Art Videos – Grades 2-3
School Year 2020.2021
Methow Arts has put together easy to use art videos made by our local and regional teaching artists. These videos are targeted at students in grades K-6 who are in remote learning situations. All videos have a suggested target grade, but depending on the child and the amount of parental support available, any given lesson is adaptable for younger or older grades. Click around, see what your child is drawn to, and then give those lessons a try! Let us know what you think.
Find more art activities, lessons and inspirations from us at Methow Arts by CLICKING HERE.
We’d love see your artwork! Please send us scans at info@methowartsalliance.org. Thank you.
PUBLIC ART TOURS (all ages/family)
CLICK HERE for our Public Art Tours (all ages/family)
Our public art tours feature artists in our partner communities (Brewster, Pateros, Omak, Okanogan, Methow Valley, Leavenworth) talking about familiar art pieces in public places.
FOUNDATIONS (all ages)
CLICK HERE for our Foundations Lessons (all ages)
Creating and understanding art relies on a familiarity with the “Elements & Principles of Art,” such as line, pattern, color, shape, and form. Our Foundations Lessons guide you through creating a piece of art while focusing on specific elements and principles of art.
GRADES 2-3: MAKE ART
Intro to Breakdancing, TopRock Part 4 (all ages/Performing Arts)
Keep working on your toprock with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this intro to breaking dance series.
This is part of a series. If you haven’t begun the Intro to Breakdancing series yet, start HERE and scroll down to the breakdancing lessons.
Materials: space around you, comfortable clothing
Dance On! Intermediate/Advanced Choreography (all ages/Performing Arts)
Ready to try some harder choreography? Dancer and teaching artist Lyndsay Frady takes it up a notch in this dance that works with any song with an 8 count. This lesson is accessible to all ages, but is designed for those with a basic background in dance/movement. You can find less advanced dance lessons
HERE.
Materials: space around you, comfortable clothing
Tumble Mustard (grades K-2)
Plants like tumble mustard are not “bad” plants, but they don’t belong in Okanogan and Chelan counties, and they can take over the habitat of native plants. Plants like tumble mustard are called invasive species. In this video, learn to identify and paint tumble mustard with teaching artist Christa Culbert. Once you know what it looks like, you can help pull it out of the ground when you find it!
Learn more about tumble mustard and other invasive species HERE:
Materials: paper, watercolor set, water, paper towel (optional)
Georgia O’Keeffe Flowers (grades 3-6)
Artist Georgia O’Keeffe is known for her large paintings of flowers, which she painted to draw attention to the small things in life. Join teaching artist Bethany Wray to create your own flower inspired by the work of this iconic American artist. This lesson utilizes materials that some students will not have at home; however, crayons and white paper can be substituted.
Materials: oil pastels, black construction paper (or use crayons and white paper if you don’t have oil pastels and black paper)
Photosynthesis Sketch (grades 3-6)
Teaching artist Jim Anderson uses this detailed drawing of a pepper plant to explain photosynthesis, the process through which plants make their own food.
Materials: paper, pencil, eraser, black pen,
optional– colored pencils/crayons/watercolors
Let’s Dance! Part III (all ages/Performing Arts)
Teaching artist, dancer, and Merc Playhouse Executive Director Missi Smith introduces you to some dance steps that can be used with a wide range of music: musical theatre, jazz, hip hop…whatever you like to listen and move to, as long as it has an 8-count beat.
If you find this video too complicated, we encourage you to begin with Let’s Dance Part 1 HERE.
Materials: space around you, bare feet, sneakers, or jazz shoes, waterbottle (optional)
Bird Fest Poster Art (all ages)
Leavenworth’s annual Bird Fest celebrates the return of migratory birds in the midst of peak wildflower season. Participants enjoy the excitement of birding field trips and workshops, and take part in speaker events, music, visual arts, picnics, and activities for all ages and abilities. Students in grades K-8 are invited to submit bird art made with watercolors, pastels, colored pencils, markers, crayons, collage, or any other 2-dimensional materials. Deadline Wed. Mar. 31, 2020.
