Second Grade

These vibrant cloth designs draw inspiration from the Adire Eleko cloth of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria. Traditionally, Adire Eleko cloth is crafted using a resist technique involving wax and indigo dye. In our project, students emulate this technique by using oil pastels and blue paint to create their own unique patterns.

Additionally, students incorporate a directed drawing of a giraffe, which they then paint using fluorescent paints, adding a dynamic and eye-catching element to their designs.

Second grade students were introduced to the work and life of Georgia O’Keeffe, celebrated for her large-scale, close-up flower paintings. Students explored how O’Keeffe used color and composition to make everyday subjects feel bold and powerful. As part of their artistic process, they learned about complementary and analogous colors and how artists use them to create visual harmony or contrast. Using a combination of oil pastels, watercolor, and metallic paints, students created striking floral artworks that shimmered with color and expression. The results were as radiant and unique as O’Keeffe’s own work.

What happens when your name becomes the art? In this creative project, second grade students transformed their names into bold, abstract compositions inspired by the work of Jasper Johns. Known for incorporating letters and numbers into his expressive, non-objective art, Johns offered the perfect jumping-off point for exploring abstraction. Students learned about different types of abstract art, then used paint sticks, fun foam, and collage techniques to build layered, textured pieces that celebrated color, shape, and personal identity—all without needing to “look like” anything at all.

Second grade students drew inspiration from Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, known for his decorative patterns, swirling shapes, and use of gold. After learning about Klimt’s Tree of Life and its symbolism, students explored the concept of a paper mosaic—creating images through small, colorful pieces arranged like a puzzle. They used a mix of metallic paint, tempera paint, and shimmering metallic paper to design their own radiant trees. The result: textured, glowing mosaics that celebrate both nature and the rich visual style of Klimt’s work.

In second grade, students delve into the captivating world of Pablo Picasso—one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and co-founder of the Cubist movement. They explore Picasso’s abstract portraits, which show multiple perspectives of the face at once, drawing inspiration from iconic works such as Weeping Woman and his portraits of Dora Maar.

Before beginning their own artwork, students study the rich history of Picasso’s artistic evolution, including his Rose Period, African-influenced Period, Analytic Cubism, and Synthetic Cubism. Through this exploration, they gain a deeper understanding of how Picasso’s style changed over time and how he helped revolutionize modern art.

Using paper, paint, and markers, students then create expressive portraits in Picasso’s signature style. Each face features two sides—each showing a different emotion—highlighting the emotional depth and playful distortion that defined his abstract work. Students also use color intentionally to emphasize the feelings portrayed, bringing their dual-expression portraits to life with creativity and insight.

In this meaningful project, second grade students learned about the weaving traditions of the Navajo people and how deeply connected their art is to the natural world. Students explored the full process of traditional weaving—from shearing sheep to spinning and dyeing wool—gaining an appreciation for how Native Americans used natural resources in every part of their creative work. Inspired by these traditions, students created their own woven pieces using paper looms and colorful strips, focusing on pattern, texture, and craftsmanship. This project offered a hands-on way to connect art, culture, and nature.