To make a beautiful butterfly, simply fold a piece of waxed paper in half. Draw half the butterfly next to the fold, then turn the paper over and use the outline to draw the other half. Open the paper to reveal the full butterfly. Have the second grader prinkle crayon shavings over the design. Place a second sheet of waxed paper over the design and crayon shavings. An adult can iron the design on low heat until the crayon melts. Once cool, cut the butterfly design out, punch a hole near the top, and hang the butterfly in a bright window. Your second grader will be very pleased with the result.
An activity guaranteed to please a second grader is the edible color wheel. Provide the blank color wheel on white paper. Give the second graders each three vanilla wafers. Also give them three small cups of icing: one red, one blue and one yellow. Ask them to ice one wafer with each color and place the wafers at the appropriate points of the wheel's primary color triangles. For the secondary color, mix equal amounts of two primary colors of icing and frost another wafer. That wafer should be placed on the point of the secondary triangle between the two colors that made it. For the tertiary colors, mix a primary color with the secondary color next to it. Frost the wafer and place it in its spot on the wheel. Experiment with the amount of each color needed for the tertiary colors. This is an amazing hands-on project that will leave second-graders with a good sense of color theory.
This project can be adapted for older children by having them draw the blank color wheel on white paper before beginning the rest of the activity.
Second-graders love to give gifts to their parents, grandparents, teachers and caregivers. This art project lets them take full ownership of the gift. Have the children paint four wide craft sticks -- they don't have to be all the same color. Once they are dry, glue them together to form a rectangle that will frame a photograph that the child has chosen. When the glue sets, you are ready to decorate. Use your imagination. Glitter, foam shapes, sparkles, colored glue, beads, macaroni, sand and even chocolate chips or Smarties can be given to the children to use to decorate their frames. Be sure to include the date and have the child put his name on the back. Glue the frame to the photo, and watch your second-graders' eyes fill with pride. This project can also be made from twigs but will require some adult help to ensure the glue holds.
Choose an activity that engages the senses. If there is smell or texture or even taste involved, the child will be more engaged in the activity.
Look for clues in the weather and the season. In February, make Valentine's Day art. In winter, head outside and sculpt snow into tables and chairs. In summer, use water in your art activities.
Don't forget that your child's classroom is a warehouse of ideas. If the class is studying caterpillars, take a step forward and do the butterfly activity.
Always praise a child's effort as well as the result of the project.
Children at this age learn "on the fly." By being ready with meaningful art activities, you will create opportunities for growth you child would otherwise miss.