Unit Plan 12 (Grade 3 Art): Cultural Art Traditions
Grade 3 art unit where students analyze how artworks reflect cultural traditions and community values through symbols, patterns, and subject matter.
Focus: Explore how art reflects cultural traditions and community values.
Grade Level: 3
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Connecting/Responding)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students look at artworks from different cultures and communities to see how art can show traditions, celebrations, and values. They notice colors, patterns, symbols, and subjects that connect to family life, holidays, beliefs, and important events. Through guided discussion and simple note-taking, students learn to describe how art can tell us about the culture it comes from and compare those traditions to ones in their own lives.
Essential Questions
- How can art show us the traditions and values of a culture or community?
- What visual clues (colors, patterns, symbols, subjects) help us tell that an artwork is connected to a specific tradition?
- How are some cultural art traditions similar to or different from traditions in my own life?
- Why is it important to respect and learn about art from many cultures?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify the subject matter and key visual features (colors, patterns, symbols) in selected cultural artworks.
- Describe how an artwork connects to a cultural tradition or community value (e.g., celebration, family, nature, courage).
- Use a simple chart to record what they notice about where an artwork might come from and what tradition it reflects.
- Compare at least two artworks from different cultural traditions, noting similarities and differences in what they show and what they value.
- Reflect on how learning about cultural art traditions helps them understand and respect other people and communities.
Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- 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 describe what I see in a cultural artwork (subject matter, colors, patterns).
- I can tell how an artwork might connect to a tradition or value in a culture or community.
- I can use a chart to write what I notice and what I think the artwork is reflecting or showing.
- I can compare two artworks and say how their traditions or values are similar or different.
- I can explain why learning about cultural art traditions is important.