Why Do the Crafts? (Activities)

[Homeschooling6]

Hi, Ladies,

I had a light bulb moment last week about the crafts . They are great to use for narration or retelling what they have learned. The crafts can be looked at weeks later and remind the child what they learned or what does it mean. I have my boys show their dad the craft and talk about it.

I have noticed that the crafts have meaning behind it. They are not just added to keep the child busy or to fill that space in the guide with something more to do.

Eventually some do end up in the trash weeks later but I don't feel like it was wasted time, paper or energy. I do take pictures of the crafts (and blog about it) so that is one way I preserve some of them.

I wanted to share because I was one of those people who thought if I needed to cut a corner one week, it was usually the craft. Now that I use the completed craft as a tool to reinforce, narrate and talk to dad about their day I am not so quick to skip it anymore .

I thought I'd share my 'light bulb' moment. Maybe it will help others to see how useful they can be .

[lmercon]

I agree with you completely! I also think they are important because most children really do enjoy them. I don't think EVERYTHING we do has to have some lasting value. It's okay to just enjoy the moment. Additionally, I think they help cement the abstract ideas and facts about distant times and places as they work with their hands to create something. I love the crafts HOD includes because they are fun, fairly easy, and relate to the concepts we are learning.
Laura

[spidermansmum]

This year,after several years of HOD ,I started glueing all the craft projects into an artists sketchbook.

[creativemommy]

I agree with you, too! My kids remember what they've done/learned and they LOVE looking back through the crafts or the pictures. I blog, too, so we don't keep much past our annual portfolio evaluation unless it's something extra special (like their self-portrait in LHFHG).

[mom23]

Homeschooling6, thank you for sharing your insight! I'll have to admit to being one of those non-artsy types of moms who hates the mess and the extra time on something that seems like busy work to me . If there's something that needs to be cut from our day, that's often the first box I look to...You've inspired me to reconsider that, though. I've begun taking pictures of our projects this week so that I have a way to keep them on computer, even if I do have to get rid of some of the actual projects.

[moedertje]

I am so glad you brought this subject up! I love the crafts Carrie has in her guides and we keep most of them in a notebook in the younger years. We take picture of the edible ones and sometimes I help to make a quick 2 dimensional craft to put into the book. Than I write Carrie's key idea underneath the craft so we can enjoy the craft for years to come. It's a great witnessing tool to visitor who are not saved

Thank you for helping us see more of the beauty and usefulness of HOD! I thank the Lord that he lead me to HOD!

[KristinBeth]

Homeschooling6, I couldn't agree with you more about doing the crafts! I'm not crafty, but my kids love each and every one (and the dramatizations and thinking games).
Thanks for the idea to save projects in a notebook, Spidermansmum. And moedertje, I love that you add in the key idea! Duh, why didn't I think of that? I do take pictures of them but keeping some would be nice! I hope my girls don't notice that I haven't been doing that so far!

[Homeschooling6]

Homeschooling6, thank you for sharing your insight! I'll have to admit to being one of those non-artsy types of moms who hates the mess and the extra time on something that seems like busy work to me . If there's something that needs to be cut from our day, that's often the first box I look to...You've inspired me to reconsider that, though. I've begun taking pictures of our projects this week so that I have a way to keep them on computer, even if I do have to get rid of some of the actual projects.

You're welcome .

I have read (not here) how many people skip the crafts because it seemed like 'busywork' I thought I'd do the same when I started Beyond with my two youngest boys. I did skip some when I started but I felt that I should give the crafts a try. I thought it would be nice to spend this time with my two youngest and I'm glad I did.

I would show my hubby the craft and ask one of the boys to tell dad about it.

[FiveLittlePeaches]

A few years ago, I took my kids to private art lessons, at $10 per kid, plus $2 each for supplies. The lessons were taught by a retired public school teacher. Honestly, some of the lessons my kids did privately were identical to projects that were assigned in the pages of Beyond and Bigger.

I remember specifically one artistic expression lesson that was taught in Bigger on symmetry. It's been awhile, but if I remember correctly, the kids were supposed to make a navajo blanket. The instructions were to fold a piece of paper in half and draw identical designs on each side of the paper, working out from the center. Doesn't sound like much does it? The kids did the assignment and we put it in the notebook and that was that. When the kids were given a similar assignment and I paid $22 for it, I wanted to scream.

I don't know. Taking private lessons and paying all that money really gave me a different perspective on things. We finished the year out, but decided not to continue. Rather than spend the money on lessons, I decided to put that cash toward supplies. The art teacher liked the children to work with Sharpies. I happen to agree. The colors are so much more vibrant than regular markers and they're fun to work with. She also had a great pencil sharpener, and I noticed her color pencils were never dull. I bought a good pencil sharpener and wow, what a time saver.

Another great thing I learned from her was this -- always work on good quality paper, and draw a 1/2 inch border around the edges. Use the blue paint tape to secure the paper to an artist board. Hobby Lobby has foam board for $1.99 and it goes on sale for half price. All you need to do is cut it in half or further down to a more manageable size. It gives the kids a nice surface to work on. When they're done with their project, remove the tape, and the white contrasting border helps the finished art work to look more professional. This is especially beneficial when doing watercolor painting because it helps keep paper flat and it dries nicer.

I don't think of this as "craft time". The lessons in the Artistic Expression boxes are teaching the kids legitimate skills. I paid a high price to figure it out.

HOD truly offers a thoroughly well thought out lesson plan on all levels.

[raceNzanesmom]

I agree. I love seeing my youngest pull out his binder to share with anyone and everyone.

[scampbell2003]

FiveLittlePeaches

Thanks for posting about this. I am going to make sure we have those items on hand for our Art. I kinda had an idea of what I wanted but with the specifics you gave I can just make a list and go. THanks! I had never heard of using Sharpies but I bet the contrast is amazing.

[LynnH]

I totally agree that the crafts cement the learning. I take pictures of the crafts and I also keep some of them around for a while and then my ds has the choice of keeping them in his room or throwing them away. He often keeps them in his room for awhile. My ds has some memory issues especially with names. Honestly he can read an entire chapter about someone and say "that guy or that lady". One day when I asked him what he wanted to do with a craft he had made 2 months ago he said "Oh I will take Saladin upstairs to my room." I just stared at him not believing he remembered the name of the person. I asked him how he was able to remember that hard name and he said "because I made him." That convinced me the crafts make a difference in his learning. Really of all kids he has every reason to skip the crafts. With his Cerebral Palsy his hands shake so much that it is almost painful to watch him try and do them. He never asks not to do them though. He may ask for help with things like the Origami projects or if he has to pour just a small amount of something because he knows that it might not work out well, but he always looks forward to them. It makes it all come together for him, plus it gives a break in the day from the reading and writing.

The other thing I love about the crafts is that so many of them include cooking. He has learned to love cooking and has several times made dinner with just supervision from his Dad. He also has helped cook for Saturday men's bible study. The men are always amazed to see this 12 year old boy that they know has CP in the kitchen frying up batches of bacon. I would not have been brave enough to tackle teaching him to cook, but HOD pushed me to try it with him and be ok with him making a mess if it means he learns some skills and is excited about cooking.

[Heather4Him]

What an amazing testimony for your son, Lynn! I loved the Saladin, too--I kept it because it was so "cute", and I love the origami hat.

[my3sons]

I agree that HOD's artistic activities are both a successful teaching tool and a great way to keep the fun a part of school! Homeschooling6, we have found that our dc often break into spontaneous oral narration at the supper table while showing dad their artistic endeavors from the day with HOD. My husband is often amazed at how much they can remember, and how important their projects are to them. They have trouble discarding any of their projects, and we have a special memory box for each of them in which they keep their all-time favorite HOD projects.

We have found the history projects to be key teaching tools for both our non-artsy and artsy dc. They help our son who is not very artistic learn many important skills that would not have come naturally to him. They help our son who is quite artistic respond to his learning in a way that he excels. I think of my dh as a very intelligent man. If he had been able to have even just a portion of his education be hands-on, he would have had straight A's in school. The few classes he had that allowed him to use his hands to show what he'd learned are the only classes there is something left to show for his work - and they still decorate our home. A cedar chest he made by hand, a lamp base he made, a workbench, and many other things are still special to him today.

I feel so sad for dc missing out on this part of learning. For some dc, it is the way they would shine, for others, it is the way they can learn some skills they don't possess. I'm so glad to hear that you are wise enough not to be swayed by the idea that projects are "busywork". They are important work! In more ways than one. I'm glad you are doing them with your dc - they will look back on school fondly because of it, and also be equipped with some important skills along the way!

In Christ,
Julie

[gotpeace91]

My daughter tends to work on her projects first most days. She loves them! She is a very creative young lady. My son needs more prompting and occasionally tries to get out of doing the projects. I am making a mental note to try and praise his efforts more and take more notice of his projects. Julie, as I was reading your thoughts about your husband I was agreeing and feeling that you were articulating my feelings about my husband exactly. And then my heart jumped a little when I read that last sentence about the cedar chest because we also have a beautiful cedar chest that my husband made when he was in school!