Cherry Blossom Prints

I found something like this on Pinterest and went from there. I introduced the second grade students to the Japanese love of spring cherry blossoms. They then created these by painting watercolor backgrounds the first class and then brown tempera branches and stamped tempera blossoms the second class. We used 20 oz. pop bottle bottoms to stamp the flowers. It just happened to be around Earth Day, so we were able to connect recycling and repurposing materials. I loved how these turned out.

Level: 2nd grade

Length of time: two 45 minute class periods

Vocabulary: watercolor wash, printmaking, stamping, recycle, repurpose

Art Show

Here are pictures from my school's annual art show. Each student had something 2D and ceramic displayed for the event. It was a wonderful success!

Matisse Collage

This is a collage project that I do with 2nd grade students. It is one of my favorites! I begin by introducing the French painter Henri Matisse to the students. We read a short book about him, discuss some of his work and focus on his later cut paper collages, paying close attention to the shapes and colors he used. This project typically takes three class periods. The first day we read the book, discuss Matisse's art, and create a border on our papers. The second day we fill in inside the boarder with colored paper for our backgrounds and begin cutting and gluing the larger geometric and organic shapes. The third day students finish with the large shapes and add layers of shapes to complete their compositions.

Level: 2nd grade

Length of time: 3-4 class periods(45 minute class periods)

Vocabulary: Shape, Geometric, Organic, Henri Matisse