Apprentice:
1. Watch "Finding Inspiration in the Arts" by Michael Ballam
2. Read Chapters 15-17 of Music Talks with Children
3. Write your favorite quote(s), thought(s) or question(s) from the video and reading
Then choose one or more of the following
-Explain to the class why you liked a quote or thought using a personal example
-Teach the class a principle you got from the reading or video using an object lessons or a skit
-Create a poem, picture or story from a quote or thought
-Watch Silent Night on BYUtv.org. See if you can find any connections between
Joseph Mohr and the Music Talks chapters or the video. Come prepared to
present what you learned or what inspired you.
Journeyman:
1. Read Haydn in Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers
2. Read Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Ch. 6
2. Listen to some music by Haydn
3. Find a favorite painting by Giotto (you can send it to me and I'll have it ready to put up)
Then choose one or more of the following
- Learn more about Giotto's life - you may look online (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/giotto/)
or find a children's book about him or his art (I recommend "A Boy
named Giotto" or "A Glorious Impossible" (including the afterword).
Teach us what you leaned through a presentation, speech, or your own
creative way.
-Choose a favorite song by Haydn, see if you can find some
information about it (when he wrote it or why) and present some of the
song as well as what you learned in class. (You can send the song to me if you'd like and I'll have it ready to play)
-Do
a detailed drawing of your hand in a position of your choice. You can
follow the directions from the Modified Contour Drawing exercises in
DRS, or you can do it on your own. Try to think of the details of your
hands as shapes. Share your results and thoughts about it.
-Look
around the room, select something, and try drawing it without looking
at the paper.
Set a certain time for yourself, and during that time, don't look at
the paper; just concentrate on the lines and shapes. Observe the
results. Does it show detail? If you are willing, share your results.
I LOVED this beautifulvideo from depicting Haydn's "The Creation", you can't help being filled with gratitude and reverence as you watch it:
Master:
1. Watch the clip above
2. Read Remembering Isaac (or another book by Ben Behunin if you've already read Remembering Isaac).
Then do one of the following
- Take notes as you read or underline favorite passages. When you are done with the book, look back through your notes and be ready to present and teach about what you got from the book.
- Choose one or more "Inspirements to Do" AND one or more "Inspirements to Answer" from the bookmark. Be prepared share your thoughts to the class in a presentation or in writing.
Here they are if you didn't print out your bookmark (written by Sis. Johnson):
Answer:
This book is full of morals! What morals stood out to you
from the book? Write them down to share
Do:
Look up Niederbipp. Does it exist? What did you learn about
it? Would it be a place you would like to visit someday?
Answer:
Would you have gone to Niederbipp? Would you have taken
your dream if you didn't feel ready for it? What do you think
Jake decides? Are you ever afraid of your big dreams?
Do:
Did you enjoy the authors doodles and sketches? Create a
book full of your doodles and sketches. Think about why you
like to doodle or sketch. Share with us your doodles and
thoughts
Answer:
Which of the towns people are you favorite? Which ones are
you similar to? Which ones really bug you? Why?
Do:
If someone had to make a bench for you what would you want
it to include? What type of a person do you want to be
remembered as? Sketch your own bench design
Answer:
Are you like Jake? How does Jake begin to become Isaac?
Answer
Are you like Isaac? How do you want to become like Isaac?
Do:
Jake learns about tithing in the book. Why do you think the
author included this in the book? What are your feelings about
tithing. Pay your tithing and look for the blessings to come.
Answer:
What are some good things about living in a small town?
What are some bad things? How is where you live similar or
different from the story? What can you change about the
environment you live in right now to make it better?
Do:
Jake has to learn the lessons of the pottery collection...do you
have a collection? Why or why not? Begin a collection that is
a “teaching collection” what collection ideas did you come up
with?
Answer:
Pg 288...” His knowledge led him to action”..pg 289 ”.He
inspired us all to be better people” How does knowledge lead
us to action? How can you inspire others to be better
people?
