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Grade 2 · Visual arts · 20 minutes

Texture rubbings

Choose clean safe textured surfaces and remove paper from a crayon. Share observations in a guided discussion.

Mr. S Teaches · Starter mini-lesson · elem-2-texture-rubbings

Learning objective

Explain and practice texture rubbings using the activity and evidence, then take part in a grade-appropriate discussion.

Gather your materials

  • Paper and crayons or pencils
  • Optional safe paper shapes, textures or a simple object

Use the items named in the teaching steps; paper models or adult-prepared photographs can replace physical equipment.

Supporting Common Core connection

SL.2.1

Connect comments to others’ ideas and ask for explanations during discussion.

Read the official standard ↗

Code and grade verified 2026-11-03. This mini-lesson addresses a selected skill, not the entire standard. The connection is to the guided literacy discussion; it does not establish alignment with this subject’s content standards.

Teach it step by step

  1. Choose clean safe textured surfaces and remove paper from a crayon.
  2. Hold paper over a surface and rub with the crayon's side.
  3. Compare repeated marks from two textures.
  4. Describe the evidence and ask a clarifying question.
  5. Share observations in complete ideas and ask a clarifying question. Give each person a turn, invite a question, and finish by naming an idea heard from someone else.

Watch, notice, discuss

Video choices for this lesson

2 choices

Preview a video, then choose what fits your learners. “Show to class” opens a larger view; use the player’s play and full-screen controls when you’re ready.

Teacher preview needed. Check the language, level and length before showing. YouTube may show ads or related videos.

OPTION 2 · YOUTUBE

Texture Rubbings Art Technique 😮 for Beginners #artideas #arttips #satisfying #artideasforkids

By Artful Ideas

Connect this video to the lesson on texture rubbings. Pause to try an example together.

Open on YouTube: Texture Rubbings Art Technique 😮 for Beginners #artideas #arttips #satisfying #artideasforkids (opens a new tab) ↗
After watching

Make rubbings of two safe surfaces. How does each texture appear on paper?

An external player loads only after you choose Preview or Show to class. Playback connects to YouTube. Videos belong to their creators; availability and embedding can change.

Make the thinking visible

Example to work through together

A bumpy surface produces repeated dark and light marks that suggest bumps even though the paper stays flat.

Try the starter activity

Use crayons and safe textured surfaces to create rubbings. Then discuss your findings with a partner or adult, using the discussion goal above.

Student practice

Make two rubbings, label the surfaces and describe their visible texture.

Quick check for understanding

How can a drawing suggest texture?

Sample answer and teacher guidance

Sample answer: Patterns of marks can suggest roughness or smoothness; look for observations tied to the rubbings.

Listen or look for: Patterns of marks can suggest roughness or smoothness; look for observations tied to the rubbings.

Invite the learner to explain, demonstrate, draw or dictate their reasoning. Revisit a teaching step when the explanation is unclear.

Make it work for your learner

A little more support

Tape the paper down or use a large adapted crayon.

An additional challenge

Combine two textures in a picture and explain their effect.