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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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October Science and Art Activities For Homeschool Learning and Fun

Grab your calendar, chalk pastels, and science loving homeschoolers for these October Science and Art Activities! We’re learning about radio voice messages, telegrams, incandescent lamps, automobiles, space race, and sound barriers – just to name a few cool inventions. Be sure to read about these important dates, October birthdays, and interesting facts.

But first, we couldn’t kick off October without the famous quote by Anne of Green Gables! And, we will end with classic pumpkins.

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Grab your calendar, chalks, and science loving homeschoolers for these October Science and Art Activities! We are learning about radio voice messages, telegrams, incandescent lamps, automobiles, space race, and sound barriers. Plus Halloween activities.

October Fun Fact

In America we celebrate Thanksgiving the last Thursday in November as the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians celebrated their first harvest in 1621. But it was over 200 years later when it was officially recognized as a national holiday! Better late than never? October 3, 1863 – President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. Feel free to tuck that away now and pull out around the Thanksgiving table this year. In fact, you will want to make sure to come back to our Thanksgiving Homeschool Lessons: Draw Your Way Through the Story.

Grab your calendar, chalks, and science loving homeschoolers for these October Science and Art Activities! We are learning about radio voice messages, telegrams, incandescent lamps, automobiles, space race, and sound barriers. Plus Halloween activities.

October Science and Art Activities

October Inventions and Art

Can you hear me know?
Trying to pair your science and art lessons? Look at our Science and Art Curriculum Match Up!

Oct 6th Engineer and inventor George Westinghouse (1846-1914) was born in Central Bridge, New York.
October 11, 1939 – Albert Einstein warned President Franklin D. Roosevelt that his theories could lead to Nazi Germany’s development of an atomic bomb. Einstein suggested the U.S. develop its own bomb. This resulted in the top secret “Manhattan Project.”
October 21, 1879Thomas Edison successfully tested an electric incandescent lamp with a carbonized filament at his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, keeping it lit for over 13 hours.
October 21, 1915 – The first transatlantic radio voice message was made by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company from Virginia to Paris.
October 24, 1861 – The first transcontinental telegram in America was sent from San Francisco to Washington, addressed to President Abraham Lincoln from the Chief Justice of California.

Not sure how to combine art & science? You will find tips and help in our post Why Art is Essential in Science.

Grab your calendar, chalks, and science loving homeschoolers for these October Science and Art Activities! We are learning about radio voice messages, telegrams, incandescent lamps, automobiles, space race, and sound barriers. Plus Halloween activities.

October Transportation and Art

Everyone is always ready, until it’s time to get in the car. Hopefully folks back in the day were eager to get moving learning about these exciting transportation historic dates.

October 1, 1908 – Henry Ford’s Model T went on sale for the first time.
Inventors STEAM Video Art Lessons
October 4, 1957 – The Space Age began. Russians launched the first satellite Sputnik I into orbit.
This Homeschool Moon Unit Study Is Out Of This World
Oct 8th American fighter pilot Ace Eddie Rickenbacker (1890-1973) was born in Columbus, Ohio. He commanded the first U.S. aero unit to take part in World War I and was credited with 26 victories, becoming America’s leading Ace.
Modern History Video Art Lessons
October 9th Nordic communities worldwide will celebrate Leif Erikson Day – remembering the explorer credited with bringing the first Nordic people to America around the year 1000.
The Ultimate Guide to Medieval History Lessons For Your Homeschool and Medieval Times Homeschool Art


October 13, 1775 – The United States Navy was born after the Second Continental Congress authorized the acquisition of a fleet of ships.
October 14, 1947 – U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager became the first man to break the sound barrier, flying in a rocket-powered research aircraft. Take Flight With These Famous Aviators
October 26, 1825The Erie Canal opened as the first major man-made waterway in America, linking Lake Erie with the Hudson River, bypassing the British-controlled lower St. Lawrence. The canal cost over $7 million and took eight years to complete.
October 27, 1904The New York City subway began operating, running from City Hall to West 145th Street, the first underground and underwater rail system in the world.
October 27th British navigator James Cook (1728-1779) was born in Yorkshire, England.
October 30, 1990 – For the first time since the Ice Age, Great Britain was connected with the European continent, via a new rail tunnel under the English Channel. Great Britain Themed Chalk Pastel Art (including a map of the British Isles)

Why STEAM Learning Matters in Your Homeschool

October Science and Art Activities: STEAM In Your Homeschool

I thought part of being a “fun homeschool mom” included cleaning up after a Rube Goldberg machine. I wish I would have stuck to chalk art instead. I’m still missing a deck of cards, half the dominoes, and a 5 gallon bucket. Science and Art make a beautiful partnership, read: Why STEAM Learning Matters In Your Homeschool

