You are in for a treat at the end. Don’t miss the giveaway!
Dear homeschool parent,
Are you like me? Do you long to enrich your homeschool with studies of composers and artists? Do you wish that someone would just do it all for you? You know, invest the time in research, find the online links, point you to the resources you need? All I really wanted to be able to do was open something up and teach. Have it all right there and not have to pull it all together myself.
It’s done. Yes, really. It’s all done for you. Barb-Harmony Art Mom has created just what you need. She, too, was like us. Here is what Barb has to say about the Harmony Fine Arts (HFA) plans she created:
The idea behind this program came from my own home schooling experience. I was always searching for a plan for picture study and composer study. It seemed simple enough to do myself but I just never did it. I also wanted to use the classical style and Charlotte Mason’s ideas for our art and music. I wanted all the great resources organized in the four-year cycle of history. I wanted it to be flexible and easy to use. I never found what I was searching for so I decided to do it myself!
This is the art and music appreciation program for busy people. We have done all the research and organizing. You are able to open our plan and offer a great program for your children.
As mentioned above, the plans are organized by the four-year cycle of history. They are presented as follows but plans for individual grades are available:
- Grammar – Grades 1-4
- Logic – Grades 5-8
- Rhetoric – Grades 9-12
(First grade plans are a general overview and gentle introduction to composers and artists. Starting with grade 2, the plans work chronologically through the four year history cycle.)
Art Plans:
Offer three options so you can choose what is best for your homeschool.
- You can simply choose picture study with links to view all the art online for easy viewing.
- You can add in an art appreciation study with short activities.
- You can even follow along in certain grades with the formal art program Artistic Pursuits or Drawing with Children or Mark Kistler’s Draw Squad – depending on the grade level.
- Depending on which option you choose within the art plans – you can allow for one or two 45-minute art periods per week.
Composer Study:
- Choose to study the composers and listen to their music or
- Enhance your music study with suggested books
Included: artist and composer notebooking pages, coloring pages of famous art.
How we use Harmony Fine Arts Plans in our home: we adopted Angie and her boys at Petra School’s Wednesday habit of artist and composer study. All this means is that we push back the dishes from lunch. I open up the Harmony Fine Art Plans on my computer. I turn on the music of the composer we are studying. Or I click over to the optional online listening of Classics for Kids. We might work on a notebook page while listening.
Next, depending on the day, I might click over to view artwork of the artist we are studying. We may follow with an artist notebook page or a Draw Squad lesson. This takes 15 to 30 minutes once a week. But building a weekly habit has tuned us all in and made us want more the rest of the week.
- “Can we play that again? I really like it.” 14-year-old
- Six-year-old whistling along to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony when I turn on the classical music just for listening fun.
The Many Benefits of Art and Music Study:
- Made by a homeschool mom to meet a need.
- Affordable Plans for Busy Moms
- Practical Homeschooling Reader Award 2011
- How to Get Started with Harmony Fine Arts
- Download Sample pages – try it out!
- Enjoy free downloads
- Listen to a podcast to see if the Harmony Fine Arts plans are right for your family
- Browse Harmony Fine Arts Pinterest boards for direct links to sample plans
Cost: All costs are listed on the order page of the Harmony Fine Arts website. Bundles are available as well as individual year plans. I purchased the Middle School Medieval/Renaissance Plans at the start of this school year for $17.44. A whole year of study for the whole family for less than $20 – one that brings that much learning and enjoyment? What a bargain!
Print or ebook? Harmony Fine Arts Plans are available in both print or ebook format.
In Summary: What I originally intended for my middle-schoolers to study has extended to full blown appreciation for the whole family – all five children.
- The artist and composer studies compliment our Tapestry of Grace studies beautifully.
- For this mama, using HFA plans is easy. I just click to open the plans, click to print what we might like to compliment our studies, click to print a coloring page for the younger ones.
- Not to mention, this type of enrichment is pure delight. It might just be what your homeschool needs too.
