HomeSchoolPiano Review

If you are looking for affordable piano lessons for your children, in the comfort of your own home, look no further.  HomeSchoolPiano is a subscription program that gives you access to online piano lessons.  We received HomeSchoolPiano - Complete Set of Books, which is a lifetime subscription for up to five students.

Funny Bunny has been taking piano lessons since she was 7 {almost 4 years now} so I wasn't sure if we would like this program, or even be able to use it.

HomeSchoolPiano follow a six step cycle for learning:

1. Technique
2. Rhythm
3. Ear Training
4. Reading Music
5. Song
6. Improvisation

Once enrolled, you get instant access online and can learn at your own pace, using a phone tablet, or computer.  No special equipment is needed and you can view lessons as much or as little as you need.


There are three books available:

Book 1 {Perfect for Beginners} - This book includes six units that help you learn things like how to read music, improvise, properly grab at the keys, and includes six original pieces.

Book 2 {Building a Foundation} - Continuing where Book 1 left off, Book 2 includes six units and focuses on rhythm, technique, reading music, songs, and improvisation.

Book 3 {Unlocking the Pianist Within} - Building on the previous two books, Book 3 also includes six units that help teach harder chords, patterns, and rhythms.

Want to try before you buy?  You can sign up to try a FREE lesson to see if you like it.

My Thoughts:  This was a little tricky for me.  Funny Bunny has many piano lessons under her belt, but since I do not know how to play piano or read music myself, it was hard for me to figure out exactly where she would start. I had to have her try several of the lessons in all three books.  I think she falls somewhere between Books 2 and 3, but since he is teaching at a different pace then her books, it isn't exact.  Our challenge was finding a lesson that was new for her so she wouldn't have to sit through things she already knew. I would still like to continue the lessons, but I may first email HomeSchoolPiano to make sure we are where we should be.

Thoughts of an 11-Year Old:  I have been playing piano for almost 4 years now, and I think HomeSchoolPiano would really help beginners and people who would know where their piano level is. For me it was challenging because what I'm doing in my books is different from what is on HomeSchoolPiano. We did finally settle on Book 3 - Lesson 1. I think the instructor did a good job teaching piano, and he was very good at playing it. This wasn't my favorite piano class, but I think it is a good product for beginner-intermediate students - or any student, really!

Find Out More:  You can find out more at online HomeSchoolPiano. HomeSchoolPiano has two payments packages.  The Success Package, which includes unlimited lifetime access along with bonuses {downloads, jam tracks, sheet music} and up to 5 students, is one payment of $299.  The Payment Plan includes the same items as the Success Package but is $99.97 per month for three months.

You can also find HomeSchoolPiano on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.  






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©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

ARTistic Pursuits Sculpture Technique: Model Review

We are no strangers to ARTistic Pursuits!  We've reviewed two of their Elementary books and again we have the pleasure of reviewing another.  This time it's one of their newest books called Sculpture Technique: Model.

While this book builds on the concepts of their other new book, Sculpture Technique: Construct, it can also stand alone in teaching modeling methods, which is how we used it.

As soon as we received it in the mail I knew we would love it!!

I quickly flipped to the Table of Contents to find there are three units.

Unit 1: Creating Mass with Putty
Unit 2: Creating Scale with Clay
Unit 3: Creating Surface with Fiber

There is also a list of art supplies, which is also nicely broken down into units.

I am so thankful that the art supplies were easy to find and use. Unit 1 requires Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty, which I had never heard of, but we easily found at Home Depot in the painting section.  And it was fairly inexpensive.  You can see the large can of it below.

Each unit starts with an explanation of the topic, tools, and materials needed.  Then came the instructions and steps to complete the project.  I cannot tell you how pleased I was with the instructions!  So many times I have started a project with Funny Bunny and things did not turn out the way we planned or we just gave up because the instructions were not clear. These instructions were very well laid out and easy to understand!!

Funny Bunny, hubby, and I started with Unit 1: Creating Mass with Putty.  The first project was to create a flat sculpture using the Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty.

Sculptures are taking shape

End results are a fish, turtle, and a lizard

The next project they worked on was to create a sculpture with static mass.  The book discusses what static mass is and gives a couple examples.

Sitting duck

The final project they worked on was to create sculpture with dynamic mass. Static and dynamic mass are compared and a few more examples are given.

Walking dog

Here they are all taped up before the putty

Funny Bunny is still trying to decide if she wants to paint them.  We were able to find the paints at a local craft store, but ARTistic Pursuits has made it easy for you to buy them through their site. 

My Thoughts:  We have all thoroughly enjoyed working in this book!  The supplies were easy to find and the instructions for each project were very clear.  We had never worked with putty before and it was so simple to use. We were all pleased with the results and can't wait to get started on the next unit.

Thoughts of a 10-Year Old:  I liked the ARTistic Pursuits projects because they were fun and hands on and I was able to create something really nice.  It was very fun to mix and mold the putty.  My favorite sculpture is my duck.  When I first began making it I didn't think it would turn out very good but when I finished I was surprised at how good it looked. I think the book had good instructions and I was able to do the majority of the projects by myself.

