how to draw history

 "How are cartoons used to express opinions, issues and ideas?

How do cartoons analyse different historical interpretations?"

We started in the migration museum examining cartoons there and noting their commentary on history.

Our guide,Toby, was very enthusiastic about his theme.

 Learners will explore issues that have affected South Australians from  colonisation to the present

 What is a cartoon:A simple drawing showing the features of its subjects in an exaggerated way, especially in a newspaper or magazine.

 learn how cartoons can be used as historical sources

learn how to communicate personal perspectives about an issue  via cartoons.



 We started our workshop with very gentle warm-up exercises:"draw a quick sketch of a mouse. Now add some cheese" No surprises that most cheese drawn was the holey variety and triangular in shape!!

 participate in a 60 minute  cartooning workshop run by cartoonist and illustrator, Simon Kneebone.

 I snapped a few pictures of works in progress.

Crystal garden

 Not a very good picture but as you can see our crystals are growing albeit not on the top of the seed but on the sides.

 Today we started another type of crystals. We used charcoal to grow the crystals on.

 The solution we made up of 2Tbs of salt,bluing agent, ammonium and water.

 Ds said the fumes were horrible! To add variety f colour and to make the crystals more visible we placed different food coloring on the charcoal before adding the solution to it.

Above is the result after a week. We think they look very pretty.Below in the right of the reflection you can see what was once the Home for the Destitute in Adelaide. The building might look very picturesque now but the conditions inside when it was functioning were incredibly harsh.We were privileged today to see a play  at the Migration museum that was based on the stories of the people who were forced to live there.

"Chasing Vermeer"

We have discovered a new readaloud author! Not only does she write thought provoking prose but we get to do art history and maths at the same time!As one reviewer comments:"

Secrets, lies and mysteries surround the work of one of the greatest artists of all time. Moonlit chases, hidden hiding places, and even a secret code help to solve the mystery."

 There are clues in the art work that help you solve the mystery. The art work itself is worth close investigation.The author has her own site with games and puzzles and even downloadable pentominoes for you to work with! 







The book also has plenty of scope for writing projects:"Is writing the most accurate way to communicate, investigate",  "Research letter writing by asking people to describe a piece of mail that changed their lives and then,write me a letter I won't be able to forget ". "At the beginning of chapter three Petra "window gazing" from a train is described, write about a changing scene you have observed on a journey." Then there are descriptive writing examples including the children's narratives of famous paintings(but not just these!) that beg to be used as jumping boards for further discussions/projects.     This is a book we will remember for a long time. And the good news? The author has two more in the series along similar lines. No we haven't read them. Yes we are looking forward to doing so!                                                                                                                              

"The Genius of Leonardo" picture book find

I love to use picture books as an introduction or summary of a particular topic. I was surprised and delighted to find this at our local library. As part of our readings for history we are reading "the Second Mrs Gioconda". This book is a fictional representation of the life of Leonardo de Vinci. (Now I have heard some negative reviews by homeschoolers of this book because it mentions one character's unfaithfulness to his wife but again I think if you are reading this to older children it can give you a good opportunity to discuss such topics as trust and commitment. Again I don't think a book has to ascribe to my world philosophy for it to be worthwhile in our homeschool. )

I enjoy reading books by E.L Konigsburg for myself but I think she is a fabulous author for older children.Books by her always encourage lots of discussion!
However back to my picture book find. It is described as being written by Guido Visconti with quotations from the notebooks of Leonardo. The artist's illustrations are supurb. one reviewer says:"When I first saw the cover and title for this book, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like it. The illustrations did not remind me of Leonardo Da Vinci. I was ready to be disappointed. Instead, I was surprised when I found myself enjoying the book.

I like the portrayal of Leonardo and his apprentice. The genius of the man is portrayed while still keeping him imperfect. Leonardo doesn't have answers for all of life's questions. Still, the book reminded me how fascinating math and science can be while reminding me why the Renaissance is such a fascinating time in history.

All around, this is a wonderful book." another states"The illustrations by Bimba Landmann are amazing, making the book a work of art. The text is meaty, telling us a lot about Leonardo and his ideas (with direct quotes). Kids will relate to the mischievous character of Giacomo, Leonardo's 10-year-old assistant, who frequently annoys his famous boss. I would recommend this book for anyone age 6 to adult!"(reviews from Amazon)I think this is a book worth re-reading long after our history study has been completed.

Medieval Fair

We are finishing up our study of the middle ages. It has once again taken two years to move through this time period! Last time I studied the middle ages with our older children it was the cause in part for us coming into the Catholic church...all those saints! This time nothing so dramatic just ...life!

Anyway as part of our study we attended our local medieval fair. This is an annual event held in a small country town about an hours drive away.

Until Saturday we had been enjoying for the most part brilliant autumn weather;cool in the early morning and evening and then lovely sunny days. But on Saturday the day started wet and grey!
 Quite good for "imagining" how people did cope in inclement weather in medieval times but for us in the 21st century who had decided not to bring a relatively modern invention(umbrella!) well we also enjoyed more than a few drips!
Still it did not entirely dampen our day and we were able to enjoy watching many dramas reenacted.Many of the "audience" had also come in costume and we walked amongst lordly knights, comic jesters and graceful damsels to name but a few.

This strange photo of Toby shows how often we had to close our eyes to keep at least that part of us dry(!) but it also shows some of the tents different historical societies had put up.

 

We saw meals being cooked over open fires,weaving ans spinning,calligraphy, archery,mail being soldered and much more.

I couldn't resist these photos of an old highland breed of cattle. The mum was so protective of her "little darling"

Not particularly medieval but very cute!

 But what the boys enjoyed the most was the jousting. One of the riders really knew how to involve the crowd. He even got a volunteer to offer to hold the watermelon in the final shot. UUntil it was explained that he might loose the odd hand!

Carrick Hill

"rattie's boat?"

We enjoyed our visit to Carrick House. In the front gardens we observed an exhibition of mosaics. Unfortunately we were not allowed to use cameras inside. But it was intriging to note all the art that the owners of the house  had  collected, especially the panelling which dated back over several hundred years.


 

home for a hobbit?

But I think what the boys enjoyed most was the "story book trail" behind the house and the secret places to discover in the garden.


A great homeschool excursion.

beware the troll!

"some pig"

what a web

Charlotte perhaps?

checking the time

guess whose garden!

the blue jaket gives it away!

 Not Worzell Gummidge!