Simon Says Art Series - Original Art Lessons For Children and the Mentally Impaired

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As an art teacher Packy developed the Simon Says Art Series© to provide the teacher with a step by step program for teaching children how to draw. The techniques can be used with regular classroom children, the gifted, learning disabled, emotionally disturbed, or other handicapped children.

A word from Packy,

Hi,
"I hope you enjoy the Simon Says series as an educational tool, but mostly as an introduction to art for the child. In my many years of teaching adults art, primarily oil paints, I found that you do not have to be gifted and talented but you do have to have an interest, desire and motivation to want to learn. In looking at the many famous artists that this world has produced you find an evolution of beautiful realism to impressionism where the artist interprets the subject matter, to the many spectrums of abstracts with an explosion of colors and emotions that an artist puts on canvas. The point is all art is important and appeals to many facets of society. Each brush stroke or line is as individualistic as a finger print."

"It is my opinion that art has been a "throw away" subject in our school system. Yet in times of war the "art treasures" are saved and guarded by armies. So the question must be raised, where will the next Turner, Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Cezanne and Monet come from? I believe that every generation has these gifts that must be encouraged."

Good Luck,

Packy Eckola

Browse through this site and journey through the life and art of Packy Eckola. Enjoy!

"I have been using Packy Eckola's art program "Early Learning Experiences Through Art" for four years with first graders at Forest Park Elementary School in Crystal Falls, Michigan.
It fits nicely with the elementary curriculum by stressing math, reading, science, and social studies concepts via drawing. There are also many holiday related activities.
Packy's approach to drawing is simple yet challenging and has been well accepted by children of all ability levels. It creates enthusiasm because children are proud of their finished projects."
Marilyn Friend, Elementary Teacher
Forest Park School District
Crystal Falls, Michigan

"May I take this opportunity to highly recommend Mrs. Packy Eckola's art books to you for your consideration. I feel that such materials are desperately needed in the elementary art programs nationwide. Publication of this material will certainly enhance the elementary programs of our educational systems."
Bloomfield Hills Schools
Bloomfield, Michigan

"It has been a 'fun' experience for the children as well as helping them achieve better fine muscle control. They have learned to follow directions, learn alphabet letters, and reinforced their concept of geometric shapes. It has proved to be an excellent visual aid for learning in my classroom. Parents have commented on the enthusiasm the children showed when they brought home their work.
I can highly recommend its value for use in a primary classroom with a large group or smaller groups of children."
Mary Ann Harding, Kindergarten Teacher
Utica Community Schools
Utica, Michigan

"The children and the teacher can develop creative drawings from familiar material. With the constant need for repetition in teaching T.M.I. students, Mrs. Eckola's books supply the teacher with a fun review device for shapes, letters, and numbers. The books allow a structured approach to drawing while opening the door to creativity. Trainable Mentally Impaired students can develop drawings with help and then go onto independent drawing. The books are a beginning, not an end. The children take pleasure in drawing, build their confidence, and find a means of expression for leisure time."
Dorothy Walling, Teacher of T.M.I.
Webber School
Lake Orion, Michigan

Simon Says Art Series

"Simon says Art Series" is a comprehensive teaching tool, well organized and interesting. The author, Packy Eckola, knows children, teaching and art.

This series is developed around curriculum projects that integrate the arts in K-3. Packy Eckola has provided examples of successful ways to teach art, and to incorporate the arts within other curriculum areas.

The "Simon Says Art Series"is a visual aid resource book that refers to shapes, letters, and numbers which are combined for an art lesson. these books are applicable in grades K-3, E.M.I. and T.M.I.

The "Simon Says Art Series" is a tool and resource for sharing curriculum ideas and information, as well as discovering and applying exciting resources in an innovative curriculum design based program.

There are no limitations, only opportunities. The "Simon Says Art Series" teaches children and adults to see things in shapes. The soon realize when they make a shape and then another, it becomes a picture. These lessons serve as a catalyst only so each student may imagine and invent their own concepts.


Packy Eckola Teacher - Artist - Author - Poet 33 1/3 Fourth Street --- Crystal Falls, Michigan 49920 PackyEckolasArtBarn.com