that fit perfectly for both age groups?

“And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.”

Matthew 28:2-4

As Easter approaches, we must quiet our hearts and have a time of reflection on Jesus, His life, and His ministry. As Paul David Tripp writes in his devotional, New Morning Mercies, “In love He beckons you to follow. Again, today, He promises you life. It’s what He came to live, die, and rise again to give you. That empty tomb not only means He has conquered death, but it tells you He has life in His hands…”

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

Resurrection Morning Easter Art Lesson

What a sweet Savior we have who paid it all by willingly giving His life on that cross….and rising again so we could have life abundantly in Him. Let’s recount this glorious day with Nana and paint absolute JOY, as she shares her heavenly concept painting, Resurrection Morning. Bursting with warm and soft colors, join Nana as she takes you into the twilight of the morning, and recreates “the joy both Marys found going to Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning”. This most beautiful, treasured scene is Nana’s depiction of one of her favorite childhood Bible stories found in Matthew 28.

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

Companion New Testament and Easter Guides for Your Homeschool

Another precious way to slow down and reflect on Jesus this season is to paint the magnificent miracles He performed, the Washing of His Disciples Feet, the Last Supper, and the Garden of Gethsemane. Nana’s art lessons pair beautifully with Chalk Pastel Art’s I Drew It Then I Knew It New Testament Companion Guide. By using the Companion Guide, you will have a calendar, book resources, an overview for each subject of study, five facts, and detective work, right at your fingertips! This makes for easy prep time!

Disciples of Christ Easter Activities

To take your child’s learning a step further, The Disciples of Christ Unit Study for Your Homeschool, is perfect for preparing hearts and minds for Easter. This engaging unit study about the twelve disciples also complements Chalk Pastel Art’s I Drew It Then I Knew It New Testament Companion Guide.

Children will glean from Nana’s engaging art lessons on the apostles: Matthew, James, John, Andrew, and Peter. Nana also discusses each disciple in her art lessons too! What more could a homeschool mom ask for? In Courtney’s post, she comprises a  list of ideas to include in this rich, Biblical study. Incorporating her ideas easily makes this study multi-disciplinary by exploring geography, history, math, genealogies and so much more!

paint a Crown of Thorns for Easter

Crown of Thorns Art Lesson

A few simple colors is all you need for the Crown of Thorns. Nana shows you how to paint the crown of thorns by using a weaving technique. This lesson has served as a reminder of the pain and mocking he endured before he went to the cross. “When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’” Matthew 27:29

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

Three Crosses on Calvary Art Activity

Join Tricia as she recreates the three crosses on Calvary with a majestic Easter sunrise. This simple art lesson is a beautiful reminder of Christ crucified and everything Jesus endured on the cross for our sins.

“There they crucified Him two others on each side and Jesus in the middle.”

John 19:18
You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

The Stone Rolled Away Art Lesson

The heavy stone has been rolled away! Paint “sunbursts of joy” shining from an empty tomb. This beautiful scene portrays Jesus’ resurrection and the conquering of death! Hallelujah! The Stone Rolled Away Clubhouse “so they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy…” Matthew 28:8

Interested in More Easter art lessons?

Here are even more Easter art activities perfect for your tweens and teens:

  • Easter Lily
  • Palm Branch
  • Easter Cross
  • The Garden of Gethsemane -this one is wonderful for Good Friday
  • Jesus Washed Disciples Feet
  • The Last Supper
  • Rainbow Cross

“But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Matthew 28:5

Looking For More Engaging Activities For Tweens and Teens?

In Julie’s post, she explains step by step how to draw your way through the Resurrection Story. Julie includes Bible verses to complement the paintings, hymns, and ideas to engage your child and make this special time memorable with art!

Interested in a hymn study? Dawn shares hymns perfect for Resurrection Day and art that pairs so gorgeously with those wondrous, life-giving words.

If you are ready to start planning for your Easter art lessons, join Courtney as she provides resources and tools to make this special time memorable with your children of all ages!

These Beautiful Easter Nature Studies are another fun and hands on way to celebrate the resurrection!

Picture Books for Easter

I love the beauty of weaving Biblical art with our Bible stories. The Easter art with Nana provides such rich visuals to complement all of the books. Here are a few favorites:

God Gave Us Easter

God Gave Us Easter in another stunning picture book by Lisa Tawn Bergren! In this story, Little Cub and Papa Bear explore the meaning of Easter. Papa Bear shares our need for a Redeemer explaining Noah’s Ark, the sweet forgiveness Jesus gives, and how our beloved Savior keeps His promises. The soft colored, beautiful illustrations are by Laura J. Bryant.

The Easter Storybook

The Easter Storybook by Laura Richie (a homeschooling mom) is a wonderfully written and illustrated book describing who Jesus is. This picture book contains 40 Bible stories beginning with Jesus in the temple, Luke 2 and ending with Jesus sharing with His beloved disciples, that He is with us always, Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; and Acts 1. The 40 stories are short with beautiful illustrations by Ian Dale.

An Easter Basket Filled With Love

An Easter Basket Filled With Love Sharing the Joy and Grace of Jesus by Susan Jones. There is a special countdown, a countdown that awaits an Easter celebration. The animals of the forest set out carefully decorated baskets, and the entire village fills the baskets with gifts of love! Duckling awakes to one day left to this special Easter celebration. But Duckling’s day isn’t the best day she’s ever had. She left her homework out in the rain, expresses her words in a way that hurts her friends’ feelings, and doesn’t complete the task her mom asks of her. Duckling’s momma encourages her to pray and talk to God, then inspires her to place her basket out for the celebration. Because of the outcome of her day, she doesn’t think anyone will want to fill her basket. Duckling is quite surprised the next morning at the Easter celebration and learns a little bit more about Jesus and His grace.

An Easter Gift From Jesus: His Love Lifts Us Up

An Easter Gift from Jesus His Love Lifts Us Up by Susan Jones. The signs of spring are making its arrival, and Little Owl knows Easter is on its way! Little Owl’s forest friends decide to gift Jesus with a hot air balloon. They work together to make this wonderful gift. While putting together Jesus’s gift, the forest friends run into challenges. They are reminded of the internal- “It’s not how fancy the balloon is- it’s what’s inside that counts.” Susan Jones. An Easter picture book by Forest of Faith books that brings the gentle reminder of how we need Jesus’s love!

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

Nana has so many valuable Easter art lessons. Each one is appreciated as they reach beyond the surface of our children’s hearts and minds. Art has a way of slowing us down. Art encourages us to relish in the beauty of colors, and inspires creativity. I hope this Easter brings you joy as our Savior’s death and resurrection is remembered with reverence and awe.

Join the You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse for Access to ALL of Nana’s Art Lessons!
Jamie Gault

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study, a literature-inspired homeschool mom of eight, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books  and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram and visit her blog, Treasuring the Tiny Moments Homeschool, to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.

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Creative Sight Word Activities For Your Homeschool

Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It’s a fun activity for the whole family!

Learning To Read With Art

What if you could combine all the four major learning styles into one lesson? What if a multi-sensory approach helped your out of the box learner retain information and build confidence in a no fuss, enjoyable way? Even more so, what if you found a hands-on activity that encouraged relationships and fostered bonding in your very own homeschool? You have come to the right place!

Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!

Sight Word Activities For Your Homeschool

Do you have a cozy reading corner? Or maybe you just decorated your dining room table with a floral table cloth, and a few fresh picked wild flowers. You just baked warm chocolate chip cookies to fit perfectly in tiny hands. All you need is a good little book to read with those yummy cookies. Now little miss is eyeing you and the cookies, eagerly waiting to see the book you chose for this bonding moment…

Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!

This multi-sensory Learn to Read book, combines all four of the major learning styles into creative sight word activities:

  • auditory
  • kinesthetic
  • tactile
  • and visual
Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!

It also includes multiple subjects:

  • art
  • reading
  • writing
  • sight words
  • and nature!

That’s not all! Nana surely brings inspiration to a realm of learners, perfect for any family!

Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!
Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!
Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!
Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!

Let’s begin with those adorable early learners who show an interest in reading. Or maybe, you’re early learner is already picking up on a few letters, sounds, and sight words. When exposed to high frequency words that make up a high percentage of reading material, children can memorize them for reading fluency!

This Learn to Read book immerses a learner in sight words such as: I, and, see, a. This brings exposure and encourages early reading. The Learn to Read book is also filled with bright art that will engage your preschooler and hold their attention.

Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!
Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!
Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!

The Learn to Read book also provides an opportunity for seasoned learners to create something tangible and useful for their younger siblings; a wonderful serving opportunity. My middle schooler and upcoming junior higher took delight in becoming an aspiring author and illustrator as they gleaned encouragement from Nana through this thoughtful lesson.  

