Outdoor Summer Concert

We do love to get out for an outdoor concert in the summer. We had just a short bit of time to enjoy the music and some of our homemade muffins, but it was lovely.

Wishing you homeschool blessings,

Free and Low Cost “Whole”istic Learning Opportunities: Arts

We believe in a “whole”istic approach to learning (which is generally free and low cost). So what does that mean to us for the arts? Well...it is like this...

~Volunteer for passion plays and at local theaters.
~Go to dress rehearsals.
~Do readings or shows for local preschools.
~Go to your local college for art displays, plays, puppet shows, and concerts-many are free.
~Thrift shops for used instruments.
~Make your own instruments including simple shakers with a plastic bottle and beans or complex carving of wooden instruments.
~Go for a walk and make land art.
~Take local quilting, woodworking, glass blowing, photography, or pottery classes.
~Find someone to teach you crochet, knitting, tating, sewing, embroidery, etc.
~Use garden flowers and/or wildflowers to practice flower arranging.
~Go to summer park dramas or concerts.
~Go on tours of studios of woodworkers, weavers, candle makers, potters, artists, glassblowers, photography, etc.
~Collect art postcards of local artists.
~Play I Spy in art museums.
~Borrow large books from the library of beautiful prints.
~Save glass jars, tin cans, food boxes, cardboard tubes, milk cartons, and other items for a new purpose: decorating, gifts, projects, etc.
~Old torn up books make excellent prints for a bedroom or bunting.
~Study composers and artist pieces online.
~Go to local arts festivals and watch demonstrations.
~Printmaking with materials found around the house (bubble wrap, outdoor nature, utensils, etc.)
~Hire local youth from schools, colleges, and churches for dance and music lessons.

What kind of "whole"istic learning have you enjoyed? Check out the rest of our Whole"-istic Learning Series!

Wishing you homeschool blessings,

Changes Everyday

Well, my little man certainly is growing. It is rather amazing to watch the things he does. And as a homeschooling Momma it is great to see how interested he is in school...

The magnifying glass is a favorite. He is constantly grabbing it from our nature table and investigating every thing he can get those chubby hands on. He definitely loves nature and to be outside. He got stung by a wasp yesterday and was not too happy about that. Today when he'd hear a buzzing, he'd say, "Bee bug, bee bug."

And then there's the "tar," aka guitar. Notice he's holding it as if he's left handed? He's not, but when I hand it to him the other way, he says, "No Momma, wrong way." 

He's such my best boy!

Wishing you homeschool blessings,

Bethany

New Harmonies Field Trip

In the midst of the library,

we were making a huge racket.

I was on edge!

Aren't libraries supposed to be quiet?

But I guess

it was expected.

A library in our area

hosted New Harmonies.

There were lots of instruments on display.

Some were even meant to be played.

(Don't miss the baby hand playing the banjo, which I did have to restring when he was done.)

My favorite spot was the place that had the samples of American music with headphones for listening.

Wishing you homeschool blessings,

Bethany