United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 2 Art and Design
A comprehensive Year 2 art curriculum focusing on developing technical mastery through experimentation with diverse media. Students explore the relationship between their own creative choices and the work of significant historical and contemporary artists.

01Lines, Marks, and Making
Students explore the fundamental elements of drawing by experimenting with different graphite grades, charcoals, and pastels.
Experimenting with pencils, charcoal, and pastels to understand their unique mark-making qualities.
Investigating how different types of lines can represent texture and movement in observational drawing.
Exploring how different facial expressions and simple lines can convey various emotions in self-portraits and portraits of peers.
Using shading techniques to create 3D effects and show light and shadow on 2D surfaces.
Practicing observational drawing by sketching simple still life arrangements, focusing on shape and proportion.
Studying Lucian Freud's work to understand how facial features convey emotion and character.
Creating self-portraits that express a specific emotion using learned drawing techniques.
Focusing on capturing movement and energy in animal drawings using dynamic lines.

02Color Alchemy and Painting
An exploration of color theory where students learn to mix secondary and tertiary colors to express mood and atmosphere.
Identifying and working with primary colors as the building blocks of all other colors.
Understanding the relationship between primary and secondary colors through hands-on mixing.
Exploring how warm and cool colors evoke different feelings and create atmosphere in paintings.
Learning to lighten colors with white (tints) and darken them with black (shades) to create depth.
Studying Monet's work to understand how light changes the appearance of color in nature.
Applying Impressionistic techniques to paint simple landscapes, focusing on capturing light and shadow.
Using color and shape to represent non-visual concepts like music or feelings.
Creating abstract paintings that express personal emotions through color, line, and shape.

03Form and Space
Students transition from 2D to 3D by working with clay, wire, and recycled materials to explore sculpture.
Learning basic clay handling and forming techniques by creating simple pinch pots.
Learning joining techniques like 'slip and score' to create stable 3D figures with clay.
Looking at how natural shapes, like leaves or waves, can inspire the design of simple structures and buildings.
Inspired by Louise Nevelson, students create monochromatic assemblages from everyday items.
Using cardboard, plastic, and other recycled items to build imaginative 3D structures.
Exploring the work of Gaudi to understand how organic shapes can be used in structures.
Students design and build a small-scale model of a building inspired by organic forms.

04Patterns in Print
An introduction to printmaking techniques including relief printing and repeating patterns.
Using natural objects to create prints and exploring the concept of the 'negative image'.
Experimenting with monoprinting to create unique, one-of-a-kind prints using various textures.
Introduction to relief printing by carving simple designs into printing blocks.
Designing a block print to create a continuous wallpaper-style pattern.
Examining the intricate floral designs of the Arts and Crafts movement.
Creating original patterns suitable for fabric using printing techniques.

05Textile Tales
Students explore fabric and fiber arts, focusing on weaving, sewing, and collage.
Exploring different types of fibers and fabrics, understanding their origins and textures.
Learning the basic over-under weaving technique using card looms and varied yarns.
Practicing simple sewing stitches and appliqué techniques to add details to fabric.
Looking at Faith Ringgold's work to understand how textiles can tell personal and community stories.
Creating an individual fabric square that tells a personal story or represents an important memory.
Creating mixed media pieces that prioritize the sense of touch using various materials.
Investigating how patterns are created and used in different textile traditions from around the world.
Using fabric scraps and stuffing to create small, three-dimensional soft sculptures.

06The Art of the Gallery
A concluding unit where students curate an exhibition of their year's work, focusing on presentation and critique.
Students learn how to choose and arrange their artworks for a class exhibition, thinking about how to make it look good for visitors.
Learning how to talk about our own art and our friends' art in a kind and helpful way, focusing on what we like and simple suggestions.
Students practice talking or writing a few sentences about their artwork, explaining what they made, how they made it, and what it means to them.
Developing the vocabulary to give and receive constructive feedback on artistic work.
Engaging in structured peer critique sessions to practice giving and receiving feedback.
A review of the artists studied throughout the year and their place in history.
Reflecting on personal growth and learning throughout the year in art and design.