Unit Plan 18 (Grade 7 Art): Presentation Preparation
Grade 7 art curation unit where students select, mount, label, and organize artwork for display using criteria to create a professional, audience-ready exhibit.
Focus: Select artwork and prepare for display, using clear criteria to curate a small collection and apply appropriate mounting, labeling, and presentation techniques.
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Curation & Presentation • Studio Practice)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students shift from makers to curators, deciding which artworks best show their effort, growth, and ability to communicate visually. They learn how to choose pieces for a class gallery walk or mini-exhibit using clear criteria, then focus on professional presentation—mounting, trimming, labeling, and preparing work for display. By the end, students will have a small curated selection of artworks ready to hang, along with titles and short labels that help viewers understand the work.
Essential Questions
- How do artists and curators decide which artworks to show in an exhibition or gallery walk?
- What criteria can we use to select pieces that best show effort, growth, and effective communication?
- How do mounting, labeling, and arrangement change the way viewers experience artwork?
- What does it mean to present artwork in a way that looks intentional and professional?
- How can I explain why I chose specific artworks for display?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Review their body of work and select artworks for presentation using criteria such as effort, growth, and clarity of message (VA:Pr4.7a).
- Justify their selections in writing or orally, explaining how each chosen piece meets the criteria (VA:Pr4.7a).
- Apply basic mounting and preparation techniques (trimming, gluing/taping, matting when available) to make artworks display-ready (VA:Pr5.7a).
- Create clear labels that include title, medium, and a short statement of intent or focus for each selected artwork (VA:Pr5.7a).
- Organize their selected works into a simple display plan (Wall mock-up or table map) that considers order, grouping, and viewer experience (VA:Pr4.7a, VA:Pr5.7a).
Standards Alignment — 7th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Pr4.7a — Select artwork for presentation based on criteria such as effort, growth, and effective communication.
- Example: Students curate two works for a class gallery walk.
- VA:Pr5.7a — Prepare artwork for display using appropriate mounting, labeling, and presentation techniques.
- Example: Students create display labels explaining title and medium.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can choose artworks for display using clear criteria (effort, growth, communication), not just my favorites.
- I can explain why I chose each piece using those criteria.
- I can mount and prepare my artwork neatly so it looks ready for a gallery or hallway display.
- I can write labels that help viewers know what the piece is, how it was made, and what it’s about.
- I can create a simple display plan that makes my artwork look organized and intentional.