Do:
Look up all the scriptures that are referenced in the book.
Why do you think potters are mentioned so many times in the
scriptures? Are there any references to potters that were not
included in the book
Answer:
This book is a parable of sorts. What did you learn from this
parable. What other books have you read that are parables?
Why are parables so powerful?
Do:
Jake writes in his sketchbook the things that he has learned.
Do likewise. Every time Jake writes in his sketchbook you
write in your journal, bookmark, sketchbook, etc things you
learn from the book
Answer:
Do you have anyone in your life who is an Isaac to
you...teaching you, leading you? How can you show your
gratitude to the Isaac's in your life?
Do:
Write a paper contrasting ownership vs stewardship. Share it
with us
Answer:
Umm...there is a hint of romance in this book (sorry boys) Do
you think that it is a good relationship? Do you think it is a
healthy relationship? Why or why not?
If you loved this book. Go the extra mile and read
Discovering Isaac and Becoming Isaac.
Apprentice: 1. Read: Music Talks Chapters 10-13 2. Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers: Handel 3. Read: Rosa Bonheur (from page 136-157 from this book) 4. Write down your favorite quote, thought, or a question from the readings to share
And do one of the following:
-Do a word study on "Education" - do you agree with the definition of education in chapter 10? Do you agree that learning causes you sorrow as well as joy? Share you definition with the class and think of one thing you can do to improve your education or what price you are willing to pay to develop your talents.
-Why do you think chapter 11 is titled "The Light on the Path?" Draw a picture, write a poem or act out a skit that illustrates the principle from the chapter.
-Read about how one becomes masterful at something in chapter 12. Think of something you would like to master and make a plan of how you will go about mastering it.
-Bring or play part of a favorite song by Handel to share with the class. Is there anything about him that you would like to emulate in your life? Why?
-Bring a favorite painting by Rosa Bonheur to share in class and tell us why you like it and either: Draw a picture in her style or draw a graphic summary or picture of a significant event in her life OR write a paper or present something you learned from her in class.
(This isn't an inspirement - just one of my favorite poems of all time)
Journeyman Inspirements: 1. Read Chapter 8 of Story of Art
2. Read a short biography or watch a short clip about Kipling: 3. Read Chapter 5 of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (DRS)
4. Write your favorite quote, thought or question from your study.
-If you can, find one of your childhood drawings. (If you don't find any, try to remember what it might have looked like.) Compare it to one of your latest drawings. Is there an extreme difference, or is there little change? Look for similarities in the artwork, like certain perspectives, shapes, textures, etc., that show your personal type of drawing. Record or share what you learned.
-Study a famous artist--learn about his/her childhood. Did he/she start out artistic? Or did he/she even like art? Write a report about who you studied or share what you discovered.
-Try to draw a picture that tells a story. (Page 72-73 from DRS has the info about it.) It can be anything you feel like drawing. For instance, see the picture on page 73. The boy that day was very frustrated with his sister, so he drew his sister extra large and with sharp teeth. It shows in his artwork that he was feeling angry or frustrated with his sister.
Put feeling into your artwork. Share your results.
-Do the drawing exercise on pages 74-75 on DRS, "Recalled Childhood Landscape." Could you remember your childhood landscape clearly, or did most of it gradually come to you as you draw? Or did you experience something completely different? Share your results
-Make a presentation about Rudyard Kipling or read one of his short stories or poems to present to the class. Find short stories and poems on the left hand side when you scroll down here:
Master Ispirements:
1. Read: The Jungle Book
2. Find your favorite quote, thought or question from your study.
Then do one of the following:
-Write a short story with animal characters. (You can use the 3 paragraph model we talked about in writing class, even recreating a story from Jungle book in your own way) Try to depict what they might say or think about. Find a lesson from your story or from the book that you could apply to your life.
-Draw a graphic summary from a scene in the book. Don't forget to write the moral from your scene. See if you can apply the lesson to your life.
