Homeschool Makeover: Flag Art Over Mantel

Many years ago we needed some art work for the family room. There was a big, empty spot over the mantel that needed just the perfect, happy, family-friendly piece. The flag was Nana’s suggestion.

Back when we it was just the older three children, they all joined in the process. We got out a long piece of paper from our newspaper roll and the three children went to work. First born made the stripes. Second born painted the navy rectangle. And the baby stamped the stars. Can’t remember who added the glittery sparkles.

It all happened in a matter of minutes but the process captured that memory for always. The art work is perfect for over our fireplace. Just big enough. And I love how the red paintbrush strokes give the flag motion – like it’s waving in the breeze. Family members like it so much that we did several more as Christmas presents that year.

A simple, fun solution to a large, empty space over the fireplace. And it goes to show you that you don’t have to have special or high-dollar supplies to make something wonderful. See? We still proudly display the first place ribbon from the state fair.

Here’s a shot of the flag over our mantle this week, along with our selection of Tapestry of Grace books. Still love that flag! Continuing the homeschool makeover series.

In other homeschool news, I returned from a fabulous time at the BEECH conference. (I shared about getting to be with all those blogging ladies at Vero Beach in my BEECH recap). Hodgepodgedad had taken some time off work and we celebrated his birthday early in the week. Last week’s sickness stretched into this week. Middle Girl, who was hit the hardest, was able to spend some time with the New Millennium Girls creative writing bundle. We are so excited about this set for tweens – complete with book, creative writing workbook and paper doll craft set. Review coming soon at The Curriculum Choice!

Eldest boy was putting into action Hodgepodgedad’s words. “The best way to find out how something works is to take it apart.” Which he did. And he got it all back together in working order!

We are very much enjoying our Tapestry readings. We are just starting into Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare for Children but are continuing to love all the books on the artists we are studying – the World’s Famous Artists series, Da Vinci for Kids, The Story of Painting and more. We thought it was fun to read another book by a like-named author – Margaret Hodges!

I also turned to my Tapestry of Grace teacher’s notes for movies! We are thoroughly steeped in the Renaissance, just starting into Shakespeare. In addition to watching the World’s Greatest Artists – Michelango again, we looked back and ahead and put the following movies in the Netflix cue. Keep in mind some of them will just be for us to view with the older two children:

• The Agony and the Ecstasy (starring Charlton Heston)
• Much Ado About Nothing (starring Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson)
• Martin Luther (starring Niall McGinnis)
• The Taming of the Shrew (starring Elizabeth Taylor)

Plus we re-watched scads of Cyberchase. Fun math examples.

Here’s the rest of the Hodgepodge week in photo collage form:

1. Visiting with my Great-Aunt Dot on the way back from BEECH conference | 2. Hodgepodgedad helps make an electroscope with @AiG Science Heat & Energy | 3. Hodgepodgedad fixes the screaming dishwasher – on his birthday – what a super guy! | 4. Swangin’ in the sunshine | 5. Homemade cookie cake for Hodgepodgedad’s birthday | 6. Slow and Steady Get Me Ready alphabet activities with 4yo | 7. Train time | 8. Practicing handwriting | 9. A few under the weather around here – ug | 10. Signs of spring on a spring-like day with temps in the 70s | 11. FIAR – Papa Piccolo set in Italy – compliments our Tapestry of Grace studies | 12. Listening to the Farewell symphony – studying Haydn with Harmony Fine Arts plans

More fun this week: Shades of Blue Pastel free art lesson matches our Go Fish Sea Creatures Game + Giveaway. Hodgepodge is teaming up with nine great sites in giving away these high-quality educational games. You can enter to win at each site!

Learning and resting! It’s these kind of weeks that I’m thankful for a load of books on the mantle and the comfort of home. Thankful for homeschooling!

Thanks to our Friday hostesses: Camera Phone Friday hostess Dawn Camp @ My Home Sweet Home,Weekly Wrap-Up hostess Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers and Mary at Home Grown Learners

We managed to make it this long well. Have y’all escaped the sickness? Or, do you display your children’s artwork in a prominent place?