Unit Plan 33 (Grade 4 Art): Craftsmanship Workshop
Grade 4 art unit where students revise artwork using teacher and peer feedback to strengthen technique, detail control, and overall craftsmanship through targeted improvements.
Focus: Strengthen technique and detail control by revising artwork using teacher and peer feedback.
Grade Level: 4
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students focus on craftsmanship—the care and control they show in their artwork. Using previously started pieces or new small studies, they learn how to look closely for places where edges, details, and coloring can be improved. Through short demonstrations, checklists, and guided feedback, students revise their work to make it clearer, neater, and more intentional. They see that revising art is not “fixing mistakes,” but an important part of being a growing artist.
Essential Questions
- What does craftsmanship mean in artwork, and why does it matter?
- How can feedback from teachers and classmates help me see ways to improve my art?
- What kinds of changes can make an artwork clearer, neater, or more detailed without starting over?
- How does revising my artwork help me grow as an artist over time?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Describe what craftsmanship looks like in classroom artworks (clean edges, careful coloring, controlled lines, secure glue, etc.).
- Use simple feedback tools (checklists, peer comments) to identify specific areas in their artwork that could be clearer or more detailed.
- Revise an artwork by making targeted changes that strengthen clarity and craftsmanship (e.g., sharpening outlines, fixing proportions, improving color application).
- Explain at least one revision decision they made and how it improved their piece.
- Reflect on how revision and feedback can be used in future artworks, not just the current one.
Standards Alignment — 4th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr3.4a — Revise artwork by incorporating teacher and peer feedback to strengthen clarity and detail.
- Example: Students refine proportions after a class critique discussion.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name and spot examples of strong craftsmanship in artwork.
- I can listen to feedback and look for specific places in my art that need more care or detail.
- I can revise my artwork by making careful changes that improve clarity, neatness, or detail.
- I can explain what I changed and why it made my artwork better.
- I can use what I learned about craftsmanship to help me in my future projects.