Unit Plan 2 (Grade 3 Art): Brainstorming & Sketch Practice
Grade 3 art unit where students brainstorm from personal experiences and observations, create multiple thumbnail sketches, and plan stronger compositions.
Focus: Generate artistic ideas by using brainstorming and planning sketches (thumbnails) based on observations, stories, and personal interests.
Grade Level: 3
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students learn that strong artworks often begin with many small ideas, not just one. They explore how to brainstorm from their own observations, stories, and interests, and how to use a sketchbook or planning paper to try out quick sketches before choosing a final idea. Students practice drawing simple thumbnails of different compositions, experimenting with zooming in, zooming out, and changing point of view, so they feel more confident and prepared for future projects.
Essential Questions
- Where do art ideas come from (observations, stories, interests, imagination)?
- How can brainstorming and making planning sketches help me find strong ideas for artwork?
- Why might it be helpful to draw more than one sketch before choosing a final idea?
- How can a sketchbook or planning page help me remember and grow my art ideas over time?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Brainstorm several art ideas based on their own observations, stories, and personal interests.
- Create multiple small planning sketches (thumbnails) for a single prompt or theme.
- Show different compositional choices in sketches (zoomed in/out, different viewpoints, different arrangements).
- Explain in simple language how sketching and brainstorming helped them choose or improve an idea.
- Begin to see their sketchbook or planning pages as a tool for thinking, not just finished art.
Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr1.3a — Generate artistic ideas by exploring observations, stories, and personal interests through brainstorming and sketching.
- Example: Students sketch ideas for artwork based on a favorite place.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can think of more than one idea for an artwork using my own life, interests, and imagination.
- I can make several small sketches (thumbnails) to try different ways of showing an idea.
- I can change my sketches by moving things around or zooming in/out to see what works best.
- I can explain how brainstorming and sketching helped me choose or improve an idea.
- I can use my sketchbook or planning paper as a place to play with ideas, not just make perfect drawings.