Visual Arts
Grade 2: Visual Arts
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
• Line: horizontal, vertical, diagonal lines; lines that show motion (e.g., pointy, curvy); lines inside shapes
• Shape and form: symmetrical shapes and forms (e.g., shapes and forms in buildings)
• Space: overlapping of objects to show depth
• Colour: secondary colours (various colours made by mixing equal amounts of primary colours, such as violet, orange, green); mixing of colours with a limited palette
• Texture: textures of familiar objects (e.g., rough tree bark, smooth plastic plate, ridged corduroy fabric); illusion of texture (e.g., a rough texture created by patterns of lines); impasto (thick, textured paint)
• Value: mixing of a tint; identification of light and dark
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
• Repetition and rhythm: repetition of colour and shape in patterns; random, alternating, and regular patterns in everyday objects (e.g., textiles, ceramics) and in art (e.g., works by M. C. Escher)
Nature Journaling: I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of...
Nature Journaling is an incredible tool for students to look for lines, shape, forms, patterning and texture in the natural surroundings. Their nature journal allows them to write/draw their observations helping to cement the concepts being taught.
At this age all three prompts "I notice..., I wonder...?, and It reminds me of..." become very intuitive. However, the last statement becomes very important for making the connections. Encourage students to begin writing using single words or simple sentences. Please note that spelling is not the focus in a nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link below for tips on giving feedback. Using a combination of words, pictures and numbers allows the students multiple tools to document their observations. With permission, Bethan Burton has allowed us to link to her website as she has written a blog post for Teaching nature journaling at all ages.
Here are some more ideas to get you started.
Engage the fives senses (whenever possible)
Make leaf prints ( paint the leaf and press the print into the journal)
Make leaf rubbings
Trace the items they are looking at
Add items into the journal using tape
Here is a downloadable lesson from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. All resources shared with permission. "I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of..."
GIVING FEEDBACK here is a fantastic resource from Jack and Emilie
NOTE: You are encouraged to spend time in the outdoors Nature Journaling. However, you can also bring nature inside, look out your wonder window, have a refrigerator Safari or even observe a house plant or pet.
Draw an Animal
Go for a walk, look out your window or think of an animal you would like to draw. Your picture should include the following items:
The animal's characteristics
How the animal grows and changes throughout its life. Example: does it start as a caterpillar and then turn into a butterfly?
Be as creative as you want!
Curriculum Links
see Oral Communication - Animal- Show & Share
See Life Systems - Animal - Who am I
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
Flower Fun
Find a space to explore that will allow you to see flowers. These can be flowers in a garden, wild flowers on a lawn, trail or in a forest, flowers in pots in your home, or flowers you find in a book or magazine. Start with one flower. Can you draw one of the petals of the flower using a pencil and paper?
Can you draw all of the petals of the flower? Pay attention to how the petals may overlap. Follow the lines of the petal and try to show depth by including this overlap
Can you add a stem and leaves (if you can see these)? Can you see different textures on the stems or leaves? Can you find a way to show this texture in your drawing?
If you have the tools, colour your flower
Notice the different colours that are visible in your flower. The petals themselves are not just one solid colour. The light is hitting the petal at different spots which means some parts are darker and some are lighter. Can you try to add this detail to your flower too?
Don't have any flowers? Look for leaves, pine cones, seeds or even blades of grass!
Curriculum Link: see Number Sense & Numeration
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
Ice Cube Rainbows
Let's make an ice cube rainbow by mixing primary coloured ice cubes to make secondary colours.
Get three glasses of water.
Place five drops of red food colouring into one glass of water. Repeat this process in separate glasses for yellow and another for blue. Now you have your primary colours.
Pour each of the primary colours into their own space in an ice cube tray and place the tray in the freezer until water turns to ice.
Remove ice cube tray and begin mixing coloured ice cubes in glasses or clear containers to try to make secondary colours. Mix up your ratios into separate glasses. For example: 1) 2 red cubes + 1 yellow cube , 2) 1 red cube + 2 yellow cubes continue with different ratios
Record your ratios on paper (Example: 1 blue + 2 yellow) and place that in front of the glass.
On a sunny day do this activity outside to help speed up the melting process.
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
Line of Symmetry
Go for a walk, explore a green space or look out the window. Look for examples of lines of symmetry. Keep track of the examples (take pictures if possible or bring a pencil and paper). Either slow down and sketch the examples you can see in front of you, or use your pictures to then sketch these examples once you have finished exploring. While recreating the symmetrical subjects you discovered consider:
Shape and form - does one side match the opposite side?
Texture - the texture of familiar objects and the illusion of texture by creating patterns of lines
Repetition and rhythm - of colour and shape in the sketches
Curriculum Link:
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
Mandalas - Patterns with Nature
Making mandalas is a fun and relaxing exercise that can be done inside and outside. Can you make a unique mandala design using a variety of items?
Go for a nature walk or explore throughout your home to find and collect many items of different shapes, sizes, colours and textures (flower petals, rocks, sticks, leaves, beads, marbles, pasta etc.)
Have a clear space to create or you can even draw a pattern on a piece of paper to follow when placing your items
Start with the outside circle to define the space. Work your way around the inside placing shapes in alternating, repeating patterns until you have a beautiful design. You can try to create different patterns or different shapes within your art.
Making Natural Paint Brushes
Start by watching this video about how to make your own paint brushes by using natural materials. You will also learn the importance of respectfully harvesting live plants. Once you have made your paint brushes it is time to get creative!
Materials:
White glue
Yarn, twine, string or any other materials similar to this that you have
Acrylic paint
Scissors
Paper (thicker) to paint on
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
(Sur)faces Walk - Texture Rub
Go outside for a walk. Look for “faces” of all kinds. What (sur)faces do you encounter on the walk?
What do the surfaces feel like? How do they feel different to the touch of a finger? How do they feel to the touch of your forearm instead of your finger?
For each surface place a white piece of paper against it and then rub some dirt against the paper to reveal and document the texture of the surface
Try using a variety of mediums (dirt, crayon, pencil or pencil crayon)
Use these different textures to create a piece of art for display in your home
Curriculum Link:
see Writing
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.