-Paint a scene from The Jungle Book. Explain why you picked the scene you painted. Find a principle from that scene of from another part of the book that you want to do better at.
-Write down each "Law of the Jungle" as you come across it in the book. See if any of them are similar to our laws. Do you agree or like the laws of the Jungle? Is there any that you would change? Make a set of laws for your life and try to stick by them. If you would like, share how it is going.
-Keep track of the characteristics of the people without law (or the monkey people) or any other group of "people" in the book. Do you see any of the character traits in yourself? What law must you follow to rid yourself of or to improve that characteristic? You may share with the class if you choose
The Master Class this week will be at the Ogden Nature Center from 3-5 after class. Bring $2 if you will be attending.
I apologize again for not making time for reflection today. I need to get that worked out. It is so important that you get a chance to reflect on how our discussion went and what Heavenly Father would like you to get out of class that day - something to apply so that all of this learning in class is for something.
Here are a few of questions that I invite you to pick from and write in your reflection books about today (since we didn't get to it in class):
-What can I do to fill my mind with uplifting things more often? (You may consider the music you own, the books you read, how you spend your time, what you watch, etc).
-What "ity" virtue can I work on tomorrow? How will I do it?
-What song will I memorize and sing to myself when bad thoughts come to my mind?
-How can I remember to live more in the moment? How can I be sure to have the Spirit with me at the present moments of my day?
I have more, but I'm sure you could think of some of your own or just write whatever it is that you got out of class today. The Spirit may have something different that he was telling you as we discussed things, so just write what you feel inspired to do because of class today. If you have more questions for others to consider, please post them on a comment below - or if you have any ah-has or other thoughts you wouldn't mind sharing from your reflection.
I am basing the drawing class off of chapter four from Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. If you have time, please do one of the inspirements!
Read: Chapter 4 of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Then choose one (or more) of the following:
-Do the drawing exercise on page 50, "Vases and Faces." Did you struggle with the second part of the face? Why or why not? If you did struggle, how did you solve the problem?
-Choose something from the room you're in and draw it. Ask yourself one or more of these questions as you draw. Where does the line/curve start? How deep is the line/curve? What is that angle relative to the edge of the paper? How long is that line relative to the one I've just drawn? Where is that point as I scan across to the other side--where is that point relative to the distance from the top (or bottom) edge of the paper? (see pg. 54) Share your results with someone (or in Vanguard). Did the questions help you to make your drawing more accurate?
-Try to go without speaking for one hour. During that time, do something that stimulates the visual side of your brain, like taking a walk, sketching, sitting outside, listening to music, reading, etc. If you were able to switch to Right Brain Mode, how did you feel? Did you notice anything different? Write down or explain to someone your experience.
-Write something in cursive and then in your regular handwriting. Try reading it upside down. Can you read it? Try to copy the sentence you just wrote in cursive, but do it upside down (see pg. 57, fig. 4-5). Does it look like the original?
Remember to bring your sketchbooks, pencils and erasers!
Find your favorite quote from the readings then
do one of the following:
-In the story by Tolstoy, answer the
three questions yourself before reading the answers that the king comes
to find. Draw a graphic summary of the story or act it out. In the end
tell us - were your answers similar? Different? Why? Do you agree with
the answers the king found?
-Find a favorite song by Bach. You can find many here. Play a portion of it in class (on an instrument or a recording), tell us why you like it.
-Chapter
7 of Music Talks states that "all things are made of thought", research
ways to control your thoughts (or to put on the helmet of salvation).
Share with us what you learn.
-Find a song (new or old) that fits the description of a "classic"
as described in Chapter 8 of Music Talks. Share some of it in class. Why
do you think it qualifies as a classic?
-How do you increase
your power? Present you ideas to the class and see if you can use Tolstoy's story as
well as Chapter 9 of Music Talks to back up your ideas.
