Unit Plan 26 (Grade 2 Art): Personal Narrative Studio Project
Grade 2 students create a finished personal narrative artwork from a planning sketch, using strong composition, rich details, careful craftsmanship, and clear feelings to communicate a real-life story.
Focus: Turn a personal narrative plan into a finished artwork that uses thoughtful composition, rich details, and careful craftsmanship to clearly show a real-life story and feeling.
Grade Level: 2
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating • Connecting)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students use the story ideas and planning sketches from their Personal Narrative Planning unit to create a completed narrative artwork. They think about how to place characters, background, and important objects so viewers can easily understand the story moment. Students practice working with care and persistence—drawing, adding color, and including details that show who is there, where they are, what is happening, and how they feel. By the end, each student has a finished personal narrative artwork that shows planning, effort, and clear communication of an idea.
Essential Questions
- How can I use my story plan and sketch to guide my finished artwork?
- What choices about composition (where I put people and things) help my story be clear?
- How do details, color, and expressions help show what is happening and how I feel in my story?
- What does it mean to finish an artwork with care and effort?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Use their personal narrative planning sheet and sketch as a guide for creating a final artwork.
- Arrange characters, setting, and important objects using simple composition choices (size, placement, foreground/background) so the story is clear.
- Add details, color, and facial/body expressions to show what is happening and how they felt in the moment.
- Work with careful craftsmanship and sustained effort to complete a finished piece (no large blank areas unless planned, clean coloring, clear lines).
- Explain how their finished artwork communicates a real story from their life and what they want viewers to notice.
Standards Alignment — 2nd Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr3.5b — Complete artwork that demonstrates planning, effort, and effective communication of an idea.
- Example: Students finalize a mixed-media project with intentional composition.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can use my plan and sketch to help me make my final picture.
- I can place people, places, and things so my story is easy to understand.
- I can show feelings in my picture with faces, bodies, and color.
- I can work carefully and finish my artwork, not rush.
- I can tell how my artwork shows a real story from my life.