Carry over of learning with art appreciation

[LynnH]

I sometimes see people saying that they skip certain boxes because they don't seem like they are meaty enough or how the dc could really get much out of something that only takes 15 minutes. This week I saw a perfect example of how more learning is taking place than we as adults may realize. My ds did RTR this past year. The art study box was only 1x a week and only took us about 15 minutes to do. On the surface it seems simple. I read out loud 2 pages from the book and then we both studied a painting and then turned it over and took turns relating what we remembered about it. We then talked about the use of light, shadows, color, perspective etc.

We have a nice art museum here in town that we have never been to so our entire family went for a family outing. We went into the Renaissance art room first. My ds looked at every single painting. He looked specifically for artist he had studied and found a few of them and got excited when he did. He then pointed out to me the use of the lighting and different colors. We talked about perspective on a certain painting and he was able to discuss it very intelligently. At one point he was standing back about 3 feet from a painting and he pointed in the air to show me a certain lighting technique and he triggered a censor. This dinging alarm went off and the lady came rushing over. I assured her that he hadn't gotten near the painting that he was just air pointing to show me something to do with the lighting. i am not sure she believed me, she said something about how he needed to not get too close to the paintings. She followed us around some after that and she did finally lighten up and relax when she saw him talking about the paintings and taking a genuine interest in them. To her defense I am sure she doesn't see many 13 year old boys who truly are interested in what they are seeing in the art museum.
The highlight for him was when he saw a painting by Benjamin West. He read about him in DITHOR this year. He had to make sure his Dad saw this painting also.

I just love that a box that seemed so simple really did have a lasting impact on him and it is obvious he learned so much from it this year. I loved he was able to apply his knowledge in a real life setting. That to me is the goal of learning.

[netpea]

Awesome!

[Candice]

LynnH,

I always find your posts so encouraging!
Thank you for taking the time to share about your son and true learning!

[abrightmom]

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[Molly]

LynnH,

I always find your posts so encouraging!
Thank you for taking the time to share about your son and true learning!

I couldn't have said this better myself. I will add though, Lynn, it was through your posts and your blog that I could see the big picture of HOD. I love that God has put together a wonderful bunch of ladies that share their experiences as well as encouraging others in their journey.

[Heather4Him]

That's awesome!!

[LynnH]

Thanks for the kind words. I am glad that my blog and posts can be of some help to someone as others blogs and posts have been helpful to me. This is a wonderful board full of such caring ladies.

[mskogen]

Now I really can't wait to start RTR, only 11 more days!

[raceNzanesmom]

That is so wonderful! I've found so many things in HOD that may seem unnecessary on the surface, but serve a huge reward. Art appreciation is one of them. Thanks for sharing!

[Carrie]

Lynn,

This is so exciting! I knew nothing about art and had no art appreciation in my education, and I have loved this aspect of learning with my boys through RTR and HOD.

Thanks so much for sharing the carryover to real life. It is a joy to read!

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

That is so neat, LynnH! I am proud of your ds. He is an incredible person! I remember Carrie and I talking about this very thing - how we longed for our dc to be able to go to an art museum and actually have something to say about what they were seeing. Simply finding enjoyment and appreciation in art was another thing we wanted our dc to be able to do. These thoughts helped fuel Carrie's research for including art appreciation in HOD's plans. Your ds shows the "proof is in the pudding"! Thanks for your inspiring posts, LynnH - you have a gift for sharing how HOD truly makes a difference in "real life". I'm quite certain we need to visit an art museum now!

In Christ,
Julie