Short answer: you can teach art history at home with one masterpiece per month. Introduce the artist and the story behind the painting, look closely at the techniques, then have your child create an original piece inspired by it. Art Club Monthly packages that full unit, supplies included, into a monthly box for kids ages 5 to 12.
Art is often the first subject to slip off a busy homeschool schedule. It needs supplies, prep and a plan, and most parents are not trained art teachers. The good news is that a simple, repeatable structure works better than a thick curriculum binder. Here is the approach we use in every Art Club Monthly kids box, and how you can run it at your kitchen table.
Why art history belongs in your homeschool
- It connects subjects. A single painting can open conversations about history, geography, science (light and color) and writing.
- It builds visual literacy. Kids learn to look closely, describe what they see and explain why an artist made certain choices.
- It gives creative confidence. When children see that famous artists broke rules, they feel free to experiment too.
A simple monthly art unit (4 sessions)
Session 1: Meet the artist
Read a short biography together. Where did the artist live? What was happening in the world? Find their country on a map. In Art Club Monthly boxes this is the illustrated art history pamphlet.
Session 2: Look closely
Spend 10 minutes with the painting. Ask open questions: What do you notice first? What colors did the artist use? How do the brushstrokes look? What feeling does it give you?
Session 3: Try the technique
Practice one technique from the painting, such as thick swirling strokes for Van Gogh or flat bold shapes for Matisse, on scrap paper before starting the final piece.
Session 4: Create something original
Give a creative prompt instead of a template. For example: “Paint your own street at night the way Van Gogh might have.” The goal is a piece inspired by the masterpiece, not a copy of it.
Want the whole unit done for you?
50% off your first box with code 50ACM26. Free US shipping. Cancel anytime.
Masterpieces that work well for ages 5 to 12
| Masterpiece | Artist | Skill it teaches |
|---|---|---|
| The Starry Night | Vincent van Gogh | Texture, movement, expressive brushwork |
| Sunflowers | Vincent van Gogh | Warm color palettes, still life |
| Mona Lisa | Leonardo da Vinci | Portraits, soft shading |
| The Dance | Henri Matisse | Bold shapes, movement, limited color |
| The Scream | Edvard Munch | Emotion in color and line |
| The Harvesters | Pieter Bruegel the Elder | Landscape, storytelling, perspective |
What supplies do you need?
For most painting units you need a stretched canvas or heavy paper, washable acrylic paints, a few brushes in different sizes and one specialty material that matches the technique. Each Art Club Monthly kids box includes an 8×10 inch stretched canvas, non toxic washable acrylic paints, kid safe brushes and a specialty material that changes every month.
Frequently asked questions
How often should homeschoolers do art?
One focused unit per month, split into three or four short sessions, is enough to build real skills without overwhelming your schedule.
Do I need art experience to teach this?
No. The structure above is designed for parents with no art background. Your job is to ask questions and give your child time to explore.
What age is this approach for?
It works for ages 5 to 12. Younger children focus on color and play, while older children can go deeper into technique and history.
Is there a done for you option?
Yes. Art Club Monthly’s homeschool art box delivers the pamphlet, the creative prompt and all the supplies every month, starting at $19.50 for the first box.
Make art the favorite subject this year
50% off your first box with code 50ACM26. Free US shipping. Cancel anytime.
