How We Express Ourselves: When Buildings Speak

Continuing their Unit of Inquiry, our second graders took their learning further. This time exploring the world of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) in Riga.
At the Riga Art Nouveau Museum, the students stepped inside beautifully preserved interiors and discovered how furniture, lighting, textiles, and everyday objects were thoughtfully designed to create harmony, beauty, and functionality in people’s homes. Many students made thoughtful connections between what they saw in the museum and what they had discussed in class, realizing that Art Nouveau was not just about façades, but also about how people lived and experienced their surroundings.
Later on, the students continued their exploration on Alberta street, where they participated in an interactive GooseChase quest. Working in teams, they searched for decorative masks, intricate ornaments, balconies, and unusual windows – treating each building as a “story” waiting to be read. Through short video reflections, they practiced careful observation, description, and interpretation.
This experience helped students connect interior and exterior design, strengthen their communication skills, and deepen their understanding of how art and architecture reflect the values and ideas of a time period.
Thank you to all the parents who supported us on this journey – your involvement made this learning experience even more meaningful!