Unit Plan 6 (Grade 4 Art): Media Exploration Studio

Focus: Experiment with tools, materials, and techniques to build control and improve craftsmanship.

Grade Level: 4

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating)

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

I. Introduction

Students enter a studio-style unit where the goal is to experiment with different art materials and tools—such as pencils, markers, crayons, watercolor, collage materials, and texture tools—in a focused way. Instead of making one big finished project, they create media “samplers” and mini-practice pieces that help them learn how to control lines, edges, blending, layering, and textures. By the end of the unit, students can describe which tools/techniques they feel most comfortable with and how those choices affect the craftsmanship of their future artworks.

Essential Questions

• How can experimenting with tools and materials help me become a more skilled artist?
• What does craftsmanship look like when using different media (neat edges, controlled lines, careful layering)?
• How do different tools and materials behave differently (smooth, scratchy, runny, bold)?
• How can I choose media and techniques that match the kind of artwork I want to create?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Safely and appropriately use a variety of art tools and materials (dry media, wet media, collage tools).
2. Create media exploration pages that test different techniques (blending, layering, line control, texture making).
3. Demonstrate increasing control and craftsmanship when using at least two different media.
4. Describe how different tools and techniques create different effects and when they might be useful in future projects.
5. Reflect on which materials and techniques they prefer and why, using art vocabulary in a short written or oral explanation.

Standards Alignment — 4th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cr2.4b — Experiment with tools, materials, and techniques to improve control and craftsmanship.
  • Example: Students practice blending and layering techniques in paint.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can try more than one material (like watercolor, colored pencil, collage) and use it safely.
• I can show control in my work (steady lines, careful coloring/painting, neat cutting and gluing).
• I can create a media exploration page that shows different techniques (blending, layering, textures).
• I can explain which tools and techniques I like best and how they make my artwork look.
• I can talk about craftsmanship and how practice with media makes my art stronger.