After painting, the outdoors combined with the cool summer breezes  called our names. We took our favorite quilt,  spread it across the green grass, and my older ones read to their younger brothers. This encouraged sibling bonding, fostered  relationships, and an exposure to those high frequency words.

Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!
Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!

Do you have a child with learning differences? This art lesson embraces auditory, tactile, and visual learning styles. An out of the box learner writes the words (tactile) and paints the illustrations (tactile again). Afterwards, reading takes place. The book may be read by the child, sibling, or parent. Either way, the reading provides the auditory learning style.

The finished product then delivers an appealing visual. To make this Learn To Read book kinesthetic, we joined movement while reading. For example, we acted out “I”, “see”, “bird”, “bugs”, “eating breakfast”. This multi-sensory learning teaches the same concepts in multiple ways, giving extra support for retaining information.

Learn to Read Beach book with Nana

Interested in creating another Learn to Read book? Check out Tricia’s delightful post about creating your own learn to read book. Tricia uses their exciting beach days as an example. She shares how to make a book by tailoring it to your child’s interests. Fun for reading, fun for bonding, fun creatives sight word activities for everyone!

Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's fun for the whole family!

Creative Sight Word Activities: Resources For Homeschool Preschool

I love the early years. This tender age brings so much curiosity and so much laughter in the little things. They love simplicity and it’s such a beautiful time of bonding, building relationships, and connecting with our children. Learning naturally takes hold of their tiny hearts, especially when play or exploring is involved. Children love hands-on activities, outdoor fun, and stories at this age. Preschool learners love connection.

Did you know Nana has a collection of preschool fun? Chalk Pastel Art offers gentle art from painting circles, simple lines, to backyard animals, tractors, and so much  more! Nana really understands this tender age and you can tell through her wise words through her lessons. She has taught all of her grandchildren when they were preschool age. Nana uses her expertise in this area to softly teach and encourage the littles and us parents!

Picture books are an outstanding resource for preschool age children. Eric Carle is one of our favorites! Chalk Pastel Art offers several  art lessons for all ages that combine perfectly with Eric Carle’s stories! Check out Dawn’s wonderful post about Eric Carle and all the art lessons that pair so well with his picture books.

Picture books are an outstanding resource for preschool age children. Eric Carle is one of our favorites! Chalk Pastel Art offers several  art lessons for all ages that combine perfectly with Eric Carle’s stories!

My three and five year old adore The Very Busy Spider so much! Paint this cute little spider along with this popular picture book! You can even read Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White to your older students, (my three and five year olds call every spider they see “Chaw-lette”) and create a Barnyard themed study, while your older artists paint Wilbur! Enjoy a Charlotte’s Web Study!

create a Barnyard themed study, while your older artists paint Wilbur! Enjoy a Charlotte's Web Study!

Do you love painting through the seasons? We surely enjoyed a fall apple study, while painting these cute little red apples! I love the joy on my son’s face when he paints with Nana!

s! I love the joy on my son’s face when he paints with Nana!
s! I love the joy on my son’s face when he paints with Nana!

To see how we incorporated Chalk Pastel Art and the books we included in our Apple Study, check out my blog. I have included a detailed explanation of how we put it all together!

We love snowmen around here! They bring such cheer in the winter!

We love snowmen around here! They bring such cheer in the winter!

Having trouble fitting art time into your schedule? Don’t miss Courtney’s seven tips on how to make time for preschool art in your homeschool day!

Chalk Pastel Art even offers a homeschool fine arts curriculum from grades 1-12! Dawn’s helpful post, Preschool Art and Music Curriculum shares the benefits of adding art and music into your homeschool. “Preschool art and music curriculum for your homeschool has everything you need to foster an early love and appreciation of art and music.”

You can also combine all of Nana’s art with Outdoor Hour Challenge’s Homeschool Nature Study! This is a wonderful resource for all ages and stages! Barb wrote a wonderful post relating to nature study and preschoolers!

Additional Preschool Resources with Creative Sight Word Activities

The preschool resources listed below are resources I truly love. I would say that they can serve  preschool aged children and kindergarten! I have included a wide range of materials from picture books to curricula. Tricia also encourages preschool moms with simple habits to teach your little ones as you homeschool!

First School Preschool Activities and Crafts for Homeschool

This is a FREE preschool resource! This website is packed full of preschool themed material for ages 2-6! You will find worksheets for the alphabet, animals, coloring pages, crafts, and so much more!

play dough activity binder for creative sight word activities

Homeschool Preschool with Play Dough Activity Binder

Preschool Mom contains a plethora of preschool resources from letters, shapes, numbers, and more! My children love the Play Dough Activity Binder. We printed all the “mats”, placed them in sheet protectors, then stuck it all in a white binder. All you need is play dough to create your letters!

Sight Word of the Week Program for Homeschool

Sight Word of the Week Program for Preschool

Kindergarten Mom has multiple kindergarten resources found on her site! We use the Sight Word of the Week Program. It is multi-sensory with a lot of repetition involved. Each day contains activities for one sight word a week. For example: Day 1 -Sign Language, Day 2-Fishing for Sight Words, Day 3 Sight Word Dab with paint, and so on.

Preschoolers love picture books. Especially ones with eye-catching illustrations and an appealing rhyming pattern! Two of my absolute favorite authors for this age is the famous Eric Carle and beloved Karma Wilson.

Picture Books for Homeschool Preschool

Preschoolers love picture books. Especially ones with eye-catching illustrations and an appealing rhyming pattern! Two of my absolute favorite authors for this age is the famous Eric Carle and beloved Karma Wilson. Children learn so much from books that catch their interests. Both authors have written stories that are multi-disciplinary. For example, many of their book contain high frequency words, days of the week, numbers, colors, and the alphabet. I especially loved to incorporate sign language with their stories. The characters in their picture books are usually animals or insects found in nature. Snuggle up with your preschooler, make those memories and strengthen those bonds while reading a wonderful picture book.

Read Aloud Bible Stories Vol. 1, 2, and 3 by Ella K. Lindvall

Read Aloud Bible Stories Vol. 1, 2, and 3 by Ella K. Lindvall

Can I say this bible series is my favorite for preschoolers? I have read this series to all of my children! This Bible series contains large print and wonderful, colorful illustrations. It is simple. Here is a list of Bible stories found in the entire series: (Vol 1.)The Man Who Was Too Little, The Man Who Couldn’t See, The Boys and Girls and Jesus, The Wind That Obeyed, The Man Who Said, “Thank You”, (Vol. 2) Simon and His Boat, The Boy Who Went Away, The Boy Who Shared His Lunch, The Man Who Helped, A Sad Day and a Happy Day, (Vol. 3) How God Made the World, Noah’s Big Boat, God Gives His People Bread to Eat, Daniel and the Lions, Baby Jesus and the Good News

God Gave Us the Bible 45 Favorite Stories for Little Ones

God Gave Us the Bible 45 Favorite Stories for Little Ones

The illustrations by David Hohn are amazing! The way the author writes the Bible stories makes it easy to understand for children. What I absolutely love is that after the short stories, Little Cub and her friends have questions. Mama does such a wonderful job explaining and answering them in such a wonderful age appropriate way! This one is a keeper and will be used for all the littles!

Signing Time Treeschoolers

Signing Time Treeschoolers for Creative Sight Word Activities

This is an incredible preschool resource! Including all four of the major learning styles, this is a science series that involves sign language, dancing, and preschool skills! Nine DVDs are included in this set with over sixty songs! They also have a brand new series titled Phonetica!

ABC See, Hear, Do Learn to Read Uppercase Letters, ABC See, Hear, Do Learn to Read Lowercase Letters

ABC See, Hear, Do Learn to Read Uppercase Letters, ABC See, Hear, Do Learn to Read Lowercase Letters

My three and five yr. olds adore Stefanie Hol’s books. They are geared towards ages 2-5 and 3-6. Both books work wonderfully for special needs children as well. This book takes a child through strictly the sounds of each letter makes. Coupled with movement, a visual, and letter, my children love going through this book with me. We make it silly. I was shocked at how much my boys learned!

Simply K A Developmental Approach to Kindergarten by Carrie Bailey from Masterbooks

Simply K A Developmental Approach to Kindergarten by Carrie Bailey from Masterbooks

Simply K brings a gentle introduction to the letters of the alphabet, Bible time, and life skills. This open and go workbook arrives with a Scope & Sequence, and supply list. The pages are laid out nicely for easy navigation. I love the Bible memory verses , Bible stories, and mini booklets for each letter of the alphabet.

Math Lessons for a Living Education K Masterbooks

If your early learner is ready for counting to 10, learning basic shapes, and patterns, Math Lessons for a Living Education K is a wonderful option. This workbook by Masterbooks is equipped with daily lessons, open and go, and fully colored pages. My 5yr old son absolutely loved this workbook!

