Unit Plan 33 (Grade 6 Art): Craftsmanship Focus Workshop
Grade 6 art refinement unit where students revise artwork, improve precision and technique, apply feedback, and strengthen craftsmanship through focused revision practice.
Focus: Improve technique and precision through revision and attention to detail.
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Technique • Refinement)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students slow down and focus on craftsmanship—the care, control, and precision they bring to their artwork. Using recent and in-progress pieces, they learn how to revise work based on feedback, improve neatness, strengthen lines and edges, and organize space more thoughtfully. Through targeted practice, mini “fix-it” tasks, and guided revisions, students experience how small improvements can make a big difference in the overall quality and impact of their art. By the end, each student refines at least one artwork to show clearer technique and stronger organization.
Essential Questions
- What does craftsmanship mean in visual art, and why does it matter?
- How can feedback help me see ways to improve my technique and organization?
- What specific changes can make an artwork look more careful, precise, and finished?
- How does revising my work show growth as an artist, not failure?
- How can I use what I learn about craftsmanship in future projects?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Describe craftsmanship in their own words and identify examples of careful vs. rushed work in student samples (VA:Cr3.6a).
- Use teacher and peer feedback to identify at least two specific areas for improvement (e.g., line quality, edges, coloring, organization) in their own artwork (VA:Cr3.6a).
- Practice targeted technique drills (such as controlled lines, clean coloring, or smoother shading) and apply them to a small section of an artwork (VA:Cr3.6a).
- Revise at least one artwork, making visible improvements in craftsmanship and organization based on feedback (VA:Cr3.6a).
- Reflect on how revision and attention to detail improved their final piece and their confidence as artists (VA:Cr3.6a).
Standards Alignment — 6th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr3.6a — Refine artwork through revision, incorporating feedback to improve craftsmanship and organization.
- Example: Students adjust proportions after critique discussion.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can explain what craftsmanship looks like in a finished artwork.
- I can use feedback to find specific parts of my work that need more care.
- I can practice techniques (like steady lines or smooth shading) and use them to improve my piece.
- I can show before-and-after changes that make my artwork look more polished and organized.
- I can describe how revision helped my art look better and helped me grow as an artist.