(originally written in 2003)

Music

We enjoy all styles of music from Colin Buchanan to Tchaikovsky, from Charlotte Church (Voice of an Angel) to the Military Bagpipes. We have studied Beethoven, Handel, and Mozart; Hymns, Choruses, Folk Songs, and all other forms of music. We have used book by Ann Rachlin, “The Famous Children” series and the “World Greatest Composer’s” by Mike Venezia. I use “Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers” by Patrick Kavanaugh.

Music links to help with your music appreciation lessons:

• “Alice in Orchestralia” is but another “Alice in Wonderland,” for the author takes us in delightful fashion into the heart of that most wondrous land of all – the land of music.
• Opal wheeler unit study and The Great Musicians Biography Series Unit studies
• Classics for Kids is a great site for parents and children! Do check it out.
• A fun site where children can learn about musicians, music terms, compose music, and all sorts of great musical activities.
• Compose music, play music-related games, and solve puzzles.
• A fun story detailing the life of Mozart.
• Wolfgang Amade Mozart ~ site for the whole family.
• My Sheet Music — Good sheet music site on the web, includes free classical music, children’s songs, ragtime pieces, and traditional hymns, as well as free lesson plans and teaching resources. Free, but you do have to sign up.
• Interdisciplinary music lesson plans.
• Composers and their compositions

Art

We have learned about some artists such as, Albrecht Durer, Mary Cassatt, Caravaggio and Albert Namitjirra and also enjoyed doing some picture studies by various artists.

Art links to help with your art appreciation lessons:

• Famous Paintings for students!
• Units or activities that correspond with the books by Mike Venezia~Getting to know the World’s Greatest Artists…
• Artsology ~ online games that serve as a gateway or springboard to further investigation and enjoyment of the arts.
• Art Sparkers ~ new and innovative ways to express yourself artistically.
• Timeline of Art History
• Portrait Detectives~ learn about art history through the study of portraits
• Art History: Resources On The Web
• National Art Gallery: Kids
• Puppetry~ all things Puppetry.
• The Renaissance Collection ~ interactive site devoted to the art, architecture and learning that occurred from about 1400-1600 A.D.that transitioned humans from medieval to modern times.
• Meet the Painters ~ This website provides a quick and easy way to introduce kids to a variety of well known painters.
• More Than Math ~ A fascinating and fun web site that integrates art and math. Includes activities and an art gallery
• The Web Museum – a great site with artist biographies, art history lessons, and more!
• Help A. Pintura, Art Detective, solve his cases.
• Australian Artists
• The Incredible Art Department — free lesson plans and activities for all ages
• The Getty’s Art Education Web Site — free lesson plans & unit studies by grade level
• The Elements of Art Through Photography 5th grade lesson plan–from Kodak.
• A History of Photography
• Art High School Lesson Plans!
• Art Lesson Plans

Colouring Pages

There are so many colouring books to be found online that I’d be here all day trying to list them. Usually a google search will find you what you need. See also:

• Jan Brett Pages
• Jim Arnosky colouring book
• Dover Coloring books will send you monthly emails, with links to free samples of their books.

**I take no responsibility for the content on any pages that are linked from this site. At the time of publishing, all links are correct and *family-safe* but due to the ever changing nature of the Internet, I cannot guarantee that they remain that way. Parents should always supervise their children’s Internet viewing.