Second graders are embarking on their study of the human body’s major systems in science. Students will learn how bones work together with muscles and joints to support different kinds of movement, and how systems like the respiratory, digestive, and cardiovascular systems work. This month, the class began by studying the human body’s largest organ: the skin.

Second graders learned about the science of skin, how it acts as the body’s protective barrier from germs and how it regulates body temperature. They also learned about melanin, the natural pigment in the skin that protects against UV radiation from the sun, and read several books celebrating different skin colors, learning that every skin color can be made by combining different amounts of red, yellow, blue, and white. Each person’s skin color is determined by their ancestors, sun exposure, and melanin. 

After studying the science of skin color, students compared the skin on the inside of their arms to a skin color scale to identify the exact color, and mixed paint to match. They used this paint, along with pencil and colored pencil, to create a realistic self-portrait, paying close attention to the placement of each facial feature and studying their faces in a mirror for accuracy. 

Students will complete the project by reflecting on key aspects of their identity and bringing them to life through the self-portrait. By weaving family traditions, cultural elements, and favorite hobbies into the background, their final artwork will showcase the unique combination of who they are inside and out.