Child-Size Masterpieces review?

Early Learning Early Learning General Discussions
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Just wondering if anybody here has used Child-Size Masterpieces with their kids and what your experience has been? It’s an art appreciation / art history program based on the Montessori method. http://www.grovepublishing.com/art-music-drama/child-size-masterpieces.htm

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Hi Aangeles, I have not used the program or heard much about it. I did access the link you posted and find that it is something I would not buy. Let me know if u decide to try it out and how it works for Ella.

Here are some of the Art programs that have impressed me which I use or will use in the future are; “Drawing with Children” by M. Brookes, “Discovering Great Artists” by M. Kohl, ”ARTistic Pursuits”, “The Usborne Art Treasury”, “Draw Write through History” series http://www.amazon.com/Draw-Write-Through-History, “Draw Write Now”, Book 5 & 6, and there is one other that is inspired by Charlotte Mason , pockets of cards for art study but I forgot what it’s called. I also get ideas from different books. :blink:

I know it’s a lot but you should see my collection of Science books! I really went over the top with our love for Science :biggrin:

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Thanks for your reply! :smiley:

We actually have quite a number of art books and art-related storybooks in our collection too. :slight_smile: We are currently following the Pre-K curriculum for ARTistic Pursuits, and also do activities from Usborne’s Complete Book of Art Ideas, Usborne Art Treasury, or Discovering Great Artists once a week.

I introduce her to one artist every week using LR presentations, EK cards, and the Art Authority app on iPad. We read storybooks about that artist from Anholt’s Artists books http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_35?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=anholt’s+artists+books+for+children&sprefix=anholt’s+artists+books+for+children,

the Katie art books http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_24?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=james+mayhew+katie+books&sprefix=james+mayhew+katie+books,

and The Life and Works of… books from the Heinemann collection. But I noticed that she seems to be most interested and retains the most information about the artists we read about when she can do some tactile activity with them. I printed out Montessori 3-part cards on the great artists and their works and she just loves doing them! I was looking for more material to extend this activity which was how I came across Child-Sized Masterpieces. We also have the Impressionist and Renaissance Art Games which she is just starting to get into.

If you have time, maybe you could also write down your collection of Science books. I love reading about what materials other parents are using with their kids and have gotten a lot of great ideas just from reading the posts on this forum and your blogs.

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Aangeles & Raising Ethan, You guys never cease to impress me! And inspire me to get on the ball with art. :biggrin:

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http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54873

http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/05/child-size-masterpieces-art-review/

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i looked at child masterpieces myself read lots of reviews and was really about to buy them till i asked my question on montessori forum and got different review . specially for art you need to see details to enjoy it , those postcard size are really small and many recommended doing same sort of program yourself but by using bigger size photos like the ones found in calendars .
love
viv

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for art a friend highly recommended art studio which working well with her kids . i had a look at it and it looks really good . any experience with this program ??
viv

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http://www.homeschoolart.com/
woops sorry here’s the link . it is art atelier not art studio . and this is from a mum who got already child size masterpieces but is using this now .
love
viv

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wonderful Erica at http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com created this art unit study to use with her kids for next school year and is sharing it for free on her blog . you can also find lots of stuff to use with your kiddos . i purchased her geography curriculum she created and i am planning to use with my kids . and her letter of the week curriculum is really fun if you like to do worksheets with your tiny tots .
love
viv

10

Aangeles, you always have a great list of resources to use with Ella. The other art book is Dover Art Cards http://thecurriculumchoice.com/2009/07/dover-art-cards/
She is very blessed to have you as her mom! As for Science, there are simply too many books to list but here are some:

Science: “Developing Critical Thinking through Science”, ”A Reason For Science”WkBks only, and too many books to list because we LOVE SCIENCE. In the future we will primarily use “Noeo Homeschool Science” curriculum.

TeachingMyToddlers: Thank you for the kind words and links you posted :happy:

Bella/Viv: I’ve looked into your link to art atelier and it does look like a nice system. It is a little bit pricey and not sure if it’s different enough from the materials I already own to be worth the amount to spend on it? I suppose if someone didn’t have any art materials/books/etc. already then the price would be able to justify itself. Perhaps, I’ll revisit this program in a couple years to see if it’s something better suited for us then. THANK YOU for sending the wonderful link to Erica’s blog, I did purchase her geography unit where I am very pleased with it and LOVE that she is offering her Art unit for free. YAY for freebies :laugh: