Unit Plan 3 (Grade 5 Art): Multiple Solutions to a Design Prompt

Focus: Create two or more visual design solutions to the same prompt and justify which solution works best using clear reasons and criteria. Students think like designers by exploring multiple layouts, comparing options, and selecting a final design based on how well it communicates a message to an audience.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating)

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

I. Introduction

Students learn that designers rarely use their first idea—they develop multiple solutions to a design challenge and then choose the strongest one. Using a simple, authentic prompt (such as designing a bookmark that promotes reading or a mini-poster for a school value), students sketch several different layouts, experimenting with text, images, and focal points. They then compare their solutions using basic criteria and practice explaining why they selected one design as their final choice.

Essential Questions

• What is a design challenge, and how is it different from just “drawing anything”?
• Why do artists and designers create more than one solution for the same problem or prompt?
• How can I compare my own design ideas and decide which one communicates best?
• How can I justify my design choices using clear reasons and simple criteria?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Describe what a design challenge is and identify the goal and audience for a given prompt.
2. Develop at least two clearly different design solutions (e.g., layouts, focal points) for the same prompt through sketching.
3. Use simple criteria (clarity of message, readability, visual interest, organization) to compare their design solutions.
4. Select one design solution as their final choice and explain their reasoning in spoken or written form.
5. (Optional Sessions) Refine their strongest design solution into a more polished piece, making changes based on their comparison and feedback.

Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cr1.5b — Develop more than one possible solution to a design challenge and explain the reasoning behind their selection.
  • Example: Students compare two layout ideas and justify which one communicates their message best.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain what the design challenge is and who my design is for.
• I can create two or more different design ideas for the same prompt instead of stopping at my first idea.
• I can use criteria (like clarity, readability, and interest) to compare my designs.
• I can choose one design as my final solution and give clear reasons why it works best.
• I can make changes to improve my design after comparing solutions and getting feedback.