Unit Plan 3 (Grade 4 Art): Exploring Multiple Solutions
Grade 4 art unit where students create multiple design solutions to a visual challenge, compare options using criteria, and select and refine the strongest idea.
Focus: Create two or more design options for a visual challenge, then select and explain the strongest solution.
Grade Level: 4
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students learn to think like problem-solving artists by exploring multiple solutions to a single visual challenge. Instead of choosing the first idea, they practice creating different layouts, focal points, and arrangements for the same prompt (such as a poster, bookmark, or class logo). Using simple criteria, they compare their options, discuss strengths and weaknesses, and select the strongest design with a short explanation of their choice.
Essential Questions
- What is a visual challenge, and how can I solve it in more than one way?
- Why is it helpful to create multiple design options instead of using my first idea?
- How can I compare two designs and decide which is the strongest?
- How can I explain my choice using art words like balance, focus, and clear message?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Describe a visual challenge (such as a poster or logo) in their own words.
- Develop at least two different design solutions for the same challenge using thumbnail sketches.
- Use simple criteria (clarity, focus, balance, use of space) to compare design options.
- Choose the strongest design and explain their decision using art vocabulary.
- Refine their chosen design with added details as a plan for a future artwork.
Standards Alignment — 4th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr1.4b — Develop more than one possible solution to a visual challenge and choose the strongest option with explanation.
- Example: Students compare two layout ideas before selecting one for final artwork.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can explain what our visual challenge is.
- I can draw two or more different design options for the same challenge.
- I can use criteria (clear message, focus, balance, space) to compare my solutions.
- I can pick the design I think is strongest and say why I chose it.
- I can add more detail to my chosen design to get it ready for a future project.