Math U See Primer for Homeschool

Primer Introduction to Math by Math U See Demme Learning

I have started all of my children with this book by Demme Learning. This rich curriculum is very basic with simple black and white photos. Along with the Primer comes with multi-colored hands-on math blocks. All of my children were fruitful in this multi-sensory math experience. It begins with basic counting and identifying numbers, writing numbers, understanding place value, basic addition problems, and skip counting.

Pride Reading Program

Pride Reading Program Beginning Consonants P.R.I.D.E. is an acronym for Phonemic Recognition Instruction Delivering Empowerment. This is an Orton-Gillingham reading instruction program geared towards students with learning differences. I have used PRIDE Reading with my son with special needs and my boys without learning differences. If you want a beginning consonant program that is hands-on and multi-sensory, this is a wonderful resource. It arrives with a workbook, online teacher’s guide, white board, and sound cards.

There are so many precious preschool resources available for your little learners. A few art supplies can bring wonders to your homeschool in so many ways! It’s simple, easy clean up, and preschoolers love it! Multi-sensory, multi-disciplinary, and fruitful for all ages and stages-Learning to Read with art and creative sight word activities are just a few of the MANY hands on lessons Chalk Pastel Art offers. Nana’s gentle art always carry contagious giggles, and sweet smiles….. the colorful memories will last a lifetime!

Join Nana in the You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse Today!
Jamie Gault

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study, a literature-inspired homeschool mom of eight, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books  and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram and visit her blog, Treasuring the Tiny Moments Homeschool, to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.

Learning to read with art embraces more than meets the eye. Let’s take a peek at these creative sight word activities for your homeschool. It's a fun activity for the whole family!
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Dive Into A Shark Homeschool Study This Summer!

This homeschool study all about sharks is perfect for summer learning. It includes a shark tracking activity, online lessons, book lists, and so much more!

This homeschool study all about Sharks is perfect for summer learning. It includes a shark tracking activity, online lessons, book lists, and so much more!

Some links may be affiliate links to resources we love. Please see our disclosure policy.

What creatures are equipped with a stirring ampullae of Lorenzini? What species contains a flexible, cartilaginous skeleton and swims with speed? What mighty beasts of the sea wear hard teeth-like scales all over their bodies?

Did you say SHARKS? Well, you hit the nail on the hammerhead!

With over 500 species and fascinating features, the apex predators are as profound and mysterious as their dwelling place. So, why are sharks so…….”shark”-tacular?  From a homeschooling mom’s point of view, they are an interdisciplinary commodity that inspires art, science, inquiry, reading, writing, and geography.

Shark Homeschool Study

With over 500 species and fascinating features, the apex predators are as profound and mysterious as their dwelling place. So, why are sharks so…….”shark”-tacular?  From a homeschooling mom’s point of view, they are an interdisciplinary commodity that inspires art, science, inquiry, reading, writing, and geography.

To a herd of marine biologists, sharks are more than just wonders roaming the vast seas. With eyes-wide and full of shark wonder, a child’s natural curiosity stands amazed at the rows of sharp as daggers teeth (as my daughter calls it). The distinct features of a hammerhead or a saw shark encourages independent learning and self-education as endless questions arise from a moment’s glance.

Shark Tracking map art lesson

Unlocking one species after another, the varied sizes and feeding differences offer a limitless amount of research. And every summer, a school of sharks circle the shores of our home learning, sparking a frenzy of fun!

A Shark Tracking Activity For Kids

Hurry! Iron Bound just pinged! Grab your scuba gear, notebooks, and chalk pastels! We are about to sail the seas with Nana and plot this Great White’s journey!

A shark tracking activity for kids
shark art for all ages
shark homeschool art lessons
This homeschool study all about Sharks is perfect for summer learning. It includes a shark tracking activity, online lessons, book lists, and so much more!

This winsome art lesson combines engaging science with hands-on geography. Nana guides your scientists through new terms such as the  Eastern Seaboard, shark pinging, and tracking device. Your shark biologists will also learn and discover how Iron Bound got his sturdy name!

This homeschool study all about Sharks is perfect for summer learning. It includes a shark tracking activity, online lessons, book lists, and so much more!

Hold on to your fins, because this multi-disciplinary art lesson is simply “fin”-tastic!

Online Lessons All About Sharks

We find sharks extremely impressive! From the giant whale shark that can reach up to 65.6 feet in length, to the hammering hammerhead that investigates the ocean floor for tasty sting rays.

This homeschool study all about Sharks is perfect for summer learning. It includes a shark tracking activity, online lessons, book lists, and so much more!

This is a list of only a few of our favorite shark art lessons with Nana, perfect for any shark biologist!

Black Tip Reef, Hammerhead, Nurse Shark and School of Sharks

Great white shark art lesson

Great White Homeschool Art Lesson

Nana makes this well-known shark a fun one to paint and learn about!

Are you interested in a delightful shark homeschool study? Or maybe you are planning shark activities for Shark Week. Take a dive into Erin’s A Shark Week Homeschool Unit Study for Kids. Uncover how “art is a fabulous addition to your shark science lessons” and the wonderful list of winning lessons Nana offers through the Clubhouse Membership. Erin also shares a lovely way of spending time with her scholars while painting with sharks, chalk pastel tea time!

A Majestic Ocean Study Perfect for Your Homeschool
A Majestic Ocean Study Perfect for Your Homeschool with Nana’s art lessons by Erin Vincent

Additional Resources For Ocean Study

Do you have a student who just can’t wait to  explore marine life? If so, you might want to spend time putting your feet in the sand and listening to the rhythmic waves with Nana! In this Majestic Ocean Study, she will take your marine biologist along sandy beaches to build sand castles and uncover the fascinating life beyond the sea! You will discover the power of nature study in your homeschool, fantastic ocean resources, and books to combine with your ocean study! Bring your sand buckets and all colorful pastels!

This homeschool study all about Sharks is perfect for summer learning. It includes a shark tracking activity, online lessons, book lists, and so much more!

Ocean Anatomy For Kids Fun, Hands-On Learning by Laura Petrusic

My marine scientists and I have recently embarked on a journey through the deep seas! In search of simple resources to incorporate into our summer studies, we found this valuable resource full of hands-on learning by Laura Petrusic. I love this multi-sensory book so much! Filled with hands-on activities for all ages and journal entry ideas, Ocean Anatomy Activities for Kids is easy to navigate and pairs so well with Nana’s ocean art lessons! In it are six chapters total with twenty lessons. The lessons are simple and the information is conveyed in a hassle-free way.

For our shark study, we learned about the Anatomy of a Shark, then finished our study by creating denticles! My children loved the hands on learning experience by boiling eggs, peeling eggs, and crushing the shells. We glued the egg shells on a shark template. This provided a wonderful representation of shark skin!

Sea Life Dot Markers Activity Book for Kids Ages 4-8

My little learners always love to be a part of our studies. Sea Life Dot Markers Activity Book for Kids is another hands-on, multi-sensory resource. Filled with an ocean themed templates, budding oceanographers have fun exploring with dot markers while experiencing creatures that live in the deep seas.

Our Favorite Ocean Themed Books for All Ages

Our Favorite Ocean Themed Books for All Ages

Art and literature-my absolute favorite! Combine the two, and they provide a spectacular learning experience. Here is a list of our ocean themed books we are currently using. All books complement all of Nana’s seashore lessons for a wonderful shark homeschool study!

Nana has a Shark Homeschool Study Perfect for Shark Week! Members enjoy a Shark Guide with fun facts on each shark, book suggestions and more!

Shark Homeschool Study with Nana in the You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse

You and your shark biologists can enjoy all of Nana’s shark video art lessons! Here is the list of shark lessons included:

  • Great White Shark
  • Bull Shark
  • Spinner Shark
  • Hammerhead Shark
  • Zebra Shark
  • Night Shark
  • Black Tip Reef Shark
  • Flying Shark
  • Shark Fin
  • School of Sharks
  • Nurse Shark
  • Megaladon
  • Catshark
  • Thresher Shark
  • AND the NEW shark tracking lesson!
Grab Your Clubhouse Membership NOW for Access to ALL of Nana’s Shark Art!
This shark homeschool study for all ages is perfect for summer learning. It includes a shark tracking activity, online lessons, book lists, and so much more!
Jamie Gault

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study, a literature-inspired homeschool mom of eight, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books  and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram and visit her blog, Treasuring the Tiny Moments Homeschool, to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.

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Human Heart Activity For Kids: Hands-On Homeschool Science

Nana’s human heart activity for kids is a great hands-on homeschool science experience that highlights art, writing, diagramming, plus an exposure to brand new vocabulary. It’s a combination of multiple subjects all in one spot!