“All my music I wrote for God.” ~ J. S. Bach
I shared about our studies on my Hodgepodge site and my friend Kimberly, a pianist and life-long musician, had this to say…
“It warms my heart when I hear children learning about classical music! So many of those composers had such a love for God and were certainly gifted. When you mention Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Debussy, etc. to most children, they have no idea who they are. It’s so sad because these musicians have had such an impact on our world. It’s wonderful that you’re sharing this education with your children!” ~Kimberly
I agree – there is so much history and part of HIS story we can learn from those gifted and Godly. With thanks to Harmony Fine Arts for creating a wonderful tool for just such an education.
- Full descriptions of individual plans at the Harmony Fine Arts site.
- Plus Barb-Harmony Art Mom shares many more examples and samples on her Harmony Art Mom site.
- Barb is a review author here at Curriculum Choice. You can find all of her reviews here.
Now for the giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Homeschooling for over a decade now, Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos with five children. She shares a mixture of free art lessons, recipes and the practical at Hodgepodge. Her husband, Steve, also shares reviews here at Curriculum Choice.
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Homeschooling for over a decade now, Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos with five children. She shares a mixture of free art lessons, frugal and allergy-friendly recipes and all things practical at Hodgepodge. Her husband, Steve, also shares reviews here at Curriculum Choice.
Christine April 23, 2012 at 5:53 am
Ive been struggling to put something like this together myself for the past year!
Megan April 23, 2012 at 6:02 am
This looks absolutely perfect for my three kids! I really want to try it!
Sally April 23, 2012 at 6:03 am
I am a bit of a control freak, and I like to do my own planning….except I never finish and the activities don’t get done. It’s like I run out of steam before I get to the children. I have long drooled over Barb’s lessons, and would love to win one! She has done all that legwork for me, so I have to do gather and go!
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Terri Monteverdi April 23, 2012 at 6:36 am
I’m so excited about this program – I’ve been homeschooling for 3 years and have fabulous intentions when it comes to art and music study but very little follow through. I’ve had my eye on this series so thanks for offering a giveaway! I’m LOVING this series on lasagna learning – I’ve got 6 amazing kiddos and you are such an inspiration! Many blessings!
Heidi April 23, 2012 at 6:50 am
Wow! This is exactly what I am looking for! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and this wonderful program!
Kerri E April 23, 2012 at 6:53 am
I am excited to find this as well! I’ve been wanting to add art/ music appreciation but don’t want to purchase an expensive curriculum I won’t end up using nor do I have time to put it together myself. Thanks so much for sharing! I will definitely be purchasing (if I don’t win
!
Allie April 23, 2012 at 6:56 am
I would love to be able to add this into our homeschool. It is so hard to find a quality product on this subject but this looks like it would be perfect!
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September April 23, 2012 at 6:57 am
Wow! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’ve always wanted to do art/music studies, but didn’t have time to pull it all together on my own.
Jenny April 23, 2012 at 7:02 am
This looks great. If I don’t win it I’m tempted to buy it.
Robin Harrs April 23, 2012 at 7:19 am
I love all of Barb’s stuff! My daughter really looks forward to Barb’s “Sketch Tuesday” every week! I wold LOVE to have this to teach AND to learn from myself, as I have very limited knowledge in this area.
Cassandra April 23, 2012 at 7:20 am
I’ve been looking to get these for my children as soon as they are older (my oldest is only entering Kinder next year) They look absolutely wonderful.
Hope April 23, 2012 at 7:27 am
This looks fantastic and would open up a whole new world to both myself and my children. I was never exposed to significant art or classical music as a child and would enjoy learning right along with my children. I want them to have exposure to real beauty and to those who create for the glory of God!
Jen Beggs April 23, 2012 at 7:32 am
we’ve used the 1st grade plans this year and have really enjoyed it! I’d like to continue to study these, and Barb writes them in a very do-able way. we haven’t been as consistent as I wanted, but am planning on making it more of a habit.
