I mentioned previously that Timberdoodle was giving me the chance to review this curriculum. And I have. And I like it! In fact, my 8-year-old is going to be using this curriculum weekly in the coming year. I am seriously tempted to have him draw me something, and then have him draw the same thing at the end of the year, and see how much he has improved.
We’ve played around with it a bit because (1) it was fun and (2) I had a deadline for this review. Here, so far, is what I (we) like about it:
When they say it comes “binder-ready,” they mean it! It even has a cute little front pieces and side pieces, so you don’t have to spend any time labeling. I love cute side pieces.- The pages are thick. There is nothing worse than thin, torn pages in a binder, especially when you are using it for with the first of a line of students.
- Printable worksheets! I am basically using the binder as a master copy and I print out the worksheets from the DVD. This is another way that I’ll be able to keep it all from wearing out before I’m done using it with all of my children (yes, I think I’ll like it enough to use with all of my children).
- The instructional movie clips are short. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like it when instructional mini-movies are long. Granted, I don’t mind spending time if it is spent well; it’s just that so many that I’ve seen seem to be long…for the sake of being long, if you know what I mean. The clips I’ve viewed so far give the instruction, and then they’re done. No belaboring the point, and easy to watch twice if need be.
- The precise list of art supplies needed. Mr. Parsons even specifies the weight of the drawing paper! Here’s the thing: the few times we’ve bought high-quality supplies (from Timberdoodle, no less!), I’ve noticed what a difference they make. The quality of the colored pencil or paint or whatever really matters. However, comma…I don’t actually have an eye for quality. This is why I love it when an artist tells me what I need to buy to help my children. I also appreciate that I don’t have to spend $50. The list was reasonable.
- Mr. Parsons emphasizes posture. I’ve been
naggingdrillinghelping my son with this for years, but Mr. Parsons makes more sense than Mom, I suppose, because he seems to have (mostly) solved the problem.
At the end of the year, I hope to see a lot of improvement. I really think that art is like most things–there is a lot to be said for consistent work and progress. The problem in our home is that I am pretty directionless when it comes to art. Having a curriculum is going to be fabulous–we start in one place and move toward a goal. In a year, we see some fruit from our labors. This is learning as it should be!
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Legal Disclosure: As a member of Timberdoodle’s Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of Simply Draw in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.
1 Comment
I second quality art supplies. They last longer and are more beautiful!