Unit Plan 35 (Grade 4 Art): Exhibition Presentation

Focus: Present artwork and discuss viewer experience, explaining how presentation choices influence understanding and interpretation.

Grade Level: 4

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Presenting)

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

I. Introduction

In this unit, students step into the role of both artist and viewer, practicing how to present their artwork and notice how display choices affect what people see and think. They explore how placement, grouping, labeling, and viewing distance guide the eye and shape the story their exhibition tells. Through guided gallery walks, simple “artist talks,” and reflection, students learn to explain how presentation choices can change the way viewers understand and feel about their work.

Essential Questions

• How do presentation choices (placement, height, grouping, labels) affect what viewers notice first in an artwork or display?
• In what ways can the same artwork feel different when it is displayed in a different place or next to different pieces?
• How can speaking as an artist help viewers understand the meaning or story behind a work of art?
• Why is it important to think about the viewer’s experience when planning and presenting an exhibition?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Describe how different presentation choices (e.g., high/low placement, center/edge, grouping) change what viewers notice.
2. Observe and record how they feel as viewers when they walk through a classroom exhibition.
3. Practice giving short artist talks that explain their work and how it is presented.
4. Explain at least one way their final display choices help viewers understand or focus on important parts of their artwork.
5. Reflect on how presentation and spoken explanation together shape the viewer experience.

Standards Alignment — 4th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Pr6.4a — Explain how presentation choices influence how viewers understand artwork.
  • Example: Students discuss how placement affects focus and interpretation.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can notice and describe how placement and grouping change what viewers see first.
• I can explain how our exhibition setup might make viewers feel or what it helps them focus on.
• I can give a short artist talk that tells viewers what I want them to notice in my artwork.
• I can explain one way our presentation choices help viewers understand my art more clearly.
• I can think about the viewer’s experience and use that to improve how we present our work.