How to easily add art and music to your homeschool day is well – so not easy. Also, look at Fun Facts About the Phantom of the Opera & Styles of Music Unit Study.
They tend to be subjects that can be left out.
Although we have good intentions, it just doesn’t happen.
Besides art and music are really what stirs the imagination and are creative outlets.
I’m sharing tips on how to easily add them to your day without a lot of planning.
One secret tip to easily add art and music to your day is to not schedule them.
As fixated as I am on schedules, I am equally fixated with homeschooling simply.
6 Ways to Add Art and Music to Your Homeschool
Look at these easy ways to fold in art and music to your day simply without adding one more subject to your day.
1. Add Art to Writing or Composition
With the growing list of homeschool subjects that comes with each grade, it is easy to run out of homeschool day before you do subjects.
I learned this double duty tip when Mr. Senior 2013 was first beginning to write.
I learned he was very much more interested in writing when he could express his words through pictures.
Instead of scheduling a formal time for art, he just folded it in when he was writing.
Because I was developing his imagination and love for creativity, having a story to go along with his picture gave him the spark he needed to create.
When I started, I used the whole series of Draw Write Now.
These books allowed a small part of writing and then drawing to strengthen fine motor skills.
And these books are absolute keepers in my homeschool world.
2. Music or Art can be added to your current study of history.
As Mr. Senior 2013 grew and had a similar love of history, I allowed drawing of history scenes or battles as a way for him to express himself.
Again without having to add in drawing, we just covered history along with drawing.
Then the love of simple drawing morphed into a full art study in high school.
We loved the series Draw and Write Through History in the early years.
Additionally, looking up what is the music during a history period is a perfect introduction to the history period.
For example, we’ve also used Music in our Homeschool Courses.
For example, look at the list of music courses below which you can teach in your homeschool.
- World Music for Elementary
- 15-Minute Music Lessons
- 20th Century Music Appreciation for High School (36 Lessons to Earn a 1/2 Credit in High School Fine Arts)
- State Songs of the 50 U.S. States
- A Year of Charlotte Mason Music Lessons
Too, with science there is no need to make a choice between science and art.
3. Add Art to Science.
Find creative opportunities to add in art.
(Draw a cell and label it.)
If there is a way to illustrate a science concept, let your child do it.
He will remember projects and the content too for many years after he is older and especially when he can add in an artful element.
4. Add Music to every day learning.
Music was no different. We folded it into our day naturally too.
Music can be done while exercising and too some children learn better while listening to music.
- Add music to every day learning.
I rounded up the DVDs I created way back (I’m not that old but in this day and age with technology you feel that way) when I had “opening” in Preschool and Kindergarten with all of my boys.
I rounded up learning songs and arranged them in the way I wanted to so that my learning day could last longer with music.
We sung these songs every day as a way to learn our ABCs, days of the weeks, continents and even math.
I used resources like Sing to Learn and Rock ‘N Learn:Addition & Subtraction Rap.
Too, though I had no musical background when I first began to homeschool, it was up to me teach them how to read music in between their music lessons.
5. Music can be added to phonics.
- Do music instead of phonics one day.
Right away, I learned that music is like learning another language.
Many days we simply sat together in the living room and did music theory.
Not only did we learn about the musical notes but the rhythm helped my boys to learn about the “beats” or syllables when reading.
I never felt like I was skipping on their reading for the day but giving them another way to feel the beat or syllables within each sentence.
All of my boys not only managed to read above grade level, but learned music theory in the process.
6. Fold art & music together for the subject.
- Focus on a musical composer.
We did lapbooks using Zeezok to study a composer, some language arts, geography and hands-on activities.
Instead of feeling like I was only covering music for the day, we added in writing about the composer, the history of the time period they lived in and geography when studying about the country the composer lived in.
Instead of scheduling separate assignments for art and music, let those areas embellish the every day things that your child needs to learn.
More Homeschool Music Curriculum Resources
- Relax! How to Easily Add Art and Music to Your Homeschool Day
- Homeschool Music Curriculum on the Beat
- Fun & Easy Hands-on Ideas with Zeezok Music Appreciation
- Fun Facts About the Phantom of the Opera & Styles of Music Unit Study
- Music Appreciation – Beethoven Chiming Bells Minibook
Art and music have a way of presenting up learning in an alternative way and of finding a way into your child’s heart that makes learning fun.
Raising Creative Children says
Thanks so much for making the point that is possible and positive to integrate the arts in homeschool settings! We actually love the old Exploring Music textbooks from the 1960s that you can find used on Amazon & Ebay for lots of great activities. We’ve noticed that the Zeezok music appreciation curriculum and most other resources for homeschool music appreciation seem to focus on classical music composers and facts about reading music. Do you think there is interest for additional music from around the world, more current composers, or different types of activities that involve children actively engaging in music such as composing or other activities? We’re in the process of creating resources for http://www.raisingcreativechildren.net and want to focus on what would be most helpful to people.
Tina Robertson says
You are just very welcome and I love those old books too. Your resources sound great and I personally am all about tying music to culture and hands on activities.
Thanks for scooting by.
John Hofland says
I really like how you integrate art with other subjects. It makes a lot of sense–art becomes more meaningful, and the other subjects become more exciting. Good ideas!
Tina Robertson says
Hi John,
Thanks for being here and you are so welcome.
I really don’t want to give up these subjects that add enrichment to our day.
Nicole says
As a musician and former music teacher, I am always so happy to see parents including music and art into their kids’ lives in any way that they can. It is sooooo good for the kids in so many ways. I know it was good for me as a kid! You have some great ideas here on how to keep the arts a current and “live” part of kids’ learning. Found you on the #turnituptuesday link up. Thanks for sharing!
Nicole recently posted…What’s In That Key Ring? First Blog Giveaway!
Tina Robertson says
Hi Nicole,
Like I said, girl you don’t want me to sing for you…lol but goodness knows after teaching the kids some music, I have a great foundation in reading music..lol
We love musicians and my sister sings and does some professionally so we have always made time for it.
Thanks for being here!!