Unit Plan 6 (Grade 3 Art): Media Exploration Lab

Focus: Experiment with different art materials and techniques to improve control and craftsmanship.

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 a variety of art media—such as crayons, colored pencils, markers, watercolor, and collage materials—to discover how each one behaves and what it is best at. Through hands-on testing and guided practice, they learn how to use tools more carefully, practice blending, layering, and mark-making, and develop habits of good craftsmanship (neat coloring, careful cutting, clean gluing). Students then create a small “Media Sampler” artwork where they use what they learned to make more intentional material choices.

Essential Questions

• What does it mean to experiment with art materials?
• How do different materials (crayon, marker, paint, collage, etc.) behave in different ways?
• How can practicing techniques like layering and blending help me gain better control?
• What is craftsmanship, and how do my choices show care and effort in my artwork?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Name and identify a variety of art materials (crayons, colored pencils, markers, watercolor, collage papers, oil pastels, etc.).
2. Experiment with materials at stations, trying techniques such as blending, layering, outlining, and texture-making.
3. Notice and describe how different materials look and feel (smooth, bold, transparent, scratchy, soft, etc.).
4. Apply at least two or three techniques to create a small “Media Sampler” artwork that shows improving control and craftsmanship.
5. Reflect on which materials and techniques they liked best and how these might be used in future projects.

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 try out different art materials and see what each one can do.
• I can practice techniques like blending, layering, outlining, or making textures.
• I can show good craftsmanship by coloring carefully, cutting safely, and gluing neatly.
• I can choose materials on purpose for different parts of my “Media Sampler” artwork.
• I can explain which materials I liked best and how they might help me in future art projects.