Unit Plan 21 (Grade 2 Art): Mixed Media Exploration

Focus: Experiment with different art materials and techniques (drawing, painting, collage, and more) and combine them to communicate ideas in more expressive ways.

Grade Level: 2

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating)

Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students discover how artists can use more than one material in the same artwork to make ideas and images more expressive. They explore simple combinations such as crayon and watercolor, marker and collage, or pencil and texture rubbings, noticing how each material behaves differently. Students practice choosing materials on purpose to show certain ideas, textures, or moods, and then create a small mixed media piece that combines at least two materials in a thoughtful way. By the end, they understand that experimenting with mixed media can improve their craftsmanship and help them communicate visually.

Essential Questions

• How do different art materials (crayons, markers, paint, collage) look and feel when I use them?
• What happens when I combine more than one material in the same artwork?
• How can mixed media help me show my idea, feeling, or story more clearly?
• Why is it important to experiment and practice new techniques to improve my art?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Experiment with at least two or three different materials (e.g., crayon, watercolor, marker, collage) and notice how they behave.
2. Try at least one simple technique for each material (e.g., crayon resist, layering marker over crayon, gluing cut shapes).
3. Plan a small mixed media artwork that uses more than one material on purpose to show a simple idea, object, or scene.
4. Create a finished mixed media piece that shows careful craftsmanship and some expressive control of the materials.
5. Explain one way combining materials helped make their picture more interesting or expressive.

Standards Alignment — 2nd Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cr2.5b — Experiment with a range of materials and techniques to improve craftsmanship and expressive control.
  • Example: Students test blending and layering techniques in paint.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can try different art materials and notice how they are the same or different.
• I can use more than one material in the same artwork.
• I can choose materials on purpose to show my idea or feeling.
• I can use my materials with care (craftsmanship) so my artwork looks its best.
• I can tell how mixed media made my picture more interesting or expressive.