Martin Luther King Poster Projects

January 17, 2015 Leave a Comment

Our church is hosting a special Martin Luther King, Jr. program this weekend. The church’s youth were invited to participate by completing an essay or designing a poster about one of Dr. King’s traits. My girls chose the words visionary and leader and decided they wanted to create posters to share what they knew and learned about Martin Luther King, Jr.

The girls wanted their posters to be colorful, artistic, and non-traditional as well as informative. I encouraged them to include the dove of peace on their posters and the girls decided to decorate them using a couple of art mediums they had recently learned about.

Sweet Pea’s poster showcases Martin Luther King Jr. as a visionary and includes a colorful dove of peace painted using an artistic technique called pointillism. (For a lesson on pointillism, check out the Youtube video here.) Sweet Pea’s dove is holding a branch and each leaf includes a sentence describing Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision. Her poster also includes her definition of the word visionary, two Bible verses about vision and peace, and a couple of Martin Luther King, Jr. photos she liked.

Sugar Plum’s poster also includes the dove of peace, but her colorful bird was created using oil pastels. (For a lesson on the use of oil pastels, check out this video on Youtube.) Her poster has the definition of leader as defined in her own words and includes puzzle pieces that name traits of a good leader. Each puzzle piece also includes a sentence describing how Martin Luther King, Jr. displayed that particular trait. Sugar Plum also selected a few pictures of Martin Luther King, Jr to add to the poster.

If you’d like to make these pretty posters, you’ll need poster paper, construction paper, glue, scissors, and the usual variety of art supplies. We used a dove template I already had in my files, but if you don’t have one, you can download the dove template found in the center of this page. I enlarged our dove so it would be big enough to fit on the posters. We sketched the leaves and branches ourselves.

Sugar Plum’s puzzles pieces were created using this template. Because the puzzle piece was so large, no resizing was necessary. However, if you want to include more puzzle pieces on your poster, you may wish to reduce the size of the template.

These Martin Luther King poster projects are a great way for your child show what she knows about Martin Luther King, Jr. Though you may wish use the format modeled here, your child can still put her own spin on this project by adding personally selected photos of Dr. King, writing statements about his life and vision, and choosing to use artistic techniques to express her feelings about Dr. King and his legacy.

African-American Artist Study: Horace Pippin

November 25, 2014 3 Comments

In my post, Discovering African-American Artists, I explained how I was planning to incorporate more art activities into our homeschool. One of my specific goals was to introduce the girlies to several African-American artists and have them replicate the artists’ styles throughout the year.

We recently began our study by learning about the life and art of Horace Pippin, a man who found artistic subject matter in daily life, family, familiar objects, memories, and personal hardship. Pippin painted in natural colors and then added his signature splash of red to most of his works. You can introduce your children to this amazing artist using the following lesson plan.

Part 1: Read about Horace Pippin.

Begin your study by reading this short online biography of Horace Pippin and then reading Starting Home: The Story of Horace Pippin, Painter by Mary E. Lyons. The book is a wonderfully descriptive work that introduces readers to Horace Pippin and vividly describes the hardships he faced. Though the book is a great resource for the homeschool mom, older students will benefit from reading it as well.

The younger crowd can also learn about Horace Pippin by reading A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin a Caldecott Award winning book by Jen Bryant. This is a marvelous book for elementary school students that describes Pippin’s life and highlights his most famous works in an engaging and easy to read format.

Be sure to ask questions about how Horace Pippin’s circumstances (winning the art contest, going off to war, losing the function of his arm, keeping a detailed journal, etc.) shaped his career.

Part 2: Watch a video that showcases Horace Pippin’s work.

Watch this YouTube video which includes a great slideshow featuring Pippin’s works. Have your children talk about each work and see if they can find Pippin’s signature splash of red within each work. (If the video is not visible, try refreshing the page.)

Part 3: Learn about still life painting.

Horace Pippin created still-life paintings. Such paintings feature an arrangement of inanimate everyday objects or natural objects such as food or flowers. Teach children more about this technique by visiting this page, Still Life Paintings and Drawings over at Art Is Fun.

After your child has a firm understanding of the still life technique, visit this WikiArt page to view Pippin’s gorgeous painting, The Warped Table. Have your child study it for a bit and then talk about the characteristics of still life paintings.

Part 4: Paint like Horace Pippin.

Set up a still life subject for your child to paint. Remember, still life paintings often use everyday objects, so look around the house for suitable and interesting subjects. I used a simple planter (ours incorporates a great big splash red!), a couple of bright pumpkins, a golden colored plate, and an old rolling pin.

Next, set up the paper on an easel or attach the paper to a wall. Instruct children to lightly sketch the scene on a large sheet of paper. Then have them go back and use water colors to bring the picture to life. Horace Pippin lost the use of his right arm due to a war injury, but still managed to paint by using his left hand to hold up right wrist. To help the girls understand how hard it was to do this, I required them to paint a portion of their painting using this technique.

Children can paint using any water color set, but I prefer to use these dry and chalk-like water color disks. They last a very long time and I find that a little bit of color goes a very long way. (I purchased this palette at Walmart for about $12, but unfortunately I cannot find the brand name anywhere on the palette.)

Part 5: Display that gorgeous work of art!

Once finished, allow your artist to display her fine masterpiece in a prominent place!

Considering Homeschooling?

November 3, 2014 Leave a Comment

So you want to be a homeschooler, but you have no idea where to start! More than likely, you’ll do what most people do when they want to learn about something. You hop on the internet to find information, but then you’re instantly overwhelmed by all of the information out there.

Don’t be discouraged! I know you are thinking if researching homeschooling is this hard, then actually doing it must be even harder! I won’t lie to you, homeschooling is a lot of work BUT it is the most rewarding job you will ever have. Honestly, the time that is put into homeschooling your children will be more than worth it. Don’t fret…I want to help you.

I am a newbie homeschooler. You’re probably wondering how a newbie will be able to help YOU….a fellow newbie. Hang tight, I think I can do just that. Although I am only in my second year of homeschooling, I have learned some things along the way. I’d like to share what I’ve learned and hope it is a blessing to you.

Are you ready? Here goes…

First, check your state’s homeschool laws. Some states have many requirements, while some states have fewer requirements than others. You are required to know your state’s requirements so that you’ll be able to stay within the law.

Second, read books on homeschooling. You may find books in your local library, but if not, you can buy them. I prefer to buy mine so that I can write and highlight in them. The following gives some of my favorite titles. Each of the books is a good starter book with information on homeschooling journey. They are packed with tons of information on learning styles, curriculum, what to teach at each grade level, and even how to create a peaceful learning environment. I own each one of them and love them all.

Third, join homeschool groups. This is one of those times where social media is an awesome tool. Facebook is full of helpful homeschool groups. You can even find groups in your area so you can meet other local homeschoolers. Support is a big aspect in the homeschool community. This journey would not be as awesome without the amazing support from other homeschoolers.

Finally, breathe! Understand that this journey is a special one, one that will open doors your children would have never imagined. This applies to moms as well. Homeschooling allows moms to learn how our children learn, discover what they like and don’t like about learning, and tweak teaching and learning so they are enjoyable and not daunting tasks. Homeschooling also allows for more family time. Our children won’t be little for long and homeschooling affords us the opportunity to bask in their youth with them while watching them flourish. Don’t let those moments pass you by. Breathe and get ready for an amazing ride!

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Today’s post was written by Cleveland, Ohio resident Jersey Woods. There she married the man she calls her Angel on Earth and now homeschools their three children who set out daily to give her a run for her money! While they do so, Jersey is working to get the parenting thing down one “oops!” at a time!

She is a Jesus loving, Jersey of All Trades! She writes, she blogs, she cooks, she creates! She is a visionary, a foodie, a fashionista, and a rose that grew from concrete. Jersey is on a constant journey to learn and grow while planting what she calls a vineyard of spiritual fruit full of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith.

Connect with Jersey at her blog, She’s Far Above Rubies.

Read Alouds for African-American Girls

October 29, 2014 Leave a Comment

Books are an integral part of any homeschool. Whether your daughter finds literary selections during a weekly trip to the library or whether she grabs a book from your family’s personal selection, you’ll want your daughter to stimulate her mind with great reading selections.

I enjoy doing read alouds with my girls because they help to promote a life long love of reading, provide us with opportunities to bond, enhance the girls’ listening skills, and spark a wide range of mother/daughter discussions.

If you’re looking for great books to share with your daughter, consider the list below. It showcases thirteen great read alouds my three daughters love!

13 Great Reads For Young African-American Girls

Sleeping Cutie by Andrea Davis Pinckney: Cutie LaRue is a wonderfully well behaved little girl until it’s time for her to go to bed. Tired by their daughter’s tantrums, Cutie’s mother and father buy her a toy named Night Owl who introduces Cutie to the Dreamland Nightclub.

Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie: A Story About Edna Lewis by Robbin Gourley: Edna Young is a renowned chef and this delightful book describes a bit of her youth. Readers experience the joy her family shares as they plant, nurture, and harvest their fresh fruits and vegetables. The book highlights the loving relationships among the Lewis family members and features a few of Edna’s delicious recipes.

Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia C. McKissack: Tricia Ann is a young girl living in the Jim Crow era. Anxious to go to Someplace Special, she asks her grandmother Mama Frances for permission to go there by herself. As she makes her way there, Tricia Ann encounters many obstacles, but she presses on and finally makes it to Someplace Special.

No Mirrors in My Nana’s House by Ysaye M. Barnwell: A little girl enjoys life in her Nana’s mirrorless house. There the young sees her true beauty, not by looking in a mirror, but by looking in her Nana’s eyes.

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson: Two young girls sneak out of their house and head off to a civil rights march. The book details the poignant sights, sounds, and sweet scent of roses around them as they march and listen to a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Scaredy Kate by Jacob Grant:: Little Kate is afraid of dogs and monsters. When she takes a ride on an elevator, she goes on a counting adventure and discovers that monsters aren’t so bad after all.

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson: Clara is a seamstress in the Big House and she constantly dreams of reuniting with her mother who lives on another plantation. One day Clara overhears two slaves talking about escaping via the Underground Railroad and she realizes she can her scraps of cloth to create a map of the land to aid railroad travelers.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe: Mufaro lives in an African village with his two beautiful daughters. One daughter is bad-tempered, while the other daughter is sweet and kind. When the daughters go before the king, who is choosing a wife, an interesting series of events unfold.

The Hula Hoopin’ Queen by Thelma Lynne Godin: Kameeka loves hula hooping and she’s striving to beat Jamara so she can be the Hula Hoopin’ Queen on her street. But when Kameeka’s hula hooping obsession gets her into trouble with her mom, she learns something surprising about her neighbor Miz Adeline.

Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen: Sassy is a tall no nonsense girl. Her greatest desire is to become a ballerina. When Sassy gets a chance to audition for a summer dance festival in Washington DC, she must learn to rise above the taunts of others in order to have a chance to fulfill her dream.

Uncle Jed’s Barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell: The story is set in the 1920s in the segregated South. Sarah Jean’s Uncle Jed works as traveling barber and his dream is to one day open his own barber shop. After a family crisis and great financial difficulty, Uncle Jed finally opens his shop and Sarah Jean is there to witness the event.

Graceful Gabby Finds Love in Blue by Crystal Marable: Gabby has a new room and she’s very excited about it, until she discovers that it isn’t pink. It takes a loving intervention from Gabby’s Grand Ma-Ma to help her appreciate her room and the importance of finding the joy in the things around her.

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path To Peace by Jen Cullerton:: This book tells the story of Wangari Maathai the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She grows up in Kenya and falls in love with the land, plants, and animals all around her. When given an opportunity to go to school, works hard and is able to study in the United States. When she returns to Kenya, Wangari uses her knowledge to save the land and its people.

Discovering African-American Artists

September 18, 2014 Leave a Comment

In years past, art has been a subject that hasn’t gotten much attention in our homeschool. We’d do an occasional project here or there, but that was the extent of our artistic endeavors. Our lack of artistic interaction is not because I do not value art. It’s just a subject we hit after we finish up the major subjects and if we have time.

This school year I have turned over a new leaf. I’m making time for art by using a great DVD based art curriculum (Home Art Studio) and doing more detailed art studies. However, one of my more specific goals is to introduce my girls to several African-American artists, so I’ve decided to incorporate an African-American artist’s study several times throughout our school year.

If you’d like to do such a study, but are not sure where to start, I’ve got a fantastic recommendation for you! Come Look With Me: Discovering African American Art for Children by James Haywood Rolling Jr. is a fabulous resource featuring twelve different African-American artists (Palmer Hayden, Clementine Hunter, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Charles Alston, Aaron Douglas, Sarah Albritton, William H. Johnson, Hughie Lee-Smith, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, Ellis Wilson, and Romare Bearden).

Each chapter discusses a different artist and includes a print of one of the artist’s most famous works, three to six questions to get children to talk and think about the artwork, and a short artist’s biography. Though the book can be used alone, it can also be used as a springboard to help children create great works of art and serve as a source of field trips find the artists’ works in museums.

Now that I’m inspired, I’m ready to begin our art excursion and I hope you’ll join me. Throughout the year, I’ll be back to introduce the artist were learning more about in our study. I know my girls are going to love what I have planned and I think your children will too. Gather your art supplies and check back regularly!