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Amie April 23, 2012 at 7:37 am
This curriculum looks great! I have been looking for a way to add music appreciation to our day and this would be perfect
Robin April 23, 2012 at 7:59 am
Love the idea of not having to plan!
Angelle Tibbets April 23, 2012 at 8:14 am
This wold help me to organize what I’m trying to do on my own!!
Christie Jester April 23, 2012 at 8:24 am
I am *terrible* at music myself, so that’s always the last subject to happen around here (thankful for the children’s choir at church.) We love reading biographies of composers, so we’re checking out HFA after reading about it on Hodgepodge.
Christy April 23, 2012 at 8:29 am
This would definitely make my planning easier as a “roadschooling” mother of seven. We are a musical family touring the country with my husband’s Christian music mission, so convenience, flexibility, and affordability are important to us…essential, actually. Thanks for a great review and giveaway!
Michelle April 23, 2012 at 8:40 am
I love Barb’s plans. They work perfectly into our Charlotte Mason style!
Lori April 23, 2012 at 8:40 am
This is on next year’s curriculum list…I was happy to see it listed here infer your reviews!
Michelle April 23, 2012 at 8:50 am
This looks very interesting!
Brenda Torres April 23, 2012 at 9:16 am
I’ve been wanting to use these in our school.
Kirsten Delaney April 23, 2012 at 9:30 am
I kind of have tried this on my own. I would love one that is more structured.
Wendi S April 23, 2012 at 9:40 am
We do enjoy art and composer studies…when we actually take time to do them. I think this resource would definitely help me implement them in our homeschool
Aimee April 23, 2012 at 9:41 am
We’ve been using these for the past year and love them!! We can’t wait to start the new one in the fall.
Kirsten Delaney April 23, 2012 at 9:44 am
Liked on FB
cassie bartholomew April 23, 2012 at 10:18 am
I do enjoy them. This is exactly what I was looking for when getting ready for our first year of homeschooling.
hsmominmo April 23, 2012 at 11:01 am
I am impressed with Barb’s lesson plans. They look wonderful! It seems you have pulled together the details and have logically progessing studies. That is where I fall short.
In introduce paintings by some of the Masters to my children by posting a postcard-sized print on our frig each week. We discuss the artist, the colors, the subject of the painting – then they see it at eye level all week long as they pass through the kitchen.
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Rhoda April 23, 2012 at 11:06 am
When we manage to fit Art Study in, we enjoy it. But the program I have is computer based and we have had several computer issues this school year. Plus when DH travels we are computerless. So Art Study has been hit and miss quite a bit this year. Though we listen to classical music almost on a daily basis, I have not managed to fit in a study of the composers. I mention what I know, but that is not doing justice to these Masters. This study would be beneficial to our school. Thank you for the possibilities.
Jane April 23, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Love this….would work so well for us…thank you kindly.
Sara April 23, 2012 at 12:33 pm
I have been looking for ways to increase the music portion in my upcoming homeschool plans, so am excited by the prospect of this plan helping me:)
Jordana April 23, 2012 at 12:50 pm
I am excited about the opportunity to win!! I tried, to pull off composer and artist study this year on my own, it will be a great help to have it all prepared for me!
thank you for reviewing this!
Char April 23, 2012 at 2:58 pm
I’ve been wanting this curriculum for next year. Last year I did a little by the seat of my pants… worked for a while, but then I would skip here & there simply because I wasn’t ready. Would be so nice to have it all set up & ready to go. Thanks for the opportunity!
Sandra April 23, 2012 at 3:34 pm
I’ve always really enjoyed art and composer studies. The exposure to greatness and beauty is inspiring. It takes such a little effort and such a small amount of time, yet over the years the knowledge and understanding really builds up. Sadly, last year was a very disrupted one for us and art and composer studies were one of the many things that dropped off our schedule. I’ve got art back but our composer studies still aren’t where I’d like them to be. These plans would be just the thing to get us back on track.
