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Pre-Kindergarten Art Units

Unit Plan 2 (PreK Art): Drawing What I See

Preschool art unit where children observe real objects like toys, plants, and classroom items, then draw what they see while learning how artists use observation to create artwork.

Dr. Michael Kester-Haynes

• 8 min read
Unit Plan 2 (PreK Art): Drawing What I See

Focus: Create artwork based on observation of real things in the environment.

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating)

Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 20–30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, preschool children practice looking closely at real objects and then drawing what they see. They observe simple, familiar things—like a toy, a plant, or something from the playground—and notice shapes, colors, and parts. Children learn that artists sometimes use their eyes to get ideas by observing the world around them, not just their imagination. By the end of the unit, children can sit with an object, look carefully, and make a drawing that shows at least some of what they see, with gentle adult guidance.

Essential Questions

  • What does it mean to look carefully at something before I draw it?
  • How can I use my eyes to help me make a picture?
  • What parts of the object (shape, color, size) can I try to show in my drawing?
  • How is drawing something I see different from drawing from my imagination?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Children will be able to:

  1. Look closely at a real object (toy, plant, classroom item) for a short time before drawing.
  2. Notice at least one or two parts of what they see (shape, color, big/small) and try to show them in their drawing.
  3. Stay in one place with the object and their paper for a few minutes while drawing, with reminders.
  4. Share a simple idea about what they drew and what they were looking at.
  5. Begin to understand that artists can get ideas from observation as well as imagination.

Standards Alignment — PreK (NCAS-Aligned)

  • VA:Cr1.PKa — Explore artistic ideas through imaginative play and observation.
    • Example: Children draw something they see on the playground.

Success Criteria — Child-Friendly Language

  • I can look carefully at something before I draw it.
  • I can try to put the shapes and parts I see into my picture.
  • I can sit with my object and paper for a little while to draw.
  • I can tell a grown-up, “I drew this because I saw it.”
  • I know that I can get art ideas from the things around me.