Does anyone use the R&S Art stuff and want to review?

[Kayaking Mom]

I am looking at some more hands on art. I LOVE Rod and Staff in general - and their art packs looks great and cheap. I was wondering if anyone has used their stuff and had opinions. THANKS!!!

[Beth in Central TX]

I've used Artpac 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 so far. I recently posted that it's a no frills art program that consists of 36 lessons. The instructions are written mostly to the student in the older levels. The younger levels assume teacher assistance.

For $7.25 you get about 6 pages of instructions, all of the artsheets, and grid paper, if appropriate for that level. Each lesson has about a paragraph or two for materials needed and instruction. It's very straight forward.

I was hesitant at first to buy the Artpac program, but to be honest, it's the only way we get art done on a weekly basis in our homeschool. My boys really like the program; it's quick and easy, but sometimes the instructions are not as clear as I would like (being a non-art person). It took me awhile to get use to the program. However, I've seen my boys produce some great art projects over the years which is really all I'm looking for. My 6-grader did a reduced grid drawing 2-weeks ago that was very impressive, if I say so myself.

I'm off to church now, but if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

HTH!

[Ellie]

which is actually published by Share a Care Pubications, not R&S :-) is pretty good. Nothng fancy or anything, but it is easy to use, and for the price you can't go wrong. It is recommended that the teacher have an Artpac for herself and do the lessons first so she can explain it better and have a model for the children.

[vmsurbat]

we actually preferred Abeka's Elementary Art program. It is a bit more expensive, but much more bright and colorful in the lower grades. It also consists of once-a-week "art" class listed by month. Thus, the finished artwork makes cute, seasonally-appropriate decorations. I always used it a grade behind (ie. my second grader doing the first grade book) because that requires a lot less help from Mom.

The artpacs *ARE* an excellent value--just less exciting. The upper level of Artpacs (5th and up) actually give more art instruction than the Abeka series (which only goes through 6th grade).

HTH,

[jail warden]

I really like it. Pretty much everything is done for you, I only had to buy goggly eyes and yarn for 1st and make a couple copies for 2nd. Cheap, quick, easy and PAINLESS!!!

[fishnoises]

I have artpac too, but I am not too gaga over it. It is better than nothing. I highly recommend the book "Discovering Great Artists" by Kohl and Solga. You do need to plan ahead though. I taught a class in my basement for local homeschooolers using this book, and I was pleased with the artwork the kids produced!
I also highly, highly recommend taking your kids to art museums as often as possible. Postcards, posters and pictures in books of fine art do not have the impact of the real thing. Children will naturally produce their own work given the time and materials. They need to see what great art looks like. (Just like reading great books.)
Read biographies on great artists. Ask questions about what the kids are seeing. Get them a sketchbook! Teach them to look.
Caroline

[Dana in OR]

I have artpac too, but I am not too gaga over it. It is better than nothing. I highly recommend the book "Discovering Great Artists" by Kohl and Solga. You do need to plan ahead though. I taught a class in my basement for local homeschooolers using this book, and I was pleased with the artwork the kids produced!
I also highly, highly recommend taking your kids to art museums as often as possible. Postcards, posters and pictures in books of fine art do not have the impact of the real thing. Children will naturally produce their own work given the time and materials. They need to see what great art looks like. (Just like reading great books.)
Read biographies on great artists. Ask questions about what the kids are seeing. Get them a sketchbook! Teach them to look.
Caroline

I completely agree. I have a couple of the artpacks that I got along with other R&S books. I found them to be very un-creative for the lower grades, anyway. Also they are more craft-y than art-y. Many of the projects involve instructing the child exactly how to color something with crayons (how hard to press, what color to use, etc.). I would prefer to have my child do an original drawing or painting. Much more effective for a child are a few quality art supplies and a book like "Discovering Great Artists," or a Charlotte Mason type picture study.

[Kayaking Mom]

Thanks so much for your feedback. I am pretty arty but I still can't make it all happen, LOL! We're doing GeeArt right now and the kids love it. I think we'll stick with that and work through Teaching Art to Children and re-evaluate in the late summer. THANKS!!!

[Ellie]

I found them to be very un-creative for the lower grades, anyway. Also they are more craft-y than art-y.

I wouldn't say that the upper grades are craft-y rather than art-y.

There's no art appreciation or anything, but still, if a child learned all the techniques and use of different media with the Artpacs, he'd be more prepared to create his own art, don't you think?