FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS AND EXPECTATIONS
Second graders are the most energetic kids in the art room. Around this age, some kids have developed advanced artistic skills, while others still struggle to make their objects look realistic, or struggle to cut straight lines. It is very important to modify lesson plans to include the variety of emerging skill levels, and to make sure the lesson implementation is well balanced and inclusive of all abilities. In addition to the art lessons provided here, introduce color theory in art instruction and projects, like teaching color value, warm and cool colors. Introduce children to adding details in their clay projects with the 4S clay attaching method. A variety of painting techniques like crayon resist and salt on wet paint are fun at this age. Encourage children to begin drawing from observation, to observe patterns in nature, and to create balance in their drawings. Encourage children to give positive feedback while reviewing their peers, and to always take pride in their efforts.Along with teaching art based on these lessons, encourage children to observe their surroundings and draw inspiration from what they see. You can choose to alternate structured lessons with student choice based art centers, where students are encouraged to freely explore various art techniques without having a definite project based goal in mind.