Art 2 Curriculum for High School
My first job as an art teacher in my very own classroom had me teaching both Art 1 and Art 2. Art 1—an introduction to art—was fairly straightforward. I felt confident building a curriculum designed for beginners, guiding them through the fundamentals. But Art 2? That was a whole different challenge.
For more information on Art 1 Curriculum Check out this →BLOG.
What exactly do you teach second-year art students? Ideally, they’re in the class because they enjoy art—after all, a second year isn’t required in California, so being there is (hopefully) a choice. That’s encouraging, right? Still, I couldn’t assume they had a solid foundation. Not every student in my Art 2 class had taken Art 1 with me, and I had no way of knowing what they’d already learned.
So, I had to go back to the basics—but in a more refined, elevated way. I needed to revisit the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, but present them with fresh depth and complexity that would challenge returning students without boring them.
Check out these Elements of Art and Principles of Design resources:
- Elements of Art and Principles of Design bundle
- Elements of Art and Principles of Design Flash cards
- Elements of Art and Principles of Design Posters
Designing an Art 2 Curriculum
Jump to the Art Curriculum Map
Art 2 has always been my guinea pig class. While not every student is an advanced artist, the class typically consists of upperclassmen who are mature enough to handle the experimental nature of trial and error with new materials and techniques. It’s the class where I feel most comfortable testing out new project ideas and approaches.
Similar to Art 1, I set goals for the class to provide structure and purpose throughout the year. These goals include:
- Continuing to teach students advanced drawing techniques.
- Presenting a variety of concepts, art history, cultural contexts, and materials.
- Incorporating some of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design into each unit—with the aim of covering all of them by the end of the year.
- Ensuring every unit includes opportunities for choice, practice, and experimentation, helping to prepare students for AP Art and Design.
For more on sketchbooks→ CLICK HERE
Throughout the years, the Art 2 curriculum has changed and evolved. The art standards in California have also changed to align more closely with the National Standards: Creating, Presenting, Responding, and Connecting.
To meet these standards, each unit in my curriculum now includes:
- Introduction to the Unit: Engaging students with active learning to explain the goals (Responding, Connecting, and possibly Creating).
- Art History/Cultural Context: Providing inspiration for the project (Connecting, Presenting).
- Practice/Experimentation: Teacher-led demonstrations (Connecting, Responding)
- Research/Brainstorm: Encouraging creativity and connection (Creating, Connecting)
- Project: The art production (Creating)
- Critique: Facilitating constructive feedback (Responding)
- Self Evaluation/Reflection: Promoting personal growth and understanding (Responding).
Art 2 Curriculum Scope & Sequence
The scope and sequence of the art curriculum is designed to introduce Advanced art students to new materials and concepts. We begin the school year by familiarizing students with the class structure and guiding them in creating sketchbooks and portfolios. These tools will be used for every art unit throughout the year, ensuring a consistent and organized approach to their artistic development
Here is what our Art 2, Advanced art curriculum looks like
1ST sEMESTER:
| Units & links: (in consecutive order) | Materials |
|---|---|
