25.10.2021

2nd-grade students create imaginary beings in art classes

By Bruna Cronfli

During the research on animal habitats, which was part of the “Habitats and the Environment” Inquiry Unit, second graders (Y2) had the idea of ​​creating imaginary beings.

As a first proposal, the teachers dictated the characteristics of 10 beings so that the students could draw what they imagined. Then, they were invited to draw the beings from their own imagination and, finally, to create a habitat for their imaginary being, taking into account what they eat and drink, the way they live, where they live, etc.

In order to repertoire the students for this work, the teachers explored Imaginary Botany. The groups studied the work of an artist and illustrator named Mariana Zanetti. Also, with the objective of promoting the development of the children’s imagination, each student was offered a large piece of paper, with some element already glued to it (e.g., a red ribbon, a blue paper, a string, etc.). They were instructed to draw an imaginary plant including the given element as part of their creation.

As a conclusion, the students were asked to think about a completely imaginary being (it could be an animal, a plant, or even a plant-animal) for a 3D production. They learned to make plaster molds and they also had the opportunity to use other materials such as clay, seeds, and pastels.

The project, in addition to providing the practice of careful handling of materials, also ensured the perception that everything is possible and that everyone sees and has the capacity to imagine completely different things.