Grade 2: Architectural Prints- Skyline Reflections

Here is a project that we completed quite some time ago that was a ton of fun. 

We read one my favorite stories 'Iggy Peck, Architect" and then explored drawing and making prints of simple city skylines that we created on styrofoam.

I modified this lesson based on one by an Art Teacher named Mrs. Hare who teaches older students. We painted our backgrounds with watercolor and discussed warm and cool color schemes. While the backgrounds were drying, students worked on drawing their cities being sure to cram the buildings in close to each other with as few gaps as possible. 

Demonstrating using the brayers was fun and each table had their own set-up to make the printmaking process a comfortable one with little waiting. 

Sleeves up!! My second graders thoroughly enjoyed inking, pressing and pulling their prints. They flipped their design upside down and pulled a second print to create the reflection on the cool colored portion. 

Grade 2: Clay Leaves

If we could have stayed outside and played in the leaves, it would not have felt like a lost day. To start class off for 2nd grade, we went outside with the mission of finding the largest leaf that we could, plus two others. 

The sun felt so good and the colors on the school property right now are out of a book. 

After we searched for leaves and brought them back into the art room, we took clay imprints of our autumn colored treasures.

What a perfectly colored shirt 

Grade 2: Pastel Castles

If only they were life sized.... I would love to travel and visit some of these castles that my second graders in Mrs. Lopez's class created. They combined simple shapes after examining pictures of castles. 

They became expect pastel blenders to create these beautiful compositions. 

Grade 2: Cubist Self-Portraits

Second grade has started to finish their Cubist style self-portraits. This project was very successful in several ways.
1. The kids told me really enjoyed this lesson
2. They came out looking great
3. I have a new appreciation for marker.
-I am naturally drawn to more messy art materials. This project was so clean and neat and dare I say REFRESHING!
Kids can always benefit from learning and re-learning how to apply marker to paper in a neat way...it's a great skill to have.
I have a ton of "messy, high maintenance" projects going on right now so it was nice to not add into the mess more.
4. They seem to remember Picasso's name....I'll quiz again next week!

Grade 2: Clay Nests and Animals

The joys of clay. The kids love it, I love it. It's the perfect material in so many ways over here at Bear Tavern School!

My second graders are working on clay nests and an animal to go inside. It's a fun project to review the pinch method of handbuilding ceramics and the proper way to secure pieces of clay.
Their imaginations were in full force with this project and they all did a fantastic job.

Estelle's (2L) is relaxing and holding a mini cell phone

Henry's (2L) was built really well

I love the pose on this one by Aldo (2L)

Next up is glazing their creations and then they will have to decide to take them home or leave them at school for the 50th Anniversary Art Show.

Grade 2: Klimt Trees

We're making progress on our "Trees of Life" paintings in second grade. I have not taught this lesson in a few years but thought they were in order this fall.
We started out looking at Klimt's "Tree of Life" and then learned how to draw a decorative tree. Drawing the tree can be tricky but my students did a nice job.
We outlined in sharpie and then practiced painting the trees with even strokes.
Next we are discussing the color wheel. Students will pick a primary color to sponge paint their background and then an analogous color sponged on top of that. I will post finished trees in the next couple of weeks!

Grade 2: Mexican Serape

I've realized that I am drawn to the messier materials (except glitter) for some reason. It was nice to have my second graders working on the drawings for the Mexican serape project today.

We loved looking at this beautiful fabric

I loved talking to my students about where they have seen serape fabric before. Most answers detailed family trips to Mexico, trips to Shop Rite and displays in Senora Morrison's Spanish classroom. I loved the recall. 

Gathering the kids around the demo table, I spread the serape out and we touched it and admired the beautiful colors. I was excited that when I asked where value is seen in the serape, my students identified areas of light and dark blue.

Intricate center design

We talked about the designs and how they were created using lines with a neat center design that is more elaborate. How can you create a design using only lines? Here is a sketch and the start of the  final serape a student completed.

Grade 2: Tara Donovan Sculpture Update

Wow, they did a great job! In this project, 2nd graders collected 50-100 of the same everyday object. In one class period, students created a sculpture using their collected items. Here are a few photos of finished sculptures from TGG and BT.

Coffee Filters (detail)

Noodles

Pennies

Screws

Plastic Cap Seals

Grade 2: Cardinals in the Snow

One of my very favorite projects so far this year. My second graders at Toll Gate finished their Cardinal portraits this week. I am looking forward to sharing this project with my kids at Bear Tavern before the winter is over. 

We began this project studying Cardinals. Shape, characteristics, color. After drawing a cardinal, students added fabulous branches into their compositions. We explored painting techniques galore for this project.
Of course, when students finished, I showed them how to draw the most famous cardinal... the Angry Bird.

Art Teacher Side note mumble: during this entire project, the kids knew they were creating a great piece of art  and they really enjoyed this project. However, the 15 minutes we spent drawing the the Angry Birds was their favorite part. 
I felt better when they rushed me to take down the display because they couldn't wait to take the cardinal paintings home. Of course the paintings went home that same day. Art is to be shared.

2nd grade Lanterns

We are revisiting creating tints in our art with this lantern drawing project for Chinese New Year. Although these lanterns are different from traditional Chinese lanterns, we discussed Chinese lanterns and how beautiful floating lights are. 

