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You are here: Home / HomeSchooling / Homeschool Makeover: Flag Art Over Mantel

February 24, 2012 by: Hodgepodgemom

Homeschool Makeover: Flag Art Over Mantel

Many years ago we needed some art work for the family room. There was a big, empty spot over the mantel that needed just the perfect, happy, family-friendly piece. The flag was Nana’s suggestion.

Back when we it was just the older three children, they all joined in the process. We got out a long piece of paper from our newspaper roll and the three children went to work. First born made the stripes. Second born painted the navy rectangle. And the baby stamped the stars. Can’t remember who added the glittery sparkles.

It all happened in a matter of minutes but the process captured that memory for always. The art work is perfect for over our fireplace. Just big enough. And I love how the red paintbrush strokes give the flag motion – like it’s waving in the breeze. Family members like it so much that we did several more as Christmas presents that year.

A simple, fun solution to a large, empty space over the fireplace. And it goes to show you that you don’t have to have special or high-dollar supplies to make something wonderful. See? We still proudly display the first place ribbon from the state fair.

Here’s a shot of the flag over our mantle this week, along with our selection of Tapestry of Grace books. Still love that flag! Continuing the homeschool makeover series.

In other homeschool news, I returned from a fabulous time at the BEECH conference. (I shared about getting to be with all those blogging ladies at Vero Beach in my BEECH recap). Hodgepodgedad had taken some time off work and we celebrated his birthday early in the week. Last week’s sickness stretched into this week. Middle Girl, who was hit the hardest, was able to spend some time with the New Millennium Girls creative writing bundle. We are so excited about this set for tweens – complete with book, creative writing workbook and paper doll craft set. Review coming soon at The Curriculum Choice!

Eldest boy was putting into action Hodgepodgedad’s words. “The best way to find out how something works is to take it apart.” Which he did. And he got it all back together in working order!

library books We are very much enjoying our Tapestry readings. We are just starting into Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare for Children but are continuing to love all the books on the artists we are studying – the World’s Famous Artists series, Da Vinci for Kids, The Story of Painting and more. We thought it was fun to read another book by a like-named author – Margaret Hodges!

I also turned to my Tapestry of Grace teacher’s notes for movies! We are thoroughly steeped in the Renaissance, just starting into Shakespeare. In addition to watching the World’s Greatest Artists – Michelango again, we looked back and ahead and put the following movies in the Netflix cue. Keep in mind some of them will just be for us to view with the older two children:

  • The Agony and the Ecstasy (starring Charlton Heston)
  • Much Ado About Nothing (starring Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson)
  • Martin Luther (starring Niall McGinnis)
  • The Taming of the Shrew (starring Elizabeth Taylor)

Plus we re-watched scads of Cyberchase. Fun math examples.

Here’s the rest of the Hodgepodge week in photo collage form:

1. Visiting with my Great-Aunt Dot on the way back from BEECH conference | 2. Hodgepodgedad helps make an electroscope with @AiG Science Heat & Energy | 3. Hodgepodgedad fixes the screaming dishwasher – on his birthday – what a super guy! | 4. Swangin’ in the sunshine | 5. Homemade cookie cake for Hodgepodgedad’s birthday | 6. Slow and Steady Get Me Ready alphabet activities with 4yo | 7. Train time | 8. Practicing handwriting | 9. A few under the weather around here – ug | 10. Signs of spring on a spring-like day with temps in the 70s | 11. FIAR – Papa Piccolo set in Italy – compliments our Tapestry of Grace studies | 12. Listening to the Farewell symphony – studying Haydn with Harmony Fine Arts plans

More fun this week: Shades of Blue Pastel free art lesson matches our Go Fish Sea Creatures Game + Giveaway. Hodgepodge is teaming up with nine great sites in giving away these high-quality educational games. You can enter to win at each site!

Learning and resting! It’s these kind of weeks that I’m thankful for a load of books on the mantle and the comfort of home. Thankful for homeschooling!

Thanks to our Friday hostesses: Camera Phone Friday hostess Dawn Camp @ My Home Sweet Home,Weekly Wrap-Up hostess Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers and Mary at Home Grown Learners

We managed to make it this long well. Have y’all escaped the sickness? Or, do you display your children’s artwork in a prominent place?

