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The Beauty Of Combining Poetry and Art In Your Homeschool

Combining poetry and art in your homeschool is a wonderful way to help your child learn. Enjoy these tips for getting started and a free worksheet!

art and poetry

I believe poetry paints beautiful pictures. Poems are descriptive. Emotional. Word art for the ears. But if your student isn’t an auditory learner, poetry can be heavy, confusing, and just a bunch of jumbled metaphors. This is why I believe it’s wise to start combining poetry and art in your homeschool!

My oldest son needed to “see” everything. He is a visual learner. I decided to let him practice listening by sketching what was being read. Of course we had to incorporate some rules – no superhero drawings. After he got a few good Batman sketches out of his system, we finally hit our poetry and art stride. Some days he sketched the literal words, some days the metaphors. Some poetry left him feeling like drawing a wildfire of colors. While other poems lead to science lessons and nature walks. But that’s homeschooling. Exhausting a subject and learning all the things!


The Value Of Combining Poetry And Art In Your Homeschool

You might feel overwhelmed trying to combine art and poetry. I’m not a fan of sketching any of Edgar Allan Poe’s poor victims. But a clock or raven isn’t too intimidating. My husband asked me the other day …

Q. What happens when Edgar Allan Poe paints his rhymes?
A. He makes Poe-ART-Ry.


Maybe we should just stick to drawing. If you’re wondering how we paired Nana’s great tutorials with poetry, it’s easy! You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse Members can head to their dashboard and use the SEARCH function. If you’re reading about nature, seasons, animals, etc. you can search all the tutorials by topic! Here are a few of our favorites:

Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost & Fall Aspen Tree

Robert Frost wrote Nothing Gold Can Stay in 1923. Did you know Robert Frost never graduated college, but received over 40 honorary degrees?

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Out in Colorado, gold is the aspen tree in fall. It’s a beautiful sight. One worth chalking as you read Robert Frost. If you’re studying this great American poet, be sure to read Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening.

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

Hope by Emily Dickinson and Hummingbirds

I am a huge Emily Dickinson fan. The fact that she hid her poetry away in a trunk because she didn’t think it was any good … I think as moms we can all relate to doubting ourselves. Am I good enough to homeschool these children? Are we doing the right thing? Yes sweet mama, you’re doing an amazing job! Thankfully shortly after Emily’s death her sister found 1,800 poems and had them published. Hope is my very favorite poem. It is believed to have been written in 1861.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale
is heard -And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land
And on the strangest Sea
Yet – never – in Extremity
It asked a crumb – of me.

Did you know hummingbirds migrate in the winter? They are the only birds that fly backwards and have no sense of smell. Things you learn while reading poetry.

The Mountain & The Squirrel by Emerson and a Squirrel

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel,
And the former called the latter
“Little prig.”
Bun replied,
“You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together
To make up a year
And a sphere.
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I’m not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry:
I’ll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track.
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.”

Our favorite Emerson line has become our family motto: Live in the sunshine. Swim the Sea. Drink the Wild Air.

The Beauty Of Combining Poetry and Art

Poetry is much more than reading some ridiculous rhyming words. Unless you’re Dr. Seuss and then it’s just cool. The poets behind these stories have stories of their own! You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse Members will find Poet Biography Pages (20 total, plus a blank page and the My Favorite Poem Worksheet) in their membership dashboard. These pages give your students an opportunity to learn more about the people behind the prose.

Poet Pack includes:

  • Mark Twain
  • Sara Teasadale
  • Christina Rossetti
  • Emily Bronte
  • Sarojini Naidu
  • Elizabeth Barrett Browning
  • Maya Angelou
  • Emily Dickinson
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • Henry David Thoreau
  • Lord Byron
  • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
  • T.S. Eliot,
  • John Keats
  • Langston Hughes
  • William Shakespeare
  • William Butler Yeats
  • William Wordsworth
  • ee cummings
  • Edgar Allan Poe
  • and Robert Frost.

Free Favorite Poem Worksheet

You can download this free Favorite Poem pdf now. Sometimes we (maybe just me?) harp on the reading and memorization of poetry. But we forget one of the most important questions: why do you like this poem. How does this make you feel? Which line is your favorite?

Memorizing dozens of lines can be a lot for a student. Rather than memorizing the entire poem, ask them to memorize their favorite lines. Full disclosure, I only have the first 4 lines of Hope memorized. And I’m okay with that.

Get Your Free Favorite Poem Worksheet!

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    Maybe you have a student like mine who hates poetry. He is a bit more logical and didn’t appreciate all the metaphors. Go ahead and cross out “Like” and write “Dislike”. Those opinions are valid too!

    adding art to literature

    Poetry and Art Inspiration

    Looking for inspiration for all those nature focused poems? Read this: How to Make Your Backyard a Natural Habitat for Wildlife from Outdoor Hour Challenge.

    The Curriculum Choice has a round up of poetry resources in The Poetry Homeschool.

    Then explore these poetry and literature ideas:

    Stef Layton

    Stef started homeschooling her boys in 2008. She quickly adopted a hands-on learning homeschool style and graduated her oldest tactile learner in 2021. Stef started the Hands-On Learning column in Homeschooling Today magazine. The Laytons currently reside in the foothills of Colorado where Stef also teaches yoga. The family loves to hike trails, stand-up paddle board, and chase sunsets. Stef shares travel and homeschool tips on IG at @LaytonAdventures.

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    12 Delightful Farm Art Activities for Kids

    These 12 delightful farm art activities for kids include fluffy baby chicks, a tractor, a barn, ducklings, a lamb, a cow, a piglet and even the chicken life cycle. Such fun learning for your homeschool!

    These 12 delightful farm art activities for kids include fluffy baby chicks, a tractor, a barn, ducklings, a lamb, a cow, a piglet and even the chicken life cycle. Such fun learning for your homeschool!

    While you can do a farm study anytime, spring is an extra special time on the farm. Spring is when new plants grow, and baby animals are born. My children love watching the baby chicks grow into big fluffy chickens.

    Planting seeds and then watching with wonder each day to see if they have sprouted. Then seeing them get a little bigger each day is magical for children (and adults).

    “Encourage your child to have muddy, grassy or sandy feet by the end of each day, that’s the childhood they deserve.”

    ~Penny Whitehouse
    Farm, farm animals and curious kids - homeschool ideas for fun farm learning!

    Farms, Farm Animals, And Curious Kids

    Children learn so much about science, life cycles, empathy, caretaking, and the intricacy and wonder of God’s design through studying farm animals and life on the farm.

     It is a topic that is rich with education but so much fun that it doesn’t even feel like school. It gets them outside and involved in real life and awakens the wonder of new life and discovery that has them observing with all of their senses.

    barnyard art lessons
    The simple shapes of Nana’s Preschool Barnyard lessons make ‘painting’ fun!

    If you can’t have a farm in your backyard, you can visit a local farm or even stop by your local farm store to see the baby chicks and rabbits.

    12 Delightful Farm Art Activities For Kids 

    Even if you live in the city and can’t take a field trip to the farm, your children can experience the joy and wonder of farm life and animals through these incredible art lessons and fun farm-themed literature.

