Unit Plan 19 (Grade 5 Art): Drawing Depth & Value

Focus: Use shading to create a sense of depth and three-dimensional form, experimenting with value techniques to improve craftsmanship and expressive control.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating)

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

I. Introduction

Students explore how artists use value (light and dark) to turn flat shapes into 3D-looking forms. They experiment with shading techniques—such as smooth shading, hatching, and cross-hatching—to show where light hits an object and where shadows fall. As they practice on basic forms and simple still lifes, students notice how careful control of value can make drawings look more realistic and more expressive.

Essential Questions

• How can value and shading make a flat shape look like a solid form?
• What techniques can I use to control my pencil or other drawing tools for smooth or textured shading?
• How do light source and shadow help create the illusion of depth in a drawing?
• In what ways does experimenting with value improve my craftsmanship and expressive control as an artist?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Define value and identify areas of highlight, midtone, and shadow on simple forms.
2. Practice multiple shading techniques (e.g., smooth shading, hatching, cross-hatching, stippling) to create light-to-dark value.
3. Apply value to basic 3D forms (sphere, cube, cylinder) to show where light hits and where shadows fall.
4. Use shading to add depth and form to a simple still-life or object drawing.
5. Reflect on how experimenting with different materials and techniques improved their craftsmanship and expressive control.

Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cr2.5b — Experiment with a range of materials and techniques to improve craftsmanship and expressive control.
  • Example: Students test blending and layering techniques in paint.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain what value is and find highlights, midtones, and shadows in a drawing.
• I can use at least two shading techniques to create a smooth change from light to dark.
• I can make basic forms (like a sphere, cube, or cylinder) look more 3D using shading.
• I can show depth and form in a drawing by thinking about where the light source is.
• I can describe how experimenting with shading improved my craftsmanship and control.