Unit Plan 17 (Grade 7 Art): Refinement & Craftsmanship Focus

Focus: Improve technique and presentation quality by revising existing artwork based on peer/teacher feedback, with attention to clarity, craftsmanship, and organization.

Grade Level: 7

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Studio Refinement • Craftsmanship)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students act as revising artists, returning to an in-progress or recently completed artwork (such as Studio Project II) to refine technique and presentation. Using feedback from previous critiques, they make targeted improvements to line quality, value, color control, edges, and overall organization. Short demonstrations and individual coaching help students understand how small changes in craftsmanship can significantly strengthen the impact and clarity of their work. By the end, they can explain how they used feedback to improve their artwork and what that shows about their artistic growth.

Essential Questions

• How can I use feedback from peers and teachers to make my artwork clearer and more effective?
• What does strong craftsmanship look like in drawing, painting, or mixed media?
• How do small refinements (edges, shading, color control, clean presentation) change the way viewers experience an artwork?
• In what ways can I organize and polish my work so that it looks intentional and complete?
• How does revising an artwork help me grow as an artist compared to starting a brand new piece?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Review written and spoken critique feedback to identify at least two specific areas of their artwork to refine (VA:Cr3.7a).
2. Apply targeted changes to improve clarity, technique, and organization (e.g., adjusting proportions, smoothing shading, cleaning edges, reworking background) (VA:Cr3.7a).
3. Demonstrate improved craftsmanship in line work, value or color application, and overall neatness of presentation (VA:Cr3.7a).
4. Explain how specific revisions were guided by peer/teacher feedback and how those changes strengthened the artwork (VA:Cr3.7a).
5. Complete a refined artwork and write a short Revision Reflection connecting feedback, changes made, and future goals (VA:Cr3.7a).

Standards Alignment — 7th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cr3.7a — Refine artwork by incorporating feedback from peers and teachers to improve clarity, technique, and organization.
  • Example: Students revise proportion after critique discussion.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name at least two pieces of feedback I decided to use in revising my artwork.
• I can show where I improved technique (like shading, color, or line quality) in specific areas of my piece.
• I can describe how my revisions made the artwork clearer, more organized, or more professional-looking.
• I can keep my workspace and final artwork neat and presentable.
• I can write or talk about how feedback + revision helped me grow as an artist.