Unit Plan 22 (Grade 3 Art): Comparing Artworks
Grade 3 art unit where students compare artworks, analyze elements that create mood and emphasis, and connect art to cultural traditions and community values.
Focus: Analyze similarities and differences between artworks, noticing how elements of art create mood, emphasis, and structure, and how art can reflect cultural traditions and community values.
Grade Level: 3
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Responding/Connecting)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students act as “art detectives,” comparing two or more artworks side by side. They look closely at color, line, shape, texture, and space to see how these elements create different moods, areas of emphasis, and overall structure. Students also discuss what an artwork might tell us about the culture, traditions, or community it comes from. Through guided discussions, simple note-taking, and a comparison chart, students learn to describe both similarities and differences and to connect art to people’s lives.
Essential Questions
- How do artists use color, line, and shape to create different moods in their artwork?
- How can we see similarities and differences when we compare two artworks?
- In what ways can an artwork show cultural traditions or community values?
- How can talking and writing about art help us understand it better?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Observe and describe elements of art (color, line, shape, texture, space) in two or more artworks.
- Explain how those elements help create a specific mood, area of emphasis, or overall structure in each artwork.
- Identify at least one similarity and one difference between two artworks using visual evidence.
- Describe one way an artwork might reflect a cultural tradition, story, or community value.
- Complete a simple comparison chart or written response that uses art vocabulary and connects artwork to culture or community.
Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Re7.3a — Analyze how elements of art create mood, emphasis, and structure.
- Example: Students explain how warm colors create excitement.
- VA:Cn11.3a — Describe how art can reflect cultural traditions or community values.
- Example: Students explore traditional art from different regions.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can point to parts of an artwork and name colors, lines, shapes, and textures I see.
- I can describe how those elements help create a certain feeling or mood.
- I can tell at least one way two artworks are alike and one way they are different.
- I can explain how an artwork might show something about a culture, tradition, or community.
- I can fill out a comparison chart or sentence frame using art words and ideas.