What a great first day! I'm looking forward to what we are going to learn this year as we go through the early modern period. I have a few new hands in the classroom this year, Gregg Ford aka my husband and Crystal Gonsalves, the amazing Faith photographer. The lesson incorporated Prince Henry's navigation tools: the circular astrolabe, which measured the angle of stars above the horizon; the triangular quadrant, measured the heights of the sun or stars above the horizon; and the compass, which was used to set a course in any direction - north, south, east, or west. This was also the most effective tool since in enabled mariners to navigate out of sight of land without the fear of becoming lost.
For a fun and messy start, we made our own painting tools from twigs and pine needles like the early explorers would have done. We used our brushes to design the cover of our own sketchbooks in which we'll be expressing a daily emotion. These books will go home in January before we start in on the 2nd half of the the year with electives. I've been working on some fun ideas for creative, practical art projects to coincide with what the children will be learning in their other classes to make this an enjoyable and educational year in art class!
In preparation for our next class, please have your student select and bring to class a picture of a Native American Indian. Try and locate head to toe shots if possible. I will have extras in class if you are having a difficult time finding the proper angle.
It's so great having new names to learn and old faces to see weekly. See you Tuesday :)
* A quick side note.....please save your children's art projects as we will display the favorite pieces at the end of the year presentation. I find that a large piece of posterboard, bent in half and stapled along the edges keeps our projects safe and secure. Thanks, Leah
Manchester, NH based fine arts program for homeschool students