October in New York

October 24, 1945 – The United Nations was founded.
Oct 27th Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) the 26th U.S. President was born in New York City.
The Best Presidents Day Art Projects For Your Homeschool
October 28, 1886 – The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor.
A Homeschool Lesson on Artist Steve Penley’s Statue of Liberty.
Oct 28th Dr. Jonas Salk (1914-1995) was born in New York City. In 1952, he developed a vaccine for the dreaded childhood disease Polio.
A Microscopic World Study For Homeschool Science and the Modern Medical Advancements lesson in Nana’s Modern History series.
October 29, 1929 – The stock market crashed as over 16 million shares were dumped amid tumbling prices. The Great Depression followed in America, lasting until the outbreak of World War II.
Homeschool Art Lessons for Your Modern History Buff

October Strong Women and Art

We always loved adding faces to historical dates. The Who Was Series was incredibly helpful bringing history to life in our homeschool. Read as many biographies together or with unit studies and then paint famous historical people with your chalk pastels.

Happy October Birthday to a handful of First Ladies and an American Hero!

Oct 4th Eliza Johnson (1810 – 1876). She was the wife of President Andrew Johnson.
Oct 11th Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was born in New York City. She was the wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. President.
Oct 13th Molly Pitcher (1754-1832) was born near Trenton, New Jersey (as Mary Ludwig). She was a water carrier at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778 during the American Revolution. After her husband, artilleryman John Hays, collapsed, she took his place at his cannon.
Oct 15th Edith Wilson (1872 – 1961). She was the wife of President Woodrow Wilson.
Oct 26th Hillary Rodham Clinton was born in Park Ridge, Illinois, October 26, 1947.

Add these 7 American History Homeschool Lessons Your Kids Will Love to this year’s curriculum!

7 American History Homeschool Lessons your child will love

October Artists Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the artists, poets, writers, musicians, and creative types who have added color to our world!

Do you have a favorite artist born in October? We enjoy sharing these monthly art projects. Find your favorite artist in this Exploring Famous Artists with Chalk Pastels post or celebrate the October birthdays below.

Oct 9 John Lennon of the rock band The Beatles was born (1940-1980) in Liverpool, England.
Oct 10 Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was born in Le Roncole, Italy. His 26 operas include; Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, La Traviata and Aida, and are among the most popular of all classical music performed today.
Oct 16th American teacher and journalist Noah Webster (1758-1843) was born in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Oct 16th Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was born in Dublin, Ireland.
Oct 16th American playwright Eugene O’Neill (1888-1953) was born in New York City. He wrote more than 35 plays including: Beyond the Horizon, The Iceman Cometh, The Emperor Jones and Long Day’s Journey into Night.
Oct 21st Jazz great Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) was born in Cheraw, South Carolina


Oct 22nd Hungarian composer Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was born in Raiding, Hungary.
Oct 25 Artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was born in Malaga, Spain.

Learn more about Picasso with our Famous Artist Pablo Picasso Homeschool Study.

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. Pablo Picasso quote, art lesson and podcast.

October Sports and Art

baseball art lesson for the World Series

Take me out to the ball game or just buy me Cracker Jacks, please. Cracker Jacks! The World Series starts October 28th-Nov 5th. Nana added this fun baseball chalk art to go with her Atlanta Braves foam finger. But more importantly for The Games Clubhouse Membership.

Pumpkin Art and Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin for Homeschool

Just in time for fall,  these fun and engaging art projects are perfect for your homeschool! Take a look at all the different options available as you create your own homeschool pumpkin themed study. Pumpkin Art Lessons Perfect for Fall Homeschooling and Easy Acrylic Painting with Nana.

Happy Chalk Art Halloween

Halloween and Anatomy really do complement each other very well. Skeletons and bones. Vampires and circulatory system. So I might take the spook out of it all by getting “educational”, but I couldn’t resist adding an Ancient Egypt lesson to the mummy dogs lunch.

Call me a scaredy cat, or just paint Nana’s NEW black cat and bat masterpieces from the Animals Clubhouse. Erin shares more in her Halloween Homeschooling: Fun, Not Scary Art Activities for Halloween.

Art Activities for Every Month of the Year

Look ahead to ALL the art activities for homeschooling you can enjoy every month of the year:

homeschool bat resources, art lesson and nature study

More October Homeschool Learning

You might also like:

A special live premiere science lesson is coming for members in October! Be sure to join our email list so you won’t miss the news!

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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Why STEAM Learning Matters In Your Homeschool

STEAM learning has become a popular topic in education today. The good news is, a STEAM approach to learning can add creativity and innovation to your child’s education. This summary of STEAM learning includes ideas and resources for how to easily and effectively incorporate it into your homeschool.

STEAM learning in homeschool

What Is STEAM?

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math. It is essentially an integrated learning model designed to help children think more globally and problem solve.

Using STEAM education results in students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. These are the innovators, educators, leaders, and learners of the 21st century! 

Arts Integration.com – “What is a STEAM Education?”

A STEAM approach encourages students to ask questions and think creatively. It is also a great way to help children who typically shy away from topics related to mathematics and technology to engage and learn in a different way!