Find Out More:  You can find more online at ARTistic Pursuits.  Sculpture Technique: Model is $47.95 and in my opinion, well worth every penny!  It's geared to ages 11-18, but as you can see from our review, older and younger may enjoy it.

You can also find them on Facebook.





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©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

You Can Draw Bible Stories for Kids Book Review

Funny Bunny and I received You Can Draw Bible Stories for Kids by Sandy Silverthorne in the mail to review.

This is a fun book filled, not only with Bible stores from Adam and Eve to the Resurrection, but also with simple drawing lessons.   

You can discover amazing truths in the Bible while you learn to illustrate stories with awesome cartoons.

Each chapter begins with a Bible verse and story.

Then several pages of drawing lessons that pertain to the story follow.  The story is then continued...with more drawing lessons.

Each chapter ends with "What's the Big Idea" to pull it all together.

Funny Bunny loves to draw and {I think} is quite good at it.  She followed the lessons in the book to draw her own scene.

Find Out More:  You can find out more online on Facebook.  You Can Draw Bible Stories for Kids is just $7.49 for the Kindle Edition or $8.09 for the paperback.  You can also find out more online about the author Sandy Silverthorne.  Sandy has written several other books for children and has also made drawing video tutorials which you can see on his website, Facebook page, or at http://youcandrawbiblestories.com/

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©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

See the Light: God's Special Surprise Review

With a love for the Lord Jesus Christ, a heart for children, and a passion for ministry, Dave and Pat Holt bring you the See the Light.  See the Light is Biblically based, geared for elementary to middle schooled aged children, and taught by using simple step by step instructions.

See the Light has many wonderful products, from their Art Class Volumes, to their Art Projects Set, to their Bible Stories.  We we excited to receive God's Special Surprise, which is one of their Bible Stories.

God's Special Surprise starts with The Moses Story.  It’s the dramatic story of baby Moses, God’s Special Surprise to the Israelites, brought to life through art and sound.  Funny Bunny was captivated by both the story and the art that went along with it.

Next comes three different art lessons by three different artists. The first is a lesson called SURPRISE! where Heidi Shorts teaches a 23-minute lesson on the art of Creative Lettering.  Funny Bunny had fun drawing the letters to look like they were chiseled in stone.

The second is a 35-minute lesson called Hope for a Nation.  It's presented by Master Artist Pat Knepley.  She leads artists in a step-by-step drawing lesson using chalk pastels.  Funny Bunny is still finalizing this so I'll post it when she has completed it.

The last lesson is called Moses in the Nile.  Jim Pence gives a 26-minute mixed media art lesson using permanent marker, watercolors, colored pencils, and fluorescent crayons.  Funny Bunny really enjoyed this lesson.  I think it was her favorite!  It looks even better under the black light.

The DVD also has some fun bonus features that are neat to watch!

Thoughts of a 10-Year Old:  See the Light is fun to watch, but even more fun to draw!  My favorite piece of artwork was Moses In The Nile with Jim Pence.  Not only did it look amazing as it was, but you look at it a whole different way under the black light!  These were great art projects and I hope to get more See The Lights!

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at See the Light.  God's Special Surprise is only $14.99 and contains 3 art lessons and 285 minutes of content.  It's geared for elementary to middle schooled aged children and I love how it integrates the Bible throughout the entire DVD.  The artists do an excellent job in gently teaching the children and telling the stories.  Here you can see some sample lessons and downloads.  We have also reviewed See the Light: The Crossmaker.

My Crewmates are also reviewing See the Light, so you can check out what they think HERE.

©2010-2013 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/
 

ARTistic Pursuits Review

Art is sometimes one of those subjects that gets pushed to the back burner.  I have to make a real effort to include it into our weekly schedule.  ARTistic Pursuits makes that so much easier with their art curriculum! 

Their art program not only teaches children how to draw, paint, and sculpt, but it includes art history and appreciation into it's lessons.  We received ARTistic Pursuits, Elementary 4-5 Book 2 to review. 

Elementary 4-5 Book 2 is for ages 9 and up and is perfect for fourth and fifth graders.  Each book in the series follows a similar format.  For instance, each unit in our book includes:

Lesson 1: Vocab and Creative Exercise
Lesson 2: Art Appreciation & History
Lesson 3: Techniques
Lesson 4: Application

Book 1 in the Elementary series focuses on the Elements of Art and Composition whereas Book 2's focus is Color and Composition.  

Before the lessons begin, there are a couple of pages that go into detail about the color wheel, variations of color, and definitions.  I thought these were very helpful.

Each lesson then starts with the vocabulary and creative exercise.  I think Funny Bunny enjoyed the creative exercises the most.  In Lesson 1 of Unit 3, she was asked to choose a description of a dramatic or interesting scene from a book she is reading.  She was finishing up The Black Stallion and below was her picture.

