Creating a Masterpiece

The curriculum excels at direct instruction through video modeling, with clear demonstration and explanation of each technique step.

Multiple reviews praise Hofer's teaching method, describing her as demonstrating 'each step of the project' with warm, encouraging manner, and noting children can successfully complete complex projects like silk painting through her instruction.

The curriculum emphasizes structured instruction while encouraging personal choice and creative experimentation within the guided framework.

Reviews note that while Hofer demonstrates specific techniques, she 'encourages children to make their own choices' and tells students they 'could do it the way she wanted,' with one child gaining confidence to experiment with her own color choices.

The program includes a dedicated Art History component with 35 projects that teach historical art styles, themes, and masterpiece recreation.

The Art History Program has three themed levels where students recreate famous art styles, work on historical themes, and attempt to recreate historical masterpieces, with projects like Rose Window stained glass introducing historical periods.

The curriculum provides highly structured, explicit instruction with detailed step-by-step demonstration of art techniques across diverse media.

Reviews consistently highlight Sharon Hofer's careful demonstration of each step, with one reviewer noting she 'covers just about everything that might come up' and another praising how 'techniques rather than just projects' are taught, giving children transferable skills.

The curriculum provides minimal teacher training but includes comprehensive supply lists and email support for questions.

Reviews mention supply lists with links to pre-sorted materials and note that 'Hofer and her staff are glad to answer by email any questions,' but don't reference specific teacher training materials or instructional guides.

Art vocabulary instruction appears limited, with focus primarily on technique demonstration rather than explicit terminology teaching.

Reviews mention learning about 'color theory' and art techniques but don't specifically reference systematic vocabulary instruction or art terminology being taught explicitly.