Nana’s human heart activity for kids is a great hands-on homeschool science experience that highlights art, writing, diagramming, plus an exposure to brand new vocabulary. It's a combination of multiple subjects all in one spot!

“Where science does not teach a child to wonder and admire it has perhaps no educative value.”

Charlotte Mason, Philosophy of Education, p. 224

The Value Of Hands-On Science In Your Homeschool

Science is multi-faceted.  It manifests itself in multiple ways and is captivating. Have you ever watched a child carefully observe living science? Every day, the natural world sends delightful invitations, asking one to unwrap all the tiny miracles it offers. At tender ages, before a budding learner carries the ability to read or write, their senses allow them to appreciate the wonders set before them. A child’s curiosity ignites as a spider’s web catches tiny droplets of rain, mirroring an array of fresh morning dew. 

Hands on science with snails

Their thoughts awaken as tentacles shyly emerge, uncovering the secrets of what lies inside their delicate shell.  Learning  sparks  as a  butterfly emerges from its chrysalis, spreading its newborn wings for the very first time.

A brainstorm (as my son calls it) happens when an experiment calls for creating clouds or discovering the wavelengths of light.  

Implementing hands-on homeschool science cultivates the thirst to learn and encourages critical thinking skills. With careful nurturing, a child is able to carry these special learning experiences with them as they grow. Simply put, science fosters life-long learning and is interdisciplinary in nature.

Nana’s human heart activity for kids is a great hands-on homeschool science experience that highlights art, writing, diagramming, plus an exposure to brand new vocabulary. It's a combination of multiple subjects all in one spot!

Human Heart Activity For Kids

Let’s step into four important chambers to uncover one of Nana’s newest interdisciplinary science lessons! This one will surely get your blood pumping.  At the heart of this study is a beautiful presentation of one of the most vital organs of the human body.

Nana’s human heart activity for kids is a great hands-on homeschool science experience that highlights art, writing, diagramming, plus an exposure to brand new vocabulary. It's a combination of multiple subjects all in one spot!

Nana’s human heart anatomy highlights science, art, writing, diagramming, and an exposure to brand new vocabulary; a combination of multiple subjects all in one spot!

Nana’s human heart activity for kids is a great hands-on homeschool science experience that highlights art, writing, diagramming, plus an exposure to brand new vocabulary. It's a combination of multiple subjects all in one spot!

This wonderful homeschool art lesson in intriguing to young anatomists and is an engaging way to capture the heart of the human body.

Nana’s human heart activity for kids is a great hands-on homeschool science experience that highlights art, writing, diagramming, plus an exposure to brand new vocabulary. It's a combination of multiple subjects all in one spot!

More Resources For Hands-On Science

Delightful art brings a beauty to our home, and attached to each masterpiece is a measure of pleasant memories filled with the sweet smells of Nana’s apple pie and busy little hands covered in rich colors. This memorable learning goes beyond just the art lessons.

Art with Nana shares one of the most important pieces of home education, learning alongside my children.  We have had so much fun and created such colorful memories with many of Chalk Pastel Art’s science resources. They all pair well with any science curricula, unit studies, and books!

More resources for hands on science

Do you have an astronomer who is interested in unlocking the mysteries of the universe? Check out Nana’s and Tricia’s astronomy lessons! These paintings take you deep into space focusing on the solar system. Hands-on and multi-sensory, the fascinating art brings a stunning demonstration of the world beyond our galaxies.

online art

We coupled the art lessons with You ARE an ARTiST’s kid-friendly Companion Workbook. This guide is easy to use, organized, and packed with wonderful information relating to the solar system.  The Five Facts and NASA links were our favorite pieces in the Companion Workbook. If you are interested in building an engaging solar system study, combine the Companion Workbook with a few books from the provided booklist. Then add the art lessons that are out of this world!

If you have an anatomist on your hands, take a look at these art lessons that go perfectly with a human body unit! Filled with lots of color, vocabulary, and labeling, your anatomist will take a sneak peek into the wonders inside the eye in a Microscopic Science Study and bacterium with Small But Mighty Cell Activities For Your Homeschool.

Spend a few moments outdoors looking at the spread of colors sprinkled across the woodlands. Enjoy plant life with your future botanist by observing a few flowers. Then, draw your sweet nature time to a close by painting with Nana. This art lesson will bring your naturalist such pleasure by drawing and labeling the parts of a bright daffodil.

online art lessons K-3

Do you have a student who just can’t wait to  explore marine life? If so, you might want to spend time putting your feet in the sand and listening to the rhythmic waves with Nana! With a Majestic Ocean Study, she will take your marine biologist along sandy beaches to build sand castles and uncover the fascinating life beyond the sea! Bring your sand buckets and all colorful pastels!

Nana’s human heart activity for kids is a great hands-on homeschool science experience that highlights art, writing, diagramming, plus an exposure to brand new vocabulary. It's a combination of multiple subjects all in one spot!

All the hands-on homeschool science fun doesn’t end here! It’s just the beginning! Chalk Pastel Art offers many art adventures that combine perfectly with all ages and with any hands on science activity. Check out all the wonderful ways art coupled with science can work in your family with this Science and Art: A STEAM Curriculum Match Up.

Find All The Hands On Science Art Activities in the You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse!
Jamie Gault

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study, a literature-inspired homeschool mom of eight, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books  and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram and visit her blog, Treasuring the Tiny Moments Homeschool, to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.

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Homeschool Music Activities For Students With Special Needs

These homeschool music activities are a wonderful fit for students with special needs. Multisensory and appropriate for all reading levels, these activities make learning accessible for all students.

These homeschool music activities are a wonderful fit for students with special needs. Multisensory and appropriate for all reading levels, these activities make learning accessible for all students.

The Value Of Music For Students With Special Needs

As I tried to find the perfect words for this post, memories of my early walk into motherhood stirred my heart and mind. I thought about the struggles. I thought about all the special people brought into my life. I thought about all the evaluations, diagnoses, and therapy visits. My mind sifted through all the research and all the resources.  

I was brought to that place as a budding special needs homeschool mom, feeling overwhelmed, with a plethora of materials in my lap. I vividly remember searching for effective ways to help my little learner. During this time of reflection, I asked myself, “What really worked for my son? What did he love? What engaged him during the learning process? What helped him remember?”

The answer was simple: anything interest led combined with a multi-sensory approach. Music being highly beneficial in so many ways. Music played a key role in his academic learning and still does.  It’s an incredible tool for out of the box learners.  

These homeschool music activities are a wonderful fit for students with special needs. Multisensory and appropriate for all reading levels, these activities make learning accessible for all students.

Music and Academic Learning In Your Homeschool

As a mom who homeschools an out of the box learner, I too have to think outside of the box. I realized this when I was presented with a sound based intervention that stimulates the auditory system. This intervention uses altered music monitored by a professional. Through this experience, I discovered that research based music intervention actually exists to help students with a variety of diagnoses from autism, developmental disabilities, and down syndrome.  

At our very first private therapy visit, my son’s speech language pathologist encouraged an evaluation for sensory processing disorder. After meeting with an occupational therapist, we mapped out a plan for an in home activity called Therapeutic Listening. I do have to say that after she used all those big words I didn’t quite understand, I was very skeptical. She explained to me all the different ways that music intervention would help my son. She then modeled how to implement Therapeutic Listening, five days a week, twice a day for 20 minutes. I shared with her that I needed some time to process all of this information.

I went home (still skeptical) with paperwork in hand, a list of materials, and discussed this plan with my husband. We decided it was best to try this sound based intervention. Within one week of Therapeutic Listening, we noticed a dramatic change in my son’s sensory processing. It was a miracle. To find a detailed description on Therapeutic Listening, needed materials, and how it benefits children with learning differences, click here for more information about therapeutic listening.

These homeschool music activities are a wonderful fit for students with special needs. Multisensory and appropriate for all reading levels, these activities make learning accessible for all students.

Below are helpful links relating to music therapy. You will find academic products, ways to integrate music, and free resources for special needs children.

How Music Helps Students with Special Needs

It’s a Snap! 4 Ways to Use Music With Special Needs Students

Involving music is a fun and enjoyable way to learn. After seeing the fruitful benefits in my son, we have included music in our home for all of our children.  It is such a natural way to learn. Not only does a charming song assist in retaining facts and language development, it also creates a time of bonding.

How fun is it to watch little toddlers squeal with delight as we sing together.  What pleasure it brings to a mother’s heart when her two busy boys march around the house, singing in unison, “I’m in the Lord’s Army, Yes, sir!”.

These homeschool music activities are a wonderful fit for students with special needs. Multisensory and appropriate for all reading levels, these activities make learning accessible for all students.

