Drawing on History

ArtGrades 9–12

About This Curriculum

An interactive approach to art and world history for high school students, combining art history lessons with hands-on art projects covering major art movements from Romanticism (1830s) to Psychedelic art (1960s).

What makes it unique: Uniquely integrates art history with world history through hands-on projects, allowing students to create art in the style of master artists while learning how art reflects historical events and cultural realities.

Drawing on History: Art and World History Integration for High School

Drawing on History is an art curriculum that combines art history lessons with hands-on projects, covering major art movements from the 1830s-1960s. The curriculum integrates art instruction with world history through sixteen lessons that explore different artistic styles and movements while having students recreate works by master artists.

Best for

High school students (grades 9-12) studying world history who want to integrate art education, homeschool families seeking art and history connections, and teachers comfortable with inquiry-based learning who can facilitate research discussions

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 2 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Structured Vs OpenStrength

The curriculum balances structured art history instruction with flexible creative projects. While following a consistent lesson format, it allows students creative freedom in their interpretations.

Reviews note it's 'not a step-by-step art project book that creates carbon copies, but rather gives students the flexibility to create their own original works' while following a clear lesson structure

Art History KnowledgeStrength

The curriculum provides substantial art history content, covering major movements from Romanticism to Psychedelic art with historical context. Each lesson explains the historical setting from which art movements emerged.

Sixteen lessons each teach a particular art movement with historical background, featured artists as exemplars, and connections between art and world events through timelines and guiding research questions

Technique InstructionStrength

The curriculum teaches real art techniques through master artist reproduction projects rather than simple crafts. Students learn by copying the masters, which provides structured technique instruction.

Reviews note that 'students learn real art techniques rather than just doing arts and crafts' and that art projects are 'challenging' with students recreating works by featured artists like J.M.W. Turner

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum includes teacher support materials including lesson plans, quizzes, and answer keys, though the author encourages further study by parents/teachers. Support exists but requires teacher initiative.

Includes a three-page lesson plan, quizzes and answer keys for every lesson, quarterly tests, and password-protected webpage with additional resources, though author 'encourages parents and teachers to immerse themselves in some further reading'

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum provides some instructional support through weblinks and demonstrations, but relies heavily on independent research and exploration. Direct instruction appears limited to the basic lesson content.

Some art project instructions are provided in the book with 'lengthier instructions, demonstrations, or alternatives' available through weblinks, and access to KnoodleU online resource center with videos

Vocabulary BuildingInsufficient Evidence

Art vocabulary development is not explicitly addressed in the available reviews. The curriculum appears to focus more on movements and historical context than specialized art terminology.

No mention of explicit art vocabulary instruction in reviews, though art movements and styles are covered

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, thehappyhousewife.com