We're thrilled to share the creative magic that unfolded in our Grade 2–3 classrooms at Carmel School! With Ms. Kirchner's Grade 2 students and our Grade 3 learners, we explored our unit on How We Express Ourselves with a special focus on illustrators and their craft. The big idea? Illustrators use pictures to convey meaning, emotion, and stories in powerful ways.
Diving Into Master Illustrators
Our students became detectives of illustration! We studied 12 beloved author-illustrators—Maurice Sendak, Leo Lionni, Beatrix Potter, Tomie dePaola, Faith Ringgold, Sandra Boynton, Oliver Jeffers, Richard Scarry, Ezra Jack Keats, Jerry Pinkney, Roger Hargreaves, and Jon Klassen. Through close examination, we explored composition, colour theory, and the emotional resonance each artist brings to their work. Students discovered that every line, colour choice, and design decision tells a story.
Hands-On Art Stations
Learning came alive at five rotating art stations where students emulated and reimagined the styles of master illustrators:
- Eric Carle's Mixed Media Magic: Collage and layered materials to create vibrant, textured worlds
- Maurice Sendak's Sketching & Watercolour: Expressive line work and emotional depth
- Roger Hargreaves' Bold Markers: Simple yet distinctive character designs
- Faith Ringgold's Mixed Media Stories: Fabric, paint, and narrative for personal storytelling
- Jon Klassen's Digital Art: Digital tools to explore mood and atmosphere
Skills Learned
Through this collaborative unit, our students developed strong visual literacy, mastered diverse artistic techniques, and discovered how to express themselves creatively. They learned that illustrations are a language of their own—one that conveys meaning, emotion, and imagination in ways words alone cannot.