    Charlotte's Web Homeschool Art Lessons

    Barnyard Preschool Course

    The Barnyard Preschool Course is one of my very favorite courses. This course contains several simple but adorable farm lessons, including:

    • a tractor
    • several different barnyard animals
    • a chick
    • a barn and silo painting.

    They can be done separately or combined to make a big farm scene. Once my son had tried the lessons, he had a wonderful time putting the different components together to make new farm scenes.

    These 12 delightful farm art activities for kids include fluffy baby chicks, a tractor, a barn, ducklings, a lamb, a cow, a piglet and even the chicken life cycle. Such fun learning for your homeschool!

    Baby Animals Art Lessons

    The Baby Animals continuing series is an excellent option with lessons for painting baby animals, including:

    • a lamb
    • a cow
    • a piglet
    ducklings art lesson

    These lessons are still simple and easy to follow but have more detail than the preschool course. 

    In addition to the other farm animals, the Baby Animals course in You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse membership includes an adorable baby ducklings lesson that includes three baby ducks splashing in the water.

    These 12 delightful farm art activities for kids include fluffy baby chicks, a tractor, a barn, ducklings and even the chicken life cycle.
    Artwork by Erin Vincent using Nana’s Earthworm art lesson

    Earthworm and a Chicken Art Lesson

    Learn more about how insects can benefit the farm and garden, and then enjoy the earthworm lesson from the Backyard Nature course. The earthworm lesson includes some adorable earthworms crawling around in the dirt and a chicken hunting for the worms to include in your farm study. 

    These 12 delightful farm art activities for kids include fluffy baby chicks, a tractor, a barn, ducklings and even the chicken life cycle.

    Fun Three Little Chicks Homeschool Art

    The A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels course includes a Three Little Chicks lesson, an adorable painting of three very simple baby chicks. This is perfect for a spring farm study, easy enough for your preschoolers, and fun for the whole family. 

    Chicken Life Cycle for Your Farm Art Activities

    If you want to get even more scientific with your art study, Nana has a new lesson that shows the life cycle of a chicken from egg to hatchling to chick. It also shows the rooster and the hen and how the process starts all over again when the hen lays a new egg. These are more detailed than the baby chicks in the other courses.

    Charlotte's Web quote

    Charlotte’s Web Art Activities

    Last but not least, I am not sure any farm study would be complete without one of our favorite children’s books: Charlotte’s Web. This post will help you incorporate art and literature with Charlotte’s Web. It includes some fun tea-time ideas and a companion workbook to help you go deeper in your literature study. 

    These 12 delightful farm art activities for kids include fluffy baby chicks, a tractor, a barn, ducklings, a lamb, a cow, a piglet and even the chicken life cycle. Such fun learning for your homeschool!

    More Art Activity Resources For Kids

    If you have enjoyed all the farm-themed resources, you can keep your science and art learning with some of Nana’s other fun lessons.

    There are many great science lessons to accompany the chick life cycle lesson in the science course. There are diagrams of the heart and eye, flower diagrams, periodic table lessons, and so much more. It is a great way to incorporate art into your science lessons.

    The Garden Nature course will give you some fun insects and plants that you might find in your garden. There is a ladybug, honey bee, corn, watermelon, and more.

    If you enjoyed Charlotte’s Web, check out the literature course in the You Are An Artist Membership.

    Dawn is a passionate follower of Jesus, wife to Chris, and homeschool mom of four. In her spare time she loves to read, hike, and write on her blog Schoolin’ Swag. She enjoys reviewing curriculum and helping moms find the right fit for their family.

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    The Periodic Table: Fun Activities For Kids!

    In the elementary years, kids often rate science as one of their favorite subjects. After all, who doesn’t love learning about clouds and rain, rocks and volcanos, how the heart pumps blood, and the life cycle of frogs? 

    The transition to sciences like physics and chemistry can seem like a departure from the beauty and wonder of biological and physical sciences. Suddenly, students must do long series of math equations and formulas, study complicated charts and graphs, and apply rules and principles. 

    Yet, the same hands-on and wonder-based approach kids enjoyed in other sciences is still possible in advanced sciences. The key is to introduce concepts like chemistry and the Periodic Table of Elements in a way that is practical and relatable. 

    There’s a saying that goes, “What in the world ISN’T Chemistry?” because everything we see is made up of elements (not necessarily as pure elements, but in their ionic, compound, and mixture forms!). Showing kids where they are most likely to encounter each element makes learning chemistry memorable and practical.

    The Periodic Table: Fun Activities For Kids!

    The Value Of Adding Art To Science For Kids

    It’s one thing to look at a bunch of colored boxes on the Periodic Table. It’s quite another to create colorful flags celebrating each element and its usefulness in our everyday lives! Using art to explore science adds value to the drier facts in the textbook.

    Art engages students in learning because it is tactile and interactive. Sure, I’ve had my kids memorize a few of the elements, their name, symbol, and atomic number, but always with some kind of visual cue. When we add art to the mix, now my kids become active in their learning process.  They can take the information coming into their brains and express it on the page—with color! 

    The Value Of Adding Art To Science For Kids

    The more of the five senses kids use while they are learning, the more memorable the learning becomes. After all, we want these facts to stick in our children’s minds, so they can access the information later when they need it. Adding art to science lessons gives the learning extra value, because kids are layering in another of their five senses.

    The Value Of Adding Art To Science For Kids
    Introducing The Periodic Table To Kids

    Introducing The Periodic Table To Kids

    When it comes to learning chemistry, knowing everything on the Periodic Table isn’t necessarily the primary goal. My husband teaches high school chemistry and in his class, he focuses initially on having students learn categories and groupings of elements. He even includes a wee little bit of art by having them color-code a blank periodic table to reflect the different groupings of the elements. Understanding how elements are related and have similar reactions is more important than simply filling out a blank table by rote.

    In Nana’s latest addition to the I Drew It Then I Knew It Science series, you’ll find two lessons featuring the very common elements of Sodium and Carbon. 

    Practically speaking, most of us will rarely encounter a pure element, like sodium in our day-to-day lives. Kids might hear grownups talking about “watching their sodium” in their food, but that won’t hold much meaning for them.

    However, I have not met a kid yet who doesn’t perk up at the mention of french fries! Wait till your kids find out that the element sodium is a huge factor in what makes their drive-through snack so tasty!

    Introducing The Periodic Table To Kids
    Introducing The Periodic Table To Kids
    Introducing The Periodic Table To Kids

    As Nana lead my boys through drawing a carton of vibrant golden French Fries studded with savory salt (sodium chloride), they both agreed the entire lesson made them hungry! Nana shared facts about the element sodium as she demonstrated how to paint these savory spuds. I just love how she asks questions right at my kids in her videos. It always makes them stop and think (or at least, they don’t daydream!). Or sometimes, she’ll do a little storytelling, painting a word picture of a scene in which they might find themselves face to face with: Sodium!