Cindy B April 23, 2012 at 5:26 pm
We started an American composers study this year, that I’m trying to put together myself, but it’s fallen by the wayside. Having plans already done would be wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway!
crystal April 23, 2012 at 5:44 pm
I love the emotion of classical music and the talent is absolutely a gift from God. I think our HS would definitely benefit from the detailed history and layout of HFA plans!
Claudia April 23, 2012 at 9:18 pm
i’d love this – we’ve been looking for ways to incorporate both art and music appreciation into our days. Thank you for sharing!
Amy April 23, 2012 at 11:46 pm
I would love to give this a try. My two eldest love art and I would love to foster that with some appreciation for the masters.
Lacey White April 24, 2012 at 6:32 am
This sounds great! I’ve looked at it many times, but may have to buckle down and just go for it.
Leatha April 24, 2012 at 7:47 am
This looks great! I would love to try this!
Caron April 24, 2012 at 9:15 am
I want to add art history and study to our day, but sometimes it is overwhelming and I find myself unsure of where to begin.
Trisha April 24, 2012 at 10:13 am
I’m just starting homeschool this summer when my K and 1st grader finish this PS year. I’m so excited, but overwhelmed! I want to do the “extras,” but feel like at first I need to just stick to the basics until we get a rhythm. But this seems like something I could handle! Very cool!
Jamie April 24, 2012 at 11:07 am
This school year, we have studied composers using books written by Wheeler and Deucher. The 2 years before, we studied artists using information I found on the internet as well as books. My kids enjoy studying both artists and composers. I haven’t decided what we are going to do for next year, so this would definitely help, it would be one less thing to think about! Thanks for the giveaway!
Whitney April 24, 2012 at 2:19 pm
This was our first year of homeschool and I did not include a music or art curriculum because I was highly intimidated by those 2 subjects…they are not my forte. This curriculum is exactly what I am looking to include in our studies for next year because it is done for me, but I think I will also learn just as much.
whitlav@gmail.com
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aimee April 25, 2012 at 1:34 am
We love the arts at our house, and have enjoyed Sketch Tuesday with Barbara so much this year. I struggle with adding in composer study and a more purposeful study of artists…I would love to have her curriculum…
Jeanette Drew April 25, 2012 at 6:11 am
I hope I win I hope I win I hope I win!
Natalia April 25, 2012 at 7:09 am
It would be wonderful to win!
Sheila April 25, 2012 at 7:36 am
Looks like a great way to incorporate fine arts! I’m looking to add this in to our curric!!
Thanks for the info!
Heather April 25, 2012 at 7:38 am
We’ve been home-eding for almost 8 years, we didn’t start following Charlotte Mason straight away it was and still is filtering in gradually. I love art and classical music but only came to this as an adult so still a novice and find it a bit tricky to plan, I think HFA would help solve this issue.
Thanks, Heather.
Cindy April 25, 2012 at 8:03 am
We tend to go a little light on the fine arts around here. That would be because I’m a rube and a hillbilly.
I’d LOVE the help. Everything I’ve seen from Barb is super-impressive. I’m in awe of her.
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anne April 25, 2012 at 8:11 am
My 2nd grader loves art, and this would be a fun study to incorporate into our days.
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Tricia Y April 25, 2012 at 8:31 am
I think this would be wonderful with our new ToG year!
Beth Ann Swinson April 25, 2012 at 9:31 am
I’m a vocal music instructor on the college level, and will be homeschooling my children for the first time as they enter 5th and 6th grades. I’ll definitely check out this curriculum! Does anyone use family “blogging” (private blog) as a form of notebooking?
Phyllis April 25, 2012 at 9:39 am
I agree 100% with this review. The art plans are fantastic and great for multiple age learning.
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Erin N April 25, 2012 at 10:05 am
We are following a classical model, but the fine arts studies have been lacking – I just haven’t had the time to pull a plan together. This sounds like a wonderful addition to our studies!!!
