Unit Plan 26 (Grade 5 Art): Personal Narrative Studio Project
Grade 5 art unit where students create a personal narrative artwork using thoughtful composition, strong craftsmanship, and clear visual storytelling to communicate meaningful experiences.
Focus: Create personal narrative artwork with thoughtful composition, demonstrating planning, effort, and clear communication of an idea.
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating/Connecting)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students bring their personal narrative plans to life by creating a finished artwork that tells a story from their own experiences or interests. Building on their brainstorms, thumbnails, and planning sketches, they focus on using intentional composition (focal point, balance, background/foreground) and strong craftsmanship to communicate their story clearly. By the end of the unit, each student will complete a narrative artwork that reflects who they are, what matters to them, and how they’ve grown as artists.
Essential Questions
- How can I use composition (placement, size, and balance) to tell my personal story clearly?
- What choices in detail, color, and setting help communicate the feelings and meaning of my narrative?
- How do planning and effort affect the quality of my finished artwork?
- In what ways does my final personal narrative artwork show who I am and what is important to me?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Use their personal narrative plans (from the previous unit) to begin a final artwork that tells a clear story from their life or interests.
- Apply intentional composition, including focal point, balance, and background/foreground, to guide the viewer’s eye.
- Demonstrate effort and craftsmanship by working carefully with chosen materials through multiple work sessions.
- Communicate a clear idea or feeling through the finished artwork using story elements and visual symbols.
- Explain, in simple artist statement form, how planning helped them complete their narrative artwork effectively.
Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr3.5b — Complete artwork that demonstrates planning, effort, and effective communication of an idea.
- Example: Students finalize a mixed-media project with intentional composition.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can follow my personal narrative plan to create a finished artwork that tells a story from my life.
- I can use composition (where I place things, what is big or small, what is in front or behind) to guide the viewer’s eye.
- I can show effort and craftsmanship by working carefully with my materials and finishing my piece.
- I can use symbols, setting, and details so viewers understand my story and how it feels.
- I can talk or write about how my planning and choices helped my artwork communicate my idea.