    Included in the Sodium chalk pastel art lesson were the important details about sodium’s name, symbol, and atomic number. But instead of plunking this information down in a box that looks like all the other boxes on the periodic table, Nana has the kids paint the information onto a flag at the top of their picture. It makes the lesson feel so celebratory! 

    The boys also completed the element Carbon video art lesson. In this lesson they learned about this nonmetallic element, and how it is found everywhere from their own bodies to precious gems like diamonds. 

    Nana builds excitement by telling kids that Carbon is called “the glue of life.” Plus, she introduces important chemistry terms like “bonding” and “compounds.” I think it’s great for kids to hear these terms when they are younger, so when they get to high school, they will feel more familiar and excited about learning chemistry.

    Again, Nana shared background information on the element Carbon. She’s collected facts and speaks of the science of the elements so naturally, that my boys found learning about Sodium and Carbon a fascinating time. 

    Drawing a many-faceted diamond that sparkled off the page will certainly be a memorable experience for my kids. I love that Nana takes something that could be dry and flat on the page, and creates a sense of wonder at how we’re surrounded by elements that make up fantastic and priceless things in our world.

    Certainly, painting french fries and diamonds was not on my radar when I thought about introducing the periodic table to my kids. But now, I wonder what else Nana will share with students in future Elements lessons!

    Introducing The Periodic Table To Kids: Hands on Science Activities
    These periodic table activities for kids include the five senses. This makes learning more memorable and fun!

    More Hands-On Science Activities

    If you think drawing the elements makes science more interesting, just wait until you see the long list (and growing) of science lessons from Chalk Pastel. 

    Kids can explore the intricate details of the human body with visually appealing lessons on the skeletal system, cells, bacterium, and various body parts like the diagram of the eye, ear, and heart

    If you’re studying biology, try out the many backyard nature art lessons, backyard birds lessons, and even an art lesson on the frog cycle (perfect for spring!).

    Astronaut enthusiasts will adore swiping their chalk across black paper to create the planets in the solar system, the moon missions, and more space exploration topics.

    Don’t forget to celebrate with art the various scientists and famous inventors who dedicated their lives to exploring the beauty of this world.

    Chalk pastel art lessons merge visual and tactile experiences with the solid facts of science study. So you can feel well supported in leading your children through their lessons, knowing they will be delighted to watch and copy Nana’s model instruction.

    I’m sure soon they’ll be wondering what other elements of science can they explore through art!

    You ARE an Artist video lessons are constantly being added to, and the I Drew It Then I Knew It series come with curriculum workbooks that offer you facts, planners, and other resources. Homeschool families can even design a plan of study in chalk pastel art that will count as high school credit.

    Get access to the exciting world of art for any subject in your homeschool by signing up for a You ARE an Artist Clubhouse membership. Nana has created lessons on a diverse range of subjects from History to Literature, Geography to current events! Each lesson is a real treat because of Nana’s calm and encouraging teaching style that captivates and invites young artists to explore knowledge that is right at their fingertips… literally! 

    The Periodic Table: Fun Activities For Kids! Make learning more memorable and fun!

    Julie is a teacher, writer and homeschool mom. Her blog Happy Strong Home shares encouragement for cherishing children, enjoying motherhood, and growing strong families. Discover homeschool resources, natural living tips, and family activity ideas. Julie has been featured on Million Praying Moms, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, and the Melissa and Doug blog. She offers writing workshops and a “homeschool neighborhood” community to support parents in their homeschool adventures. Find Julie on Instagram to be the first to know when new workshops and community events are available. 

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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.

    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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    Five in a Row Art Activities: Literature Learning with Favorite Homeschool Books

    Enjoy this fun collection of Five in a Row art activities. These are a great way to expand your learning with a hands on element to add to your favorite homeschool books.

    What is Five in a Row?

    One of very earliest homeschool resources was Five in a Row. We started homeschooling with the gently learning style Five in a Row curriculum offered. The idea is to have a new book to focus on each week. And for five days in a row, you read the book. The unit study style curriculum suggests a certain topic or short follow up activity to go along with your reading time.

    These homeschool unit studies are geared towards children ages 4-8, but some families have used this curriculum with younger and older students.

    There are four separate volumes of Five in a Row.

    • Before Five in a Row (ages 2-4)
    • More Before Five in a Row (ages 3-5)
    • Five in a Row (ages 5-10)
    • Beyond Five in a Row (ages 9-12)

    Learn more about Five in a Row with Homeschool Reviews:

    We have reviews of Five in a Row on our sister site, The Curriculum Choice. Five in a Row is a collection of literature-based unit studies by Jane Claire Lambert.

    It always helps me to hear from a fellow homeschool family who has actually used a homeschool curriculum. Enjoy these homeschool reviews at The Curriculum Choice:

    Five in a Row Art Activities

    Of course we focused in on the Five in a Row art activities! And, we created our own art activities with Nana! Art is a favorite way to explore even more learning with Before Five in a Row and Five in A Row book selections.

    Enjoy these fun ideas to go with your Five in a Row homeschool unit studies and favorite picture books!

    Blueberries for Sal Art Activity for Five in a Row

    Blueberries for Sal Art Activity

    With Nana’s blueberry video art lesson in A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels course in membership, you can paint a beautiful blueberry! You can also follow her step-by-step lesson at Your Best Homeschool.

    Author Eric Carle Homeschool Study

    Here you will find everything you need for a famous artist Eric Carle homeschool study. “Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and designed picture books children. His best known book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten it’s way into the hearts of millions of children all over the world and has been translated into 66 languages and sold over 50 million copies. Since The Very Hungry Caterpillar was was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books. This includes many best sellers which he wrote. More than 152 million copies of his books have sold around the world!” – Nana

    Enjoy Nana’s Eric Carle podcast and art lessons!

    Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat Art Activities for Kids

    Dr. Seuss art with chalk pastels? Yes, please! How adorable would a Cat in the Hat be hanging on your refrigerator? How about the lovely Truffula Trees? Nana has a lesson for both! Now you and your kiddo can enjoy a Seussical art time with chalk pastels! Be sure to also check out Everything Seuss with books, resources and more at The Curriculum Choice.

    Cranberry Thanksgiving Five in a Row with Mr. Whiskers art lesson!

    Cranberry Thanksgiving Art Lessons

    Here are just a few ways you can enjoy a Cranberry Thanksgiving book study in your fall homeschool plans – with art, activities, baking and more! Don’t miss Nana’s Mr. Whiskers homeschool art lesson at the end.

    madeline five in a row art activities

    Madeline Five in a Row Art Activity

    In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines…lived twelve little girls in two straight lines…the smallest one was Madeline.

    Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel Five in a Row art activities

    Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel Homeschool Art

    We are big fans of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Anne. Every time I turned the page to this particular scene – the dirt, the steam, the clouds of smoke – I always thought this would make a wonderful Mike Mulligan chalk pastel art tutorial. So we set aside an art afternoon and enjoyed it!

    Pete the Cat Art Lesson

    Not necessarily a Five in a Row book but a family favorite by an author from our home state. So many fun Pete the Cat books!

