George Gershwin, born in 1898,  was the son of Russian (modern day Ukraine)  immigrants, living in New York at the turn of the century.

For our 12 week composer study, I plan to read 1 chapter of America, I Hear You by Barbara Mitchell every other week. I estimated that each chapter would take 10 minutes or less to read, but you could just as easily read a little every week until you finish or even sub for one of the shorter picture books if you want to adhere more closely to Charlotte Mason's timetables, which only included a 10 minute slot each week for composer study.

I chose to only schedule instrumental music so we could focus more on his compositions, but I think we will listen to some of the songs with lyrics in the afternoons/outside of lesson time. 

Selections:
1. Rhapsody in Blue
2. An American in Paris
3.  I Got Rhythm (video of Gershwin actually playing, a rare treat for composer study!)
     Swanee
4. 3 Preludes
5. Porgy and Bess Symphonic Picture - you may wish to read the history of this version in the description of the linked video. This one was selected for the sake of time.
6. Cuban Overture

I usually open our selection for the week in YouTube on my phone, and send it to a bluetooth speaker so we can listen. This year I'm determined to spend the least amount of time possible tinkering around on my phone, so I added QR codes for every piece. I'm really looking forward to this saving me some time and eliminating distractions during lessons!
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I've been really happy with this little portable speaker from Wal-Mart and it's taken quite a beating and plenty of drops so far. 

George Gershwin Composer Study - Download

In her book Elementary Brush Work Studies, Elizabeth Yeats suggests that brush drawing takes advantage of the child's natural delight in color, but that they take little interest in outlines. Brush work, Yeats says, "teaches him to draw... by means of color, training him by degrees to feel the value of outline, or rather form. By Brush Work we make the beginning of painting so easy, that even the youngest child in the Kindergarten or infant school can produce with his brush a result which pleases him so much that he is eager to try again. Every time he tries to paint a flower, leaf, or bird, his power of observation, his sense of colour and form, and his appreciation of the beauties of Nature are exercised, thus helping to train him in artistic feeling, which feeling, if developed, will make him both a happier and a better human being."

A bold and encouraging statement, don't you think? And I think Charlotte Mason shared a similar sentiment to this. Here is a quote by W.G. Collingwood, from a Fesole Club paper in the Parents' Review: 

“Art, when rightly directed, is educational, for it trains not only one faculty, but all the faculties together; it trains the hand and the eye, and it trains the head and the heart; it teaches us to see and to see truly; it teaches us to think--that science can do; but it teaches us also to admire and to love; it disciplines the emotions.”

Needless to say, brush drawing is not merely busy work, or an extra "fun lesson" to do when you have time. It is important moral training that helps your child to be a better human being and live a more happier, more abundant life.

“This is what we wish to do for children in teaching them to draw–-to cause the eye to rest, not unconsciously, but consciously on some object of beauty which will leave in their minds an image of delight for all their lives to come.” - Charlotte Mason, Home Education

​With that in mind, please enjoy this free printable with the first plate from Elementary Brush Work Studies by Elizabeth Yeats. Several lessons could be made from just this one plate!

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First Lessons in Brush Work - Download