Grades k-3 Books

New! Second Edition Read all about it.

"Artistic Pursuits does an excellent job of combining art appreciation with art instruction and interesting projects. I cannot emphasize enough how much I appreciate the user-friendly format of these books!" -D.V., MO

PayPal Quick Order

Order Form U.S.A.

Foreign Orders

2008 Conferences:

Cincinnati Homeschool Convention, OH

CHAP, Harrisburg, PA

NCHE, Winston-Salem, NC

CHEC, Denver, CO

Oil Painting Classes in Arvada, CO. w/ Dan Ellis

SENIOR HIGH JUNIOR HIGH GRADES 4-6 GRADES K-3

Artistic Pursuits, for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grades

Three delightful books, written to students, teach real art concepts in an easy to understand conversational manner. Each book has 32 lessons with projects, for ease of planning. GO DIRECTLY TO: Book One, Book Two, Book Three

Artistic Pursuits, Grades K-3 Book One, An Introduction to the Visual Arts Revised in 2008

Read one lesson per week and your child's creative efforts will flourish. From art educators to moms with no art experience; all are successfully teaching children art using ARTistic Pursuits. They write, "these books are extremely well written" "organized" "user-friendly format" "It works!". Lessons capture students interests and imaginations while introducing the fundamental principles of art. Lessons are divided into three sections as follows:

	What Artists Do: Ten lessons cover activities artists engage in when making art such as imagining and observing. Students explore drawing and painting techniques, gaining experience in pencil, color, and brush work.
	What Artists See: Seven lessons cover the elements that artists use in 2-dimesional and 3-dimensional works such as shape, form, and color. Students explore collage, paper works, and color mixing. Students gain experience in handling scissors, glue, and paper forms.
	Exploring Ancient Art: Fifteen lessons cover ancient art from the cave paintings of France to book illumination of the 13th century. Students see that art is more than just a painting on a wall. Cultures used it in different ways and for different purposes. Lessons expand students ideas of what art is and where it is seen. Students explore mural, pottery, low-relief, paper art, bookbinding, mosaic techniques and more.

Take a look at pages from Lessons 1 and 24, shown below!

3-Page Lesson

Read the introduction page to the student.

In this lesson students learn that artists compost things that we hear, feel, act, and see.

The (optional) exercise on this page allows the student to express his or her ideas and make connections with the information just heard and past experiences within the arts.

Users say, " My kids have already looked at it and, with their highest compliment, declared it to be 'cool'. Exactly what I have been looking for in 10+ years of homeschooling." C.B., Homeschool Mom

Read about the art to the student. Read the questions and allow the student to answer freely.

The topic is shown in a work of art by the masters. Questions guide the student in exploring the picture further. We often only notice the primary figures in a painting. Questions engage students in a search that is enjoyable and opens their eyes to more information. There are no answers provided because this activity is not about getting the right answer, but about how much the student can see and what he or she thinks.

Users say, "The discussion questions seem perfect for engaging such a young audience." - A.B., Homeschool Mom

Read the first paragraph which ties the project into what the student has just seen and thought about. Provide the art supplies for the student. Allow the student to create from his or her own ideas.

This page includes information and illustrations on how to use the materials.

Students works show how other students filled the assignment and inspire young artists. They also give parents and teachers a broader idea of what children's art looks like.

Users say, "Of all the products I've researched, I am drawn to yours because of the completeness of it, the high quality (not dumbed down), the orderliness of it, as well as the respect for the various stages of art development in young children."

Art is more than just a picture on a wall. The art history section expands children's ideas about what art is and where we find it. Read about an ancient civilization to the student.

Users say, "I love the fact that your program actually TEACHES art." T.C. Homeschool Mom

Read about Greek art to the student. Read the questions and allow the student to answer freely.

The topic is shown in a work of art by artists within each civilization. Questions guide the student into seeing more within the picture.

The Project gives students an opportunity to try their hands at pottery using air-dry clay, allowing students to paint their pots..

Four easy steps show students how to make a pinch pot and decorate it.

Student work is shown throughout the book on the project pages.

Users say, "I love your approach to art history and that the children are getting a rich education through your materials!" H.K. Homeschool Mom

Read the first paragraph, which inspires students to create just like the culture they studied. Provide the art supplies for the student. Allow the student to create from his or her own ideas.

This page includes information and illustrations on how to use the materials.

Take a look at the table of contents for this book.

page	Contents	page	Contents
3	Materials		WHERE WE FIND ART
4	Teaching Simply	46	Art in Caves (European Cave Art)
	WHAT ARTISTS DO	49	Art Underground (Near-Eastern Pottery)
6	Artists Compose	50	Art in Palaces (Minoan Frescos)
9	Artists Imagine	53	Art in Pyramids ( Egyptian Murals )
12	Artists Look	56	Art on Floors (Egyptian Pavement Painting)
15	Artists Communicate	57	Art on City Walls (Near Eastern Bas- Relief)
18	Artists Use Photographs	60	Art on Pots (Greek Pottery)
21	Artists Make Landscapes	63	Art in Tombs (Etruscan Wall Paintings)
22	Artists Make Portraits	66	Art in Streets (Roman Sculpture)
23	Artists Make Still-Lifes	69	Art on Roadsides (Roman Portraits)
24	Artists Show Experiences	70	Art in Churches (Byzantine Mosaics)
25	Artists Show Works	73	Art in Castles (Medieval Tapestry)
	WHAT ARTISTS SEE	76	Art in Windows (Gothic Glass)
29	Artists See Shape	79	Art in Books (Illuminations of the Middle Ages)
32	Artists See Form	82	Art on Book Covers (Illuminations of the Middle Ages)
36	Artists See Line	86	Keys to a Great Art Experience
39	Artists See Color
42	Artists See Edges
43	Artists See and Remember
44	Artists See Mixed Colors

Materials Introduced: ebony pencils, pastel sticks, oil pastels, watercolor crayons, colored paper craft, clay.

Still Not Sure? See this. No Risk Satisfaction Guarantee For Individual Orders - Should you decide for any reason that you are not satisfied with the book or art supply kit you order, Artistic Pursuits Inc. will refund the cost (shipping not included) when the items are returned within six weeks in unused condition. Simply return the items in a box or padded envelope for safe shipping. This refund applies to orders purchased from Artistic Pursuits Inc. only. For any concerns about your order simply e-mail alltheanswers@artisticpursuits.com. We want you to see our books and we care about your satisfaction!

K-3 Book One ISBN 978-0-9815982-1-5...USA...Price: $42.95

Artistic Pursuits Grades K-3 Book Two, Stories of Artists and Their Art Revised in 2008

This book is sure to delight young students with colorful illustrations and fine art prints. It focuses on the lives of artists who left the world with a vision that has awed and inspired for generations. Lessons are based on individual artists within major periods of art from the 13th century late Gothic period to the academy artists of the 18th century. The purpose of the text is to place in students' minds the primary character of each artist and his work. Short fictional stories give a glimpse into each artist's childhood experience, which may have given him the unique vision of our world by which we know him and his art. The text is relevant to the young student's own experiences, making this an inspiring look at the period leading up to, during, and following the Renaissance.

Take a look at pages from Lesson 3 and 4, shown below!

Read a story about the artist to the student.

INTRODUCTION: An introduction to the artist helps students see a relationship between their own lives and that of the artist.

STORY: Fictional story adds details and focuses on points for which the artist is remembered, for best retention of facts. The text incorporates facts known about the artist's life in a way that appeals to young minds.

"I got my book and all I can say is wow, wow, and Wow! Your chronological lessons fit so perfectly with our history..." B.W. Homeschool Mom

Continued from previous page.

Bold type, following the story, states the point for which we remember the artist.

Boxed Information: Additional areas of interest are added covering topics such as: What is a Craftsman?, What is a fresco painting? What is a Book of Hours? What is the Renaissance? Where did Renaissance colors come from? Did the printing press change art?`

Follow the story with a project that relates to the topic of the story. Read the first paragraph, which ties the story into the project and offers inspiration for the work of art. Show the student the directions for making the project. Allow the student to work freely.

Users say, "My girls are thoroughly enjoying your art lessons - it is their favorite subject!!" S.S. Homeschool mom.

In the next lesson period, read about a work of art created by the artist whose story was read in the previous lesson. Read questions and allow the student to answer.

Questions guide the student in exploring the picture further. We often only notice the primary figures in a painting. Questions engage students in a search that is enjoyable and opens their eyes to more information. There are no answers provided because this activity is not about getting the right answer, but about how much the student can see and what he or she thinks.

Read the first paragraph which ties the project into what the student has just seen and thought about. Provide the art supplies for the student.

