A Watercolor Palette is a tool used by artists to hold and mix Watercolor Paints. It typically consists of a shallow, rectangular or circular plastic or metal tray with individual wells or compartments for holding different colors of paint. The wells are usually arranged in a circular or rectangular pattern, allowing easy access to the paints while painting. Brush Shapes and Sizes information sharing  Watercolor Palette SAMINA FORAM (SHENZHEN) CO., LIMITED. , https://www.saminabrush.com
As art evolved over time, so did the brushes used by artists. Different brush shapes and sizes emerged, allowing artists to achieve specific textures and effects in their paintings. Brushes sizes are given a number, the smaller the number the smaller the brush. Some of the most common brush shapes include:
Round: Versatile brushes with a pointed tip, suitable for fine lines, details, and washes.
Flat: Brushes with a square end, ideal for covering large areas and creating sharp edges.
Filbert: Brushes with a rounded, oval-shaped tip, perfect for blending and creating soft edges.
Fan: Brushes with a flat, fan-shaped tip, used for blending, smoothing, and creating textured effects.
Thinking about home-schooling this fall? The time to prepare is now
Starting home-schooling for the first time this fall? You're definitely not alone. With so many families signing up for home-schooling in North Carolina, the official website actually crashed due to the overwhelming demand. With the ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases and the uncertainty surrounding reopening schools, home-schooling is becoming a more appealing option for many. But before you dive in, you'll need to figure out exactly what and how you'll be teaching your kids, and where to find the necessary support. All of this needs to happen within a tight four-to-eight-week window.
I've been home-schooling my oldest child for a year now, and believe me, it’s a whirlwind of decisions about curricula, teaching methods, and supplies. If you’ve got just a month or two to get ready, now is the time to act. Here are your immediate priorities:
1. Notify your state that you're planning to home-school.
2. Put together a curriculum plan.
3. Try to relax—it’s okay if things aren’t perfect right away.
If you're still unsure about what's best for your child, we’ve got a guide for that as well.
### Get Signed Up for Home-Schooling
Yes, you have to officially register your home-school. If you suddenly pull your kids out of school without notifying anyone, your state might consider them truants. Truancy laws differ by state, but consequences can range from fines to jail time. So, as a parent, you need to formally declare your intention to home-school. These declarations can vary depending on your location, district, and even the school board.
In Tennessee, registering involves:
- Filing with the local school board.
- Submitting proof of a high school diploma or GED.
- Maintaining and submitting attendance records.
- Providing proof of vaccinations.
Some states require you to register your home-school within 15 days of withdrawing your child from traditional school. This isn't something you can put off or ignore. Check your state’s Department of Education website for detailed instructions. The Home School Legal Defense Association has an interactive map showing home-schooling laws across the U.S.
#### Umbrella Schools Simplify the Process
If your state’s regulations seem overly complex or if you prefer a simpler route, consider joining an umbrella school. These schools charge a small annual fee to handle all the administrative tasks for you. They act as intermediaries between you and the state, ensuring your home-school remains compliant and legal.
Our family uses Aaron Academy as our umbrella school. For $80 a year, they provide us with the necessary forms and let us know if anything is amiss. We submit our curriculum plans, attendance logs, and grades annually. When it's time for standardized tests, they guide us through the process. It’s money well spent. Aaron Academy is quite established; Taylor Swift is even an alum!
That said, there’s a catch. Aaron Academy is explicitly Christian—the Bible is a mandatory subject—but they don’t micromanage your lessons. Another option is The Farm School, which offers more flexibility. Still, regardless of the umbrella school you pick, you retain significant control over what and how you teach.
To be honest, the specific umbrella school you choose doesn’t matter as much as having one. Home-schoolers are independent thinkers, and most umbrella programs tend to stay out of your way. However, it’s beneficial to join one because they provide legal protection and save you a lot of hassle. We chose Aaron Academy because the principal took the time to patiently answer all our questions. Beyond ideology, you want an umbrella school that supports you.
### Choose Your Curriculum
Registering your kids is straightforward. The tough part comes next: selecting a curriculum for the upcoming school year. I can’t make specific recommendations since your choice depends on your child’s age, abilities, state requirements, and your umbrella school’s guidelines.
Two tips:
1. Buy used whenever possible—eBay is a fantastic resource.
2. Don’t hesitate to ditch a curriculum that’s not working.
In our state and with our umbrella school, we can select almost any curriculum we want, as long as we submit a list at the start of the school year. If something doesn’t work, we’re encouraged to switch it up, and we don’t need to inform Aaron Academy if we make changes.
For instance, last year we bought a handwriting curriculum for my son that he lost interest in after a few weeks. Instead, I started writing out words for him to copy daily. It was more aligned with his skill level, and I could customize the words based on his interests and other subjects we were covering. When we studied continents, he practiced writing them out.
#### Curriculum Resources for Beginners
One essential resource for curriculum reviews is Cathy Duffy, who evaluates nearly everything available. However, the sheer number of options can be daunting. There are thousands of choices in the home-schooling world, and there’s no single "perfect" solution. Cathy highlights her top picks in each subject with an apple symbol for quick identification. Just browse through her top choices for a given subject, and you’re unlikely to go wrong.
While I won’t endorse any specific programs, here are some popular home-school curricula to explore:
- All About Learning Press
- Rainbow Resource
- Saxon Math, a highly recommended math curriculum for students with strong math skills.
In reality, your initial choices might not fully satisfy you, and that’s perfectly fine. As you work with your children, consider their learning styles and adapt your curriculum accordingly. This is both the blessing and challenge of home-schooling—you have complete control.
I also strongly recommend unit studies, which aren’t standalone textbooks but rather lists of recommended reading materials. Two favorites we enjoy are *Cantering the Country* and *Galloping the Globe*. The former focuses on the U.S., while the latter covers the entire world. They integrate geography, history, and science, simplifying your curriculum planning and making them adaptable for young children or high schoolers.
The internet also offers excellent resources. In our household, we love education.com and Teachers Pay Teachers, both of which provide affordable or free educational materials.
### Relax and Breathe
I understand how overwhelming this all feels, especially during a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and general chaos in the news. Be kind to yourself—you’ll have good days and bad days, but what truly matters is consistent progress, even if it’s incremental.
Here’s a little secret from the home-schooling community: most parents find home-schooling more efficient than traditional schooling. It’s not uncommon for home-schooling parents to spend just a couple of hours a day with their kids yet discover their children are far ahead of their peers in public schools. Study after study backs this up.
We’re in the midst of an unprecedented global crisis, and you’re doing your best for your family. Take a deep breath, prioritize self-care, sign up for home-schooling, and do your best. You’ve got this!
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