Lori April 25, 2012 at 10:18 am
We used Ancient Art and the Orchestra this last year and LOVED it! Looking forward to next year – using the next middle school level with my big kids and the first level with my little one.
Aadel April 25, 2012 at 10:27 am
We just bought some art card games at our local Homeschool Convention. I would love to incorporate them into some art & composer lessons!
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liz April 25, 2012 at 11:20 am
Thanks for this really helpful review. I’d love to incorporate some more ‘culture’ and artsy stuff in to our homeschool. This may be just the thing!
Heather April 25, 2012 at 11:22 am
I would love to win! I have been looking over this curriculum for two years…and I am ready to jump in!
Darla April 25, 2012 at 11:34 am
i use the plans loosely but visit Barb’s site often for encouragement and fresh ideas! i am on my last year of homeschooling wished i had found this resource years ago!
Eddie - The Usual Mayhem April 25, 2012 at 11:51 am
We love the Harmony Fine Arts curriculum! We’ve found them to be a great, stress-free addition to our homeschool. Barb was even kind enough to suggest some classical cds for my then-two year old when he wanted his own “special music”…and he still listens to them.
Please count us in and if I win I’ll use it for next year’s plan.
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Cassandra April 25, 2012 at 11:52 am
Art and music are our favorite subjects its often hard to focus on other subjects I think my daughter would love these and give her a solid direction during these subjects. Would love to try them for sure!
Heather April 25, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Would love more fine arts in our curriculum!
Marie Z April 25, 2012 at 1:09 pm
We have done quite a bit with artist studies, but not much with composer studies yet. It is something I do hope to start incorporating into our curriculum next year.
Zonnah April 25, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Not sure if we like artist/composer study yet since we just started. I already do Barbs outdoor hour challenge every month and know that it works well with our family. So I am thinking this would work as well
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Amy Str8 April 25, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Just learned about these books. The lesson plans sound great!!
Rebecca April 25, 2012 at 5:16 pm
I was JUST talking with a friend about Barb’s curriculum today…and we have decided we will be using it next year for our art/music studies! Thank you!
Terri April 25, 2012 at 7:45 pm
I love music. This would work wonderfully as we study each year to supplement our history.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Terri S
amy April 25, 2012 at 7:56 pm
I am looking forward to using this curriculum next year! It’s just what I’ve been looking for to incorporate art and music study in our homeschooling journey. Can’t wait!!
Joy April 25, 2012 at 8:03 pm
I have been looking for a curriculum like this! We will be starting Year 2 of MOH next year and I think this will go along great with it!
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CarrieF April 25, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Love the idea of “pushing back the lunch dishes” and listening/coloring right then and there! That would allow even my preschoolers to be involved in this before nap time. I love a new idea! : ) Thanks for sharing.
Tammy April 25, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Wow, that looks terrific!!
kathey April 25, 2012 at 8:34 pm
We love doing art and music studies – I find it gets pushed aside so often. I love you suggestion on once a week after lunch to build the habit.
Music and Art appreication always give us a complete picture to our history studies – when we do them.
Kathey
nancy timbrook April 25, 2012 at 8:50 pm
What a great giveaway, this is wonderful especially for people like me who wants so badly to do artist studies and music studies and is not organized or creative enough
to come up on my own. thank you
Lisa April 25, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Although I majored in music and teach various music classes throughout the year, we sadly find ourselves at the end of another year without a consistent study of music or art. I just found the Harmony Fine Arts website recently and would love to incorporate it in our homeschool plans for next year!
Shelly April 25, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Harmony Art Mom’s resources are fabulous! They have done more for our art appreciation studies over the past 10+ years than anything else. They are consistently well done, interesting, and educational.
Adela April 25, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Would love to win Harmony’s artist/composer curriculum. We love art and have projects on a regular bases we are ready to add music studies and more art. This is the curriculum we want to follow. Thank you!
Nancy Brown April 25, 2012 at 9:21 pm
These plans would be a blessing to me!