There is a small list of supplies required, and one of the items we didn't have, so we purchased our first watercolor pencil set.  Lesson 3 of Unit 1 gives detail on how to use watercolor pencils and both Funny Bunny and I were eager to try them out!!  They were a little tricky at first but after a couple paintings, she got the hang of it...and now I think she prefers them over watercolor paints.  Below is a sample of her first watercolor pencil painting of a cupcake.

After some more practicing she was able to blend a little better.  Below you can see her Hobbit Hole.

I also took a stab at it, and if you ignore the shape of my fruit, you can see I was practicing hard and soft edges.  She is really not wanting to press hard with the pencil so it is something she will continue to work on.

ARTistic Pursuits is available for preschool through high school. 

* Preschool:  Art assignments designed for preschool exploration

* Grades K-3:  Children are introduced to the visual arts and view art through history

* Grades 4-6, 7-8, 9-12:  Students learn technical skills while creating original works of art. Book One at each level provides an overview of drawing, covering the elements of art and composition. Book Two at each level provides an overview of color theory and composition.

Thoughts of a 9-Year Old:  I like ARTistic Pursuits and enjoy it because it didn't tell me how to paint.  This may sound strange, but it teaches you what you need to know, shows you an example, and then you do it.  No step-by-step instructions, and I like that because I don't like being told how to paint and how not to.  Anyway, I like it a lot better than some other art programs we've tried.  Overall, this is a really great thing! 

Find Out More:  You can find out more about ARTistic Pursuits online.  There are ten books in all and each level sells for $47.95.  Here you can see a few samples.  You can also purchase Art Supply Packs to go along with the books.

Artistic Pursuits can also be used in the classroom.  You can find more information, as well as a Scope and Sequence, here.

My Crewmates are also reviewing ARTistic Pursuits, so you can check out what they think HERE.

©2010-2013 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Artistic Pursuits Review

If you are like me, you find it hard to fit in fun subjects like art, when it seems to take all day to get through the core subjects of math, reading, writing, science, and history.  Well thankfully, Artistic Pursuits makes it simple to add art to your child's day.

Artistic Pursuits is written for homeschool or independent study.  These books are so student friendly that anyone, experienced or novice, will feel comfortable producing original and expressive works of art. 

This unique curriculum is available for preschool ages through high school. 

* Preschool:  Art assignments designed for preschool exploration

* Grades K-3:  Children are introduced to the visual arts and view art through history

* Grades 4-6, 7-8, 9-12:  Students learn technical skills while creating original works of art. Book One at each level provides an overview of drawing, covering the elements of art and composition. Book Two at each level provides an overview of color theory and composition.

We received Grades 4-6 Book One: The Elements of Art and Composition.  Each book in the series follows a similar format.  For instance, each unit in our book includes:

Lesson 1: Vocabulary and Exercise
Lesson 2: Art Appreciation & History
Lesson 3: Techniques
Lesson 4: Application

In Lesson 1 children are introduced to the specific topic and are given the opportunity to perform a simple exercise relating to it. 

Funny Bunny's exercise was to look around for an object and to draw the outside edge of it.  She chose a fall plant and hubby's guitar.  It wasn't required to color them but she wanted to.  :)


I love how Lesson 2 includes a piece of art from a famous artist to help discuss the topic. 

In Unit 1 of our book, Washington Crossing the Delaware is used to explain "Space." 

That couldn't have been more timely because we had just read the story in our history book!! 


Funny Bunny was then asked to draw from her imagination and fill up the whole paper.  She decided to draw "Giant over Manhattan." 

Lesson 3 is all about technique.  This particular lesson taught how to set up and draw.  Where to sit, what to look at, working from a photograph, working from an object.  She was again asked to draw a couple different objects; one taller than it is wide and one wider than it is tall.

Lesson 4 then applies what has been taught throughout the unit into a final drawing.

 {Click to enlarge ~ Unit 2, Lesson 4}

My Thoughts:  The lessons are simple enough for Funny Bunny to read and complete on her own, which is wonderful!  I like the flow of each unit and how they build on the one before.  I am very happy with this art curriculum and will continue it throughout the year and most likely purchase the next book.

Thoughts of an 8-Year Old:  I like ARTistic Pursuits because it gives you a history lesson, drawing tips, and instructions on what to do next.  The drawing above is my American Girl doll Molly.  Above Molly is my toy stable.  Above those: Daddy's guitar, my own picture from my imagination, and a fall-y decoration.  I like ARTistic Pursuits and it's a really nice program - beginners or experts! (In drawing).

Find Out More:  You can find out more about Artistic Pursuits online.  There are ten books in all and each level sells for $42.95.  You can also purchase Art Supply Packs to go along with the books.

Artistic Pursuits can also be used in the classroom.  You can find more information, as well as a Scope and Sequence, here.

My Crewmates are also reviewing Artistic Pursuits, so you can check out what they think HERE.

Disclosure:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the products to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.