STEAM Learning

STEAM vs. STEM Learning

STEM learning was a precursor to the STEAM approach. STEM included fundamental subjects including science, technology, engineering, and math. However, in recent years, STEM has been replaced with STEAM.

This is because adding the “A” for art not only fosters increased creativity in these areas, it also supports innovative and more out of the box thinking. Educators report that it is the art component that removes perceived limitations and allows students to fully immerse themselves in more integrated learning.

Homeschool Science

Why STEAM Learning Matters In Your Homeschool

Intentionally adding STEAM learning in your homeschool can be a game changer. Because it creates a more integrated approach to the subjects of study, your child explores and creates in ways that go far beyond a typical worksheet or textbook.

Research shows that STEAM Learning provides the following critical benefits to students:

  • Exposure to the creative process
  • Increases critical thinking
  • Introduces unique problem solving options
  • Provides hands-on learning experiences
  • Shows an increased value and appreciation of the arts

These benefits are just as true for your child and your homeschool!

In my own homeschool, I have found that taking this type of approach has made a significant difference in helping my son think critically, particularly in the area of science and technology. While these two subjects tend to be a bit intimidating for him, weaving art into the various topics allows him to feel connected to the information in a new way.

Moreover, because the learning is more accessible, I find that he not only comprehends more, he retains more as well. We even use a hands-on, STEAM approach in testing!

STEAM learning in homeschool

Examples Of STEAM Learning In Our Homeschool

It can be intimidating to think about adding STEAM into our homeschool days. My experience has been that it’s much easier than I thought. Here are some examples of how STEAM has naturally become a part of my son’s learning.

  1. When my son was studying electricity as part of his science curriculum, we completed a lesson on inventors that used art to depict various scientific discoveries.
  2. As part of our human anatomy study, we are enjoying a hands-on lesson on the human heart, complete with diagramming and art woven throughout.
  3. Our astronomy study included artistic representations of the planets, super nova, and the night sky.
  4. When learning about measurement in math, we used painters tape on the sidewalk outside to physically show the difference between a foot and a meter.

While the idea of STEAM sounds complicated and formal, the reality is that it is actually a much more flexible and child centric way to homeschool. My son loves being able to create as he studies, and I love that he is more successful with the learning because of it.

STEAM learning in homeschool

Resources For STEAM Learning At Home

As I said, I know that STEAM learning can feel a little overwhelming at first for parents. It doesn’t have to be! The beauty of STEAM learning is that it is integrated. This means you cover multiple subjects in just one lesson.

You ARE An Artist has a wide variety of options for creating a STEAM approach in your homeschool (and make it easy on you!). Take a look at a some of the possibilities:

This hands-on homeschool STEAM approach is just the beginning, Chalk Pastel Art offers a variety of STEAM activities your kids will love!

For More Information About STEAM Learning In Your Homeschool.

Why Combine Art and Academics?
How We Use Art as an Alternative to Testing
Homeschool Science and Art Curriculum Match Up

Shawna Wingert, Different By Design Learning

Shawna Wingert is a special education teacher turned writer, speaker and consultant. She is also a homeschooling mom of two brilliant boys with differences and special needs.  Shawna has written four books for parents – Everyday Autism, Special Education at Home, Parenting Chaos and her latest, Homeschooling Your Child With Special Needs. She helps parents of children with learning differences, behavioral challenges and special needs every day at DifferentByDesignLearning.com.

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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.

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.

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.

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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Small But Mighty Cell Activities For Your Homeschool

These online cell activities for your homeschool are multisensory and appropriate for all ages. In fact, online cellular biology lessons are an excellent addition for your homeschool science. Take a look!

These online cell activities for your homeschool are multisensory and appropriate for all ages. Online cellular biology lessons included.

When it comes to making learning fun, homeschool parents don’t have to look far. Kids are fascinated with what makes them…well, them! They love to see the inner workings of things. What is more intricate and endlessly fascinating than the human body? 

Cells are like mini-worlds unto themselves. They make up our very existence, yet they exist beyond our eyesight. This whole “universe” of cells is a captivating world to explore through hands-on activities like experiments, crafts, and art! Consider these small but mighty cell activities as you plan your homeschool science curriculum. 

Make Learning About Cells Fun

What’s more hands-on than the human body? We all have one, right? Kids will be engaged by what they can learn by simply observing their own body. When our family studied human anatomy, my boys loved that they used their bodies as part of the experiments and activities. 

Yet as much as we can observe so much of the human body’s wonder from the outside, it’s a million times more astounding to consider what goes on at the cellular level! 

These online cell activities for your homeschool are multisensory and appropriate for all ages. Online cellular biology lessons included.

Cell Activities For Your Homeschool

Want to give your kids insight into the microscopic world beyond our sight, but right below our skin (and on and in it too!)?

  • Enlarge the cell
  • Model the cell
  • Watch the cell in action
  • Draw the cell
These online cell activities for your homeschool are multisensory and appropriate for all ages. Online cellular biology lessons included.

Enlarge the cell.