CLICK HERE for bird art instruction videos and contest details
Newsprint Birds (all ages)
Artist Amber Zimmerman uses a fun “canvas” as she walks you through painting a robin and a Mountain Bluebird on newsprint. Other fun canvases are old book pages or old sheet music, but make sure to ask an adult if it’s ok to use something before you rip it out of a book or start painting on it! (Shiny magazine pages won’t work–they don’t absorb paint.)
Materials: newsprint, watercolor set, black marker or crayon, water cup (optional–glue and construction paper)
P. Zonka Chicken (all ages)
Artist Christa Culbert uses Julie Paschkis’s book “P. Zonka Lays an Egg” as inspiration for this chicken-friendly art activity that uses a traditional Ukrainian folk art style. (Although chickens are technically birds, we suspect a chicken painting won’t win the Bird Fest contest. Use this lesson just for fun!)
Materials: paper, pencil, black marker or crayon, watercolor set, water cup, paper towel (optional)
Seed to Sprout (grades K-3)
Teaching artist Jim Anderson uses pumpkin seeds as models for drawing the cycle of a plant from seed to sprout. This lesson complements school garden (or home garden) learning.
Materials: paper, pencil, eraser, seeds (optional), colored pencils (optional)
Intro to Breakdance III: Back Step (all ages/Performing Arts)
Teaching artist and breakdancer Miguel Renteria teaches you the back step–a fundamental component of breakdancing. (If you haven’t completed Parts I or II yet, click HERE).
You’ll need: open space and music you’d like to dance to
Upcycled Flowers (all ages/family)
Teaching artist Amber Zimmerman guides you in transforming recyclables into fun, unique flowers. A fun family activity to welcome spring!
Materials: aluminum foil, yarn or string, cardboard, markers, scissors, tape.
Rainbows & Puffy Clouds (K-3rd grade)
Explore color and texture with teaching artist Bethany Wray as she teaches you how to create a rainbow with puffy, 3-D clouds.
Materials: Paper, Watercolor set & water, Elmer’s Glue, Shaving Cream, Extra Container, Stirrer (knife, spoon, etc.)
Caricatures (3rd-6th grade)
Caricatures aren’t just entertainment at state fairs—they’ve been used throughout history to make statements. Artist Amber Zimmerman explains what a caricature is and guides you through the basics of drawing these fun, exaggerated portraits.
Materials: paper, pencil, eraser
Intro to Breakdance II: Side Step (all ages/Performing Arts)
Teaching artist and breakdancer Miguel Renteria teaches you the side step–a fundamental component of breakdancing. (If you haven’t completed Part I yet, click HERE).
You’ll need: open space and music you’d like to dance to
Texture Relief (all ages/Fundamentals)
Artist Bethany Wray uses household materials to help you understand the concept of texture.
Materials: aluminum foil, yarn or string, cardboard, markers, scissors, tape.
Inspirational Women (K-3rd grade)
Artist Christa Culbert uses author Juliet Mendendez’s book “Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers” as inspiration for a painting that celebrates an inspiring woman in your own life. The book celebrates 40 women from the US and Latin America who have been influential in science, art, athletics, politics, and other venues.
Materials: paper, watercolor set (or crayons or colored pencils, water cup, napkin/paper towel, pencil & eraser
Mule Deer Sketch & Paint (3rd-6th grade)
Artist Bruce Morrison takes a familiar figure in Central Washington–the mule deer–and shows you how to draw and paint one.
Material: paper, pencil, eraser, yellow/brown/black crayons, watercolors, water cup
Color as Time of Day (all ages/Fundamentals)
Artist Christa Culbert explores two different pieces of artwork that show you how color can be used to express time of day, and then guides you through creating a comic strip that conveys a sense of time.
You’ll focus on Chinami Nakajima’s “Weeping Cherry at Kozenji Temple” and “Miharu Takizakura Spring Night.”
Materials: paper, pencil, watercolor set, water cup, paper towel (optional)
The Snowy Day (K-2nd grade)—visual art and writing lesson
Artist Amber Zimmerman uses Ezra Jack Keats’ award-winning children’s book “The Snowy Day” as inspiration for a resist painting. The video includes a read-aloud of “The Snowy Day.”