    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

    Stopping By The Woods on a Snowy Evening

    One of the best poems to enjoy during winter is the renowned Robert Frost’s, Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening. It is one of those poems that instantly comes to life with all of the delights of winter. Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening art!

    Enjoy a winter snowflake study for your homeschool! Fun learning with a Snowflake Bentley read aloud, online winter art lessons and snowflake activities.

    Snowflake Bentley

    This winter homeschool snowflake study combines the beauty of winter with the fascinating life of Snowflake Bentley. You might also like my step-by-step snowflake art lesson.

    Enjoy this fun collection of Five in a Row art activities. These are a great way to expand your learning with a hands on element to add to your favorite homeschool books.

    More Five in a Row Art Activities for Your Homeschool

    As I shared, we started homeschooling with Five in a Row. Nana would come by our house and teach an art lesson around something we were learning in our homeschool. So, these are older, step-by-step art lessons from our early days. We invite you to enjoy them as well!

    Then, join Nana in the You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse!

    Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared the fun of her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Your Best Homeschool and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of sister sites Homeschool Nature Study and The Curriculum Choice.

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    An Ultimate List of Homeschool Anatomy Art Activities for Hands On Science

    Help your child get excited about homeschool anatomy with these activities for hands on science! Diagram a cell, a bacterium, the human eye, the human heart and more!

    Help your child get excited about homeschool anatomy with these activities for hands on science! Diagram a cell, a bacterium, the human eye, the human heart and more!

    You know how much Nana loves maps! This is a new way to map and diagram with fantastic, hands on lessons with art! STEM learning just got better! You can even paint Newston’s light prism, da Vinci’s Vitruvian man and a lab-coated scientist.

    Each science-themed art lesson from Nana focuses on a science concept that opens a door for further investigation, study, and discussion. Nana does such a wonderful job of dropping “breadcrumbs” of interesting and relevant facts as she gives her chalk pastel instruction. 

    Julie Kieras

    An Ultimate List of Homeschool Anatomy Art Activities for Hands On Science

    What a fun way to learn – with Nana’s continuing homeschool anatomy series for You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse members.

    Diagram of the ear for homeschool

    Homeschool Anatomy: Diagram of the Ear Activity

    Hey, did you hear? Nana has a homeschool science ear diagram activity! This activity is a perfect way to learn the inner workings of the human ear while being creative. Find our more about Nana’s Ear Homeschool Anatomy Study

    No matter what your kiddo may be studying, Nana has a corresponding lesson that can solidify the knowledge in a hands-on way. And I, for one, love the colorful diagrams that pair so beautifully with our homeschool lessons.

    Erin Vincent
    Help your child get excited about homeschool anatomy with these activities for hands on science! Diagram a cell, a bacterium, the human eye, the human heart and more!

    Skeletal System Diagram Lesson

    As with every chalk pastel lesson we use in our homeschool, I adore how the boys never tire of this type of learning. Using art to learn homeschool anatomy is such an interactive teaching strategy.  This collection of fun skeletal system activities for kids includes online lessons, fun facts, and hands-on projects. More here: Skeletal System Activities for Kids: Everything You Need for Learning and Fun!

    Help your child get excited about homeschool anatomy with these activities for hands on science! Diagram a cell, a bacterium, the human eye, the human heart and more!

    Diagram of a Tooth Activity

    Simple to draw, this lesson shows kids all the layers of the tooth. We loved how the tooth is diagrammed in vivid colors to show all the parts of the tooth and gums! Nana’s humor really comes through in this lesson as she discusses each part of the tooth. Maybe it will inspire more dental hygiene as well! More here: A Tooth Diagram Activity for Your Homeschool That Will Make You Smile!

    Homeschool Science

    Diagram of The Eye Lesson

    The eye looks so simple, but has so many parts we cannot see! Nana helps students draw both the outside of the eye and the inner workings of the eye. Plus, students can color their eye to match their own eye color. More here: Eye Diagram and Microscopic World

    Help your child get excited about homeschool anatomy with these activities for hands on science! Diagram a cell, a bacterium, the human eye, the human heart and more!

    Diagram of Heart Activity for Your Homeschool Anatomy

    This intricate lesson doesn’t shy away from detail. Young students will draw a beautiful human heart kids can admire and show off! All the parts are labeled, and this lesson would make a wonderful jumping off point for further study. More homeschool anatomy here: Human Heart Activity for Kids

    Small But Mighty Cell Activities for Homeschool

    Diagram of a Cell and a Bacterium Lesson

    These online cell activities for your homeschool anatomy are multisensory and appropriate for all ages. In fact, online cellular biology lessons are an excellent addition for your homeschool science. Take a look! More here: Small But Mighty Cell Activities for Your Homeschool

    lungs and respiratory system and circulatory system art activities for homeschool science

    Lungs and Respiratory System and Circulatory System Art Activities

    Nana recently added both the Lungs and Respiratory System plus the Circulatory System to her continuing human anatomy series.

    lab-coated scientist

    Fun Lab-Coated Scientist

    Nana has included a wonderful “opener” lesson in her Lab Coated Scientist class. My oldest created a painting of a scientist researching in a book, with swirling scientific symbols above his head. While this scientist is drawn as a chemistry teacher by Nana, my oldest changed the book to read “Biology” to match our current science studies. He replaced Nana’s chemical notations with a DNA strand and a bacterium! Kids can be so creative with these lessons. 

    DaVinci’s Vetruvian Man painting makes a great finish to a series on the human body. This makes a wonderful lesson in the proportions of both artwork and the human body. As you sketch out the  dive into the concept held by this Old Master that “everything is connected.” Our cells are microscopic, but work together to create a larger system. In the same way, people are smaller parts of God’s much larger universe. 

    STEAM learning in homeschool - Help your child get excited about homeschool anatomy with these activities for hands on science! Diagram a cell, a bacterium, the human eye, the human heart and more!

    …this helps to solidify any reading or more formal learning we complete, by allowing my son the opportunity to engage with the topic in much more creative and hands-on way. (We have also use art as a way to “test” what my son has really learned and will again with this unit.)

    Shawna Wingert – Why Art is an Essential Part of Science in Our Homeschool

    More Homeschool Science Activities

    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.

    Why Art is an Essential Part of Science in Our Homeschool by Shawna – While we have used You ARE An ARTIST across many different subjects, including nature study, language arts and history, this year, we are incorporating it into our science study. I continue to be grateful for the support it provides for my sons’ learning needs and today, I want to share a bit of how it works for us.

    • 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.
    • The Light Prism with Sir Isaac Newton lesson would be a fantastic intro lesson for studying chemistry and physics. Is it so beautifully colorful and symmetrical, you will want to frame this artwork after your kids create it!
    • For additional scientific artwork, try the Daffodil lesson where kids will paint a gorgeous yellow daffodil with their chalks and label the parts of a flower. You might revisit your cell painting and discuss how a plant cell is slightly different than an animal/human cell. 

    As our friend Julie says, “Don’t be afraid to blend art and science for a colorful hands-on experience for everyone. Human anatomy is a wonderful place to begin.”