You probably eat single cells for breakfast! Yes, a chicken egg starts out as a single cell. Show your child an egg, and explain to them the simple parts of a cell: the cell wall, membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus can all be “seen” in a cracked egg!

Model the cell.

Now that kids have a sense of the major parts of a cell, dive deeper into some of the smaller pieces. In our study of cells, we created an edible cell using gelatin and candies. So fun and delicious. You’ll need a package of jello, a bowl, and a variety of small candies to represent the organelles (parts of a cells) like the mitochondria, golgi bodies, ribosomes, and more. 

You can find a detailed edible cell model to follow here

jello model for homeschool cell activities

Watch cells in action.

Show your kids the “cellular highway” of capillaries and veins that your blood cells travel on. One quick (and to my boys, humorous) way to do this is by shining a flashlight under their tongues while they look in a mirror. There, they will spot a “roadmap” of multicolored veins that give a glimpse of how special cells like blood cells travel around the body!

We even made a model of the blood using corn syrup, candy red hots, and candy sprinkles. Have you kids mix this up to see how various cells are different sizes and how they travel through plasma. 

Draw the cell.

In Nana’s newest I Drew It Then I Knew It series, kids get hands on with science by painting and labeling a diagram of some of our smallest parts! 

These online cell activities for your homeschool are multisensory and appropriate for all ages. Online cellular biology lessons included.

Online Cellular Biology Lessons Perfect For Your Homeschool Study

Whether you’re studying human body cells, plant cells, or the chemical makeup of our world, these science art lessons will fit your homeschool science. 

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. 

This scientist painting would be perfect to have as a cover for any note booking or portofolio of your child’s work. 

These online cell activities for your homeschool are multisensory and appropriate for all ages. Online cellular biology lessons included.

Diagram A Cell

After doing some of the hands-on activities above, have your child paint and Diagram a Cell. Nana does a wonderful job of helping students visualize the cell through their chalk pastel “microscope” as they look for the cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, and cell membrane. If your students have learned other parts of the cell, why not have them include this knowledge into their drawing as well. This video art lesson is the perfect choice to add to a science journal or notebooking collection. 

Diagram Bacterium

The colorful Diagram of a Bacterium lesson helps kids learn about another kind of cell that can be lurking in your body. Whether harmful or helpful, bacteria exists everywhere, and yet is a different kind of cell than what makes up your body structure. After this lesson, kids can discuss proper hygiene (here’s a free hand washing printable you can use!), proper nutrition (talk about probiotics in their yogurt!), and discuss which kinds of bacteria are harmful or helpful.

diagram of bacterium
These online cell activities for your homeschool are multisensory and appropriate for all ages. Online cellular biology lessons included.

Diagram of an Eye

Diagram of an Eye helps students learn the various parts of the eye. What is special about this lessons is how students get to label the eye as we see it, and as it looks from inside the body!

Biology and Chemistry

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. 

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. 

More Homeschool Science Lessons From You Are An Artist

Science doesn’t end with the human body, of course. Our boys have enjoyed so many science lessons from Chalk Pastel. 

For a great Astronomy study, the Hubble Space Telescope Lesson can be a jumping off point for a Space unit. Follow it up with any of the Space Exploration Clubhouse lessons, but my favorites would be the Spiral Galaxy and the Nebula lessons. Students can draw all the planets in the Milky Way with the Solar System Clubhouse lessons. 

If you’re studying Physics, you should check out the Electric Light and Electric Lightning lessons!

For an Earth Science study, you’ll love the volcano, tornado, and northern lights video art lessons. 

Studying habitats? Draw a Marsh or paint the habitat Under the Sea

A study of Zoology might use any of the dozens of animal art lessons from Nana. Frogs are always a great place to start because they are a great animal for discussing life cycles. The John James Audubon lesson plus the Birds Clubhouse lessons are also wonderful for Biology and Zoology studies. 

These online cell activities for your homeschool are multisensory and appropriate for all ages. Online cellular biology lessons included.

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. 

I am always amazed at how much a simple painting session can spark a deeper level conversation with my boys. Even if you only select a single video art lesson to complement your science studies, these lessons are small but mighty cell activities you’ll want to include in your homeschool science!

These online cell activities for your homeschool are multisensory and appropriate for all ages. Online cellular biology lessons included.

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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A Microscopic World Study For Homeschool Science

Homeschool Science

Science, it’s one of those love-it-or-hate-it subjects in homeschooling. Teaching homeschool science and facilitating experiments at home might make you feel a little overwhelmed. There are so many exciting ways to teach and learn about science together at home.  This microscopic world study is a great example!

An excellent way to get your children excited about science can be through exploring the microscopic world. #homeschoolscience #microscopicstudy #sciencecurriculum #sciencestudy

Seeing Our World Through The Microscope

An excellent way to get your children excited about science can be through exploring the microscopic world. Seeing things through a microscope opens a whole new world of scientific knowledge for children. 

