Unit Plan 35 (Grade 5 Art): Exhibition Presentation
Grade 5 art exhibition unit where students present artwork, explain display choices, and analyze how presentation influences viewer interpretation and response.
Focus: Present artwork and discuss viewer impact by explaining how presentation choices influence how others interpret and respond to art.
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Presenting/Responding)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students step into the role of artist-presenters and docents, sharing their finished exhibition pieces with real audiences (classmates, other classes, or families). They rehearse short artist talks, explain key presentation choices (placement, grouping, labels), and pay attention to how viewers interpret and react to their work. Through guided discussion and reflection, students connect what they did in preparing the exhibition to how viewers see, feel, and understand their artwork.
Essential Questions
- How do my presentation choices (where and how art is displayed, labels, grouping) affect what viewers notice and think?
- What makes an artist talk clear, engaging, and helpful for viewers?
- How can I listen to viewers’ questions and reactions to understand my artwork’s impact?
- How can what I learn from this exhibition help me present my art more effectively in the future?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Prepare and deliver a short artist talk that explains their artwork and key presentation choices.
- Describe how placement, spacing, grouping, and labels shape viewer focus and interpretation.
- Interact respectfully with viewers by answering questions and noticing verbal and nonverbal reactions.
- Explain at least one way their presentation choices influenced how others understood or felt about the work.
- Reflect on how they might adjust presentation strategies to strengthen viewer impact in future displays.
Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Pr6.5a — Explain how presentation choices affect how viewers interpret artwork.
- Example: Students discuss how spacing or framing changes focus.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can give a short artist talk about my work and how it is displayed.
- I can explain how choices like placement, spacing, and labels affect what viewers notice.
- I can listen to viewer reactions and connect them to my presentation decisions.
- I can describe at least one way my display helped (or confused) viewers.
- I can suggest changes I would make next time to improve viewer impact.