SCM Picture Study Portfolios

We have always tried to incorporate picture study into our homeschool.  Some years have gone better than others.  :)  Over the summer I discovered a new product from one of my favorite companies, Simply Charlotte Mason.  It is so simple, but I knew it would help us to be more consistent with our picture study since all I have to do is pull the materials off the shelf.  :)

SCM Picture Study Portfolios include full color works by the artist of your choice in coated card stock.  I was truly impressed with the look and feel of these reproductions.  At 8.5" x 11" they are a nice size, too.  You also receive a handbook with biographical information about the artist, recommended reading lists, several 'how-to' tips and much more.  We enjoyed the biographical information more than I expected.  I have to say I expected a typical bio that we have read in other compilations, but was pleasantly surprised to discover that they have used excerpts from an out of print 'living book' called Stories of the Painters by Amy Steedman.  Good stuff!

I truly think I would have paid the $14.95 (about $20 with shipping and tax) just for the 6 full color prints.  Having the handbook included makes this a steal!  We started today on Rembrandt and have already placed an order for Turner.  I look forward to using even more in the future.

SCM reproduction of Night Watch by Rembrandt

First Day of School... so far, so good :)

Today was our first day of school around here.  Although the schoolroom is a complete and utter disaster, we have managed to have a great first day.  Two new items in our curricula that are truly standouts are Exploring America's Musical Heritage by Dr. Carol Reynolds and Michael Clay Thompson's new Literature program.  Wow!  Both of these are fantastic programs!

Exploring America's Musical Heritage is a smaller unit study from the same lady who did Discovering Music (another one of our favorites).  This new program focuses entirely on American music and culture and is not a full credit course, but is well worth our time.  It is chock full of fascinating interviews, location shots and musical samples designed to guide us through a survey of American culture via a closer examination of American music and art.  I simply love Dr. Carol Reynolds - she is enthusiastic, warm and energetic in her mission to preserve the arts, both in their historical context and in the modern day classroom.  I can tell this will be a favorite for all of us.

You already know that I love Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts materials, so you won't be surprised that I just had to order his most recent addition, a literature component.  We began today and almost couldn't stop.  :)  Our first book is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.  Honestly, I didn't think I would like this book - just goes to show what I know (and how Walt Disney has skewed my view)!  We are enjoying it tremendously.  The MCT methodology of avoiding busywork while stressing critical thinking and sheer immersion in good literature is a perfect fit for us.

If you happen to be looking for a good unit study on American music history and culture or a quality literature program for middle grades, I would highly recommend Exploring America's Musical Heritage and the MCT Literature program.  Great stuff!!

Just for fun, here are a few videos for you to watch.  You can see several more of Dr. Carol Reynolds at her You Tube channel here.  (I highly recommend ALL of them!)   :)







And, while not nearly as colorful and vibrant as Dr. Carol Reynolds... :)
Michael Clay Thompson looks at Language Arts education, specifically the connection between vocabulary and grammar, in the following video.