Unit Plan 31 (Grade 2 Art): Critique of Displayed Work

Focus: Evaluate displayed artwork (their own and classmates’) using simple classroom criteria like neatness, use of space, and clear main subject, and practice sharing kind, specific comments.

Grade Level: 2

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Responding)

Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students practice looking at artwork carefully and talking about it in a respectful, helpful way. Using simple classroom criteria—such as neatness, use of space, and clear main subject—they learn how to notice what is working well and what could be even better. Students walk through a small “class gallery” of displayed work and use sentence starters to share kind comments. By the end of the unit, students understand that critiquing art is about seeing closely, using shared rules for talking about art, and helping each other grow.

Essential Questions

• What does it mean to evaluate or “critique” artwork in a kind way?
• How can simple criteria like neatness and use of space help us talk about art?
• How can I give helpful comments about a classmate’s artwork without hurting feelings?
• How does looking carefully at displayed art help me learn new ideas for my own work?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Use simple classroom criteria (neatness, use of space, clear main subject) to talk about artwork on display.
2. Notice and describe at least one strength in a displayed artwork using criteria words.
3. Share one kind suggestion (when appropriate) using sentence starters, keeping a respectful tone.
4. Complete a simple critique checklist for at least one artwork (their own or a classmate’s).
5. Explain one way seeing and talking about displayed art can help them improve their own artwork.

Standards Alignment — 2nd Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Re9.2a — Evaluate artwork using simple criteria such as neatness and use of space.
  • Example: Students use a checklist to assess their own work.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can use words like neat, messy, full space, and empty space to talk about art.
• I can tell one thing I like about a displayed artwork using our class criteria.
• I can give one kind suggestion by saying how to make the art clearer or neater.
• I can use a checklist to think about how an artwork uses space and neatness.
• I can say one way looking at classmates’ art gives me ideas for my own art.