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About Hodgepodgemom

Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. The biggest lesson she’s learned? At the end of the day – when the dishes are put away and the children are tucked in bed – truly what matters is each child’s relationship with the Lord. Raising children is a God-given privilege and, folks, the time is short.

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Comments

  1. Mary says

    February 24, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    The more I read your blog the more I am interested in Tapestry of Grace — it seems to use so many things that we already do (just piecing things together) — I just ordered St. George and The Dragon to read with my kids!!!

    In our Mission of Motherhood book club last night we talked about exposing our children to BEAUTY and how we go about doing that… your homeschool is such a wonderful example, Tricia.

    Thanks for linking – as always!

    Reply
  2. Hodgepodgemom says

    February 24, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    Mary, you are so kind. For us, Tapestry of Grace is truly the match for our age range. It is the basis and the jumping off point, the layers and levels of unit studies (as I so often say). It is a perfect fit for our Hodgepodge. If you really are interested, you can read my review here: https://www.thecurriculumchoice.com/2011/06/tapestry-of-grace/ And, I often say, that Tapestry is a smorgasbord – if you dip into just part of what is offered – it is rich! Like this week – with sickness – the movies listed provided so much learning while we were all honking and coughing 🙂 Let me know. I love to talk TOG.

    And, thank you for your collage Friday!

    Reply
  3. Nana says

    February 24, 2012 at 2:22 PM

    Regarding the wonderful homemade flag picture: I have had one of the “gift” copies of the flag here at the Georgia State Capitol for years! Of all the pictures on the walls in my office, that flag picture “stops the traffic” with great comments!
    Forever,
    Nana

    Reply
  4. Mary says

    February 24, 2012 at 4:13 PM

    You had a fabulous week- I love the books on the mantle and I share your love of Tapestry of Grace!

    Reply
  5. Phyllis says

    February 24, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    For being sick, you guys have had a lovely week. The flag picture is so beautiful…it looks like something you would see in a Modern Art Gallery.

    Reply
  6. Lisa says

    February 24, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    The flag painting is awesome! And, your mantle looks wonderful with all of the literature on it! I’m sorry some weren’t feeling well, but you got SO much done nonetheless! Wow. You need to come here, lol! 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!

    Reply
  7. Paige says

    February 25, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    What a neat flag and what a great memory! Thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
  8. Barb-Harmony Art Mom says

    February 25, 2012 at 7:32 AM

    I echo everyone else…you indeed did accomplish much even with some feeling under the weather. 🙂

    What a rich homeschool life your family has! I always love to read your weekly recaps.

    Reply
  9. Stefanie says

    February 25, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    The flag looks fabulous!!!!! A true work of art.

    Popping in from the WWU

    Reply
  10. Brandy aka Lil Momma says

    February 26, 2012 at 10:54 PM

    Love that flag pic! Can understand why it won an award! Love how you display all your books. Great way to display and keep them out of reach when not in use. My son loves to take things apart too. It must be a boy thing. :^)

    Lil Momma
    A mom who loves to introduce books by homeschoolers to her emerging reader.

    Reply
  11. Stef Layton says

    February 27, 2012 at 12:22 AM

    like the flag – needing the nasal spray (sniffle) it’s been a LONG weekend for me and the tissues !

    stopping by from WUHS

    Reply
  12. Anna Kinney says

    June 23, 2013 at 1:58 PM

    I just found your website last night. I love it! I stayed up way too late just looking around.

    Your flag picture gave me a great idea! We just started American History. I have a corner wall in the dining room that was intended for a fireplace. The entire wall is wood planks. Perfect for painting a flag! We will paint the wall while we learn about the flag.

    I also love the maps as window treatments! I think i will have my daughter draw some maps on curtain panels for us.

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      June 23, 2013 at 2:08 PM

      Anna – yes, perfect use for a flag – I know you will enjoy it. And making it all into a learning experience? Perfect! So glad you stopped by and spent some time at Hodgepodge 🙂

      Reply

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