    Fill your homeschool with hands-on learning in every subject with a You ARE an Artist Clubhouse membership. This way you’ll have full access to all the video art lessons all the time! No matter what topic you’re studying, be it history, science, music, or literature, you can find a coordinating lesson to engage your learners. Plus, You ARE an Artist is always adding in valuable curriculum workbooks to give you fast facts, lesson planners, and more for your homeschool.

    Help your child get excited about homeschool anatomy with these activities for hands on science! Diagram a cell, a bacterium, the human eye, the human heart and more!

    Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared the fun of her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Your Best Homeschool and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of sister sites Homeschool Nature Study and The Curriculum Choice.

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    Groundhog Day Art Lesson For Your Homeschool

    What do you think? Will it be an early spring or six more weeks of winter? Paint your prediction with Nana’s Groundhog Day homeschool art lesson. You are the artist!

    Then, if you are ready for an early spring, dive into Nana’s set of Spring Video Art Lessons. Or if you are still enjoying winter, paint up a snowstorm with Nana’s Winter Video Art Lessons. Of course you can have access to ALL of Nana’s 800+ video art lessons in the You ARE an Artist Complete Clubhouse.

    Groundhog Day Art Lesson For Your Homeschool

    Enjoy Nana’s Groundhog Day Art Lesson!

    Art Supplies For This Lesson

    We suggest the following supplies: white construction paper, brown, yellow and black chalk pastels. Nana walks you through exactly how to use them all in the video lesson above.

    Will it be an early spring or six more weeks of winter? Paint your prediction with Nana's Groundhog Day art lesson. You ARE an Artist!

     

    Photo by Dawn Peluso Schoolin’ Swag

    Share Your Homeschool Art With Us!

    So, paint your Groundhog Day art lesson and be sure to share with us! Simply tag @chalkpastelart on Instagram, use the #YouAREanArtist hashtag, or upload a photo to the ChalkPastel.com Facebook page!

    • A note on chalk pastels: Pastels are an easy, forgiving medium. Fun for children and adults alike! Details on the pastels and paper we use, how and where to purchase, and links to all of Nana’s other pastel lessons are here: Our Favorite Chalk Pastels
    • The practical aspects of a mess: Pastels are blessedly messy. We always have baby wipes close by to wipe hands. We wear something we don’t mind getting stained or don a smock.

    Do you and your artists learn best with a video art tutorial? Join the You ARE an Artist Clubhouse for even more Video Art Lessons at ChalkPastel.com!

    Additional Resources For Homeschool Art Lessons

    You might also like:

    Will it be an early spring or six more weeks of winter? Paint your prediction with Nana's Groundhog Day art lesson. You ARE an Artist!

    We can’t wait to see your Groundhog Day painting. And please be sure to share this lesson with a friend!

    You ARE an Artist!

    Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared the fun of her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Your Best Homeschool and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of sister sites Homeschool Nature Study and The Curriculum Choice.wners of Homeschool Nature Study and The Curriculum Choice.

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    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Homeschool Tea Time

    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

    Winter is a wonderful time for tea in your homeschool. Most of us have seen lovely homeschool tea time spread photos on social media and feel intimidated to try our own. Or perhaps, you aren’t quite sure where to begin. 

    Well, I want to share a poetry tea time with you today that is easy to set up, and every bit counts as educational. And, if your children are anything like mine, they will be asking when the next poetry tea time is. 

    One of the best poems to enjoy during winter is the renowned Robert Frost’s, Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening. It is one of those poems that instantly comes to life with all of the delights of winter. 

    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

    You ARE An Artist’s art tutorial of Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening will help you round out an entire hands-on lesson for your family to enjoy. 

    We do think this poem is worthy of a special tea time. This time of year can be busy and leave us feeling stressed about the holidays. But Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening helps us remember it is ok to stop and linger a bit at God’s wonderful creation. Like the traveler, we all have obligations to get to. But we also can stop and take in the beauty around us, if even for a moment. Often, that is precisely the refreshment we need. 

    That’s is why we think this tea time with chalk pastels will leave you and your children feeling refreshed and renewed for the winter season. 

    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

    What Do You Need For A Snowy Art Homeschool Tea Time

    The supplies you need for the art lesson are minimal; chalk pastels and construction paper.  And a Clubhouse Membership from You Are An Artist, not only to enjoy this chalk pastel project, but you will also get over 700 other art lessons that your entire family can do and a beautiful poem to print out.

    We love the picture book Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening that is illustrated by Susan Jeffers too. The beautiful illustrations that accompany Robert Frost’s words are a perfect combination to share with your family. 

    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

    The fun part is what else you can add! We like to enjoy tea or hot cocoa to drink and make an entire experience of it. The kids sip as I read. 

    We also add some treats like tree-shaped sugar cookies or something white to signify snow. But you can add anything that your kids might find exciting. I think ice cream would also be fun for this tea time. Remember, there are no rules!

    You may be wondering if you have to add any snacks or drinks. I will share with you why I almost always do. My children linger longer with something to sip or snack. It’s true. If I want to read to my kids and keep their attention, I add a little something that counts as a treat. It also makes poetry tea time with art a special time to look forward to. We like to celebrate the end of each week with art. 

    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

    Once you decide on all of the fun stuff, now let’s prepare our educational resources. 

    If you are afraid that you can’t count art or poetry tea time as educational, you might need a fresh new perspective. Let me assure you, art and poetry tea time is 100% educational. Let’s discuss all of the educational aspects of this single project. 

    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

    What Can We Learn From Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

    • New Art Techniques. Your child will learn chalk pastel techniques to create a lovely piece of art. Hands-on art with chalk pastels is an excellent fit for all types of learners, and it’s a great way to foster their creative expression. 
    • History. You can dive into the biography of Robert Frost; he was a well-known American poet with four Pulitzer Prizes. You may very well have heard some of his most famous works already! Older children can help research his life and other poems if you want to travel down a few new rabbit trails together! 
    • Poetry. Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening is not just a beautiful poem; there is much you can learn from it alone. If you have a high school student, you may want to discuss the poem’s rhyme scheme and other poetic devices. It is full of imagery and literary devices, all worth pointing out as well. 
    • Nature. Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening fits perfectly into winter nature study. If you are working through a winter nature study curriculum, this tea time and art project will coincide nicely. 
    • Togetherness. Winter is the best time to cozy up with warm drinks, create art, and discuss poetry. Even your earliest learners can sit in a draw with chalk on a piece of construction paper while listening along. 
    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

    We hope you enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of winter with this special poetry tea time! Celebrate winter nature and bond over the arts together as a family with books, art, and tea.

    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time

    More Delightful Homeschool Learning Activities

    There are even more homeschool learning opportunities with these ideas!

    Courtney is a Jesus-pursuing, native Texan, homeschool mom of three, and she believes homeschooling can be a peaceful and productive rhythm. At Grace, Grow & Edify she helps families create peaceful homeschooling atmospheres through faith, organizational strategies, and cultivating strong roots at home. She is also the founder of Homeschool Mastery Academy.

