We started this lesson with a brief power point about the Middle Ages. Students viewed images of castles, queens, kings, knights, armor, tapestries and illuminated letters. Students worked on 16 x 20″ pages of heavy peach paper. To ensure the portrait was large, I had students create their own oval face template on scrap paper. They traced the oval lightly in chalk onto the large paper. From that point on, the students used black tempera to add the face, crown and clothing. We looked at examples of kings and queens for ideas when designing the crown and royal clothing. Students used jumbo craypas to add color. The final step was to use the sides of broken craypas to layer color in the background. White was used to provide contrast between the portrait and background.
Archive for the ‘2nd Grade’ Category
Second and third graders designed a glowing Pysanky using chalk on black paper. Reading Rainbows Reshenka’s Eggs was the inspiration for these beautiful drawings. The author demonstrated the process of using dyes and wax to create the traditional Ukrainian eggs. We examined Pysankys to note the basic format of the design. Students used double horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines to set up their design. They added traditional Pysanky lines and motifs to create symmetrical images. During the demonstration I showed how to hold the chalk before dipping the. tip into water. I reminded students to keep hands off any colored areas to avoid smudges. They used a kneaded eraser to clean up the few smudges. Ambrite chalk produces the most vibrant colors compared to the other brands I have used.
Students used their own water cup and shared chalk with a partner.
My seconds graders were so into Elf on a Shelf. They loved making these 42″ elves. The secret to their success was to present a part and complete it before going onto the next. We started with the shirt and pants. Students were allowed to use 2 or 3 colors for the suit and hat. We talked about their favorite sports teams, and how each part of the uniform repeated the same colors. The next class focused on the face, ears, hands and shoes. On the last day, students fit a special hat onto the head and decorated it with the their “team” colors. We brainstormed elf jobs and students could add a tool, ribbon, present, etc. for their elf to hold.
Second graders combined simple forms to create these adorable penguins. They practiced rolling spheres which they flattened to create the eyes and belly. An egg shape was formed for the body. Two smaller egg shapes were flattened for wings. The beak was a flattened cone.
Metallic paper and fiberfill were used for ice and snow. Students added eggs and fish for interest.
Second graders learned about the life and work of George Seurat. They drew butterfly wings on 12″ x 18″ paper, then traced them to create symmetrical butterflies. Dots of color were added with tempera dabbers and dotters.
Beaded and quilled Native American charm bags inspired these felt pouches. A 9″ x 12″ felt piece was cut in two for the front and back pieces. Students planned a symmetrical arrangement of rectangles, triangles, squares and diamonds. Felt strips in different widths were easily snipped to form rectangles, triangles, squares and diamonds. Three colors were used for beads, yarn and felt decorations.
Here is my version of Mr. E’s No Board. “Dress up your mess up” is a quote from one of my second graders that is heard often in my classroom. I encourage students to think of a “mistake” as a chance to try something new. Every year we watch the Reading Rainbow episode Regina’s Big Mistake to reinforce this concept.