Unit Plan 34 (Grade 3 Art): Final Exhibition Preparation

Focus: Select and prepare artwork for a final showcase, using criteria for effort, improvement, and neat presentation.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Presenting)

Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students take on the role of curators for their own work, carefully choosing pieces that show their effort, growth, and best ideas. They review artwork created throughout the year, use simple criteria to select pieces for a final class exhibition, and then prepare them neatly with mounting and labels. By the end, students understand that how we select and present artwork affects how others see our growth as artists.

Essential Questions

• How can I tell which artwork shows my best effort and improvement?
• What does it mean to prepare artwork for display so it looks neat and cared for?
• How do selection and presentation help viewers understand my growth as an artist?
• Why is it important to think carefully about what I share with others in an exhibition?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Review a collection of their own artworks and identify pieces that show strong effort and growth.
2. Use simple criteria (effort, improvement, clarity of idea, craftsmanship) to select 2–3 pieces for a final showcase.
3. Prepare selected artworks for display by trimming edges if needed, mounting on clean backing paper, and checking for neatness.
4. Create simple labels including title and name (and optionally grade or year) and attach them neatly.
5. Reflect on how their selected pieces show their development as artists over the year.

Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Pr4.3a — Select artwork for display based on effort and improvement.
  • Example: Students choose a finished piece for a classroom gallery.
• VA:Pr5.3a — Prepare artwork for presentation by mounting or organizing it neatly.
  • Example: Students create simple labels with title and name.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can look through my art and choose pieces that show my best effort and improvement.
• I can explain why I chose certain artworks for the final showcase.
• I can mount and organize my artwork neatly so it looks ready for display.
• I can make simple labels that are easy to read and attached straight.
• I can describe how my chosen pieces show how I have grown as an artist this year.