Since most children have a visual or kinesthetic (hands-on) learning style, studying with microscopes and diagramming is an excellent way to learn science. Not only that, it’s a lot of fun! 

So if homeschool science experiments aren’t your thing yet, you should try an exploration of the microscopic world. Your kids are sure to love it and learn so much along the way. 

Homeschool Science

The best part is that you don’t even need a microscope at home to enjoy these studies. If you have one handy, that’s awesome! But don’t fret if you don’t. Nowadays, you can effortlessly search for what you want to see through a microscopic lens, and you can likely find images and even videos of it on the internet. 

You may want to set up a microscopic world study and look closely at all of these marvelous things the human eye can not see. There are many options to explore under a microscope, insects, cells, salt, hair, onion, mold, flower parts, leaves, sea sponge, spider webs, pond water, and tons more!

Homeschool Science

Microscopic World Study And Exploration For Your Homeschool

If you are ready to embark on a scientific journey with Nana, she is waiting with some unique new lessons that are sure to please. Nana has created the perfect homeschool science art lessons to add an artistic and hands-on element to your science studies. Who says science is boring? It’s definitely not with Nana in the I Drew It Then I Knew It Clubhouse. 

We love how YOU ARE AN ARTiST keeps adding fun hands-on art lessons to pair with everything we are learning in our homeschools. (If you don’t have a membership yet, I highly recommend adding one to your homeschool. You will get so much value from it for almost every subject in your homeschool, including science.) It’s one of my favorite ways to keep our homeschool fun and exciting for all of my kids. 

Homeschool Science

So whether you have a complete science curriculum or no science curriculum at all, you can use these hands-on homeschool science lessons. You can pair these microscopic homeschool science diagramming lessons with your science curriculum. Or use a resource that allows you to explore your particular interests and pair Nana’s homeschool science lessons with them! Either way, these are easy to do, and your kids will be so glad that you did. 

Nana loves maps, and diagramming is like maps for anatomy and cells. Combining art and science by diagramming is brilliant because you can also expand on vocabulary, handwriting, and spelling for elementary. 

Homeschool Science

Diagram of a Cell 

There are many creative ways to learn about cells for all ages, and this Diagram of a Cell art lesson is perfect as a stand-alone lesson or to accompany that cell cake or cells made of jello. It’s a wonderful way to learn more about cells, and if you don’t like all the messy aspects of cell cakes and the like, you can just stick with paper and chalk pastels.

Homeschool Science

Diagram of a Bacterium

Another easy way to learn more about homeschool science is to add a Diagram of a Bacterium art lesson. Learning about science through text or your curriculum is great but adding a hands-on element like art boosts your kids’ science knowledge. 

Diagram of the Eye & Eyeball 

My kids loved this one! Diagramming the eye is such an exciting way to bring your science lesson to life! We added the DK Smithsonian Human Body Book to our science studies; it has fantastic images to explore as you learn together. It is one of those resources that are great to use in place of an entire science curriculum if you haven’t chosen one yet or to allow the kids to find their own interests to pursue. 

Homeschool Science

Diagram of a Daffodil

The Diagram of a Daffodil was also a favorite in our homeschool this week! We love to explore nature, and combining art makes it even more delightful. It is always a treat to revisit the parts of a flower and we included Julia Rothman’s Nature Anatomy book for this one too!

Homeschool Science

More Online Homeschool Science Lessons

Here are even more homeschool art lessons you can add to your homeschool science studies. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to study anything. Keep it simple and have fun learning together!

  • Vitruvian Man – Leonardo da Vinci
  • Light Prism – Sir Isaac Newton
  • Lab-Coated Scientist
  • Total Solar Eclipse
  • Solar System 
  • Perseids
  • Through the Telescope
  • Moon Missions
  • Comet 
  • Spiral Galaxy
  • and many, many more!
Homeschool Science

Nature Science Art Lessons

  • Red-Eyed Tree Frog
  • Snail 
  • Deer in the Forest
  • Rat Snake
  • Eagle’s Nest
  • Dandelion
  • Ant
  • Cicada
  • Sharks

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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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.

Make Your Homeschool Art Museum Field Trip Extraordinary

A Homeschool Field Trip To The Art Museum

Prior to this school year, we had only made one visit to an art museum in our entire decade of homeschooling.  It was with our homeschool co-op and I did absolutely nothing to plan for it. We showed up and it was a fabulous experience for my son. He was in awe the entire day and declared it one of our best field trips ever.

I want to begin here because I think the most important part of any homeschool field trip, including one to the art museum, is simply committing to doing it. Whether or not you decide to include any of the extras I share in this post, just getting it on the calendar and going with your family to the museum is enough for a fabulous day.

Because my child enjoyed it so much the last time combined with his increasing interest and passion for art, I made a more comprehensive homeschool field trip to the art museum a must in our plans for this school year.

Make Your Homeschool Art Museum Field Trip Extraordinary

5 Ways To Make Your Homeschool Art Museum Field Trip Extraordinary

Here are five things that have worked well in making the most of our art museum field trips.

