Free Art Masterpiece Curriculum for Homeschooling Families

When you don't know much about a particular subject it can be difficult to know where to start. When that subject is art, your lack of skill and knowledge can make this subject one that you would rather avoid altogether. This article is here for homeschooling parents that don't know where to start and only have limited funds to devote to this part of your child's art education.

Why art education is worth the effort:
Children are introduced to great artists
Children are encouraged to think creatively, which helps them to develop problem-solving skills
Education in the visual arts can improve student scores in core subjects up to 20%

Creating Lesson Plans
When you plan art lessons for your children, remember that hearing about art it is good, looking at art is better, and creating art of your very own is the best. Get your children involved in hands-on creative activities that develop and express their creative side as much as they help to develop their understanding of the masters.

Read About the Artist
Begin by reading about the artist. You can follow with a study guide, or just simply ask them questions about what they just read. You can also create a time line for every person and event that they study about (whether it's about art or not). Each time you learn about a new artist, cut out a picture of them and paste it on the timeline.

Many artist biographies are available online. Simply type the name of the artist, "biography" and "kids". There are also links at the end of this article that will guide you Web sites with artist biographies for children.

Complete a Worksheet
Ask your children to complete a word search, crossword or word scramble after reading about the artist. PuzzleMaker.com provides you with a free tool to create your own puzzles. MakingArtFun.com offers wordsearch worksheets on many of the most popular artists. You will find the links to these Web sites at the end of this article.

Complete a Coloring Page
Younger students may enjoy completing a coloring page of an art masterpiece. Simply type the name of the artist and "free coloring page". If you know the name of a painting, add that too.

Create an Art Masterpiece
This is where art will come alive for average grade school student. Take the time to browse the Web sites included below, and choose a project for your children. Help them to understand why they are doing the project that you have chosen (the artist's technique or style in general), and encourage their success.

Suggested Art Resource Web Sites
MakingArtFun.com - Printable artist biographies and worksheets, art masterpiece lesson plans and art masterpiece coloring pages
ArtProjectsforKids.org - Art projects for kids including simple projects for art masterpiece lessons
ArtSmarts4Kids.com - Artist biographies and lesson plans
PuzzleMaker.com - Puzzle making tools