| 1. Zentangle Sketchbook Design in metallic sharpie on Black bound sketchbook (functional Art Piece to be used throughout the year) TPT Link to: Sketchbook Project, Negative Space Zentangle Covers Important Concepts Covered: Sketchbooks, Organization, craftsmanship, zentangles, pattern, negative/positive space Line, shape, contrast, etc. For another Sketchbook option, see…. Handmade/ Hand-Sewn Sketchbooks: Theme: “What is Art”→ TPT Link to: Handmade Sketchbook Lesson Manual | –Pencils –Erasers –Pencil sharpeners –Metallic Sharpie (silver works best) –Black bound sketchbook … or… -Two pieces of 9”x12” black construction paper/ Tagboard -3 binder rings per student –3-hole puncher –Laminator –Zentangle handouts/ reference images |
| 2. Printmaking & Portfolios: (Functional Art piece to hold student’s work for the year) TPT Link to: Collagraph Printmaking and Portfolios Unit Important Concepts Covered: Portfolios, organization, portfolio building techniques, printmaking history, collagraph printmaking, radial balance, radial design, additive vs. subtractive method, plate, matrix, contrast. | -A variety of items with different textures (we use Matte Board and Cardboard) –Scissors and/or Xacto Knives, Xacto blades and cutting mats –Acrylic Paint or printmaking ink –Elmer’s glue or hot glue/ Glue Sticks –Modge podge glue –Paint brushes, brayer, and/or sponge brushes -6”x6” rigid surface, either cardboard or matte board -Printing paper (12”x12”) -Portfolio paper: Portfolio: 2ply Tagboard 36X24 (2 pieces per student) –Yard stick |
| 3. Text Portrait: (we use this as our 1st semester side Project: Introduce this at the beginning of the semester, students work on this during free time, if they finish an assignment early, when they have a sub, etc. and it’s due at the end of the semester.) TPT Link to: Text Portrait Drawing Unit Important Concepts Covered: Value, text value, contrast, grid drawing, portraits, composition, etc. | –Pencils –Erasers –Pencil sharpeners –Rulers for grid -Reference image –Ballpoint Pen, sharpie, Fine-liner, micron, etc. –11” x 14” drawing paper |
| 4. Photorealistic Still Life in colored pencil: TPT Link to: Photorealistic Still Life in Colored Pencil Unit Important Concepts Covered: Photorealism, still life, composition, perspective, color value, colored pencil techniques, light logic, negative space, sighting, basic shape, etc. | –Pencils –Erasers – Pencil sharpeners –Rulers -Charcoal, charcoal pencils white/black –Black paper 8”x8” -Popcorn- for mini project -Light sources -Styrofoam cups -Still life objects for reference –9” x 12” drawing paper –Prismacolor Pencils (recommended!) –White gel pens |
| 5. Watercolor Unit: 2 projects in one unit! TPT Link to: Watercolor Unit Realistic Flowers & Non-Objective Art Important Concepts Covered: watercolor techniques, washes, color blends, wet on wet, Georgia O’Keeffe, realism, Sonia Delaunay, abstract, non-objective, orphism, color balance, rhythm, movement, etc. | –Pencils –Eraser – Pencil sharpeners –Rulers & shape templates -Reference images for flowers and demo practice –9”x9” watercolor paper –9” x 12” watercolor paper -Watercolor (palettes or tubes) –Paint palettes with lids –Paint brushes & water cups –Painters tape -Various supplies for watercolor techniques: salt, crayons, rubbing alcohol, sponge, etc. |
| 6. Recipe Zine TPT Link to: the Collaborative Recipe Zine Project Important Concepts Covered: Zine, design, composition, collaboration, unity, etc. | –Pencils –Erasers –Pencil Erasers (optional) –Pencils Erasers Pencil sharpeners Rulers 8” x 10” or 9”x12” drawing paper Medium: Student choice Ex: watercolor, marker, pen, colored pencil, digital, etc. |
| Art 2 Midterm/ Benchmark/ Final: TPT Link to: 3 different finals: Art Midterm/final bundle TPT Link to Single Project: Art Midterm/Final Still Life | Mixed Media (teacher choice!) |
TPT Link to: 1st Semester Art 2 Curriculum – 6 units! + Pre-Instruction & Midterm
2nd sEMESTER:
| 7. India Ink Unit: Magic Morphing Animals: TPT link to: Surreal Animals in Ink Wash Unit Important Concepts Covered: India Ink techniques, dip pen techniques, cross hatching, hatching, stippling, line work, washes, surrealism, hybrid: animal into object, creativity, etc. | –Pencils –Erasers – Pencil sharpeners –Tracing paper -Dip pen Holder/ Nib/ calligraphy pen –Black India ink –Colored India ink (optional) –Paint palettes with lids -11” x 14” Bristol board or watercolor paper -Various supplies for techniques: salt, crayons, rubbing alcohol, sponge, etc |