1. Art Study

The week prior to our planned trip to the museum, my son and I studied various works of art we knew we would see in person. We looked at books, replicas, and even studied some works on art online.

This made the learning that much more robust throughout the week, and when we finally saw the art person, my son already had some ideas about he wanted to investigate further.

The best part for me was hearing him exclaim, “Oh! I’ve been waiting to see this one. It’s my favorite!”

Giving him this foundation allowed him to explore the museum with so much more awareness and understanding.

art museum field trip

2. Videos

When we visited the Van Gogh Immersive Experience earlier this year, we watched a few videos ahead of time on YouTube about the life of Van Gogh.

Knowing more about the artist allowed for deeper conversations between my son and I about the mood and tone of his art. Plus, my son appreciated the fact that this creative genius also overcame some significant struggles in his lifetime.

This discussion made the art that much more real and accessible for both of us.

(Learn More About The Van Gogh Experience For Homeschoolers.)

3. Create Your Own Masterpiece

One of the easiest and most fun ways to extend learning beyond the day of the field trip is allow your child to create their own version of the art.

Learning about the artist and the art itself in You ARE An Artist lessons, combined with the process of creating our own masterpieces, made the art feel that much more personal and relevant. This immersive, multisensory approach to learning helped my son feel more connected to the information – and we had so much fun!

art and special needs homeschooling

While we created Van Gogh masterpieces earlier this year, there were so many options for this type of hands-on learning.

homeschool art

4. Take Your Time (don’t rush and don’t require)

This is a mom tip that makes our field trips everywhere, including art museums, more engaging and fun. I try not to rush or require. This means allowing my son to spend as much time as he likes with any one exhibit or work of art. It also means leaving early if he is just not enjoying it as much as we’d planned, or skipping certain sections to get to what he is most interested in.

This may seem simple, but in my early years as a homeschool mom, I frequently felt pressure to “maximize” the field trip. It never worked well and took all the pleasure out of what could’ve been a relaxed, enjoyable day of learning. Now, I know. My best field trip advice really is this – Don’t rush, don’t require. Just let the day unfold and appreciate the time together.

5. Consider Virtual Art Museum Options

If you are not easily able to take a field trip to an art museum, don’t let that stop you! Some of the best field trips we’ve taken have been virtual ones. There is a plethora of opportunities to visit art museum virtually.

In The Ultimate Guide To Virtual Art Museums, you will find an complete list of virtual art museum options for you and your family!

Make Your Homeschool Art Museum Field Trip Extraordinary

Additional Resources For Homeschool Art Lessons

In addition to the field trips themselves, I am passionate about art being an essential part of our children’s education. In my own home, art has helped my son learn across subjects. It has also deepened his connection to and love of beauty.

Make Your Homeschool Art Museum Field Trip Extraordinary

One of my favorite resources for incorporating art lessons into your homeschool is Exploring Famous Artists with chalk pastels. With the You ARE An Artist Clubhouse membership you have access to over 700+ chalk pastel lessons including Famous Artists video lessons with the following master artists:

  • Monet
  • Vermeer
  • Michelangelo
  • Norman Rockwell
  • Rembrandt
  • Audubon
  • Van Gogh
  • Degas
  • da Vinci
  • Lichtenstein
  • Warhol
  • O’Keefe
  • Picasso
  • Eric Carle and more…

Plus, a new artist is added most every month! You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse members also get an I Drew It Then I Knew It Companion Workbook with famous artists biographies and more!

Shawna Wingert

Shawna Wingert is a special education teacher turned writer, speaker and consultant. She is also a homeschooling mom of two brilliant boys with differences and special needs.  Shawna has written four books for parents – Everyday Autism, Special Education at Home, Parenting Chaos and her latest, Homeschooling Your Child With Special Needs. She helps parents of children with learning differences, behavioral challenges and special needs every day at DifferentByDesignLearning.com.

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The Story of I Drew It Then I Knew It Homeschool Lessons

Let me tell you a true story of the I Drew It Then I Knew It Homeschool Lessons. This is how art can be a way to engage and mesmerize your students. Get a couple of new packs of soft pastels for your students and watch them take off on a joyous carpet ride to education and fun!

Nana’s Story of I Drew It Then I Knew It Homeschool Lessons

Enjoy Nana’s podcast story of how her I Drew It Then I Knew It lessons came to be.

Read The I Drew It Then I Knew It Transcript HERE.

Additional Resources For Using I Drew It Then I Knew It Art Lessons In Your Homeschool

If you have longed to include the joy of art in your days, we make it easy for you! All it takes is a starter set of chalk pastels, construction paper and Nana’s video art lessons! No expensive, intimidating list of art supplies. As a Complete Clubhouse member you will have access to what you need and you don’t even have to be the art teacher! Clubhouse members get a bank of art lessons for all ages, a wonderful community, plus new art lessons from Nana and themed art events throughout the year!

I Drew It Then I Knew It Maps Art Lessons


If you can visualize a 4th-grade Nana from years ago, come sit next to her and see how much fun maps and geography are! I can show you how to outline the contours of continents and islands and you will say, “I Drew It, Then I Knew It!” It really is fun and you will be surprised at how much you learn! Make Geography Fun with Chalk Pastels!

Presidents Day Art Projects - The story of I Drew It Then I Knew It Homeschool Lessons. How art can be a way to engage and mesmerize your students on a journey of education and fun!

I Drew It Then I Knew It Presidents Art Lessons

There have been 45 men to hold the office of United States President. There are those that are not familiar to us at all. We will be detectives and find out interesting and maybe even surprising facts about these men! We are going to draw each President, chat about him and you will be able to sit down at dinner and tell you family presidential facts. Did you know that President James Madison was only 5’3” tall? Join Nana for the best presidents art lessons.

Mornings with Monet and Nana's Claude Monet art lessons. The story of I Drew It Then I Knew It Homeschool Lessons. How art can be a way to engage and mesmerize your students on a journey of education and fun!

Famous Artists Art Lessons for Art Appreciation

Vermeer, Warhol, Grandma Moses, Degas…Wow! These folks are artists that we might have heard of and they were REAL people. These artists became famous because of their skills as an artist! Come along through history and let’s use our pastels to see how they might have seen a girl with a pearl earring or even a famous tomato soup can! Join us for fabulous studies of famous artists with I Drew It Then I Knew It homeschool lessons!

Explore More I Drew It Then I Knew It Art Lessons

Find out more about the Best Homeschool Art Lessons for Your History Curriculum – ancient, middle ages, American and modern history cycles.

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 Hodgepodge and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of The Curriculum Choice.

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Homeschool Art Lessons Perfect For Grades 4-6

As our children get older, finding homeschool art lessons that are challenging and age appropriate can be difficult. Thankfully, we have found an assortment of unit studies and art lessons that are perfect for the late elementary grades 4-6.

As our children get older, finding homeschool art lessons that are challenging and age appropriate can be difficult. Thankfully, we have found an assortment of unit studies and art lessons that are perfect for the late elementary grades 4-6.

When my son first entered his late elementary years, there was a noticeable shift in our homeschool. Although he was interested in art and hands-on learning, we struggled to find art resources that were age appropriate and engaging. I think because it can be more difficult to find options for this age group, we often let art drift out of our homeschool plans as we focus more and more on academic subjects.

But the truth is, art can be an essential part of learning, no matter what the subject.

Studies have shown, time and time again, that adding art to learning adds value across academic subjects. This educational approach is appropriate and helpful across all grade levels, including the late elementary grades 4-6.

chalk pastel drawings of hobbit holes held by kids

STEAM Learning In Your Homeschool

STEAM is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics across disciplines to foster creativity, critical thinking, and visual thinking.

The goal of STEAM-based learning is to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in the future. Regardless of the specific role or industry, it is now critical that students go off to college and/or enter the workforce with a set of well-rounded skills that allow them to adapt to an evolving and fast-paced environment.

STEAM brings together five critical disciplines to create an inclusive learning environment that encourages all students to participate, collaborate and problem solve. This holistic approach encourages students to exercise both the left and right sides of their brains simultaneously, as they would need to do in a 21st century working environment.

The History and Importance Of STEAM

Finding ways to add art across disciplines is wonderful opportunity to boost your child’s creativity and critical thinking skills.

Finding good options for homeschool art for middle and high school can be challenging. The good news is, You ARE An Artist has you covered!

Homeschool Art Lessons Perfect For Grades 4-6

You ARE An Artist has art lessons that encourage a STEAM approach, using art to teach literature, science, history, and more. Take a look at some of the lessons available:

Science and Nature Lessons including:

Integrated Literature and Language Arts Lessons:

History and Geography For Homeschooling Grade 4-6:

The A Simple Start Collection includes:

These homeschool art lessons for grades 4-6 allow you to add STEAM learning to your curriculum easily and effectively.

The best way to access all of these lessons is with a You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse membership. Because Nana’s art lessons are for all ages and grade levels, including:

An Example Of Integrated Art For Your Homeschool

One of the easiest and most effective ways to add art to your learning is in the context of a unit study.

This beautiful unit study, all about a snails, is a wonderful example of how learning with art can really come together for this age group.

Created by Jamie Gault, from Treasuring The Tiny Moments, this study for 4-6 graders includes:

  • 38 pages of beautiful instructions
  • Nature Study
  • Paragraph Writing Practice
  • Poetry
  • Author Study
  • Book Recommendations
  • and lots of chalk pastel art throughout

You can find out more about this valuable resource and download the FREE unit study HERE.

Snail Unit Study by Jamie Gault is a perfect example of integrated art for your homeschool.


Homeschool Art Lessons For Grades 4-6 With You ARE An Artist

My son was able to move into his late elementary years with art still being an important part of his learning, because of You ARE An Artist.