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    Engaging Homeschool Literature Activities Your Kids Will Love

    With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

    Literature can come to life by infusing your homeschool studies with imagination, hands-on activities, and student-led learning. 

    Don’t miss the giveaway at the end!

    With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

    The Power Of Hands-On Learning In Your Homeschool

    Through art, you can prove multi-sensory learning. Not only will your children read a story, hear a story, and/or write a story, but they can also visualize the story through their drawings! 

    Hands on learning helps learning in so many ways. Applying hands on learning to literature is no different. Shawna shared a whole post on how this works and included a practical example with Robert Frost’s Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening.

    “It was so simple, so easy, and it was one of the most productive lessons we’ve had together in a while. He practiced reading. We enjoyed poetry together. He engaged his senses in a hands-on learning activity. It was a total win.

    I found myself wishing every homeschool afternoon could be like this one.

    The good news is, maybe they can! You Are An Artist has a wealth of literature lessons to chose from.

    Read Shawna’s The Power of Adding Art to Literature Lessons

    If you haven’t joined the You ARE An Artist Clubhouse yet, this is a wonderful way to gain rich learning that can come from combining art and literature in your homeschool. We have an entire Literature Companion Workbook that you can use right alongside art lessons like this one with fact sheets, writing prompts, research ideas, and more!

    I Drew It Then I Knew It Literature Guide

    Engaging Homeschool Literature Activities Your Kids Will Love

    Nana has SO many ways to celebrate literature with art – including ALL that are listed, below! With the You ARE An Artist Complete Clubhouse Membership, you’ll have access to 800+ art lessons, including exclusive access to You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Literature Video Art Lessons such as:

    Mark Twain - With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

    Mark Twain Literature Study: Bring Adventure to Your Homeschool

    Mark Twain, also known as the greatest humorist and author America has ever produced! Nana brings Mark Twain literature studies to life with her Mark Twain video art lesson! All you’ll need is a piece of white copy paper and a starter set of chalk pastels to recreate this famous and witty American novelist while Nana shares her knowledge about Mark Twain!

    My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.

    Mark Twain
    Lord of the Rings - With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

    The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkein

    Do your kiddos love the fantasy and adventure of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit? Maybe you and your children are reading The Hobbit and you’re looking for a fun hands-on activity to help celebrate the book. Then, The Hobbit art lesson with Nana and chalk pastels are for you!

    Little Women - With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

    Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

    If you have never read the novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, then you certainly are missing out on one of the most heartwarming, beloved stories of American literature! This homeschool unit study will help you and your family get started. Whether it’s the cherished characters, the story of perseverance through difficulties, or the warm setting of home and hearth, Little Women will quickly become a favorite. 

    Winnie the Pooh - With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 
    Celebrate Pooh, piglet and all your favorites – there’s even a map of the Hundred Acre Woods!

    Winnie the Pooh – A. A. Milne

    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.

    Bible Art - With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

    The Bible – How to Plan an At Home Bible Study with Art

    I am beyond thrilled to share with you the ultimate Bible story companion. Art.  Whether you are teaching Bible in your homeschool as a daily or weekly lesson, or perhaps you are creating a church-at-home experience for your family, you will love how effective it is to add art along with your Biblical teachings.

    You will also like:

    Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time - Engaging Homeschool Literature Activities
    Complete Clubhouse Members enjoy a printable Robert Frost Poem and the I Drew It Then I Knew It Literature Guide

    Stopping by the Woods – Robert Frost

    One of the best poems to enjoy during winter is the renowned Robert Frost’s, Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening. It is one of those poems that instantly comes to life with all of the delights of winter. 

    Beatrix Potter quote - Engaging Literature Activities for your homeschool

    Beatrix Potter – author and illustrator

    Come on, let’s go visit Hill Top Farm and meet all of her favorite animals!

    “If I have done anything, even a little, to help small children enjoy honest, simple pleasures, I have done a bit of good.”– Beatrix Potter

    Harry Potter art lessons - engaging literature activities for homeschool

    Harry Potter – J.K. Rowling

    Check out this fun Harry Potter homeschool teatime that even muggles will love! You’ll find magical art lessons that everyone in the family will enjoy. You don’t have to have a magic wand or spellbook. All you need is a simple set of chalk pastels, a pack of construction paper, and the teatime treats of your choice to bring the magic of art and Harry Potter into your home!

    Anne of Green Gables art lessons - Engaging literature activities for your homeschool

    Anne of Green Gables – Lucy Maud Montgomery

    Oh Anne, how we love her! Her personality, wit, and genuine ways have hooked us all. As a young girl, I daydreamed of Anne’s adventures and country lifestyle. I have desperately wanted to share Anne with my daughter, and I am thrilled to get started. So, I am calling all of my fellow Anne of Green Gables fans to celebrate Anne with a literature-based art & tea time today! Anne of Green Gables is undoubtedly one of my top choices of books to get lost in for either upper elementary or high school. 

    In Complete Clubhouse Literature continuing series

    Heidi – Johanna Spyri

    Feel like yodeling in the Alps? How about reading an old, favorite story of “Heidi” and painting her with your pastels, waving to you from a grassy alpine meadow? Oh, wow, a great story and gorgeous colors to use to make memories of her journey! Let’s get ready for the adventure! ❤️Nana

    Miss Rumphius – Barbara Cooney

    Make your homeschool a little more beautiful with literature, art and nature study! Explore the beloved picture book, Miss Rumphius, with Sarah Mackenzie, Nana and Tricia. What a FUN activity for your homeschool year! The Beauty of Art, Literature and Nature in Your Homeschool event replay available in Nana’s continuing Literature series in Complete Clubhouse membership.

    Tasha Tudor - engaging literature activities for homeschool

    Author and Artist Tasha Tudor

    When you study famous artists in your homeschool, you might want to add a Tasha Tudor homeschool art lesson. Like myself, you may have seen her work so many times and not known it was the artwork of famous children’s book illustrator Tasha Tudor. Some of our most beloved children’s books are illustrated with her beautiful and intricate artistic styles. 

    The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

    The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

    I am a huge holiday tradition enthusiast, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever makes it into our read-aloud stack almost every November or December. I have read it so many times that I have gotten pretty good at all of the voices if I don’t say so myself. It’s much more fun that way! Because, as you know, you have to personalize the characters for the kids. 

    Little House On The Prairie Homeschool - engaging literature activities
    Enjoy a Little House Christmas lesson, a map of the Ingalls’ travels, a covered wagon and more!

    Little House on the Prairie – Laura Ingalls Wilder

    Are there any homeschoolers out there that don’t hop on the Little House on the Prairie wagon? I mean, seriously, how can you not love Little House? There is something about Lara Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series that is easy to obsess over. 

    Excalibur – Merlin and Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

    Use these medieval history lessons as a multi-dimensional way to bring history into full color for your children in your homeschool!

    “IN MERRY ENGLAND in the time of old, when good King Henry the Second ruled the land, there lived within the green glades of Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham Town, a famous outlaw whose name was Robin Hood.”  

    – Pyle
    Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - engaging literature activities for homeschool

    Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

    Such a fantastic history lesson for Complete Clubhouse members.

