2nd Grade Back to School Cartoon Portrait Art Lesson Self Portrait Art Project

This 2nd Grade Cartoon Portrait Art Lesson is a ready-to-teach self-portrait project where students create a cartoon self-portrait that shows who they are. Along the way they explore cartooning, portraits, self-expression, line, shape, color, facial features, expressions, patterns and personal details.

Students learn that a portrait is an artwork that shows a person, and that a cartoon portrait can use bold lines, bright colors, simple shapes, big eyes, fun expressions and exaggerated details. They plan their cartoon features, choose portrait parts, draw their self-portrait, create a patterned background and assemble a finished piece for your classroom display. It works well for Back to School, Meet the Teacher and All About Me lessons.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF AND PPT)

• Teacher pages: Grade 2 Cartoon Portrait lesson plan, suggested visual art standards, teacher directions for preparing and using the resource, critical-thinking questions, portraits anchor chart, art rubric, bulletin board display sign and a finished artwork example
• Project pages: Cartoon Portrait planning handout, Trace Lines fine motor practice page, portrait templates, Pick-a-Pattern choice page, Build-a-Portrait creative choice page, portrait artwork page, Cartoon Portraits student reading page and a visual step-by-step tutorial page
• Extension activities: fast-finisher portrait coloring activity, Draw and Design activity, Value: Gray Scale Drawing, Shapes and Forms, Mandala Design, Big Feelings Write and Draw, and New Things writing activity
• Literacy pages: KWL chart for cartoons, Read and Respond passage about cartooning with questions and answer key, spelling word list about cartooning and a spelling test
• Reflection pages: Top 3, Feelings, Artwork Reflection, Star it!, The Message, goal-setting, Look at Mediums, Peer Feedback, 3 Stars and a Wish, and artist statement pages
• Introductory slideshow about cartooning, portraits, expressions, lines, shapes and cartoon self-portraits
• Step-by-step slideshow for creating the cartoon portrait project
• Bonus link/QR code to a video demonstration

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

Students learn that cartooning is a way of making art with simple shapes, bold lines and fun details, and that cartoons can show people, animals, objects, imaginary characters, feelings, personality and stories. They see that a cartoon portrait does not have to look like a photograph, and that artists change shapes, sizes, colors and details to make artwork more expressive.

Students practice drawing facial features, hair, clothing and expressions, and learn how exaggerated details like big eyes, silly hair, a huge smile or a dramatic expression can show personality.

HOW TO USE IT

Start with the introductory slideshow, then use the step-by-step slides to guide students through planning their features, choosing portrait parts, drawing the head and features, adding hair and expression, coloring or painting, creating a patterned background, and cutting and gluing the finished artwork. Students can use the portrait templates or draw their own, and the Build-a-Portrait and Pick-a-Pattern pages give them choices while keeping them supported.

The finished portraits suit Back to School bulletin boards, Meet the Teacher displays, Open House, hallway displays, All About Me units and classroom community building. The lesson also works for homeschool art and substitute teacher plans.

FAQ

What grade level is this for?

It is designed for Grade 2, but it may also work for nearby elementary grades depending on student ability and support.

Are templates included?

Yes. It includes portrait templates, a Build-a-Portrait choice page, a Cartoon Portrait planning handout, a Pick-a-Pattern page and student support pages.

Is there a slideshow or video?

Yes. There is an introductory slideshow, step-by-step project slides and a bonus link/QR code to a video demonstration.

Does it include literacy connections?

Yes. It includes a read and respond passage, questions, answer key, spelling word list, spelling test, writing activities, reflection pages and artist statement pages.

Is it suitable for homeschool art?

Yes. The lesson plan, templates, slideshow, reading pages, writing activities and video support make it easy to use at home.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use the clip art as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations, and use this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: use this on OutSchool, put it on your blog, share it with other teachers, administration or districts (admin can buy additional licenses), sell it, give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic