Unit Plan 9 (Grade 1 Art): Reflect on My Artwork
First grade students use simple art criteria like neatness, color, and effort to describe what makes artwork interesting and share kind, thoughtful reflections about their own and classmates’ art.
Focus: Describe what makes artwork interesting using simple criteria such as neatness, use of color, and effort when talking about their own and classmates’ artwork.
Grade Level: 1
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Responding)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, first graders learn how to talk about art in simple, kind, and helpful ways. They practice looking closely at their own artwork and classmates’ pieces, noticing things like color choices, neatness, use of space, and little details that make art interesting. Students use easy “art talk” sentence starters to say what they like and why. By the end, they can use simple criteria to describe what makes artwork stand out and share one or two things they are proud of in their own art.
Essential Questions
- What makes a piece of artwork interesting to look at?
- How can I use simple criteria like neatness and use of color to talk about art?
- How can I share what I like about my own artwork and a classmate’s artwork?
- Why is it important to use kind words when we talk about someone’s art?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Name simple criteria for artwork, such as neatness, use of color, and effort.
- Look at a piece of art and tell at least one thing they like about it using those criteria.
- Use “art talk” sentence starters to describe their own artwork (e.g., “I used color to…”).
- Share a kind comment about a classmate’s artwork that uses at least one criterion word.
- Reflect on one part of their artwork they are proud of and why it is interesting.
Standards Alignment — 1st Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Re9.1a — Use simple criteria such as neatness and use of color to talk about artwork.
- Example: Students say what they like about a classmate’s artwork.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can use words like neat, bright color, and good effort to talk about art.
- I can say one thing I like about my own artwork and explain why.
- I can say one kind thing about a classmate’s artwork using our criteria.
- I can tell what makes a piece of art interesting to me.
- I can use our “art talk” sentence starters to share my ideas.