Read: Chapters 3 of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Chapter 7 of the Story of Art or read about Chinese painting on this site: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/chin/hd_chin.htm Watch the video Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight (check with your parents first)
-Explain, in your own words, one of the brain experiments described in Chapter 3 to the class.
-Take
a test to see if you are more right-brained or left-brained http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl/hd/hemispheric_dominance.html
and tell us what this means about your strengths and what you can
do to improve your less-dominant side (and why you would even want to). FYI: Chapter 4 of Drawing on the Right side of the Brain has some ideas on how to strengthen your right side.
-Do you see any connections between The Three Questions and Right-brained and Left-brained thinking? Explain your answer.
-At
the end of the video, Dr. Taylor asks, "Which would you choose? Which
do you choose? And when?" Do you think there are times to tap into one
side of our brain more than another? Do you think one is better than the
other? Why do you think Heavenly Father gave us these two very
different brains in one mind? Share your thoughts.
-Chapter 7 of the Story of Art and the internet article talk about how the
Chinese capture the "essence" of what they were drawing. After reading
one of these: 1) find a favorite Chinese painting (there are several on
the site) and share it in class, as well as why you
like it. OR 2) Draw a picture in the way described in chapter 7 - study an object for a while, observe and memorize the details. Then,
without looking at it, try to recreate it on paper, capturing what you
saw in it.
Read Beowulf
and choose one or more of the following: -Do a character study on Beowolf - make a T-chart with "inward" on one side and "outward" on the other - write down his inward traits (his values) and his outward traits (how others perceived him). Remember to include page numbers in your examples. Pick a character trait that you would like more of or one that you would like less of and work on it for a day or more. Record what you learned.
-Do you think Beowulf was a good leader? Write or present your answer and reasons. Think of a leadership trait that you would like to develop.
-The writer of Beowulf tried to combine the values of their culture (bravery, revenge, glory, and the need to be remembered in this life) with the new values of Christianity (giving glory to God, forgiveness, and building up treasures in the next life). Do you think he was able to do it well? Do you notice people around you ever trying to mesh their religion with their culture when they differ? Do you do anything in your life that is acceptable culturally, but maybe isn't what Christ would have you do? Record your thoughts.
-Several of our holidays came from trying to give pagan celebrations a Christian focus. Research a holiday to find it's roots. If it had pagan roots, let us know if you think the Christian focus has been successful. Think of one way you can make one of the upcoming holidays more focused on Christ for your family.
The writer of Beowulf uses a literary device called a Kenning in which he substitutes two word phrases for a single word in order to fit the meter (such as earth-candle for sun or whale-road for ocean). Write down all that you find and then write a poem or quote of your own using Kennings.
Read: The SleepingBeauty by C.S. Evens and find your favorite quote or thought and think of a
question to ask the class. Chapter 6 of the Story of Art Then
write an essay OR give a presentation OR create a work of art (OR all three :-) ) about one of the following (make sure you include in it a challenge or
goal for yourself). *These questions are to get you thinking – if
your thoughts take you in another direction that does not go with these
inspirements – please go with it!
Notice how Beauty grew up to have gifts because she had
fairy godmothers. Do you have a
royal lineage? What does that tell
you about the gifts and talents you have inherited. What does it tell you about others?
Everyone in the kingdom fell asleep when Beauty did. This wasn’t a part of the spell – why
do you think that happened? Do you
see any patterns of this in our day?
Do you sometimes feel that you are “asleep” to the beauty around
you? How can you wake up? How can you help others wake up?
Chapter 1 of Music Talks for Children explains that the
child cannot see her own light, but must see the light she helps create in
others. Do a word study on
“Beauty” and one on “Light” How are they similar? What does this tell us about how to love beauty and
light? Why was the kingdom in
Sleeping Beauty asleep until someone came who could love Beauty?
When the Prince saw the fallen men around the palace he
faltered, but then he said, “With a courage as great as theirs, I may succeed.”
In Trumpeter of Krakow, the memory of the first broken note gave Joseph
courage. Think of a hero that
gives you courage for your future.
