American Art History

Name: American Art History
Brand: ArtK

by ArtK

ArtGrades 3–8

About This Curriculum

A creative American art history curriculum that presents academic content through humorous newspaper-style articles, fictional interviews, and games, designed to make art history engaging and fun for students.

What makes it unique: Art History Disguised as Fun - combines rigorous academic content with entertaining presentation through faux newspaper format, bingo games, and step-by-step drawing projects

American Art History: Creative Art History Through Humorous Storytelling

American Art History is a semester-based curriculum that presents art history through fictional newspaper articles, interviews, and games. The program includes three components: a main textbook, drawing activities, and bingo games, designed to make art history engaging and entertaining for students.

Best for

Homeschool families and teachers grades 3-8 who want an engaging, low-prep art history curriculum that coordinates with American history studies and appeals to students who enjoy creative, humorous presentations.

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 1 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum requires minimal preparation and provides clear guidance, making it accessible for teachers without extensive art backgrounds. Materials are designed for easy implementation.

Reviews emphasize 'very little preparation required' and describe the curriculum as having clear structure where 'the planning is already laid out,' suggesting strong teacher support.

Structured Vs OpenStrength

The curriculum is highly structured with predetermined topics and activities but allows flexibility in pacing and order of lessons. Creative elements are embedded within a clear framework.

Reviews note 'flexibility to use chapters in any order' and that lessons can be adapted to 'coordinate with other American history studies,' while following a clear '16-chapter format' with consistent components.

Art History KnowledgeStrength

The curriculum provides substantial art historical content covering Native American art through early 1800s, including specific artists, artworks, and cultural contexts. Content is chronologically organized to align with American history studies.

Reviews describe coverage of 'Mound Builder art,' 'Iroquois wampum belts,' 'John White watercolors,' 'Spanish Colonial architecture,' and works by Paul Revere and Gilbert Stuart, with 'substantial educational content and important information.'

Technique InstructionStrength

The curriculum includes step-by-step drawing instruction with templates and visual guides. Drawing activities are designed to be accessible with clear illustrations walking students through the process.

Reviews note 'step-by-step drawing instructions' with templates that provide 'key lines, points or shapes to help students get started' and 'red highlighting in each step making it easy for both teachers and students.'

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum facilitates direct instruction through clear step-by-step drawing guides and structured content presentation. However, the humorous format may require teacher mediation for younger students.

Reviews note 'step-by-step illustrations walk students through the drawing process' and mention that 'parents might need to explain some of them to younger students.'

Vocabulary BuildingInsufficient Evidence

Art vocabulary appears to be integrated into lessons but explicit vocabulary instruction is not clearly emphasized in the reviews.

Reviews mention that bingo cards include 'time period when it was created, and the media used' but don't specifically highlight systematic vocabulary development.

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, onlypassionatecuriosity.com