Degas and Tchaikovsky
Posted by Cindy on November 11, 2008
For the last few weeks, we’ve been studying Degas and Tchaikovsky during our artist and composer time. For the study of Degas, we spent some time each Tuesday either reading a book about him, observing his artwork or doing an art project related to him. In studying Tchaikovsky, we took some time each week to listen to his story at Classics For Kids or listen to some of his more famous pieces online.
I found several ideas and pictures to study Degas at the following websites:
Last week’s studies included listening toTchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. (The week before we listened to the 1812 Overture.) For Degas, we studied a few of the non-ballerina pieces found here. (The past few weeks have all seemed to focus on Degas’ ballerina paintings and sculpture.)
Since both of my big kids love horses, they latched onto Racehorses at Longchamp, Jockeys in the Rain, and Race Horses right away. After studying each of the paintings a bit, I let the kiddos try their hand at placing a horse within a landscape. Drawing a horse is pretty hard work. Add that to drawing a horse inside a landscape and you’ve got quite a task for 3rd and 6th graders. I love their finished products, though.
This week, we’re starting Winslow Homer and Franz Joseph Hayden!