How does his/her example help you?
John Adams once said, “I must study politics and war that
my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to
study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval
architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to leave their
children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary,
tapestry, and porcelain.” Do you have more opportunity to study truth because
of the sacrifices of those in the past? Why or why not? The prince goes to wake
Beauty because “something in his heart” tells him it is his task. How do we
know what “adventures to take” upon ourselves?
Chapters 1-2 of Drawing on the
Right Side of the Brain
Watch one of the cathedral videos:
Longer, but interesting and detailed:
Shorter and a little satirical, but packed with information:
If you only watch the shorter clip, then watch this one as well, it is just images, but it captures the "essence" of the beauty of the cathedral (if you watched the longer video - all of these images are on it already):
Write your favorite quote
or thought from any of them and think of a question to ask the class. Then do one of the following (or choose your own activity with
parent approval):
-In The Trumpeter of Krakow, the Heynal is a song that
stirred a love for Poland in those who heard it. The broken note was a powerful reminder of the national
heroes of the past. Music has the
ability to remind and educate our hearts to the true and the good. How or why does music do this? Write what you think and bring or play
a song that brings your heart closer to truth/goodness/beauty/God.
*BONUS: Find out if the Heynal is still played on the top of
a tower in Krakow. Tell us what
you learned about the legend
Chapter 3 of Music Talks states, “Whatever we put into what
we do will come out.” Does this apply to other things in life besides music?
Write your thoughts or make a model that illustrates this principle
I used to think that classical music was boring and so was
looking at art for very long.
Chapter 3 tells us the secret to learning to LOVE art. What is it? Try
it and tell us what you learn.
Chapter 4 explains how to become skillful at noticing
tones. Try sitting in a room or
outdoors and noticing the tones for a while. Write your thoughts and tell us what you learned.
Do a word study on “light”, then practice concentration as
you do something this week (practice something, studying, listening). Is it true that your power is magnified
as the sun’s light is when using a magnifying glass? Record your thoughts
Chapter 5 tells us how to be musical. Listen to some classical music and
follow one of the lower instruments through the piece. Where you able to do it? Write and tell us your thoughts.
BONUS: Play with the hymns on LDS.org. You can single out the alto, treble, or
bass. See if you can sing along
with some of those parts.
Extra BONUS: watch the TED video I will send out – it really
makes you think!
This is the week we pass off our monthly poem so don’t forget
to have it memorized!
Apprentice:
Listen: Pick one of the Gregorian Chants found here and listen to it as you read along in Latin
Read : Trumpeter of Krakow and find your favorite
quote or thought and think of a question to ask the class, then do one of the
following (or choose your own activity with parent approval):
Those who sought the Great Tarnev Crystal to get gain, did
not realize that the crystal would only reflect the truth that was already
inside them (or what they had become).
Similarly, we can only get the truth and depth in our search for truth
that we are ready for because of what we have become (the quality of our
character). How do we become more
of the truth? Write you answer,
draw a picture, or write a story or poem that illustrates your answer.
Truth is a great treasure. The characters in the story wanted the Crystal to know of
future events, chemical properties, and other “secrets of great worth”. Read Colossians 2:2-3. What can you do to obtain this treasure
of truth? Write your answer or act
out a story (or show it in pictures) that depicts this treasure hunt for the
truth.
The alchemist, Pan Kreutz, is an interesting
character. In the beginning of the
story, he states, “God has given me a mind that searches ever for light, and I
feel that I am doing His will when I seek the truths that lie about us on every
hand” (pg. 88). Is seeking truth
for the sake of knowing things enough?
How and why did his intention go wrong? Write your answer, do a character study on Pan Kreutz (or a
character of your choice), or make a “sword of truth” with whatever medium you
choose (such as pencil and paper, cardboard or duct tape) and tell us what it
takes to wield it or why a sword might be used to symbolize truth in the
scriptures.
