Year 2 Art, music & design

Chapters to explore

Observation drawing begins with looking carefully at an object. Compare its large shapes before adding details. A sketch is a way to explore, so light marks and revisions are useful. Drawing from memory and drawing from observation can produce different results.

Try it: Draw a safe natural object and compare its proportions.

A tint is made by adding white to a colour; a shade can be made by adding black. Small changes can alter the effect greatly. Colours may suggest a mood, but people and cultures do not always connect the same colour with the same feeling.

Try it: Make a row of lighter and darker versions of one colour.

Sculpture has three-dimensional form: height, width and depth. You can view it from different sides. Materials may be shaped, joined or assembled. A stable base helps a model stand, but stability depends on the whole arrangement.

Try it: Make a small model from safe reusable material and test its balance.

Tempo is the speed of music. Dynamics describe loudness and changes in loudness. A piece can be fast and quiet or slow and loud. Changes should be deliberate and comfortable for everyone listening.

Try it: Perform one rhythm at two comfortable speeds and two gentle loudness levels.

A musical phrase is a short musical idea. Patterns can repeat, change or pause. A rest is a planned silence. Simple symbols can help you remember when to clap, tap or wait, provided everyone knows what they mean.

Try it: Invent and perform a short pattern with a rest.

Dance can use direction, level, speed and shape to communicate an idea. Movements can be adapted for seated or standing participation. Leave enough space and choose comfortable movements. A sequence has a beginning, development and ending.

Try it: Create a short seated or standing movement sequence about weather.

A structure supports a load. Folding or shaping a material can change its strength. A mechanism makes or transfers movement; a wheel turning on an axle is one example. Test a small model safely rather than assuming its appearance proves its strength.

Try it: Build and compare two small paper structures with adult help.

A picture sequence shows events in order. A clear beginning introduces the situation; the middle develops it; the ending shows what changed. Details can give clues without explaining everything in words. Check that a viewer can follow the sequence.

Try it: Draw a three-frame story and ask a partner to retell it.

Reflection means considering what you made, how it works and what to try next. Name a choice and its effect. Feedback can help without removing the maker’s own ideas. Keep a first version when possible so you can see how the work developed.

Try it: Keep two versions of a small artwork and explain one change.

Learning together

Each chapter brings together teaching, an example, practice and a practical discovery. Use the material with discussion and suitable offline activities. Choose a comfortable starting point and revisit explanations as needed.