Danielle April 25, 2012 at 9:28 pm
What a wonderful curriculum barb has put together. My children just finished their first sketch Tuesday and really enjoyed it. We would really enjoy incorporating the arts into our school days.
Belinda April 25, 2012 at 9:37 pm
I am finally getting humble enough to realize that I need help in this area. The description at the very beginning of this post fit me perfectly.
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Tara April 25, 2012 at 9:53 pm
I love these unit plans! I have used Grade 4 this year, and we have really enjoyed it.
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Lisa April 25, 2012 at 10:03 pm
These plans look great! I know they would help me be more consistent in the arts.
Angela in MT April 25, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Ok I think I am doing this right…
We are studying Mozart right now, but I would love to have a little more direction… I think these plans could really help!
Melissa April 25, 2012 at 10:52 pm
I’m really trying to incorporate music and art with my four children, but sometimes it’s really hard and I need my hand held.
Julie April 25, 2012 at 11:19 pm
I have enjoyed the art samples from Barb’s site and would enjoy using the full program. I know it would be a great blessing to our school. Thank you for the opportunity.
Rebecca April 26, 2012 at 1:33 am
I just started doing some art study this year after wanting to for a long time. It is really fun! I would love to have it all planned to match our history!
Philippa April 26, 2012 at 3:42 am
My daughter and I share a love of art and music. I’d love to have these resources on hand to extend her practical art lessons by adding insight into artists and composers. Holding thumbs!
Susan April 26, 2012 at 6:37 am
Thank you for the artist and music curriculum review. It looks fantastic!
Kris April 26, 2012 at 6:37 am
My children love art in all its many forms! I would like something a more structured, rather than my usual hodge-podge, hit or miss approach.
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Kristina April 26, 2012 at 9:17 am
I’m really hoping to included art and music into my homeschool next year. This would be perfect for me!
Sarah D. April 26, 2012 at 9:24 am
I would love to do a better job including music and art study in our history plans. This sounds wonderful!
Jenny Anne April 26, 2012 at 10:01 am
I love art and music! I think the HFA plan would just make it easy and I would have NO excuse not to include it more formally.
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Lisa W. April 26, 2012 at 10:10 am
My children have responded well when we’ve incorporated artist and composer study, my deficiency lies in effectively working it in. Balance… ever elusive balance.
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Shannon April 26, 2012 at 12:47 pm
I keep looking at this!
Emily April 26, 2012 at 2:30 pm
We began using the artist/composer 1st grade curriculum this year and are so thankful for it. It has saved me so much time! My 3 year old joins in and loves it as well!
Greengardeninggirl April 26, 2012 at 4:15 pm
I love Harmony Art Mom’s ideas!
Dovey April 26, 2012 at 4:51 pm
I am a classical musician as is my husband. Unfortunately, with having a large family and homeschooling, music lessons and music appreciation isn’t getting done very much. I would LOVE to have something that is already done for me. That is the stage of life that I’m in. I need things done for me. I don’t have the time or the energy to create.
Laura April 26, 2012 at 8:50 pm
We are currently using year 5 (ancients) and we absolutely love HFA! Barb was so helpful when I was trying to decide which year to purchase for my children.
Angie Bannister April 26, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Great POST!! Just love seeing what your family works on together!! Yes, I would looooove to get a sample so we can give it a try!!! Thanks a lot for the chance!!
KErstin April 26, 2012 at 10:04 pm
HOW have I been missing this?? LOVE IT!
Cathy S. April 27, 2012 at 7:52 am
We love art and music and have enjoyed the free samples. This is definitely been on my wish list!
sandy b November 14, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Great source of information and easy to use! I’d love to see this as a resource to send home with my students and their families! What a great resource for the classrooms that are unsure of what to do for their art or when I need a substitute!
Julie Campbell February 11, 2013 at 3:17 pm
I am just getting ready to place my order for Gr. 2 for next school year. I have been waiting for this time to come.