Unit Plan 25 (Grade 7 Art): Personal Narrative Planning
Grade 7 art unit where students plan personal narrative artwork, developing themes, symbols, and compositions to express identity, experiences, and viewpoints.
Focus: Plan artwork reflecting personal interests or viewpoints by developing themes, symbols, and compositions that express identity, experiences, and perspectives.
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Personal Narrative • Concept Development)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students plan a personal narrative artwork that grows out of their own interests, experiences, and viewpoints. Instead of starting with materials right away, they slow down to brainstorm themes, map ideas, explore symbols, and sketch multiple composition options. Students connect their stories (family, culture, hobbies, challenges, values) to visual choices like imagery, setting, color, and style. By the end, each student will have a clear project plan—including a chosen theme, symbols, thumbnail sketch, and short intent statement—ready for a future studio project.
Essential Questions
- How can I turn my interests, experiences, or viewpoints into a visual story?
- What kinds of images, symbols, and settings can communicate who I am or what I care about?
- Why is planning (brainstorming, sketching, researching) important before starting a final artwork?
- How can I choose the strongest concept from several ideas?
- In what ways can a personal narrative artwork help others understand my perspective?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify personal interests, experiences, and viewpoints that they want to express visually (VA:Cn10.7a).
- Use research and visual brainstorming (lists, concept maps, sketch notes) to explore possible themes and symbols for a personal narrative artwork (VA:Cr1.7a).
- Develop multiple thumbnail sketches showing different composition options for the same theme (VA:Cr1.7a).
- Select a strong concept and composition that clearly communicates their personal narrative, explaining why it fits them (VA:Cn10.7a, VA:Cr1.7a).
- Create a Personal Narrative Project Plan that includes a chosen theme, symbol list, final thumbnail, media notes, and an artist intent statement (VA:Cn10.7a, VA:Cr1.7a).
Standards Alignment — 7th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cn10.7a — Create artwork that reflects personal interests, experiences, or viewpoints and explain those influences.
- Example: Students design artwork inspired by hobbies or identity.
- VA:Cr1.7a — Develop artistic ideas by exploring themes, current issues, or personal interests through research and visual brainstorming.
- Example: Students create concept maps and sketch ideas related to “community.”
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can choose a theme for my artwork that connects to my interests, experiences, or viewpoints.
- I can brainstorm and research images, objects, and symbols that fit my theme.
- I can draw several different thumbnail sketches for one idea and explain the differences.
- I can pick the strongest concept and explain how it shows my story or point of view.
- I can create a clear project plan (theme, symbols, thumbnail, media idea, intent statement) that prepares me for a final artwork.