Unit Plan 19 (Grade 3 Art): Creating Depth with Value

Focus: Use value and basic shading techniques to show form and depth.

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 explore how value—light and dark—helps artists make flat shapes look more 3D. Through guided practice with value scales, simple shading exercises, and drawing basic forms like spheres and cylinders, students learn how adding light, medium, and dark areas can create the feeling of form and depth. They experiment with different tools (pencils, crayons, colored pencils) to improve control and craftsmanship, then apply these skills in a small drawing that uses shading on a simple object or scene.

Essential Questions

• What is value in art, and how do artists use light and dark?
• How can shading help a flat shape look more like a 3D form?
• How does practicing with materials and techniques improve my control and craftsmanship?
• Where do I see light and shadow in real life, and how can I show that in my drawings?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Define value as how light or dark a color or pencil mark is.
2. Create a simple value scale showing at least three steps (light, medium, dark).
3. Practice basic shading techniques (pressing lightly, medium, and hard; smooth shading; simple hatch marks) to show form.
4. Use shading to turn at least one shape (e.g., circle, square) into a simple form (e.g., sphere, cube) with a light side and a shadow side.
5. Apply value and shading in a small drawing to make an object or part of a scene look more three-dimensional.

Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cr2.3b — Experiment with materials and techniques to improve control and craftsmanship.
  • Example: Students practice layering paint to create richer color.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain that value means how light or dark something is.
• I can make a value scale that shows light, medium, and dark shading.
• I can use shading to make a flat shape look more like a 3D form.
• I can control my pencil or crayon pressure to show lighter and darker areas.
• I can point to a part of my drawing and explain how shading helps it look more realistic or deep.