PROJECT:

Users say, "We've been paying triple the cost of your materials for a local art class that doesn't cover what your provide. My ... budding artist is very excited to start this material." S.H. Homeschool Mom.

page	Contents	page	Contents
3	Materials	50	Bruegel
4	Introduction	52	Hunters in the Snow
7	Cimabue	54	Parmigianino
10	Madonna Enthroned, with Saints and Angels	56	The Conversion of Paul
12	Giotto	58	Rembrandt
15	Lamentation of Christ	60	Abraham's Sacrifice
17	Limbourg	62	Vermeer
20	August (Departure for the Falcon Hunt)	64	The Artist in his Studio
22	Van Eyck	66	Fragonard
25	Jean Arnolfini and His Wife	68	A Young Girl Reading
26	Leonardo da Vinci	70	Turner
29	Mona Lisa	72	The Fighting Temeraire
31	Michelangelo	77	Millet
33	Delphic Siblyl	76	The Gleaners
35	Raphael	79	Bibliography
38	Portrait of a Young Woman (Lady with a Unicorn)
40	Anguissola
42	Three Sisters Playing Chess
44	Durer
48	Flight to Egypt

Materials Introduced: pan watercolors, tempera paints, oil pastels, printmaking, stamping, papier-mâché, mixed media.

K-3 Book Two ISBN 978-0-9815982-2-2....USA Price: $42.95

Artistic Pursuits Grades K-3 Book Three, Modern Painting and Sculpture Revised in 2008

This book explores ideas that help students understand modern art from Impressionism to artists of today! Focus is given to artworks and ideas that had great influence on our culture and to artists who give positive, creative messages in their art, making this a perfect introduction to modern art for young students. Students who love to get their hands into things will love the emphasis on sculpture as and art form. Traditional methods of sculpting are introduced as students learn to model, carve, and construct, as well as working with new inventions of the 20th century: assemblages, mobiles, land art, and computer art.

Take a look at pages from Lesson 16 and 19, shown below!

PAINTING LESSON

Read the introduction page to the student.

The text focuses on an artist, a movement, or an idea. Here the ideas of Camille Pissarro are introduced. In this book, the focus is on the significance of the art and ideas behind it, not on the details of the artist's personal life.

Read to student about a work of art by the featured artist or an artwork within a movement or set of ideas.

Read the questions and allow the student to answer freely.

Read to the student the first paragraph which ties the project into what the student has just seen and thought about. Provide the art supplies for the student.

PROJECT:

Users say, "I've taken up painting as a result of using this curriculum. Never did anything like that before and I enjoyed myself immensely." S.B. Homeschool mom.

SCULPTURE LESSON

Read the combined introduction and art appreciation page to the student.

The text focuses on a new idea in art called, assemblage. This is a two page lesson in which the topic is discussed, the artwork looked at and evaluated as the student answers questions. The project on the next page allows the student to work with ideas of assemblage.

Red boxes offer suggestions for further reading on the topic. Reading the suggested books is a great way to expand knowledge of the subject or just to view it in another way.

Users say, "...an impressive variety of interesting age-appropriate student projects..." J.U. Homeschool mom.

Follow the reading with a project designed to allow the student to create an original work of their own design, using assemblage techniques.

The instructions are designed to allow freedom of expression. This is not a step-by-step demonstration of how to construct an elephant. This is a look at methods used in paper construction which can be adapted to create any type of subject the student has an interest in.

Users say, "It is refreshing to find a program that offers the basics of art instruction and art history in a self-guided manner while encouraging individual artistic expression." J. U. Homeschool mom and bookstore owner..

page	contents	page	contents
3	Materials		Modern Painting and Sculpture
4	Teaching Art in Historical Context	49	Fauvism
	Impressionist Painting and Sculpture	52	Cubism
5	Art and the Subject	55	Assemblage
9	Paris, a City of Change	57	Futurist View of a Horse
12	Monet Studies Light	59	Art: A Reflection of Experiences
	Renoir Paints Beautiful People	61	Expressionism
18	Pissarro Paints Bright Colors	63	Mondrian's Squares
21	Monet Paints Reflections	65	Calder's Mobiles
24	Cassatt Paints Life at Home	67	The Object and its Space
27	Degas Makes Art in Public Places	69	Two Reactions to War
30	Sculpture	72	Abstract Art gets Big
32	Modeled Sculpture	75	Looking outward
34	Rodin's Sculpture	77	Land Art
36	Constructed Sculpture	79	Clay Modeling Today
38	Gauguin Carves a Sculpture	81	Sculpture Today
40	Seurat and the Science of Color	83	Computer Art
43	Cézanne Makes Impressionism Solid	86	What Happened to Art After 1960?
46	Van Gogh Paints Ribbons of Color	89	Bibliography / Reading List

Materials Introduced: gouache paint, liquid tempera , modeling clay, plaster molds, plaster forms, soap carving, papier-mâché and more!

K-3 Book Three ISBN 978-0-9815982-3-9....USA .......Price: $42.95

How We Teach Art Senior High Junior High Grades 4-6 Top Of Page