Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
2nd Class Creative Journeys: Exploring the Visual World
A comprehensive primary art program for 2nd Class students focusing on the development of expressive skills and aesthetic awareness. Students engage in hands-on making while responding to their own work and the work of artists through various media and techniques.
01Lines, Marks, and Imaginary Worlds
Students explore the fundamental elements of drawing and mark-making to express ideas and observations.
Investigating how different types of lines can convey movement, texture, and emotion in a drawing.
Using drawing tools to record details from nature, focusing on plants, insects, and found objects.
Creating narrative drawings that illustrate a sequence of events or a favorite story.
Introduction to basic concepts of foreground, middle ground, and background to create depth in drawings.
Experimenting with different shading techniques (hatching, cross-hatching, stippling) to create form and volume.
Arranging everyday objects and drawing them, focusing on composition and spatial relationships.
Exploring the art of beautiful handwriting and decorative lettering, focusing on form and style.
02Color Explorers and Painters
An investigation into color theory, mixing, and the expressive potential of paint and liquid media.
Discovering how primary colors combine to create secondaries and how to alter tones using black and white.
Using brushwork and color choice to represent abstract concepts like happiness, anger, or calm.
Experimenting with adding materials to paint or using different tools to create physical texture on a surface.
Understanding the psychological and visual effects of warm and cool color palettes.
Exploring limited color palettes to create harmony and mood in paintings.
Introduction to basic watercolor techniques, including flat washes, graded washes, and wet-on-wet blending.
Applying color theory and painting techniques to create a still life painting from direct observation.
03Building in Three Dimensions
Students work with clay and construction materials to explore form, space, and structural integrity.
Learning basic clay techniques such as pinching, coiling, and joining to create 3D figures.
Using found objects and recycled materials to design and build imaginative structures.
Designing and constructing masks or small wearable art pieces that transform the wearer into a character or creature.
Understanding how positive and negative space contribute to the overall form of a 3D artwork.
Introduction to creating sculptures that incorporate movement, using simple mechanisms or natural forces.
Creating small-scale models of buildings or imaginary spaces using various construction materials.
04Patterns, Prints, and Textiles
Exploring repetitive design through printmaking and the tactile qualities of fabric and fiber.
Using everyday items to create rhythmic patterns and stamped images through relief printing.
Introduction to basic weaving techniques and exploring the textures of different yarns and fabrics.
Creating pictures by layering, gluing, and stitching different types of fabric and thread.
Experimenting with monoprinting techniques to create unique, one-of-a-kind prints.
Exploring resist dyeing techniques like tie-dye to create vibrant patterns on fabric.
Introduction to carving simple designs into linoleum or soft blocks for printing.
Exploring basic hand-stitching techniques and embellishing fabric with threads, beads, and other materials.
05Looking and Responding
Developing the ability to talk about art, visit galleries, and understand the role of the artist in society.
Learning about how artists work, their creative processes, and the different environments where art is created.
Understanding how art is displayed and how to behave and observe in a museum or gallery setting.
Developing the vocabulary to describe personal artistic choices and give constructive feedback to peers.
Exploring art from different cultures and historical periods, understanding its context and significance.
Identifying and interpreting symbols and metaphors used by artists to convey deeper meanings.
Introduction to digital art tools and their impact on contemporary art creation and dissemination.
06Mixed Media and Innovation
Students combine various art materials and techniques to create innovative and expressive artworks.
Creating artworks by combining different materials such as paper, fabric, photographs, and found objects.
Constructing three-dimensional artworks by combining various found objects and materials.
Combining traditional drawing materials (pencil, charcoal) with paint, collage, or ink to create rich surfaces.
Exploring basic principles of digital photography, including composition, lighting, and subject matter.
07Art and Community
Exploring the role of art in public spaces and its connection to community identity and expression.
Investigating examples of public art and murals, discussing their purpose and impact on a community.
Exploring how artists use their work to raise awareness, provoke thought, and advocate for social issues.
Working together on a large-scale art project, emphasizing teamwork and shared artistic vision.
08Portfolio Development and Exhibition
Students select, refine, and present their best artworks, culminating in a class exhibition.
Learning how to select and organize artworks for a portfolio, focusing on demonstrating growth and skill.
Developing the ability to write concise artist statements that explain their intentions and processes.
Planning and setting up a class art exhibition, considering display, lighting, and audience experience.
Practicing presenting their artwork and discussing their creative process with an audience.
09Drawing Fundamentals: Advanced Techniques
Deepening understanding of drawing through advanced techniques and conceptual approaches.
Introduction to drawing the human figure, focusing on basic proportions and capturing dynamic poses.
Exploring techniques for drawing portraits that convey emotion and personality, beyond mere likeness.
Practicing quick, observational sketches of urban landscapes and architectural details.