I found that for these grades in particular, adding art to his academic learning helped instill a greater sense of confidence in himself as a learner. It also helped him not only comprehend the study, but also retain the learning over time.

Our experience has been that You ARE An Artist is an excellent way to create a STEAM learning environment in your homeschool.

Shawna Wingert

Shawna Wingert is a special education teacher turned writer, speaker and consultant. She is also a homeschooling mom of two brilliant boys with differences and special needs.  Shawna has written four books for parents – Everyday Autism, Special Education at Home, Parenting Chaos and her latest, Homeschooling Your Child With Special Needs. She helps parents of children with learning differences, behavioral challenges and special needs every day at DifferentByDesignLearning.com.

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Online Art Lessons Perfect For Grades K-3

Art is an essential part of our elementary learners’ development. Online art lessons are a great option for grades K-3 and are easily incorporated into any homeschool lesson plan.

Think back to your early elementary school years. What do you remember?

For me, what stands out are all the hands-on art projects we completed. The spring hat parade drawing I created in Kindergarten. The invention I thought up and drew a schematic of in third grade. My friend Adrian’s artwork depicting a cat with a large bow around it’s neck. (Incidentally, I vividly remember all of these, but don’t remember a single worksheet although we certainly completed them everyday.)

You probably have some memories of your own – particularly from the art assignments in your early education. But why? Why does art stand the test of time in learning?

online art lessons K-3
Photo by Jamie Gault

The Importance Of Art In Your Homeschool (especially in grades K-3)

There has been a ton of research in recent years surrounding STEM and STEAM in education. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.

While initial approaches to this type of education only included the STEM areas of learning, recent research has stressed the importance of adding art to the educational equation.

A creative mindset is critical for STEM subjects. That is why the arts was added to STEM to become STEAM. Scientists, technology developers, engineers, and mathematicians need to innovate and solve problems creatively. Active and self-guided discovery is core to the arts and to STEAM learning. Children engage in painting, pretend play, music, and drawing. Art is sensory exploration. Children can feel the paint on their fingers and see colors change the way the paper looks. As they grow, children include symbols in art their art that represent real objects, events, and feelings. Drawing and play acting allow them to express what they know and feel, before they can even read or write. Research shows that early experience with creative arts supports cognitive development and increases self esteem.

MSAfterschool.org

Children are doing so much more than simply having fun when they are engaged in artistic pursuits. Research has shown again and again that art develops a variety of skills, including:

  • Self-regulation
  • Sharing
  • Listening
  • Cooperation
  • Focus and attention
  • Following directions
  • Creativity
  • Cognitive skills such as counting, color/shape/pattern recognition, strategy, problem solving, etc.

In addition to all of these developmental benefits, adding art to learning makes it much more engaging and interactive for children. This increases overall learning outcomes, as our children are more likely to comprehend and retain what they learn when they are having fun with it!

online art lessons K-3
Photo by Jamie Gault

How To Add Art To Your Early Elementary Homeschool Years

While it is clear that there are significant benefits to adding art to our children’s learning, it is often difficult to know how to incorporate it into an average homeschool day. The demands of teaching a child to read, write, and perform essential math functions can feel overwhelming to a new homeschooling family, and it’s easy to view art as an “extra” instead of a critical part of learning and development.

I have found that the very best way to incorporate art in a more focused and intentional way in our homeschool is to find outside resources that take the guesswork and planning off my plate.

You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Membership does just that!

online art lessons K-3

Online Art Lessons Perfect For Grades K-3

Nana’s warm and encouraging lessons are a great way to easily add art to our learning.

The You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Membership has everything you need to get started and progress through your child’s early elementary years!

Take a look at this snapshot of courses offered for early elementary education.

The A Simple Start Collection includes:

Science and Nature Lessons including:

online art
Photo by Jamie Gault

Bible Study Lessons

Seasonal and Holiday Themed Lessons including:

And so many more! There are even Do It Together lessons for mom and me time to create art together.

This is a fabulous way to not only add more STEAM learning to your early education homeschool, it is also helps both child and teacher have fun as you learn!

online art lessons K-3

Art In Early Elementary Education Creates A Lifetime of Learning

The research and push towards STEAM learning is something we want to consider as we begin our homeschool journeys. The benefits are all in line with the outcomes we desire when we make the decision to homeschool our children.

Adding art to elementary education sets your child up for success in learning throughout their homeschool years. This solid foundation goes far beyond the early years, far beyond third grade. In fact, it pays off all the way through high school and beyond.

The good news is, You ARE An Artist is wonderful resource to help you all along the way.

Shawna Wingert

Shawna Wingert is a special education teacher turned writer, speaker and consultant. She is also a homeschooling mom of two brilliant boys with differences and special needs.  Shawna has written four books for parents – Everyday Autism, Special Education at Home, Parenting Chaos and her latest, Homeschooling Your Child With Special Needs. She helps parents of children with learning differences, behavioral challenges and special needs every day at DifferentByDesignLearning.com.