Music Activities For Homeschooling Students With Special Needs

“Recent scientific studies have uncovered a startling new fact about the effect of certain types of music on a child’s brain. While children listen to music of the Baroque period in particular (Bach, Vivaldi, Handel), the brain scans reveals instant and spontaneous lengthening of fibrous brain cells. These cells quickly become amazingly active and stretch out-reaching to connect with other cells. Baroque music, unlike any other styles of music, is responsible for this remarkable development.”

A Charlotte Mason Companion Personal Reflections on The Gentle Art of Learning by Karen Andreola

You ARE an ARTiST Homeschool Fine Arts Graded Art and Music Curriculum for all ages

Homeschool Fine Arts, Fine Art and Music Appreciation

As a mother who does not have professional training or a background in music, I began researching music appreciation in Karen Andreola’s book, A Charlotte Mason Companion.  

I took great comfort in Ms. Andreola’s reassuring statements, “appreciation of classical music had nothing to do with playing the piano or learning any other instrument” (p. 200)  and “classical music appreciation need not be taught by a professional music teacher, that it can be done by a parent who has no particular background or training in music. As with so many subjects in our home education process, I have been learning along with my children, and have always found it rewarding.” (p. 201).  

One of my favorite aspects of home education is that it provides an abundant opportunity to learn alongside my children, even in music. Research determined that listening  to classical music is beneficial for the brain, specifically listening skills and concentration. What joy for a special needs mother to find that a myriad of studies also concluded that music kindles both sides of the brain!

Homeschool Music Activities For Students With Special Needs

You ARE An Artist, Art and Music Appreciation Studies

After these wonderful discoveries, we dove into You Are An Artist, Art and Music Appreciation Unit Studies.

These Charlotte Mason inspired studies are family friendly and simple to navigate. The units arrive equipped with an overview on how to implement music into our everyday life and homeschool routine. This quickly encouraged a life style immersed in music appreciation. With direct links to biographies and music, the exposure to talented composers derived in a natural way, lending itself to multi-sensory learning for all of my children, including my son with special needs. I loved that the note booking pages offered an arranged place for my son to write and draw with minimal distractions. They also provided a nice space for note-taking, sketching, and tracking music. Perfect for a busy mother of eight.

You Are An Artist, Art and Music Appreciation Unit Studies

Signing Time With Rachel Coleman

I am forever thankful for Signing Time with Rachel Coleman. I remember the day I first saw Signing Time in action. My son was completely nonverbal at the time and I was 36 weeks pregnant with my daughter. My little family at that time moved across the states for my husband’s new job position. While visiting family, I paid close attention as my niece watched the program. She was only two years old, and I was amazed at how many signs she knew, just by watching the Signing Time DVD’s. Impressed, I asked my sister-in-law all about this multi-sensory resource.

Rachel Coleman’s story immediately touched my heart. I instantly purchased the videos, hoping it would help my son communicate. Complete with tactile, auditory, and visual learning, Signing Time encouraged communication! After using Signing Time for a few weeks, I witnessed his first language awaken. The repetition of signs in a multisensory fashion, helped my son and I learn sign language in an effective and engaging way. Rachel Coleman’s strategies to reinforce American Sign Language proved effective with appealing music and catchy songs. We still know “Do You Know the Colors of the Rainbow”, “Days of the Week”, “Alphabet Song”, and the “Pizza Song”!

The music truly helped (even my children now!) ingrain the signs into our memory. My son learned the alphabet, numbers 1-20, colors, days of the week, food items, and so much more all through Signing Time. This program also helped with potty training at age two! Signing Time also builds vocabulary and encourages reading skills (as the written words are displayed). I have personally found that using Rachel Coleman’s videos actually encourage verbal communication! Check out their free dictionary, evidence based resources, and subscriptions here.

4 Weeks to Read

I purchased this program as a supplemental resource to do in addition to a reading program we are using. I also purchased this reading curriculum for one of my sons who showed signs of reading readiness.

4 Weeks to Read curriculum includes Lesson Manuals, a Teacher’s Guide, and Flashcards. The books are in full color and numbered, easing a child into the beginning reading process. That’s not all! 4 Weeks to Read implements music! The music aided in memorizing the sounds, identifying letters, vowels, and the two vowel rule. The simple and repetitive songs helped fill gaps and prepare literacy skills. My four year old listens to the songs in this program.  While coloring or playing, I hear him randomly sing the songs we are learning, “When two vowels go walking…..”! Click here to listen to the music that is included in 4 Weeks to Read. You will also find digital downloads and everything this program offers!

You Are An Artist, Art and Music Appreciation Unit Studies

Additional Resources For Homeschooling Learners With Special Needs

The additional resources listed below we have used or are currently using in our homeschool. They all offer either a hands-on learning experience and/or short, effective daily lessons.

Pride Reading Program

Pride Reading Program is an Orton-Gillingham curriculum that incorporates reading, writing, spelling, and comprehension. Sky writing, sound tiles, games, and finger writing on your palm are a few examples of their multi-sensory approach.

Spelling U See

Designed by Dr. Karen Holinga, a talented homeschool mother of twelve years, Spelling U See gently moves a child through the spelling process in a natural way. The daily spelling lessons are short and effective with a lot of repetition. My children have always enjoyed copying nursery rhymes and songs. See how we implemented Spelling U See and Eric Carle’s famous book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Adding beautiful color combined with tactile, auditory, and visual learning brought a breath of fresh air into our homeschool for all of my children. With Nana's lessons and affordable materials, getting started with chalk pastels was so easy.

Chalk Pastel Art

Adding beautiful color combined with tactile, auditory, and visual learning brought a breath of fresh air into our homeschool for all of my children. With Nana’s lessons and affordable materials, getting started with chalk pastels was so easy. To read how my son benefits from painting with Nana, https://treasuringthetinymoments.org/blog/6/

Handwriting Without Tears

This is an exceptional program to teach handwriting. This program uses hands on manipulatives and strategies that meet a variety of learners. All of my children start with Handwriting Without Tears to learn how to write their letters. My older children use their cross curricular workbooks to practice cursive.

Math U See

Math U See offers videos that teach math concepts, manipulatives, workbooks, songs, and repetition to meet the needs of students. Many math resources are available on their website.

Sight Words

This is a program that brings learning sight words to life. Each sight word arrives with eight multi-sensory activities. My son with learning differences loved this program and now my five year old loves it just the same. Sign language, word searches, dab and dot, play dough, and so much more are all incorporated!

These homeschool music activities are a wonderful fit for students with special needs. Multisensory and appropriate for all reading levels, these activities make learning accessible for all students.

More Learning for Special Needs Homeschoolers

You will also be encouraged with these resources for your homeschool!

Jamie Gault

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study, a literature-inspired homeschool mom of eight, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books  and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram and visit her blog, Treasuring the Tiny Moments Homeschool, to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.

  

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Bears: An Art and Book Study For Your Homeschool

Delight in a bears art and book study for your homeschool! This is a beautiful combination of art, nature study, and living books to grow a gentle learning adventure about the world around us.

Bears Art and Book Study For Your Homeschool

“ ‘I would like to see a bear, said Jonathan. ‘I would rather see a bear than anything in the world.”’

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, Alice Dalgliesh

Studying Bears

Bears! Brown bears…black bears…..polar bears… For our bears art and book study, we asked: why are these mammals so intriguing to the flourishing minds of children? Is it the way a momma bear dressed in ruffled fur, proudly saunters out of her den, revealing her two secrets to the awakened forest? Perhaps it’s the way their swift paws quickly catch a shimmering fish as the rippling waters sing a vibrant melody. Or maybe it’s the creatures’ dignified stature combined with powerful strength that leaves a child in endless wonder. Whatever the case may be, these majestic animals brought a “beary” delightful experience to our homeschool.

cinnamon bear at a Game Park. Delight in a bears art and book study for your homeschool! This is a beautiful combination of art, nature study, and living books to grow a gentle but adventurous learning about the world around us.
To bring our black bear study to life, we recently took a trip to a local Game Park and saw a female cinnamon bear. My children were enthralled by her cute, round ears, cinnamon, shaggy-like fur, and long claws.

Animal studies in our homeschool began with my oldest son and daughter’s high interest in the natural world around them. Hours of continuous exploring outdoors led to gathering green tree frogs, wriggly worms, slimy snails, and carnivorous praying mantises. With proud expressions and smiles, one by one, each child brought a little critter to my attention. They squealed with such delight as they witnessed my squeamish reactions. As this interest led learning grew like wild blackberry vines; critter habitats, many insect anatomy drawings, and animal studies collectively came to fruition.

I found myself setting aside my rushed homeschool plans. I witnessed the beauty of learning right alongside my children. While I watched my children delight in animal studies, a beautiful combination of fine art, creative writing, and living books began to flourish in our homeschool, causing wholesome roots to grow in many of Ms. Charlotte Mason’s ideals of education.

