Today was art day in our Italy week. We browsed many famous works from Florence and Rome. We made a trip to the local library and read up some more on Italy and the Renaissance. Here are just a few of the facts we focused on today....
The Renaissance began in Florence Tuscany in the 14th century.
We studied the works of Michelangelo, Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo de Vinci, and Raphael.
Architecture changed from a Gothic pointed arch to more of a round arch seen in most of Italy's structures.
During this time Italy consisted of 250 seperate states.
Of course, we spent a large amount of time on an art project which the kids really disliked.. So why did we continue the project - well I am not sure any kid would enjoy the process, but I am fairly certain my kids wont forget who Michelangelo is or HOW he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. My kids, after laying on their backs under the dining room table, cant imagine painting that way for over 4 years...
Using a sketch of Michelangelo's Delphes Sylphie from Enchanted Learning we taped papers on the underside of our table and the children laid there with colored pencils. It didnt take long before the kids started complaining, and each time they did I pulled out our book and we read some more about the process and about Michelangelo the artist as well. The younger two kids were allowed to simply draw, and I was pleasantly surprised when my youngest girl (6) went and got her picture Bible and tried herself to draw a scene from Genesis.
Art is something fun to break up the mondane rainy (or too hot) day. So have some basic art supplies on hand so your kids can tackle a fun project on the spur of the moment. Here are some great little finds from around the web to give a jump start on ideas...(you can always bookmark these blogs -add them to your google reader so they are handy, or create a list that you keep on your fridge or on a clip board hanging somewhere handy)
Crafty Crow every day something new and wonderful and creative...lots of link and ideas.
Art Projects for Kids wonderful ideas to really use art techniques with your kids.
Henry Family Circus Jill found my blog via TipJunkie and was inspired to have her own theme weeks, and she showcases all the fun art projects that her family has done this week. Some great ideas, cant wait to add some of her ideas to our list of things to do.
Still Finding Cash this blog is full of frugal ideas to get the best our of everyday, and she will be having a lot more ideas this summer, so definately check out this blog.
Family Fun you cant go wrong with Family Fun's great seasonal craft ideas.. I like to print the ones we want to do so I dont forget them.
Dont forget to check out the Sundays This Summer link to the right for all our theme weeks including, tea party, science camp, China week, etc.
I forgot yesterday to post the photo of our Biscotti, oh it was yummy, the kids enjoyed it as a breakfast treat, but only dipped in milk...
We also enjoyed our gelato today and think ice cream is a perfect summer treat so we have a summer giveaway for you.
We are giving away a Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker to a lucky reader.
Have you seen these.. you will have a choice of red or blue. Now I am giving this away with no compensation at all from the manufacturer, it is simply something we love and I figure it would be nice to thank my readers for stopping over this summer. We received one of these from my sister a few summer back and we always look forward to the process of making ice cream with ours.. So here is the scoop ~ to enter... Comment below with your favorite homeade ice cream recipe (you can share a link). You can gain another entry by tweeting the giveaway (you must come back and leave a second comment that you tweeted-follow me on twitter so I can verify). You can blog about the giveaway for a third entry (just come back and link me up to your blog).
Thats it, one lucky reader will have this fun ice cream activity to entertain the kids with during the 4th of July holidays. I will use a random number generator to select a winner Sunday night. The contest entry period will end at 5pm Sunday June 20th.
I wish I had a favorite ice cream recipe to make homemade. I've never made homemade ice cream and have been so wanting to give it a try! Your Italy studies look so fun. We are doing Galloping the Globe this year and I will definitely be looking back over them when we get to Italy! :) Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Christy | June 18, 2010 at 05:21 AM
our favorite is simply, cream, vanilla extract, and honey. Sometimes we throw in a little cane sugar... oh and just as it's finishing or to top it off fresh fruit!!!
Posted by: melinda | June 18, 2010 at 08:26 AM
We've only done simple snow ice cream where you take sugar, snow and vanilla flavoring and stir. The kids would love to use these!
Posted by: Tristan | June 18, 2010 at 02:39 PM
I blogged about your giveaway here:
http://ourbusyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2010/06/italy-and-ice-cream.html
Posted by: Tristan | June 18, 2010 at 02:44 PM
We, due to food allergies, don't have an opportunity to eat ice cream. However, I just bought this book: http://www.amazon.com/Vice-Cream-Gourmet-Vegan-Desserts/dp/1587611996 My intention is to make ice cream that my children can eat. Need an ice cream maker, though. Would be great to try one of these.
Thanks,
Holly@aiminghigh
Posted by: Holly@aiminghigh | June 20, 2010 at 08:39 AM
We just went to our neighbors house last night and had amazing homemade ice cream. It made me want to get something to make our own. So I would love your blog forever if I won! She used the usual recipe and added peppermint extract to taste and a bunch of chocolate chips. It was to die for especially with a brownie : )
Posted by: crystal | June 20, 2010 at 02:52 PM
This one is our own creation
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup milk
1 banana mashed
1 cup chopped Rolos candies
2 graham crackers crumbled
Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl until very light and fluffy (1-2 minutes). Whisk in banana. Whisk in the sugar about 1 minute more. Pour in the cream and milk. Whisk to blend. Add to ice cream maker. Add Rolos and graham cracker when the ice cream has thickened.
Posted by: Rebecca M | June 20, 2010 at 04:23 PM
@holli, I dont eat dairy so I make my ice cream using coconut milk, my fav is a key lime and coconut ice cream that I make.
@rebecca my kids will love that recipe.... we will try it very soon...
Posted by: sarah | June 20, 2010 at 11:09 PM
Love the Sistine Chapel exercise! Such a creative idea to "immerse" them in Michaelangelo's world. Gonna have to use that one for school next year!!
Posted by: Kay | June 21, 2010 at 09:58 PM