| 8. Pointillism Portrait: (we use this as our 1st semester side Project: Introduce this at the beginning of the semester, students work on this during free time, if they finish an assignment early, when they have a sub, etc. and it’s due at the end of the semester.) TPT Link to: Pointillism Project Drawing Unit Important Concepts Covered: Pointillism techniques, color vs. black and white, stippling value, portraits, impressionism; Georges Seurat, etc. | –Pencils –Erasers – Pencil sharpeners –Rulers for grid -Reference image –Ballpoint Pen, sharpie, Fine-liner, micron, etc. –Colored sharpies (optional) –9 x12” drawing paper |
| 9. Acrylic Unit: If an Artist went on Vacation TPT Link to: If an Artist Went on Vacation Acrylic Unit Important Concepts Covered: Acrylic paint, opaque vs. transparent, Space, color theory, landscape, foreground, middle ground, background, landmarks, artist research and history, painting techniques, etc. | –Pencils –Erasers – Pencil sharpeners -12” Rulers, compasses, and/ or -pre-made color wheel templates (circles, half circles, pie, etc) -Sketchbooks or Sketchbook paper –Tempera Paint (for color mixing practice) -Cardboard or Bristol board (for Color wheels) -Acrylic paint (we use Blickrylic & Crayola premium acrylic) –Acrylic Paper and or canvas (any size) –Paint brushes, cups for water, paper towels, etc. -Extra: for more examples, use the book “IF Picasso went on Vacation” |
| 10. Art History Figure Drawing TPT Link to: Art History Inspired Figure Drawing Unit Important Concepts Covered: Figure drawing, life drawing, anatomy, proportions, scale, surrealism, art nouveau, art deco, creativity, problem solving, composition, medium free-choice | –Pencils –Erasers – Pencil sharpeners -Print all worksheets/ note pages -Paper size: 11”x14”… Need –Multiple paper styles according to what students are using If wet medium: Watercolor paper, acrylic paper, cardboard, etc. If Dry medium: Drawing paper, bristol board, tag board. etc. -Materials: So many options! Decide what students can use in your classroom -Medium Examples: Graphite, charcoal, oil and chalk pastels, markers, colored pencils, acrylic paint, watercolor, India ink, etc. |
| 11. Oaxacan 3D Paper Mache Sculptures TPT Link to: Oaxaca Alebrijes Sculpture Unit Important Concepts Covered: Oaxacan sculptures, history of Alebrijes, pattern, mexican folk art, acrylic paint, sculpture techniques, hand-building techniques, armature, paper mache, gesso, in the round, etc. | –Pencils –Erasers – Pencil sharpeners –Papier-mâché (Wheat paste) -Blender -Bowls and water cups –Box cutter, Xacto knives, Xacto blades, cutting mats –Scissors –Painters tape –Wire, newspaper, Cardboard, etc –Acrylic Paint –Gesso –Paint brushes –Paint palettes & Water cups -Various craft materials –Chipboard strips |
| 12. The Passion Project– Great end of the year Project!–> This is the FInal!!! TPT Link to: The Passion Project Unit Important Concepts Covered: Mixed Media, Experimentation, Practice, Documentation, Reflection, Passion, Choice, Theme, Series, etc. | -Mixed Media (Student/ teacher choice!) |
TPT Link to: 2nd Semester Art 2 Curriculum – 6 Units bundle!
Our goal is to ensure that students not only learn new art concepts and techniques, but also understand the broader context of their work, engage in meaningful practice, and develop critical thinking skills through reflection and critique.
As mentioned, this curriculum isn’t exactly the same from year to year. While it always begins with the sketchbook and portfolio units, it’s designed with flexibility in mind—allowing me to swap out units and introduce new ideas. This approach keeps the content fresh and engaging not just for me, but also for each new group of students, whose perspectives and learning styles continue to evolve over time.
Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below. Let’s create and learn together!