Bear Books for Homeschool! Delight in a bears art and book study for your homeschool! This is a beautiful combination of art, nature study, and living books to grow a gentle but adventurous learning about the world around us.

Our Favorite Books About Bears for Your Homeschool Bear Study

Animal books by Thornton Burgess are a sure favorite in our homeschool. Whether its for a bedtime read loud or used for oral narration, Burgess books have a way of blending facts about creatures into a story that brings delight to my children.  Here are two of our favorite bear books by this remarkable author:

The Adventures of Buster Bear is a perfect choice to complement your bears art and book study.

The Adventures of Buster Bear – Farmer Brown’s boy suspects that a bear is in the forest. His dad is sure that bears are only found in the Great Woods. But there IS a bear in the Green Forest! Join Buster and his friends as they embark on whimsical adventures in the Green Forest. Find out what makes Farmer Brown boy’s hair rise and see what happens when Buster comes face to face with a boy while “berry-ing”! For a character study, we painted some of Buster’s favorite foods and his habitat. Interested in a character response journal?

You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members enjoy a printable that complements The Adventures of Buster Bear. In it are suggestions on how to create a Character Response Journal and a space to for your writer to record their responses. (This Character Response Journal is available to You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members!)

Buster Bear's Character Response Journal for your budding writers - with homeschool writing prompts.

Buster Bear’s Twins – Buster Bear has twins? Well, yes he does! Mother Bear kept a secret hidden in her den for a very long time. But one day, while spring made its sweet entrance, Peter Rabbit spotted two heads emerge from Mrs. Bear’s home! Boxer and Woof-Woof sure have a lot of learning to do in the big Green Forest! Join Mother Bear as she teaches her furry cubs a few life lessons that will make you laugh.

“There are no bears on Hemlock Mountain
No bears at all
Of course there are no bears on Hemlock Mountain
No bears, no bears, no bears at all” 
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh – Are there really bears on Hemlock Mountain? Jonathan’s mother is preparing for the entire family to visit. Jonathan is sent over the hill (Hemlock Mountain) to his aunt’s house to borrow a big iron pot. On his way home, Jonathan discovers whether or not bears live on Hemlock Mountain. Find out how the big iron pot kept him safe!

When we study animals, we like to combine fiction and nonfiction books together. Here are a few nonfiction picture books that work well for a bear study.

Wild About Bears by Jeannie Brett – This wonderful picture book covers the eight bear species: giant panda, sloth bear, North American black bear, polar bear, brown bear, sun bear, spectacled bear, and Asiatic black bear. Stunning illustrations accompany each bear description along with the scientific name, common names, and size. A map of the world shows where each bear species live and a habitat glossary with colorful illustrations can be found at the back of the book.

Black Bear North America’s Bear by Stephen R. Swinburne – A thought-provoking nonfiction read with real-life photos in black and white and color. Filled with fascinating black bear facts and a little bit of bear history at Yellowstone Park. Reading about the black bear cubs and the bear signs we can look for in the forest was an absolute favorite!

Our Favorite Brown Bear Picture Books for Homeschool

Karma Wilson’s beloved bear books will forever leave an imprint on my heart! I began reading Bear Wants More, Bear Snores On, Bear Says Thanks, Bear Feels Scared, and Bear Feels Sick to my oldest son when he was two years old. I used these books to teach my nonverbal child (at that time) how to sign “more”, “thank you”, “want”, “bear”, “scared”, and “sick”. Each bear story is filled with colorful, eye-catching illustrations that children love by Jane Chapman. The lyrical pattern brought by rhyming couplets and quatrains holds a child’s attention, and the brilliantly written story line of Bear and his friends brings many smiles and cheers for more! Other delightful bear picture books by Karma Wilson: Bear Can’t Wait, Bear Can’t Sleep, Bear’s New Friend, Bear’s Loose Tooth, Bear Stays Up, Bear Counts, Bear Sees Colors, Big Bear and Small Mouse.

Our Favorite Polar Bear Picture Books by Lisa Tawn Bergren

God Gave Us You – A stunning picture book that shares the welcoming of new life. This adoring story, full of captivating polar bear illustrations by Laura J. Bryant, expresses the value of children and the priceless gifts they are from our Heavenly Father.

God Gave Us Love – This is a lovely little book that holds the treasures of love. Grampa and little cub taking a fishing trip together. Little Cub asks many questions and Grampa explains the true meaning of love and the different kinds of love. More fabulous books by Lisa Tawn Bergren: God Gave Us the World, God Gave Us Heaven, God Gave Us Easter, God Gave Us Christmas

More fabulous books by Lisa Tawn Bergren: God Gave Us the World, God Gave Us Heaven, God Gave Us Easter, God Gave Us Christmas.

Bear Art Activities For Your Homeschool

“It really should not be surprising that science and drawing go well together. Leonardo Da Vinci thought the pair made congenial companions.”

A Charlotte Mason‘s Companion The Gentle Art of Learning by Karen Andreola, p. 13-14
Delight in a bears art and book study for your homeschool! This is a beautiful combination of art, nature study, and living books to grow a gentle but adventurous learning about the world around us.

Have you heard about the very large black bear that jumped over Nana’s white picket fence and into her very own backyard? Can you even imagine seeing such a sight? We absolutely loved painting this beautiful black bear and hearing all about Nana’s exciting experience. Make sure you have all the colors of the rainbow handy…you will surely need them! Clubhouse members will find this lesson in the Animals course.

Forest Fun Handbook of Nature Study curriculum. Delight in a bears art and book study for your homeschool! This is a beautiful combination of art, nature study, and living books to grow a gentle but adventurous learning about the world around us.

Sister site, Homeschool Nature Study, provides a brilliant Forest Fun Handbook of Nature Study curriculum. Tucked inside is a black bear study!  It contains helpful links for research and audio books. Note booking pages and coloring pages are also offered to meet the various needs of your learners. That’s not all! Forest Fun lives up to its name and is filled with the study of our forest friends: flowers, birds, and animals. The Inside Preparation Work, Outdoor Hour Time, and Follow-up Activities  found in each nature study makes the Forest Fun Handbook enjoyable, engaging, and easy to use.

A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study is a literature-inspired unit that immerses your learner in a step by step process of writing structured paragraphs. Using hexagons as a visual for each paragraph, helps your student see each paragraph in a simple and organized way, laying a strong foundation for future essay writing. The engaging research of brown bears results in a five paragraph informational piece. The paragraphs are transformed into a creative nonfiction picture book. Wholesome Bible lessons and scripture memorization aid in character development. Alliteration, the four types of sentences, common and proper nouns, and writing with a strong lead are common language arts principles taught in this bear unit study. Included is a teacher’s handbook with an answer key, read aloud schedule, and discussion guide for Thornton Burgess’ charming story, The Adventures of Buster Bear. This living study pairs well with third through sixth grade language arts curricula.

Read a full review of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study on our sister site, The Curriculum Choice.

B is for bear! I’ve found in our homeschool that my little learners want to do everything their big brothers and big sister are doing. Here is an Arctic Animals Preschool Activity pack by Courtney at Homeschool Mastery Academy. Learn about polar bears, penguins, snowy owls, and arctic foxes with  a calendar full of age appropriate multi-sensory activities.

This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.

A Homeschool Nature Study with Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood – Talk about a bears art and book study! What a favorite with Winnie the Pooh! This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.

Additional Animal and Nature Art Homeschool Resources

More adventures await us to complement our bears art and book study! Let’s step into the woods with Nana and see what other animals we can find. Do you have your binoculars? How about those colorful chalk pastels? You will need those rich colors for this animal adventure!

Here is a painting of a path with beautiful trees! I wonder where this path will lead us…..and what kind of creatures await us? To the Woods!

Delight in a bears art and book study for your homeschool! This is a beautiful combination of art, nature study, and living books to grow a gentle but adventurous learning about the world around us.

Let’s remember to look up into the trees! We might see a little owl or a tree frog.

  • Little Owl in a Tree
  • Red-eyed Tree Frog
  • Or a stunning Great Horned Owl staring right at us with those big, yellow eyes!

Those excited little learners sure think trees are magnificent! Nana paints a simple tree, perfect for those tiny hands to explore the world of chalk pastels.

Did you just see that fluffy, brown bunny hop by with the flower in its mouth? How wonderful it would be to paint her beautiful eyes and fluffy fur! Garden Bunny Clubhouse

I see a pond! What slow critter might we find there? I spy something with a hard shell! It’s a turtle calmly crawling through the tall grass!

  • Turtle Clubhouse
  • Pond

Wondering what kind of animals roam the lands of Africa? Grab your black, orange, and yellow chalk pastels. You might find a trumpeting elephant or a magnificent lion.

