Unit Plan 9 (Grade 3 Art): Finalize & Reflect — Project I
Grade 3 art unit where students complete Project I with clear organization, use a neatness and clarity checklist, and reflect on growth.
Focus: Complete in-progress artwork with clear visual organization and reflect on improvements using simple criteria.
Grade Level: 3
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating/Responding)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students bring their first major project of the year—Project I—to completion, focusing on planning, effort, and clear composition. They review their earlier feedback and plan final changes to strengthen neatness, organization, and clarity of idea. After finishing their artwork, students use a simple checklist and reflection prompts to evaluate their own work and notice how their art has improved from the first sketch to the final piece.
Essential Questions
- What does a finished artwork look like, and how do I know when my project is ready to share?
- How can I use criteria like neatness, composition, and clarity to evaluate my own artwork?
- How do planning, effort, and revision help my final artwork become stronger?
- What can I learn about myself as an artist by reflecting on my finished work?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Review their Project I plan and previous feedback to decide what final steps are needed to complete their artwork.
- Apply effort and craftsmanship to finish Project I with clear visual organization (focal point, spacing, foreground/background or grouping).
- Use a simple Art Checklist (neatness, composition, clarity) to evaluate their own finished artwork.
- Identify at least one specific improvement they made from earlier versions to the final piece.
- Write or share a short reflection explaining how their artwork changed and what they are proud of.
Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr3.3b — Complete artwork that demonstrates planning, effort, and clear visual organization.
- Example: Students finalize a landscape showing foreground and background.
- VA:Re9.3a — Evaluate artwork using simple criteria such as neatness, composition, and clarity.
- Example: Students use a checklist to assess peer artwork.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can finish my Project I artwork so it looks complete and well organized.
- I can use an art checklist to think about my own work (neatness, composition, clarity).
- I can point to at least one part of my artwork that I improved from earlier versions.
- I can explain how my planning and effort helped my final picture.
- I can share something I am proud of and something I want to work on next time.