Materials: paper, watercolors, water cup, crayons
Circle Story: a writing lesson to accompany The Snowy Day visual art lesson above (K-2nd grade)
Teaching artist Anne Andersen uses Ezra Jack Keat’s award-winning “The Snowy Day” book as a mentor text for a writing lesson for young writers.
The video includes a read-aloud of “The Snowy Day.” If you just watched the read-aloud when you did the painting lesson above, you can skip the video ahead to minute 5:23.
Materials: paper/journal and pencil/pen
Kid Like Me Collage (3rd-6th grade)
Artist Christa Culbert leads a collage lesson based on the book “A Girl Like Me” by Angela Johnson, illustrated by the artist Nina Crews.
To listen to Nina Crews reading “A Girl Like Me” click HERE.
Materials: paper, pencil, scissors, crayons/colored pencils/markers, watercolor set & water cup, glue or glue stick, materials that an adult says are ok to cut up: photographs, magazines, newspapers, etc.
Mittens (2nd-3rd grade)
Artist Bethany Wray helps you explore line, color, and shape by making some mittens. You won’t need to cover your hands much longer this season, but these bright mittens will brighten your bulletin board or the refrigerator door throughout the year.
Materials: paper, pencil, watercolor set, water cup, paper towel, crayons or oil pastel, mitten stencil (cut your own from a cereal box or other stiff paper)
Black Bears (3rd-6th grade)
Artist Bruce Morrison teaches you to sketch and paint the black bears you might see in the North Cascades.
Materials: paper, pencil, eraser, optional–watercolor paint set, water cup
Beetles (2nd-3rd grade)
What makes a beetle different from other insects? Learn about bilateral symmetry and how to draw like a scientist with artist Christa Culbert.
Materials:paper, crayons, watercolor set, water cup, paper towel
Intro to Breakdance: Top Rock part 1 (all ages/performing arts)
Teaching artist and breakdancer “Bboy Hero” Miguel Renteria breaks down breakdance for you with a very basic step. You’ll learn the crossover, which is a foundation of breakdance. Miguel has been dancing since he was 12, he has competed in breakdance battles, and has taught breakdance at schools and Boys & Girls Clubs.
You’ll need: open space and music you’d like to dance to
I Can Fly (a writing lesson for grades 3-6)
Designed to accompany the Faith Ringgold art lesson we published recently
(on YouTube or Vimeo), “I Can Fly” is a writing lesson to be facilitated by teachers or homeschool leaders. Teaching artist and educational coach Anne Andersen takes you through the lesson plan.
First, watch Faith Ringgold reading “Tar Beach” HERE. You may also want to do the visual art lesson related to the book, on YouTube or Vimeo, before participating in the writing lesson.
Let’s Dance (all ages/performing arts)
Teaching artist, dancer, and Merc Playhouse Executive Director Missi Smith introduces you to some dance steps that can be used with a wide range of music: musical theatre, jazz, hip hop…whatever you like to listen and move to. Even those who consider themselves to have two left feet will find themselves a little more comfortable on the dance floor–or in the living room–with these moves in their repertoire.
You’ll learn steps like “step touch, “jazz box,” “out cross turn clap,” and “raise the roof.”
Let’s Dance Part 1: K-2nd grade
Once you master these steps you may want to move on to our Let’s Dance Part 2 video, below.
Let’s Dance Part 2: 3rd-6th grade
If you find this video too complicated, we encourage you to begin with Let’s Dance Part 1, above.
Materials: space around you, bare feet, sneakers, or jazz shoes, waterbottle (optional)
GRADES K-2
Mound Creations (K-2nd grade)
Painter Christa Culbert uses artist Trenton Doyle Hancock’s depictions of “the Mounds”—mystical creatures that are part of the artist’s imagination—as inspiration for this painting lesson.
Materials: paper, pencil, black marker, crayons, watercolor set, water cup, paper towel
Learn more about Trenton Doyle Hancock HERE.
Faith Ringgold’s Story Quilts (3rd-6th grade)
Artist Bethany Wray uses Faith Ringgold’s “Tar Beach” book and one of her paintings as inspiration for these story quilts. Ringgold’s work focuses on her experience as an African-American woman, and often depicts themes of racial injustice and inequality.
We encourage you to listen to Faith Ringgold reading “Tar Beach” before you embark on this art lesson, to enhance and add historical context to the experience. Access Ringgold’s reading here.
Materials: paper, paint (any kind), pencil, scissors, items that can get paint on them (plastic utensils, bubble wrap, etc.), something to draw with (crayons/colored pencils/markers), glue
Learn more about Faith Ringgold HERE.
My Heart Metaphors (K-2nd grade)
Join artist Christa Culbert in a lesson inspired by Corinna Luyken’s book “My Heart.” This lesson is designed for younger students, but older students will enjoy it as well.
Materials: paper, pencil, colored pencils/markers/crayons
We’d love to display your art at Methow Arts! Email it to us at info@methowartsalliance.org or drop it off at our office on Glover Street.
LOVE Cards for Valentine’s Day (3rd-6th grade)
Artist Bethany Wray helps you make a Valentine’s Day card while learning about the concepts of positive and negative space, as well as analogous colors.
Materials: paper, watercolor set, painters tape or masking tape, water cup, paper towel, crayons
Ice Sculptures (all ages/family)
Artist Amber Zimmerman shows you a fun way to create an outdoor art installation. This seasonal activity takes some preparation to create the ice blocks.
Materials: water, things to make ice in (like yogurt containers, deli containers, ice trays, silicon molds), food coloring or liquid watercolor–optional, warm water
Owls (K-2nd grade)
Artist Bruce Morrison teaches you how to draw and paint an owl.
Materials: paper, black/yellow/orange/brown crayons, water, watercolor paint set, paper towel
Eagles (3rd-6th grade)
Artist Bruce Morrison teaches you how to draw and paint an eagle.
Materials: paper, pencil, watercolor set, water, paper towel, black/brown/yellow crayons
Snow Bunny (K-2nd grade)
Artist Bruce Morrison teaches you how to draw and paint a snowshoe hare.
Materials: paper, crayons, pencil, eraser, watercolor set, brush, water, salt (optional)
Mountain Landscape (3rd-6th grade)
Artist Amber Zimmerman teaches you to sketch and paint a stunning mountain scene using line, texture, and pattern.
Materials: paper, watercolor set, brush, water, paper towel, black marker, pencil, eraser, something round to trace (like a bowl or plate) or a protractor, salt
Having a Dream: Window Hearts (K-2nd grade)
Artist Christa Culbert honors the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by showing you how to create heart-shaped pieces of art that express what you would dream of if you could change something in the world.(visual arts)
Materials: paper, scissors, pencil, crayons/colored pencils/markers, tape
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Martin’s Big Words
I have a dream speech recited by children
PBS Resources for How to talk about race and racism with your children
Having a Dream: Freedom Quilts (3rd-6th grade)
Artist Bethany Wray honors the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by helping you create painted quilt squares that express your dreams for a better world. This lesson references the legend of the Underground Railroad Quilts. See resources at the bottom of this description for more information. (visual arts)
Materials: square paper, watercolor set, water, paper towel, crayons/oil pastels, marker
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
I have a dream speech recited by children
PBS Resources for How to talk about race and racism with your children
Learn to Juggle (all ages/family)
Juggling isn’t easy, but it can be learned in 3 steps and a lot of practice. Longtime juggler Rob Crandall walks you through the steps to becoming a juggler. (performing arts)
Materials: 3 things to juggle such as tennis balls or baseballs, bean bags, or small oranges (ask an adult if this is ok) or use snowballs outside!
Follow this link to create your own juggling balls out of rice and balloons.
Paul Klee Cityscape (K-2nd grade)
Artist Bethany Wray shows you how to make a painting of geometric buildings inspired by Swiss-born German artist Paul Klee. (visual arts)
Materials:paper, watercolor paint set, pencil/crayon/marker, brush, water, paper towel household items that are shaped like circles, rectangles, triangles, squares. If you can’t readily find objects in these shapes, cut up an old cereal or cracker box to use as stencils.
Chickadee (3rd-6th grade)
Artist Bruce Morrison shows you how to sketch a bird often seen and heard in the North Cascades: the chickadee.
We suggest working with our VALUE (shading) video first, so that your chickadee sketch can incorporate more contrast. YouTube link or Vimeo link.