  • Animals of Africa
  • Map of Africa – Geography always pairs well with animal studies. See just where those land animals live!

Let’s make one more stop to the deep sea and visit a cute little baby seal pup!

Enjoy Art for Your Homeschool Family with You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse

Besides a bears art and book study, if you want to add more creative ways to learn in your homeschool, grab a You ARE An Artist membership. With over 800 art tutorials, you will never run out of exciting ways to add a bit of artistic fun to your homeschool. 

Join the You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse Today!
Jamie Gault

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study, a literature-inspired homeschool mom of eight, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books  and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram and visit her blog, Treasuring the Tiny Moments Homeschool, to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.

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A Homeschool Nature Study With Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood

This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.

This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.

Winnie the Pooh: A Classic Read Aloud

“So they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.” A.A Milne The House at Pooh Corner, p. 180

A playful Roo,

A shy Piglet too.

A melancholy donkey,

It’s Eeyore, you see.

A Christopher Robin, the benevolent boy,

On the 100 Acre Wood with all of his toys.

And the poetic bear, who has a round tummy,

Gladly plays Pooh Sticks and loves to eat honey!

95 years later, that beloved bear, Winnie the Pooh, still lives on in the hearts and homes of many readers. Penned by the remarkable author, A.A. Milne,  the Pooh stories leave a masterpiece of hilarity, childhood expression, and charm. Curious minds are invited deeper into the wholesome adventures of the 100 Acre Wood awakening a longing for the simple days. The tender wordplay sprinkled across these classic tales bring laughter and a light-hearted cheer. And while Milne’s whimsical talking animals stir a child’s wonder, the affectionate memories the famous bear brings, will stir a mother’s heart, forever.

This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.

Winnie the Pooh is 100 Years Old in 2021

In 1921, A.A Milne gave Winnie the Pooh to his son, Christopher Robin Milne for his first birthday. That makes Pooh Bear 100 years old! His first name was Edward Bear and then renamed after a black bear, Winnipeg, Winnie for short. Mr. Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian, purchased Winnie for twenty dollars while traveling to serve in World War 1. This black bear served as a mascot for the Canadian Army and was later rehomed at the London Zoo where Christopher Robin Milne visited. The name “Pooh” is said to be from a swan.

Family fun with Winnie the Pooh books and family-style learning.

A.A. Milne’s inspiration for such winning stories about a melancholy donkey who once lost his tail, a dandelion-blowing Piglet, and a Tigger who loves a “golollop” of Strengthening Medicine is based on his one and only son, Christopher Robin Milne and his stuffed toys. Pooh’s endearing adventures have been translated into over fifty languages with more than 20 million copies sold! Winnie the Pooh and his friends, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, and Kanga live at the New York Public Library for all to see. This poetic bear devoted to honey, kindness, and gentle humor continues to fill the hearts of parents and children all over the world.

Where is the real hundred acre wood?

The Real 100 Acre Wood: A Homeschool Nature Study

Did you know that the 100 Acre Wood actually exists?  It is nestled in Sussex, England, called Ashdown Forest. This spectacular forest dressed in heathland and trees is the place that brought inspiration for A.A Milne’s Pooh stories and the illustrations by Ernest H. Shepherd. Ashdown forest also homes many wildlife such as deer, birds, and butterflies. We tied in a bit of geography by locating Europe, the United Kingdom, London, and Sussex, England on a map. To see what the 100 Acre Wood is called in Ashdown Forest, visit Where Is The Hundred Acre Wood? Wonderopolis is kid-friendly, offers informational reading, rich vocabulary, and fun writing activities!

All the Winnie the Pooh fun with Hundred Acre Wood Homechool Lessons, literature writing prompts and art lessons.
All the Winnie the Pooh FUN!

A Winnie The Pooh Hundred Acre Wood Homeschool Lessons

January 18th is Winnie the Pooh Day! It is also A.A. Milne’s birthday. Painting with Nana is the perfect way to honor the notable author and the famous Pooh Bear! Maybe baking a delicious Sweet Potato pie using Nana’s recipe will add a little extra sweetness to your art time and “delicious colors”.  Chalk Pastel Art has always enhanced my children’s learning experiences. One of my absolute favorite ways to incorporate art with Nana is either right before a read aloud or right after. The artwork serves as wonderful visuals for oral narration, and they are so beautiful on our walls! Coupling living books with art is such an effective way to create a unit study with minimal prep.  Let’s take a look at the engaging art lessons that sharpened my children’s creativity for our Winnie the Pooh unit study! All of these can be found in You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse Complete membership in Nana’s Literature course, which is a continuing series. The Hundred Acre Wood Map is included in the Maps section.

  • Pooh and the Honey Tree
  • Hundred Acre Wood Map
  • Home in the Tree
  • Teddy Bear Picnic

…And it was eleven o’ clock. Which was Time-for-a-little-something…”

Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne
Enjoy a Teddy Bear Picnic Winnie the Pooh style!

Nana’s Online Art Lesson: Teddy Bear Picnic

Why not go on a picnic with Nana and a teddy bear? Grab your red gingham blanket, bring your favorite yummy snacks, maybe some “hunny”, a refreshing drink, and don’t forget those colorful chalk pastels! You will need those for this fun lesson! We joined two lovely picture books, Finding Winnie The True Story of the World’s Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick and Winnie The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh  by Salley M. Walker with Nana’s lesson. These picture books were loved by my younger and older children. While my three and four-year-olds loved the colorful illustrations, my older children enjoyed the inspiration behind Winnie the Pooh’s name. They were also fascinated with the real black and white photos, and the real black bear, Winnie.

Home in the Tree Homeschool Art Lesson

Aw, that beautiful beech tree where shy Piglet lives! Nana surely uses “delicious colors” in this lesson with the different shades of green, pinks and reds!  I can just picture sweet Piglet hanging his clothes on the laundry line.

Home in the Tree art lesson just might be Piglet's house!

And that broken sign that reads, “Trespassers Will” brought a few befuddled looks and giggles in our household. We had to talk about how “Trespassers Will” was  Piglet’s grandfather’s name, and Piglet’s grandfather had two names, just in case he lost one-at least that is what Piglet told Christopher Robin.  

We coupled Piglet’s art lesson with a classic read aloud by , A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh. This book is a wonderful collection of short stories packed with adventures on the 100 Acre Wood! From Piglet ending up in Kanga’s pouch, to Piglet’s house being surrounded by water, Eeyore losing his tail, Pooh getting stuck at Rabbit’s house,  and so much more!

Learn to draw a map of the Hundred Acre Wood with all of the favorite spots for each character.
Even the sweet, family dog can join in Winnie the Pooh art time!

The Hundred Acre Wood Map Art Lesson for Your Homeschool

Painting the Hundred Acre Wood map provided a perfect visual that satisfied my children’s curious minds while imagining Pooh’s fanciful adventures. This delightful art lesson complements both stories by A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner and Winnie the Pooh.

Winnie the Pooh and the honey tree with an art lesson for Pooh and the balloon!

Pooh and the Honey Tree Homeschool Lesson

We saved this painting for last! I wanted to save this one until we were all finished with our books so my children could really grasp Pooh’s character. By the time we finished the stories, my children couldn’t wait to paint this colorful classic with Nana!

“People say nothing is impossible. But I do nothing every day.”

Winnie the Pooh
Did you know that You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members enjoy accompanying curriculum with Fast Facts, writing prompts and more?

Homeschool Literature Writing Prompts with Art Lessons!

Did you know that You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members enjoy accompanying curriculum with Fast Facts, writing prompts and more?

Paint a forest path for your Hundred Acre Wood study!

Additional Nature Study Resources

Chalk Pastel Art offers so many additional nature study resources that pair well with Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood! Combine Nana’s art lesson, with a nature walk, a little bit of geography, a read aloud, and there you have it! A Pooh homeschool nature study hundred acre wood style! Check out the homeschool art lessons that are available!

Sunflowers and honey bees are a perfect addition to your Hundred Acre Wood Nature Study.

The 100 Acre Wood is located on Ashdown Forest in Sussex, England, not too far from London. Ashdown forest houses many deer, birds, butterflies, and invertebrates! Enjoy art lessons with a forest theme:

This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.
Nana has acrylic art lessons too! Enjoy painting a titmouse and imagine it living in the Hundred Acre Wood

Piglet loves “haycorns’ and was found by Pooh cheerfully blowing a dandelion. Nana’s acorn lesson with those gorgeous shades of brown!