Day 1 of this project was all discussion, drawing and oil pastels

Day 2 will be finishing up with oil pastels and then painting the backgrounds.
credit: Art projects for Kids

Incredibly beautiful

Traditional Lanterns round vs. rectangular

We couldn't help think of the movie 'Tangled' and the floating lanterns (my favorite part)

How could we not look up the animal for the year we were born? A sheep is also a ram.

In my household we have a TIGER, two MONKEYS and a SNAKE.

 What animals are in your house??

Just for Kicks...

Chinese Zodiac Chart

The rotating cycle of twelve animal signs was a folk method for naming the
years in traditional China. The animal signs for one another
in an established order, and are repeated every twelve years.
1976 was the year of the Dragon, and 1977 was the year of
the Snake. 2005 is the year of the Rooster.

Rat - Born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Rat was the first animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle. It is usually considered aggressive, ambitious, suspicious, power-hungry, honest, generous, quick to anger and prone to spend freely. Those born under the sign of Rat are imaginative, charming, and truly generous to the one they love. However, they have a tendency to be hot-tempered and overly critical. They are usually suitable for sales work or work as a writer, critic, or publicist. Rats will get well along with Dragons and Monkeys, however should avoid Horses.
 

Ox - Born in 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Ox is a symbol of powerful individuals with unyielding and stubborn personalities. Those born under the sign are natural born leaders who typically succeed when given the chance and will also make outstanding parents. They are upright, inspiring, easy-going and conservative. The Ox would be successful as a skilled surgeon, general, or hairdresser. Ox gets along with Snakes and Roosters but not sheep.
 

Tiger - Born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
As the fighting animal, those born under tiger's sign are sensitive, aggressive, unpredictable, charming, emotional, courageous and capable of great love. Often risking themselves, they have a carefree life. Tigers usually will be outstanding as a boss, explorer, racecar driver, or matador. A happy marriage can take place with a Horse or a Dog but never a Monkey.
 

Rabbit - Born in 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Those born under this sign are affectionate, talented, obliging, always pleasant, valuing security and tranquility. They have a tendency to get too sentimental and superficial and to avoid conflict and emotional involvement. Being cautious and conservative, they usually take no risk and are successful in business. They would also make a good lawyer, diplomat, or actor. Their best life partners are Sheep or Pigs instead of Roosters.
 

Dragon - Born in 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Those born under the sign are considered intelligent, gifted, bossy, loud, garish, and unfaithful, but also popular and successful, full of vitality and enthusiasm. They usually look stubborn on the outside, but softhearted inside. They are born to be an artist, priest, politician, or leader. A dragon will be compatible with a Snake or Rooster. However, a sheep will not be a good choice.
 

Snake - Born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Those born under this sign are usually considered clever, passionate, determined, romantic, intense, rich in wisdom and charm, but vain. Women born under Snake are often beautiful. Snakes will be strongly guided by their intuition. They certainly will win a lot of money, but have to avoid procrastination and stingy attitude towards money. The Snake would be most content as a teacher, philosopher, writer, psychiatrist, or fortune teller. Marriage with a Rooster or Ox not a Pig will be best.
 

Horse - Born in 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
They are hardworking, intelligent and friendly, cheerful and popular, but impatient. Usually they consider themselves superior to others. They have a strong streak of selfishness and sharp cunning and should guard against being egotistical. Adventurer, scientist, poet, or politician will be suitable occupations for them. Horses get well along with Tigers and Dogs instead of Rats.

Sheep - Born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
The sign suggests a person who is creative, artistic, passionate, elegant, warmhearted, honest, charming but pessimistic, timid, disorganized and vulnerable. Too dependent on material comforts, they are easy to complain and do not respond well to pressure, but will find their own natural solution to a problem when given space. Best occupation for a Sheep is an actor or a gardener. They are compatible with Rabbits or Pigs in marriage, but not Ox.
 

Monkey - Born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Monkeys are intelligent, inventive, clever, entertaining but also dangerous and easily discouraged. Because of their extraordinary nature and magnetic personality, they are always well liked and make close friends. However, they can't be trusted. They should guard against being an opportunist and distrusting other people. The sign suggests success in any field they try. The best matches are Dragons or Rats while the worst are Tigers.
 

Rooster - Born in 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Roosters are courageous, hardworking, shrewd, arrogant, reckless, selfish and eccentric. They are thirsty for knowledge, devoted to work and definite involved in decision-making. They are skilled at what they do and attentive to details. However, they tend to seem boastful to others. Roosters will be happy as a restaurant owner, publicist, soldier or world traveler. The sign promises harmony with Snakes and Ox and trouble with Rabbits.

Dog - Born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Those born under this sign are honest, quiet, intelligent, generous, stubborn, loyal and faithful to those they love. They are introverted listeners, dedicated but also cynical and prone to letting their external anxieties get the better of them. Constant worry, a sharp tongue, and a tendency to be a faultfinder will always plague them. However, they are born to be successful. Dogs will be excellent businessmen, activists, teachers, or secret agents. Tigers and Horses are deemed as best matches, and Dragons need to be handled with care.
 

Pig - Born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Pigs are honest, reliable, sincere, tolerant, shy, affectionate, kind, impulsive and short tempered. They are splendid companions, intellectuals with a very strong need to set difficult goals and carry them out. In addition they are extraordinarily naive. Their unquenchable thirst for knowledge will facilitate their success whereas their quest for material comfort will frustrate it. Pigs also will sacrifice their lives for good causes. The Pig will be successful in financial affairs, or as an entertainer, or possibly a lawyer. Pigs should be aware of other Pigs and compatible with Sheep and Rabbits.