2nd Grade Figure Drawing

2nd graders spent time today learning how to draw figures in motion.  They first practiced using wooden figure models (each student took a turn to move the model before the table group drew it).  Then they selected an action they wanted their figure to be doing - students had to make sure their figures had elbows and knees! Finally students added a background to their drawings. 

 I LOVED this lesson and how the drawings turned out! The students had a lot of fun while learning how to draw more realistic figures.... no more stick figures!

Abstract Art Collage

Students learned about abstract art today! We looked at different examples of famous abstract art, as well as abstract art that lives at the Art Institute downtown.  We took time to look at how abstract art is different from the other types of art that we have learned about, such as portraits, landscapes, and still life.  Students the first painted an object or their name, before cutting it up and making it into an abstract collage.

4 Seasons Tree

As spring in Chicago was approaching (sort of) 2nd graders talked about the 4 seasons and what a tree looks like during each season.  We watched these videos to get excited about it!

http://zeitraffer.tv/en/nature-time-lapse/seasons/old-tree-four-seasons/
http://zeitraffer.tv/en/nature-time-lapse/seasons/fairytale-tree-4-seasons/

Students then learned how to draw a tree (lots of "Ys" and "Vs" of all different sizes!) before painting the sky blue.  Using different colored paint and q-tips, students divided their tree into 4 sections, one for each season, and painted it accordingly!