Unit Plan 8 (Grade 4 Art): Peer Critique & Revision
Grade 4 art unit where students use critique criteria to give feedback and revise artwork, improving craftsmanship, composition, and clarity through reflection and revision.
Focus: Revise artwork based on peer and teacher feedback using simple criteria for craftsmanship, composition, and clarity.
Grade Level: 4
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating/Responding)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students learn how to look at artwork with a helpful, thoughtful eye and then use feedback to make their own work stronger. They practice using simple criteria—such as craftsmanship, composition, and clarity of idea—to give and receive kind, specific, helpful comments. Then, students revise a chosen artwork (such as their Studio Project I piece) by making concrete changes based on feedback. By the end, they better understand that revision is part of the art process, not a sign of failure.
Essential Questions
- What does it mean to give helpful feedback on artwork instead of just saying “I like it” or “I don’t like it”?
- How can using criteria (craftsmanship, composition, clarity) help us evaluate artwork fairly?
- How can peer and teacher feedback help me see my artwork in a new way?
- What does it look like to revise artwork to make it clearer, stronger, or more detailed?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Use simple criteria (craftsmanship, composition, clarity of idea) to evaluate artwork.
- Participate in a peer critique using a structured protocol that focuses on kind, specific, helpful feedback.
- Identify at least one or two revision goals for their own artwork based on feedback.
- Revise their artwork to strengthen clarity, detail, or composition.
- Reflect on how critique and revision improved their work and how they felt about the process.
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.
- VA:Re9.4a — Evaluate artwork using simple criteria such as craftsmanship, composition, and clarity.
- Example: Students use a checklist to assess artwork effectiveness.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can use a checklist to talk about craftsmanship, composition, and clarity.
- I can give kind, specific, and helpful feedback about someone’s artwork.
- I can choose at least one change to make in my artwork based on feedback.
- I can revise my work to improve clarity, detail, or organization.
- I can explain how critique and revision made my artwork stronger.