I will readily admit that I don’t always know the best way to incorporate art into our homeschool. We do a lot of crafty-type projects. But exposing my children to art and actually studying it?
Well, I’m mostly lost.
I’ve never had any formal art classes or training or exposed to art on any level. So it’s hard to figure out where to start. We {thankfully} found Harmony Fine Arts and are working away at First Grade. Now that my children’s interests have been piqued, I’m always on the search for even more ways to encourage art appreciation.
So when I had the opportunity to review a product from Birdcage Press, I jumped at the chance – and then jumped for joy!
Renaissance Art Game
My children and I were privileged to review the Renaissance Art Game.
From the moment I opened the package, I knew this “game” was going to be a carefully studied treasure in our homeschool.
Opening the box was truly like opening a present. In fact, my daughter said, “Mama, let me open this treat!”
The treat box contained a deck of Go Fish art cards and a beautiful, high-quality companion art book.
Now keep in mind that the study of art is very new to my children, and they are newly curious about all things art. Upon examining the book, they poured over each page, asking question after question. They are such observant little souls!
Using the Art Book and the Playing Cards
As it says on the webpage, this Renaissance Art Game is intended for children that are 7 years of age or older. My oldest two are almost 7 and almost 5. While I would agree that this set is more appropriate for the 7 and older crowd, it still had so much to offer to my little people.
My almost 7-year-old son is an excellent reader, so he read most of it to us aloud during different sittings. He could easily play Go Fish with the art cards and we had an excellent time researching the art in our hands (the playing cards) in the art book.
My almost 5-year-old daughter isn’t a reader at all, but I think she enjoyed the art book the most! She looked intently at each painting, asking me to read each caption to her. After looking through the book several times last week, she got out the playing cards and we went over each one together. Our “game” was to name the first thing we noticed about each painting as we studied it. Her answers were so interesting! She seemed to notice facial expressions the most. No surprise, as she is a very compassionate little girl.
So even though this set was a little “old” for my children, we had a wonderful time learning, reviewing and studying each card. I love being able to expose them to art in such a fun way.
Renaissance Art Game Giveaway!
Are your kiddos studying the Renaissance Period this year? Or are you (like me), looking for every opportunity to develop an appreciation of art? If so, this would be a perfect set to accompany your studies!
Birdcage Press has graciously agreed to giveaway a Renaissance Art Game to one of my readers! To enter, simply use the form below. The only mandatory entry is the first one. Enter the other categories as you wish, but of course more entries increases your chance of winning.
If you found other products you’re interested in ordering immediately, Birdcage Press is offering a discount code for Free Shipping! Simply enter the code IN12, which is effective through 3/31/2012.
This giveaway is open until Sunday, February 26, 2012.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Birdcage Press offers many quality products for your homeschool. So after you enter to win the Renaissance Art Game, head on over to these sites to win more Birdcage Press products.
Spell Outloud — Choice of Egyptian Art Cards or Battle Cards-Military Jets
Finding Joy — Choice of Wild Cards – North American Birds or Art Ditto Game.
Jimmie’s Collage –Choice of Impressionist or Renaissance Art Game
Handbook of Nature Study — Wild Cards-Backyard Birds
Harmony Art Mom — Choice of Go Fish for Art or Art Close-Up Cards
The Curriculum Choice — Art Ditto Memory Game
Hodgepodge — Go Fish for Wildlife – Sea Creatures
The Traveling Praters — Choice of Go Fish for Van Gogh and Friends or 52 Amazing Places-National Parks
Get Along Home — Choice of Wild Cards, Backyard Birds or Renaissance Art Game
Disclosure: I received the Renaissance Art Game for free to review prior to writing this post. Aside from the free product, I was not financially compensated in any other way. There are no affiliate links used in this post.
I do not have a set art time at all! They have done art projects but like you am trying to find something for all my children. This would be awesome!
Not a set time.We try to study Art as we are doing projects!
My son studies art on Mondays at his home school group. I then add some study during the week – very informal.
We study art at least once per week, sometimes twice, depending on the week. Thanks for the give-away chance!
We don’t currently have a set time for studying art, but we have in the past. My daughter does a lot of art study on her own and at co-op classes.
We set aside time each Wednesday for art study, plus my children get some more art time at their homeschool co-op.
I try to set a time once a week for Artist Study, but I often feel like it’s just too much effort to pull everything out, and by the end of the school day, I am just done. THese cards, though — wow!!
Art is definitely something we are lacking in our homeschool. I would love to win this game!
The past 2 years, we have done “Fine Arts” on Fridays, studying a different artist every month. We read books and info on the internet and usually did a project or 2. This year, we have been studying composers. We have some books and cds with the composers’ music.
Yes, we have a set time for studying art each week. It’s on of our favorite subjects.
No, but I wish we had a set art time. These cards are such a cool idea!
We don’t have a “set” time for art, but we review the Ambleside Online’s artists several times over a quarter and use Artistic Pursuits weekly (it’s a great motivator for finishing other work!) and do a nature journal several times a month.
we do not have a set time this year, but I am looking to incorporate it more next year as we work towards more of a CM approach. Thnx!
I don’t have a set time now, but I’m planning on it for the next school year. Thanks!
We actually are planning an intensive art study for the fall…we would love to add this game to our curriculum… Thanks!!
Art is one of those things that’s fallen by the wayside, unfortunately. I’d love a fun game like this to change that!
we love art, and yes, we study art once a week, sometimes more. we would love the Renaissance Art Game. thanks!
We do not have a set time each week. A set like this would definitely make it easier to sneak in! Thanks for a great giveaway!
We don’t actually study art. Like you we do lots of crafts so I’d like to start incorporating art into our studies and this would be a great way to start.
This looks like fun way to learn.
We do our art through K-12 at this point, but would love to enrich our studies with this game!
We don’t have a set time unfortunately.
We used to have time set aside each with for art study, but we have not done this in awhile…I need to fit it back into our schedule!
Would love to win this! Thanks!
Yes we do it Tuesday at Coop and then we try to do so on Friday…
Not yet. We just incorporate it into our unit studies. And sometimes artist daddy gives art lessons in the evenings.
No, we don’t have a set time, but would love to make one if we had a compelling reason, such as a brand spankin’ new awesome card game to play…
I’ve been trying to be more intentional in studying art this year. We don’t always get to it, but I try!
no I don’t, but, like you – I’ve been looking into fixing that! 😉 thanks for hosting!
I don’t have a set art time, but we probably should!
No we don’t have a set time.
Yes, on Monday’s is Arts & Crafts {more handy work} and Friday is Art Study. Not a set time but set days.
Yes, we do have scheduled times each week. Right now we use a “box curriculum” that has it scheduled once a week. But with three kids I end up doing art three times,lol, and so do the kids because they join in with their siblings.
We don’t have a set time. Hands on art happens often throughout the week. Art study only seems to happen as it ties in with some other part of our studies (science, history, etc.)