Grammar Stage - Grades 1-4

All plans in the grammar stage will outline exactly what to do each week with a variety of options. The grammar stage is a basic introduction to the great artists and composers. Students will view artwork, talk about art, and have a chance to explore various art supplies. Grade 4 now comes with a blank notebooking page to complete for each artist. The music plan offers a wide variety of composers to listen to and learn about each month.

Option 1: Picture study:

This could be the foundation for your art appreciation. This is an inexpensive, simple way to study great art. We have chosen pieces appropriate for children to introduce them to many of history's major artists. We provide the links to view the paintings online. If you use this option your child will be introduced to 32 artists in the grammar stage. (Grades 1-4)

Option 2: Art appreciation with great books:

We have chosen the best of the best from the vast world of children's art appreciation books. The plan schedules the pages to be viewed with questions to prompt discussion with your child. There are also short follow-up activities for your student to complete. If you use this option only, your student can view great art and have a hands-on activity to connect new ideas to his imagination.

Option 2: Art skills:

In the second grade the plan includes the option to use Artistic Pursuits by Brenda Ellis as an art appreciation and art skills instruction manual. And in the fourth grade, Mona Brooke’s book Drawing with Children is planned out for you.

Please note: Grades 2, 5, 6, 7, & 8 of HFA use Artistic Pursuits as one of the options for art appreciation. At this time, all plans use the original version of Artistic Pursuits and not the newly revised edition [2008]. I am in the process of adding a supplemental page to each year plan that will assign the new pages for the 2008 revisions of Artistic Pursuits. Please email me if you need to have the new page numbers.

Option 3: Art appreciation with art cards and coloring books:

This option is for families that are looking for a simple introduction to art appreciation but still want some variety with excellent, educational coloring books. We have found that Dover Publications has an abundance of great, inexpensive books for the grammar stage and we choose those that compliment your history cycle.

Music appreciation:

The plan acquaints you with major composers by offering book suggestions to go along with a listening schedule. You may choose to only follow the plan to listen to the suggested composers. If you use this option, your child will be introduced to 24 composers in the grammar stage. (Grades 1-4)

Grammar Stage Recap:

1 hour per week doing picture study, art appreciation and/or an art activity.

1 period per week (approx. 45 minutes) listening to a composer and/or reading about the composer.