We Gather Together

Hymns are beautiful truths poetically told, hung on a rhythm, and held in a melody. This makes them memorable. Hymn study is extremely simple. Sing the hymn once a day. We’ve provided you links to different versions to “Be Thou My Vision” enjoy as well as a link to download the sheet music for the … Continue reading We Gather Together

Simple Beauty Ancients: November

Here are the links to our suggestions for beautiful things for November, with a focus on beautiful words, sounds, and places that are old and beautiful and on early art and music as well as Ancient Rome and the Fables of Aesop. Back to Simple Beauty Page

George Frideric Handel

Biography George Frederick Handel was born in Halle, Germany on February 32, 1685 (which is the same year that Johann Sebastian Bach was born. His father was a barber and surgeon who planned for his son to be a lawyer. George practiced the harpsichord in the attic, hidden from his father, who believe that music … Continue reading George Frideric Handel

Fra Angelico 1385-1455

Biography Fra Angelico was born just a hundred years after Giotto in a nearby village. His parents called him Guido, and that was his name until he joined the Order of Dominican monks at a nearby convent. From that time until his death, he was known as Frate Giovanni (Brother John). Today, he is known … Continue reading Fra Angelico 1385-1455

Nature Study: Beetles

Nature study can be as simple as a short walk in the neighborhood or as elaborate as a week in a National Park. Don’t make it hard. Just go outside. This month, spend some time outside every day that is reasonable and observe what beetles s you can find in your own yard and around … Continue reading Nature Study: Beetles

Aesop for October

Fables are short stories that have a moral. Aesop who lived in Greece from 640-564 BC, gathered many ancient fables into a collection to share with his community. We’ve chosen a few for you this month, and they are linked at www.hsok.org/beauty. Read some or all of them with your students and talk about the … Continue reading Aesop for October

Life and Times of Ancient Greece

Let’s explore the ancient world. We’ve chosen folk tales, myths, biographies, and documentaries from different continents, and we have maps for you to download and trace or fill in also. This month we have all sorts of information about ancient Egypt for you! Map Study:  Map Study is very simple. Print off a map. Label … Continue reading Life and Times of Ancient Greece

Be Thou My Vision

Hymns are beautiful truths poetically told, hung on a rhythm, and held in a melody. This makes them memorable. Hymn study is extremely simple. Sing the hymn once a day. We’ve provided you links to different versions to enjoy as well as a link to download the sheet music for the hymn. Some of this … Continue reading Be Thou My Vision

Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina 1525-1594

Composer Study is simple. Pick a composer to listen to over a period of time. Every once in a  while, play a composition by him or her. Listen to it. Think and talk about it. This month, we are listening to compositions by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, who composed for church choirs and orchestras. Biography: … Continue reading Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina 1525-1594

Jan Van Eyck (1395-1441)

Picture Study is simple. Look at the picture with your children for a few minutes, and then talk about what you saw. Try to remember as much about the piece as you can. Enjoy the beauty of it. Art is not a chore; it’s a pleasure. Beginning our Ancient Beauty theme, we’ve chosen some pieces … Continue reading Jan Van Eyck (1395-1441)