Materials: pencil, paper, eraser
Doodle Tree Forest (K-3rd grade)
Artist Amber Zimmerman continues working with the concepts of LINE and PATTERN by showing you how to draw a Doodle Tree Forest. (visual art)
Materials: paper, pencil, eraser, watercolor set, water (or colored pencils, markers, crayons)
Winter Light (K-2nd grade)
Artist Bruce Morrison shows you how to paint the flickering flame of a candle.
(visual arts)
Materials: paper, watercolor set, brush, water cup, crayons/oil pastels, paper towel (optional)
Polar Bears in Sweaters (3rd-6th grade)
How do polar bears stay warm? They wear sweaters, of course! Artist Amber Zimmerman helps you learn about line and pattern as you create your own polar bear sweater designs using geometric shapes and bright colors. (visual art)
Materials: watercolor set, water cup, pencil, black marker, eraser
Japanese Nōtan-Inspired Snowflakes (K-3rd grade)
Artist Bethany Wray uses the Japanese Nōtan style to make striking snowflakes. Nōtan is a Japanese design concept involving the play and placement of light and dark elements as they are placed next to the other in the composition of art and imagery.
(visual arts)
Materials: round container (or a plate) to trace around, scissors, glue, pencil, white paper, colored paper OR instead of colored paper you can use old magazines or a piece of a cereal box–you just need light paper for the snowflake and a dark surface to place it on
Pointillist Landscape (grades K-3)
Evolving from Impressionism, Pointillismis a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image. Learn about the artist technique of Pointillism and create a pointillist landscape with teaching artist Bethany Wray. (visual arts)
Materials: watercolors, water, brush, Qtips, paper, pencil (optional: masking tape, black marker)
Two-Word Poem (grades K-3+)
Classroom teachers, homeschool teachers, and remote parent teachers alike will have fun facilitating this two-word poem lesson with students. Designed by educator Anne Andersen, the lesson can be centered on any theme and can be expanded by simply adding additional words. (literary arts)
Materials: paper/journal, pencil/pen
Holiday Heart Maps/Poems (all ages/family)
Teaching artist Anne Andersen shows you how to map the things you hold dear in your heart, using a lesson from poet Georgia Heard as inspiration. This could be a meaningful family activity during the holidays. (visual & literary art)
Materials: something to write on & something to write with (optional–markers, crayons, or colored pencils)
Red Poppies for Veterans Day (all ages)
*parental support suggested for younger students
Sculptor and painter Bruce Morrison guides you through painting red poppies in honor of war veterans. (visual art)
Materials: paper, blue or black crayon, watercolor paint set, brush, water cup
Simple Self Portrait (grades K-2+)
Artist Bruce Morrison teaches you how to draw and paint a portrait of yourself. (visual art)
Materials: paper, crayons, watercolor set, water container (optional–mirror)
Abstract Happiness (grades K-3)
Play a drawing game with teaching artist Christa Culbertto create an abstract art piece that expresses happiness. (visual art)
Materials: paper, crayons/colored pencils/markers
Neighborhood Map (grades 2-3)*
Most authors recommend “Write what you know.” Anne Andersen helps you write a piece that focuses on things you know and things you’ve experienced. (literary arts)
*We suggest participating in this video in two or three sessions.
Materials: paper, pencil/pen
Nature Walk (grades 2-3)
Artist Christa Culbert takes you on a nature walk and shows you how to sketch plants. (visual art)
Materials: pencil/pen, paper or journal/sketchpad, markers or colored pencils, a plant guidebook (optional–you can also use the internet)
When I was Young writing lesson (grades 2-3)
Anne Andersen guides you through memoir writing–a writing exercise that asks you to draw on your own memories. (literary arts)
Materials: pencil/pen, paper
Draw a Cat (grades 2-3)
Artist Bruce Morrison shows you how to draw cats. (visual art)
Materials:paper, crayons or colored pencils, picture of a cat (optional)
Sketch a Horse…or a Dragon! (grades 2-3)
Artist and equestrian Christa Culbert shows you how to sketch a horse….or a dragon or a unicorn! (visual art)
Materials: paper, pencil, a flat surface to work onG