We had the opportunity to review the digital Entire Level III from ArtAchieve.
Yeah for art! We have been able to include it in our school this year. When my children were younger, we did a lot of art activities and projects. My children loved it and for some reason, I just do not know why, we stopped doing art all together. They never stopped asking to do art and I missed a lot of fun years creating together with them. This school year, I was determined to not let us finish another school year without art being a part of our school; and I kept that promise.
When ArtAchieve was offered as a review product, I jumped at the opportunity. We have previously used the program and all three of my children loved it. I did and do too!
John Hofland, creator of ArtAchieve, is a homeschool father and former middle school art and language arts teacher. He adapted the lessons he offers on ArtAchieve from a one-semester university drawing course he created for beginning theatrical stage design students. Hofland brings to the program years of experience in scenery and lighting design for puppet theaters in Ukraine. Many of the art lessons in all levels of ArtAchieve classes include images from the more than 30 different countries he visited while living abroad with his family.
ArtAchieve has five levels of art instruction, which are geared towards people, first grade to adult. We reviewed Entire Level III, which includes 13 art lessons. The art pieces are beautiful, colorful and inspiring to artists as to what they can accomplish after completing the lesson. ArtAchieve has lessons that will appeal to your children and you, if you are feeling creative.
If you have never used ArtAchieve, I would suggest you start with the free art lessons for kids. There are five lessons, which cover may of the basic techniques that will be used in all level of lessons. Students will also be able to draw The Czech Cat, which is a fun picture to draw.
The lessons are easy to work through. Each one includes a warm-up, providing practice for the selected piece the student will draw. Hofland suggests playing some quiet music while your children are drawing, which sets a nice mood. Also, use a permanent marker (we used Sharpies) for drawing bold lines. It also helps the artist commit to their work. You can erase pencil, but not Sharpie, so the artist has to put some thought into what they are going to draw before putting it on paper, because it cannot be erased.
After looking through the lessons, I decided it would be better for us to start with the first lesson. The lessons become more challenging and more supplies are needed as the lessons progress.
One of the features I love about ArtAchieve is that Hofland includes background about the key piece in the lesson or history as well as the country it was found. Although your student is doing art, Hofland wants them to see the connection between that and other subjects like literature, science, social studies and others.
The lessons are available in two formats, video or Power Point. We chose the video. Hofland really loves art and he loves to teach it. That enthusiasm comes through in his videos and it is great for your child, especially if art is not your thing. Hofland makes drawing look easy and provides all the necessary instructions and tips for your student to complete the work. He even provides a list of the required art supplies for each lesson. You may plan ahead for future lessons. As the parent, you may step back from the lesson and allow your child to work independently.
Hofland also offers students some helpful tips like using planning dots to help you draw the lines of your image. Think dot-to-dot. He also offers some helpful tips for teachers that include “Dos” and “Don’t’s”. Holland suggests you not ask your child what they have drawn or criticize their choices (ex: color, design, etc.). He also suggests there be no talking while drawing. Hmm. Children should be focused on their work and not on conversation with each other.
We really love ArtAchieve. The lessons are creative and the instructions are thorough. You do not have to know how to teach art to your child. Hofland can bring out the artist in anyone; your child or you. We are going to continue through the ArtAchieve Entire Level III lessons.
ArtAchieve Entire Level II bundled lessons may be purchased for $78. You may also purchase the individual lessons for $6. You may read more reviews of this item by fellow crew members.
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