Unit Plan 26 (Grade 6 Art): Personal Narrative Studio Project
Grade 6 art production unit where students create final personal narrative artwork, applying planning, technique, and clear artistic intent to express identity and experience.
Focus: Create final narrative artwork based on personal experiences and prior planning, showing developing technique and clear artistic intent.
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Identity & Story • Production)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students move from planning to production, using their completed personal narrative plans to create a finished artwork. They apply their chosen symbols, settings, and characters to tell a story visually while practicing careful craftsmanship, composition, and material control. Throughout the week, students check their work against their plan and artistic intent, making small adjustments as needed while keeping their main idea clear. By the end, each student completes a final narrative piece that reflects their identity and artistic growth.
Essential Questions
- How can I turn my personal narrative plan into a finished artwork that clearly tells my story?
- How do craftsmanship and composition help my narrative artwork feel more powerful and easy to understand?
- When should I follow my plan exactly, and when is it okay to adjust my idea while I work?
- How do I know when my artwork is finished and ready to share with others?
- In what ways does this project show my growth as an artist this year?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Review their Personal Narrative Planning Packet and set specific production goals for their final artwork (VA:Cr3.6b).
- Use chosen materials and techniques to create a narrative artwork that follows their planned composition and story (VA:Cr3.6b).
- Demonstrate developing craftsmanship (control, neatness, detail) and organization (focal point, balance, use of space) throughout the production process (VA:Cr3.6b).
- Make intentional in-process adjustments while maintaining clear artistic intent and connection to their personal narrative (VA:Cr3.6b).
- Complete a final narrative artwork that shows thoughtful planning, developing technique, and clear expressive purpose (VA:Cr3.6b).
Standards Alignment — 6th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr3.6b — Complete artwork that demonstrates thoughtful planning, developing technique, and clear intent.
- Example: Students finalize a perspective drawing showing spatial depth.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can use my planning packet to guide my decisions while I work on my final narrative artwork.
- I can show careful craftsmanship by controlling my lines, color, and materials.
- I can organize my artwork so it has a clear focal point and balanced composition.
- I can explain how my finished piece connects to my personal experience or interest.
- I can complete my artwork on time and feel confident that it shows my best effort and clear intent.