Visual Arts Education — Grade 2

Geometry and Art: Art Museum Pre-Visit

Geometry and Art: Art Museum Pre-Visit is the first lesson of a three-part unit integrating math, writing and visual arts. In this discovery learning activity, students look at and compare two works of art. The paintings are quite different, but they contain many examples of geometric shapes. Students then complete a comment sheet, explaining what is similar and different about the works of art. This lesson can be used alone or used to prepare students for an art museum visit.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Arts, Visual Arts Education, Mathematics, and Computer Technology Skills)

By Loretta Hopper.

Geometry and Art: Art Museum Visit

Geometry and Art: Art Museum Visit is the second lesson of a three-part unit integrating math, writing and visual arts. In this lesson students apply their knowledge of geometry by sorting, classifying and counting plane geometric figures during a visit to the art museum to look at and compare twentieth- century paintings. Students then collect data and share what they observe.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Arts, Visual Arts Education, and Mathematics)

By Loretta Hopper.

Personal Picture Narratives: Jacob Lawrence

In this second grade lesson students will look closely at paintings by Lawrence depicting historical figures. Students will identify Lawrence’s unique style from work by other artists based on the elements of color and shape. They will create a painting using the same art elements to create a picture depicting an imagined scene from the life of Harriet Tubman.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Visual Arts Education)

By Eileen Palamountain.

Undersea Exploration

Students explore the lifeforms and land formations under the ocean. The three ocean levels and their respective lifeforms are investigated and discussed, focusing on shape, form, and color. Students will gain a better understanding of the connections between the science and arts curriculum.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Dance Arts Education, Music Education, and Visual Arts Education)

By Russ Johnson.

Lesson plans on the web

The meaning behind the mask

Students explore the cultural significance of masks, discuss the use of masks in stories, and then investigate the role masks play in ceremonies and on special occasions in various African cultures. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts, Theatre Arts Education, and Visual Arts Education)

Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities