Unit Plan 33 (Grade K Art): My Art Growth

Focus: Discuss how artwork has improved over time and how it shows more about students’ lives.

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Connecting)

Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30–45 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, kindergarten students look back at their own artwork to notice growth—how their drawing, coloring, and picture ideas have changed since the beginning of the year. They compare early and recent pieces to see differences in details, neatness, and how clearly the picture shows something from their life (family, pets, places, celebrations). Students talk about their “then” and “now” art and practice saying one way their artwork has improved and what it shows about them. By the end of the unit, they can explain a simple way their art has grown and how it still connects to their real experiences.

Essential Questions

• How has my art changed from the beginning of the year to now?
• What can my pictures show about my life, my family, and the things I like?
• How can I tell if my new artwork shows more about my ideas than my old artwork?
• Why is it important to notice how we grow as artists?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Look at two or more of their own artworks from different times in the year and notice what has changed.
2. Identify at least one way their artwork has improved (more details, clearer people/places, more careful coloring, backgrounds added).
3. Explain what their newer artwork shows about their life, family, or interests.
4. Create a simple “My Art Growth” page or drawing that highlights something they can do now in art that was harder before.
5. Share one sentence about how they have grown as an artist and how their artwork still connects to their personal experiences.

Standards Alignment — Kindergarten (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cn10.Ka — Create artwork based on personal experiences and talk about it.
  • Example: Students draw their family and describe it.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can look at my old and new pictures and see how my art has grown.
• I can say one way my newer picture is better or clearer than my older one.
• I can tell what my picture shows about my life (like my family, pets, or favorite place).
• I can make a “My Art Growth” page that shows something I can do now in art.
• I can tell someone, “I grew as an artist by ___.”