Second grade landscapes

2nd graders looked at the way artists use foreground, middle ground, and background to create depth in their work. We used these new skills to create landscapes of our own!

Learning Goals:

I can describe what a landscape is

I can point out foreground, middle ground, and background in a landscape.

I can create a landscape.

2nd Grade Henna Hands from India

2nd grade artists are studying Indian art of Henna! We learned a bit about India and watched this youtube video CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO

We also discussed this below slide show:

Click HERE to see the slide show we used for this lesson.

This lesson was adapted from one found on Pinterest.

Second grade Wayne Thiebaud pop art cupcakes

We watched these youtube clips to learn a bit more about Wayne Thiebaud and to experience his work!

Clip #1 - Click Here

Clip #2 - Click Here

Learning Goals:

I can discuss the life and art of Wayne Thiebaud

I can design a variety of tasty cupcakes

I can show overlapping and space in my art

This lesson was adapted from one found on Pinterest at some point! :) 

Second grade form owls with painted background

Second-grade artists look at the differences between shapes and forms. We had fun looking owls and creating these adorable I was out of model magic!

Next, we drew trees with Crayon and used blending techniques with watercolor paint for the sky background.

Learning Goals:

I can describe the differences between 2D and 3D art

I can draw a realistic tree

I can blend watercolor paints

I can use form to create a clay owl

Second grade to Vincent van Gogh sunflowers

2nd Grade artists were introduced to the artist Vincent VanGogh. We noticed how he painted with brighter colors, showed his brushstrokes, and enjoyed painting nature. We read "Camille and the Sunflowers" and drew our own sunflowers. We made the centers of our flowers have blobs and smears just like how Van Gogh showed his brushstrokes. We also showed value in our pedals as well as in the stems and leaves by blending with oil pastels. 

On Day 2, we reviewed what we learned about Van Gogh with this diagram on the board.

Learning Goals:

I can identify the art of Vincent Van Gogh.

I can describe what makes Van Gogh's art different from very realistic art.

I can use "blobs and smears" to create a look of brushstrokes in my art.

I can show value in my sunflower.

Free art day!!

Our students look so forward to our Free Art Days! Once their class moves all the way to the end of our the Free Art Day Game board (by earning spaces for respecting themselves, each other and their school, for being good listeners, and for working quietly) they get a day to create and play in art! Here's a snippet of some of the fun we have!

Second grade Henry Rousseau jungle animals

2nd grade artists have been learning about the life and work of the artist Henri Matisse. He loved the jungle, even though he was never able to visit one in his lifetime, and drew many jungle animals. We drew animals like giraffes, lions, tigers, birds etc. and used blending in our painting techniques, showed we understood the art element of space by overlapping our leaves and animals, and also chose different values of leaves to create variety in our artworks. 

Learning Goals: 

*I can talk about the life and art of Henri Rousseau

* I can use overlapping in my leaves to show space

* I can use blending techniques to create color and value on my animal

Second grade Henri Matisse fishbowls

2nd grade artists are learning about the life and art of Henri Matisse.  We read the book "The Colorful Dreamer: The Story of Henri Matisse" as well as the book, "Henri's Scissors."After admiring many of Matisse's colorful works of art, we were inspired by his "Goldfish" art. We created our own collages and used some of Matisse's signature shapes. 

Learning Goals:

I can discuss the life and art of Henri Matisse.

I can create a cut paper collage.

I can create some Matisse-like shapes.

Second Grade Architecture Birdhouses

We began this lesson by brainstorming about what job we could have if we wanted to grow up to be an artist. We looked at posters like the ones below to help guide our thinking. Some of the jobs are: Photographer, Art teacher, Interior Designer, Fashion Designer, Fine Artist, Graphic Designer, Industrial Designer and of course, Architect.

2nd grade artists read the book, "Iggy Peck, Architect," which is about a boy who LOVES architecture and happens to be in 2nd grade! 

We thought about various types of architectural elements like Iggy did and created our own architecture in 3 birdhouses. We practiced our knowledge of the color families and chose one for each of our houses.

Finally, we drew birds for our houses and colored them with oil pastel, cut them out and glued them to their houses. What happy little birdies we have! :) 

Learning Goals: 
I can list a variety of art careers.
I can design architecture.
I can use the color groups: primary, secondary, warm & cool.
I can blend oil pastels.
I can create a collage.