Second Grade Student Art Projects
Abstract Paintings
Second graders created new, unique works of abstract art after studying methods of abstracting a subject and choosing their own subject to “hide” within their work.The students learned how to analyze an object and visually simplify it into its basic lines, shapes, forms, and colors. Then, choosing a limited quantity of those simple building blocks they remade the object in a painting. We discussed as a class that sometimes in abstract art it is like an "eye spy," and practiced using repetition of those building blocks to "hide" their subject. Prior to beginning the painting, students learned about realistic versus abstract color and made their own aesthetic choice on which kind of color to use, to either make it easier or harder to find their "hidden image."
Second graders created new, unique works of abstract art after studying methods of abstracting a subject and choosing their own subject to “hide” within their work.The students learned how to analyze an object and visually simplify it into its basic lines, shapes, forms, and colors. Then, choosing a limited quantity of those simple building blocks they remade the object in a painting. We discussed as a class that sometimes in abstract art it is like an "eye spy," and practiced using repetition of those building blocks to "hide" their subject. Prior to beginning the painting, students learned about realistic versus abstract color and made their own aesthetic choice on which kind of color to use, to either make it easier or harder to find their "hidden image."
"Donkey Beads" - Iranian Good Luck Charm
Second Graders learned about a 7000 year old tradition from the country of Iran in which craftspeople make a special kind of bead which has become a part of their culture. The "donkey bead," also known as Faience, has been believed to be a travelers good luck charm since the beginning of its creation. Students learned about concepts and traditions that are similar across different cultures throughout the world like luck charms and methods of crafting with clay. Students made pinch pots which were turned into a bell, and created beads to hang below it. The second graders also learned the difference between pressed and drawn textures and used some of each to create their designs on their good luck wind chimes.