    A Christmas Carol - Dickens art lesson

    A Christmas Carol – Dickens

    Do you and your kids read “A Christmas Carol” each year? What about watching one of the many movie adaptations? Exploring A Christmas Carol in your homeschool is an easy and fun way to combine the rich literature of Charles Dickens, the excitement of cinema, and the glory of art this Christmas season!

    With a printable Stevenson poem to enjoy!

    The Swing – Robert Louis Stevenson

    How do you like to go up in a swing? Up in the air so blue? Oh I do think it the pleasantest thing ever a child can do!

    I Went To The Woods Art Lesson

    To The Woods – Thoreau

    Whether you are a homeschooler or public schooler, Thoreau’s “I Went To The Woods” Art Lesson is perfect for taking time to reconnect to nature and ponder how important it is to live a life of simplicity. This lesson is especially good for teens; you can dive into a deep conversation about Thoreau’s views on how to live a simplistic yet meaningful life. 

    Charlotte’s Web – E. B. White

    Charlotte’s Web is a fantastic elementary read-aloud, and I am so excited to share some art & tea time ideas to help you plan something memorable for your homeschool too. 

    Green Ember – S. D. Smith

    Enjoy these art lessons in celebration of author S.D. Smith’s Green Ember series!

    With a map of Narnia and soooo many wonderful lessons!

    Narnia C. S. Lewis

    Are your kids ready for an epic homeschool art journey? Then, take a trip with chalk pastels Narnia with Nana art adventure!

    Nana also has a color wheel lesson in the style of Eric Carle!

    Eric Carle – Author and Artist

    Here you will find everything you need for a famous artist Eric Carle homeschool study. “Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and designed picture books children. His best known book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten it’s way into the hearts of millions of children all over the world and has been translated into 66 languages and sold over 50 million copies. Since The Very Hungry Caterpillar was was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books. This includes many best sellers which he wrote. More than 152 million copies of his books have sold around the world!” – Nana

    Try this free lesson!

    Dr. Seuss books

    Dr. Seuss art with chalk pastels? Yes, please! How adorable would a Cat in the Hat be hanging on your refrigerator? How about the lovely Truffula Trees? Nana has a lesson for both! Now you and your kiddo can enjoy a Seussical art time with chalk pastels!

    Ox-Cart Man – Donald Hall

    These Ox-Cart Man activities are sure to bring this great book to life! Take a trip back to the 1800s with a New England farmer in the Ox-Cart Man. In a time when you wove your own clothes, whittled your own broom, and split your own shingles, this lyrical story takes you on a journey through the changing seasons.

    With a map of the Oregon Trail, Multnomah Falls waterfall, wagon lesson and more!

    Apples to Oregon – A Oregon Trail Unit Study

    Our favorite way to learn history is through hands-on activities and rich literature in the forms of picture books, read alouds, and chapter books. To start our study on the Oregon Trail, we chose Apples to Oregon Being The (SLIGHTLY) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (AND CHILDREN) Across the Plains!

    Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett

    A classic story that is beloved by all!

    Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant

    For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Horace Pippin, he was a self-taught artist who was incredibly talented despite having lost use of his right hand. He has been referenced as one of the most important black painters of American History. So if you are studying famous artists or art history, his story is worthy of your time.

    How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World – Marjorie Priceman

    It’s time to paint some apples, don’t you agree? Nana has several homeschool lessons featuring apples for you to enjoy. We are pointing to Apple Chalk Pastel Art Lessons for homeschool so you can easily add them to your fun, fall studies and read aloud times!

    Cranberry Thanksgiving

    Cranberry Thanksgiving – Wendy and Harry Devlin

    Here are just a few ways you can enjoy a Cranberry Thanksgiving book study in your fall homeschool plans – with art, activities, baking and more! Don’t miss Nana’s Mr. Whiskers homeschool art lesson at the end.

    Christmas literature – including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, A Christmas Carol, If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, Charlie Brown, The Polar Express, and more!

    There is so much literature goodness to explore with chalk pastels! Be sure to check out 7 Engaging American Literature Curriculum Choices for Your Homeschool too!

    Literature FUN Bundle!

    Enter to win in the rafflecopter widget below. Included in this giveaway:

    • One (1) crown
    • One (1) Kings and Queens of Narnia mug
    • ‘One Ring’ (1) ring necklace
    • One (1) starter set of chalk pastels

    Plus your choice of book. Choose one (1) of following:

    • Narnia book set
    • Lord of the Rings book
    • Winnie the Pooh book
    • Little House on the Prairie book
    • Little Women book
    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Fine print: One winner will be chosen at random. Void where prohibited. This contest is open to US residents. One winner will be chosen on January 5, 2023. You must be 18 or older to enter. Please leave a valid email address (that is how you will be contacted should you win!). You will have 48 hours following contact to claim your prize with a mailing address.

    With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool that celebrates the wonder of the written word.

    More Delightful Homeschool Learning Activities

    There are even more homeschool learning opportunities with these ideas!

    Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared the fun of her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Your Best Homeschool and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of sister sites Homeschool Nature Study and The Curriculum Choice.

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    The Ultimate Guide To Fun Friday Activities For Kids

    Enjoy these fun Friday activities for kids! By making memories having fun, learning can be so very rewarding! We are BIG fans of this type of homeschooling.

    The Popularity Of 4 Day Homeschool Weeks

    Do you implement or have you ever considered a four day homeschool week? Just like there is a trend towards four day work weeks, many homeschoolers keep Fridays free of structured learning and instead, have “Fun Fridays”.

    5 Tips to Start Fine Arts Friday

    Fun Friday Activities For Kids

    Who doesn’t love themed days? Certainly not Taco Tuesday!! I’m sharing 5 Tips to Start Fine Arts Friday without overwhelming your homeschool schedule.

    Fine Arts Friday is an easy way to incorporate the You ARE An ARTiST Fine Arts Curriculum. I know, you’ve already booked August and you’re doing ALL. THE. THINGS. I was right there with you signing up for every activity, co-ops, and sports. Trying to be a homeschool superhero. You don’t have to exhaust yourself (and your children) with one more monster size obligation.

    fine arts Friday for homeschool
    Meet #FineArtsFriday Friends!

    Fine Arts Fridays: Art and Music Appreciation

    For fun Friday activities, Stef says, “Knowing every Friday we were going to spend a bit of time on art helped my youngest, with delayed fine motor skills, mentally prepare while also keeping my oldest, who has a library of sketch books, happy.”

    Fine Arts Fridays: Homeschool Lessons with Nana – Fine Arts Fridays and homeschool lessons with Nana are a creative way to add joy to your homeschool! Integrate homeschool art appreciation, music appreciation and hands on art lessons into your learning in a fun way.

    The Beauty of Art, Music and Nature in Your Homeschool – My children have become acquainted with winter nature study, Vivaldi, Corelli, and Giotto within a few short months! Our Fine Arts Friday has become a fun and hands-on way of learning about great art and exciting time periods. Afterward, we head outside for our nature study and #outdoorhourchallenge. Fridays have become a rich, full day of beauty and learning like never before! Won’t you join us?

    Homeschool Hymn Studies

    Homeschool Hymn Study: Weaving Beauty Into Learning – With a homeschool hymn study, you are weaving beauty into learning! Dawn Peluso’s hymn studies are a great way to learn history, music and God’s Word.

    A Beautiful Easter Hymn Study for Your Homeschool – Join us for a beautiful Easter hymn study for your homeschool and video art lessons to match! Music and art help us all to connect learning with a special holiday plus build sweet memories together as a family.

    A Merry Christmas Hymns Study – Whether you homeschool as normal through December, add in Christmas activities, or trade all your homeschool curriculum for ‘Christmas School,’ a Christmas hymns study can be an enjoyable part of your school day. It is a beautiful opportunity for the family to learn and worship together.

    Thanksgiving Hymn Favorites: Learning Activities for Your Homeschool – A season of thankfulness and gratitude would not be complete without sharing thanks to God for all of our blessings. One of our favorite ways to celebrate during this time of Thanksgiving is with hymn studies. Many songs help us to remember our gifts and sing our gratitude to God. Here, I’ve included Thanksgiving hymn favorites for you to enjoy, along with learning activities for your homeschool.

    Make Your Homeschool Art Museum Field Trip Extraordinary

    Homeschool Field Trips

    5 Ways to Make Your Homeschool Art Museum Field Trip Extraordinary – A homeschool art museum field trip has been on our list for years. This year, we have already been to one and have another planned for next semester. Here are 5 things I’ve learned about how to maximize the educational experience and family fun on your field trip to the museum.

    The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Art Museum Field Trips – you don’t necessarily need to leave your home to have access to things. There are so many resources you can use to enrich your homeschooling, right online! Virtual Art Museum Field Trips are one of those things!

    Why You Should Take an Art Museum Field Trip – It is one thing to study a piece of art or an artist with a book or an online artist study. It is quite another to see a piece of art in person – and to see, up close, the actual brush strokes by the artist. That is one reason why you should take an art museum homeschool field trip. And here are a few more reasons you should go.

    Van Gogh Experience for Homeschoolers – Our entire family definitely felt immersed in Van Gogh’s beautiful works of art. Especially in the immersion room after walking through the galleries! The Van Gogh Experience would also be a great homeschool field trip or educational opportunity to celebrate your Van Gogh studies. This is a great way to experience the paintings and works of this famous artist. We had a wonderful time!

    Enjoy these fun Friday activities for kids! By making memories having fun, learning can be so very rewarding! We are BIG fans of this type of homeschooling.

    Nature Study in Your Homeschool

    Discover the beauty of art and nature study in your homeschool and help your children explore the simple joys of the outdoors. There is so much to marvel about in God’s great creation! The Beauty of Art and Nature Study in Your Homeschool.

    How to Use the Outdoor Hour Challenges for Homeschool Family Nature Study – When getting started in homeschool nature study, here are some simple ideas to consider for your outdoor time.

    Enjoy these fun Friday activities for kids! By making memories having fun, learning can be so very rewarding! We are BIG fans of this type of homeschooling.

    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.

    Nature Study Crafts for Kids: Easy Activities for Learning and Fun! Nature study crafts for kids are a hands on way to learn. What beautiful and easy activities for learning and FUN! Let us show you how.

    Spring Homechool Nature Study with Art – Perfect for commemorating spring, Nana’s spring homeschool nature study with art explores all creatures great and small and all things bright and beautiful! These nature-inspired art lessons are easy and fun for the whole family!

    Enjoy these fun Friday activities for kids! By making memories having fun, learning can be so very rewarding! We are BIG fans of this type of homeschooling.

    Gameschooling for Fun Friday Activities

    Whether stuck inside or adding fun to your Friday learning, here are some great ideas and some encouragement to get you started! The Game Homeschool is a great overview with a giant list of games for learning!

    Enjoy these fun Friday activities for kids! By making memories having fun, learning can be so very rewarding! We are BIG fans of this type of homeschooling.

    Homeschool Art Lessons For Hands On Homeschool Learning

    Julie says, “As with every chalk pastel lesson we use in our homeschool, I adore how the boys never tire of this type of learning. Using art to learn is such an interactive teaching strategy.” – Skeletal System Activities: Everything You Need for Learning and Fun!

    Nana has art lessons to complement every subject you can think of for your Fun Friday:

    Enjoy these fun Friday activities for kids! By making memories having fun, learning can be so very rewarding! We are BIG fans of this type of homeschooling.

    Homeschool Fine Arts: Art and Music Appreciation for Families

    You ARE An ARTiST now offers family style and grade level Fine Arts Curriculum. High school students can earn one full Fine Arts Credit. Which is super exciting! This curricula is much different than the traditional Chalk Art Lessons with Nana we have all come to love. While Nana is filming more art tutorials for Clubhouse Members, this curricula is an instant PDF download, so you can go at your own pace! Pick whichever grade you like, and if you’re anything like me with one child dipping toes in three different grades … friend, you’ve got yourself some options. Pick the topic / time period that matches up well with other core curriculum.
    Clubhouse Members can purchase Fine Arts at 1/2 price – must be logged in for discount.

    Here are more details on a Fine Arts Credit for High School with A Homeschooler’s Quick Guide

    Enjoy these fun Friday activities for kids! By making memories having fun, learning can be so very rewarding! We are BIG fans of this type of homeschooling.

    Each fine arts curriculum offers additional art appreciation books, music, and podcasts that you can use as you have time available. They also encourage you to incorporate hands-on famous artists’ and composer art lessons with Nana. These plans pull together affordably priced materials along with internet links so you can have a reasonably priced art and music appreciation program. There are 32-36 weeks planned at each level, and this allows your family plenty of flexibility to complete the curriculum in one homeschool year.

    If you don’t feel that a full year of fine arts appreciation is for you, you can also choose from a collection of unique art and music appreciation unit studies which typically last 6-9 weeks.

    Enjoy these fun Friday activities for kids! By making memories having fun, learning can be so very rewarding! We are BIG fans of this type of homeschooling.

    More Kids Activities For Education And Fun

    What other fun Friday activities would you set aside a Fun Friday for? Of course, any holiday is always a fun time to learn something new:

    With You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse membership, you can enjoy access to all 800+ of Nana’s video art lessons that complement the lovely learning in your homeschool. And, with Clubhouse membership you can choose to receive 50% off the Fine Arts titles and 50% off membership to our sister site, Homeschool Nature Study.

    Homeschool Fine Arts Resources Bundle

    Two winners! We are giving away two bundles! Two winners will receive the bundle of resources that go with the grade of Fine Arts they are using. (Fine Arts Title not included). Resources include the suggested art appreciation books, music appreciation books, art application books for the Homeschool Fine Arts grade.

    Enter to win via the rafflecopter widget, below:

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Homeschool Fine Arts Sample

    Get your FREE sample of homeschool fine arts, below:

    Get Your Fine Arts Sample!

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      Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Your Best Homeschool and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of sister sites Homeschool Nature Study and The Curriculum Choice.