Dandelion art lesson! This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.
You might also like Nana’s Eric Carle Unit Study, lesson and podcast!
  • Dandelion – that bright fluffy dandelion works amazingly for a Piglet character study!
Nana and the Bear! A perfect lesson for your Homeschool Nature Study With Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood
  • Winnipeg was a black bear, check out Nana’s, “Nana and the Bear” lesson, not only to enjoy a cheerful painting of a black bear, but also to hear about the black bear who visited Nana’s backyard! Nana and the Bear
  • Nana and Tricia are BIG Winnie the Pooh fans. Tricia and her family got to see the Winnie the Pooh Art exhibit, the original stuffed animals, art by Ernest H. Shepherd and more on their trip to the High Museum of Art. You can see the photos here.
  • Harry Colebourn the man who purchased Winnie for $20.00 served in World War 1 with a very important job, taking care of the horses. Nana has a lesson on the helmets they wore during World War 1. War Helmets Clubhouse

For your Winnie the Pooh fan, you can take a deep dive and learn with all of Nana’s lessons – with a homeschool nature study hundred acre wood style, a literature focus or both! Chalk pastel art has been a wonderful addition to our homeschool learning. Our art time has benefited my son with learning differences.

Did you know that Nana also has Lord of the Rings, Little Women, Snowflake Bentley and more in the Literature Clubhouse course for her January Literature emphasis? What a joy to learn in a hands on way in your homeschool.

Join the You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse Today to enjoy ALL of Nana’s Video Art Lessons!
Jamie Gault

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study, a literature-inspired homeschool mom of eight, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books  and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram and visit her blog, Treasuring the Tiny Moments Homeschool, to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.

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How Chalk Pastel Art Has Benefited My Son with Learning Differences

Incorporating Chalk Pastel Art into our homeschool adventures this year has secured such a special place in the hearts of my children. Through the encouraging lessons with Nana, my artists have explored Noah’s Ark, splitting the Red Sea with Moses, taken joy in that holy night of our Savior’s birth, and celebrated the risen Lord. We’ve incorporated chalk pastel art with our early America history lessons, setting sail on the Mayflower, painting a visual map of the Pilgrims’ expedition. My honorable queen and brave kings traveled through the Wardrobe to a far-off land called Narnia, painting the frosty lamp post and mighty lion, Aslan. My valiant knights, smitten with imagination, courageously drew swords and shields, pretending to battle evil, all through the combination of lovely art and the substance of rich literature. This type of fruitful learning through Chalk Pastel Art has proven beneficial for all of my children, especially for my son with special needs. I want to share with you just how chalk pastel art has benefited my son with learning differences.

How Chalk Pastel Art Has Benefited My Son with Learning Differences. Fruitful learning through Chalk Pastel Art has proven beneficial for all of my children, especially for my son with special needs.

How Chalk Pastel Art Has Benefited My Son with Learning Differences

As a mom of a child with special needs, I am often searching for courses or activities that best meet his learning style. With the abundance of materials that are offered, this task can become quite overwhelming. Finding programs that work and meet his needs in so many different ways, is like gold. He absorbs information best with a multi-sensory approach, consistency, and repetition.  I have witnessed the benefits of using chalk pastels with Nana, by watching my special needs son grow through the consistency and repetition of art lessons. Below I have included and explained how the use of chalk pastels has helped my son in so many ways.

Chalk Pastels Encourage Fine Motor Skills, Coordination, and Cognition. How Chalk Pastel Art Has Benefited My Son with Learning Differences

Chalk Pastels Encourage Fine Motor Skills, Coordination, and Cognition

Using chalk pastels encourages fine motor skills, coordination, and cognition. While creating works of art with chalk pastels, my son has discovered that the way he holds the chalk pastels creates a certain effect.  For example, painting with the pointed edge of a pastel creates a different outcome than when painting holding the entire pastel sideways.  Also, my son has learned that different strokes and motions produce diverse results. The outcome of painting in a circular motion will lend a different effect than using upward or downward strokes. This is the same for using his fingers to blend colors and create shadows. Painting fine lines and straight lines (when needed) inspires working slowly and paying attention to intricate detail. This all exercises the area of the brain that uses fine motor skills! The process of planning and hand-eye coordination are all bundled together in just one art lesson!

Multi-sensory Approach to Learning. How Chalk Pastel Art Has Benefited My Son with Learning Differences

Multi-sensory Approach to Learning

Art supports a multi-sensory approach to learning. My son learns the best when visual, auditory, and tactile learning are woven together. Many of the lessons offered through Chalk Pastel Art correspond with the topics and books we study in our homeschool. Nana not only teaches art with chalk pastels; she also elaborates on the subjects she paints.  For example, in our homeschool, for our American History lessons, we studied the pilgrims. Chalk Pastel Art offers art lessons pertaining to Early America. My son was able to hear and listen (auditory) to a lesson about the pilgrims through Nana, watch her paint (visual), and draw it using chalk pastels (tactile)! When all done, the painting resulted in a fine picture, which provided a visual (visual again) relevant to the lesson in our own homeschool studies. “You Drew It, Then You Knew It!”

Art Lessons Improve Receptive and Expressive Language

Art lessons have improved receptive and expressive language. At four, my son was diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), a neurological speech disorder that affects the planning of speech and all the necessary steps needed to produce intelligible speech.  Due to his limited language, at times, I do not know everything he understands receptively, meaning the language he understands when someone is speaking to him or giving directions. Art lessons through Chalk Pastel Art helps assess the instructions he is understanding and the language he doesn’t understand. During a lesson, Nana may give a gentle instruction to “turn the chalk pastel on its side”. If my son doesn’t understand that he needs to turn the pastel “on its side”, I know he receptively doesn’t understand this directive. This presents a fruitful opportunity for development in his receptive language. This is the beauty of art lessons. My son has the ability to learn, it just doesn’t arrive as easily and quickly. A combination of my son watching Nana and a little guidance showing him how to hold the pastel, allows him to be nurtured in this area!  I have witnessed this time and time again.

Expressive language is the language he can verbalize or “express”. This and building vocabulary intertwine with one another. There are art lessons he completes independently, but many of the lessons, he and I complete together. Not only does this pave the way for one-on-one time together, it also grants an opportunity for discussion. My son and I are able to discuss what we are painting and the lesson. I often hear Isaiah repeat many of the words Nana says and he asks a lot of questions.  This is such a wonderful avenue for my son to express himself through the beautiful combination of art and language.

Art Lessons Encourage Multiple Step Instructions

Art lessons encourage following multiple step instructions. For a child with learning disabilities and receptive language challenges, following multiple step instructions can be difficult. Often times, words may need repeating and instructions given in more explicit, smaller chunks. Through virtual art lessons with Nana, both my son and I are able to listen and watch, then push pause if needed. This is so accommodating for me because I am learning chalk pastels right along with my son. Watching Nana benefits me in a way that I can better serve my son as a homeschooling mom. When he doesn’t understand the directions, I learn from Nana first. Then I can show my son how to paint, repeat any directives from Nana, and, if needed, provide more instruction. I have watched my son grow in this area so much. When I look at his first painting of Noah’s Ark almost a year ago, I see progress. With practice and consistency, following multiple step instructions improves over time. And art lessons inspire my son to listen to instructions in such a fun and engaging way!

Art Boosts Confidence

Art boosts my son’s confidence. Academics isn’t easy for my son. He works really hard at it. Most things don’t come easy for him. Something as simple as talking for my other children is a breeze while my son has struggled with it all of his life. This can wear on a mom’s heart. Chalk Pastel Art has offered an effective way for my son to blossom in so many of the areas that present challenges for him. This is done in such a pleasant and enjoyable way. The lessons are gentle, timely, and colorful. When he feels painting something is hard, Nana’s tender voice and encouraging words of “You are an artist”, “This is your painting” spurs him on. As his siblings and dad look at his work of art and give many compliments, he is encouraged. When he works through the areas that challenge him, he sees the fruit of hard work and the stunning works of art he creates. He is brimming with smiles and is joyful of his work! This is beyond what a mom could ask for. I look at his paintings, I look at his smile, and I am in awe of his accomplishments. And I am so proud, and I am so thankful. I thoroughly enjoy the time I am allowed with my son through art lessons.  I truly enjoy the learning experience and the growth. The fond memories I will treasure forever.

Chalk Pastel Art not only brings the beauty of fine painting, it also weaves together a wide array of rich learning, creating such an awe-inspiring masterpiece in my son.

Incorporating Chalk Pastel Art into our homeschool adventures this year has secured such a special place in the hearts of my children. This type of fruitful learning through Chalk Pastel Art has proven beneficial for all of my children, especially for my son with special needs. I want to share with you just how chalk pastel art has benefited my son with learning differences.

You might also like:

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study (coming soon!), a literature-inspired homeschool mom of seven, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram so you will be the first to know when her language arts study is available and to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study (coming soon!), a literature-inspired homeschool mom of seven, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books  and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram so you will be the first to know when her language arts study is available and to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.