Homeschool Art Lessons

[AltogetherLovely]

In the somewhat near future (that is, whenever the Lord blesses us with children and I get to "retire" from the 9-5 world), I would like to offer art lessons to middle and high school age homeschoolers. Our church is full of them, and I'm willing to bet it's a part of education that is extremely difficult for non-art-people to teach.

I've asked around and there is a significant amount of interest, but I would like any more opinions or general advice you all may have. There are dozens of possible formats, but I was thinking that group lessons under a set 10-16 week schedule, beginning with only two sections of beginning and adult drawing would be best.

I am aware of the financial limitations many HS households have, but as much as I love teaching, I would like, at least, not to lose money. And any time money enters the equation with dear friends and fellow church members there is the potential for bad outcomes.

Anybody have experience with this?

 

[Kevin]

We have signe dup for several art/drama type of classes for a few of our kids.

The best advice I can give is offer an age specific course. So often people try to work in all ages into the one class. This seems like a good idea to the presenter but it rarely works well for the parents or the kids. You really can not teach a 14 yo & an 8 yo the same subject at the same time. You will end up teaching one & baby-sitting the other.

Find out if your local support group has a co-op or enrichment day. Those are ready made oppourtunities to sell your service.

 

[SueS]

How I wish we had had an affordable art class available when we were homeschooling! I was never able to find a really good art curriculum for Sarah and the subject eventually faded away. Thankfully, she is musically inclined and we were able to be very strong in that area.

I second the idea of going through a co-op situation and also teaching to specific ages - too big of an age spread in a class can be disasterous!

Here's hoping for great success in your endeavor!

 

[BobVigneault]

There are a bunch of homeschoolers using this online resource. It's very comprehensive but it's online.

Drawspace.com - Drawing lessons

 

[jwithnell]

We've been able to supplement our schooling with PE, art, and dance classes from our local recreation department. If teaching through a rec center is a possibility for you, it might resolve some of the money issues because someone else would be handling that. Depending on the time you teach, you could pretty much limit the classes to other homeschoolers. There are also a lot of cottage schools that have been developed that might also welcome you.

I must say, seeing educators work with my son who has some developmental delays has opened my eyes to the importance of art in education. He's doing come kind of art project almost every time he meets with a teacher or speech therapist due to the opportunity to work on fine motor skills, listening, and direction-following skills.

 

[LadyFlynt]

On the money issue...you may just wish to offer a list of generic supplies to each parent. My children were unable to participate in co-op art classes also, because even for 1st and 3rd graders, the art teacher (granted a professional) charged between $60 and $80. Her explanation was that she was trying to intro them to all sort of mediums (which is true). But it would have been nice to have had several smaller, less expensive, art classes available.

 

[Kevin]

Good point!

The last art class we signed up for had a kit list from the teacher that set me back over $70.00, for a 7 yo!

Did I really need 30 bucks worth of coloured pencils?

 

[LadyFlynt]

Good point!

The last art class we signed up for had a kit list from the teacher that set me back over $70.00, for a 7 yo!

Did I really need 30 bucks worth of coloured pencils?

Oh good heavens. For a 7 or even a 10yr old, what is wrong with using cheap pencils, cheap water colours, salt dough, etc? It seems people want to come up with the grandest of things, nice thought, but really many people need REALISTIC.

 

[AltogetherLovely]

My thought was to give a list of required and suggested supplies, and let the students get their own supplies (that can also be a part of the learning process--wandering aisles of Michael's trying to find the right pencils). But even if I had the students buy their own supplies, I still need to be compensated for my time/effort. I was thinking $60-$70 for a 10-12 week course, but I'm afraid even that may scare away a family sending 2-3 kids.

 

[LadyFlynt]

I just reread your first post. Please note that I'm sick and was running off of 3hrs of sleep.

You are talking about Private Art Lessons, then, not Classes for Homeschoolers. There is a difference in a Private Lesson and a Co-op situation. What I dealt with was a co-op situation and I felt it was ridiculous when so many of us parents are spreading our knowledge, skills, and assistance around so everyone has the opportunity to learn. In co-op, not all families can afford "the right pencils". However, if you are offering a semester of Private Art Lessons, you are in a good price range for such and those that have children that are serious about art or have the extra money will seek you out

 

[TimV]

I'm a bit unclear as well. Are you talking about a group of, say, 10 kids at a time? My 4th son really enjoyed a short science course taught by someone who was an expert in paleontology. I think you may want to reduce the number of classes to perhaps 3 to 5 times rather than 10 or 12, that way you can keep attrition low and reduce the amount of money you need to ask for. Something like 40 dollars each kid, with a discount for a family with more than one kid, say 25 each after the first.


And consider making the venue at a church, not necessarily yours. A big church will help with the organising and advertising even though you're not a member, as long as it's broadly evangelical in nature, which shouldn't be too difficult in an art class.

 

[AltogetherLovely]

Sorry, I may have been a bit unclear about my plans. Eventually, once I quit work, I'd love to give art lessons out of my home. But right now, since I work during the day, I'd like to get my feet wet in the teaching world by offering lessons to older kids and adults at church, probably once a week in the evenings.

I agree that it doesn't work to lump kids of differing ages into the same group. That's actually why I'm leaning more toward older kids and adults--there's less of a difference in talent, skill, fine motor skills, etc.

I'm thinking a group setting would be best, which would keep the costs lower for all parties involved. I like the idea of charging less for multiple students--thanks.

 

[lynnie]

My daughter( 12, 6th grade) takes a few classes at a church that offers classes for homeschoolers. They are typically divided up grades 1-3, 4-6, 6-8, 9-12.

Classes are once a week for 2.5 hours with a 20 minute recess in the middle. Art is the most popular (12 kids). 30 weeks total and supplies included. Mostly fine arts with some sculpture. (No computers or graphic arts on computer). It ran a bit over $500. So that is about $17 or so per class. The teacher does not get it all, as they do have an administrator and pay the church some for utilities and building use.

"I was thinking $60-$70 for a 10-12 week course, but I'm afraid even that may scare away a family sending 2-3 kids."

I'll grant the prices are real high here ( class is in Princeton, NJ) but you are talking $ 5-6-7 per class? That's nothing. Dance classes are 15 bucks per hour. I did a botany class one fall for homeschoolers 12 years ago at $5 per class and I was mobbed with grateful Moms.

You'd be surprised how many ages you can mix. 4 or 5 grades at least.

Go for it!