Unit Plan 30 (Grade 1 Art): Artist Talk Practice
Grade 1 Art: Students practice giving a simple artist talk, explaining what their artwork shows and how it connects to personal experiences, memories, or feelings.
Focus: Practice giving a simple artist talk to explain what artwork shows and why it matters or how it connects to personal experiences.
Grade Level: 1
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Connecting)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, first graders learn how to talk about their own artwork like real artists. Using pieces they have already created, students practice saying what their artwork shows (who, what, where) and why they made it—what memory, feeling, or experience it comes from. They use simple sentence starters to share with partners and the class, and they also practice being good listeners when others are talking. By the end, students can give a short artist talk that explains both what is in their picture and how it connects to their life.
Essential Questions
- What is an artist talk?
- How can I explain what my artwork shows?
- How can I tell how my artwork is connected to my own life, feelings, or experiences?
- How can I be a respectful listener when classmates share about their art?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Describe what their artwork shows using simple words (who, what, where).
- Explain one personal connection in their artwork (a family, event, favorite place, or feeling).
- Use simple sentence starters to give a short artist talk to a partner or small group.
- Listen quietly and respectfully while others share about their artwork.
- Say one thing they learned about a classmate from their artist talk.
Standards Alignment — 1st Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cn10.1a — Create artwork inspired by personal experiences and explain those connections.
- Example: Students draw a family event and describe it.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can tell what my artwork shows (who, what, where).
- I can say how my artwork connects to my life (family, friends, places, events, feelings).
- I can use an artist talk sentence like “My picture is about…” or “I made this because…”.
- I can listen quietly and look at the speaker when a friend is talking.
- I can say one thing I learned about a friend from their artist talk.