Unit Plan 17 (PreK Art): Improve My Picture

Focus: Add more parts to artwork after discussion to make pictures more complete.

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 learn that artists can go back to their artwork and make it even better by adding more parts after talking about it. With the teacher or classmates, they notice when something might be “missing” (no ground, no sky, no hands, no background) and then practice adding simple details or changes. Children understand that this is not “fixing something bad,” but a normal part of making art. By the end of the unit, children can talk about one change they made and show how their picture looks more complete.

Essential Questions

• What does it mean to improve my picture?
• How can talking about my artwork help me see what I can add?
• What kinds of missing parts can I add (background, body parts, objects, sky, ground)?
• How does my picture change after I add more details or parts?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Children will be able to:

1. Look at their own artwork and, with support, notice at least one missing part or area that could use more detail.
2. Participate in a simple discussion with a teacher or peer about what could be added.
3. Add one or more details or changes to their artwork (e.g., ground line, sky, background objects, body parts).
4. Show effort and care while making changes, working for most of the short art time.
5. Tell an adult or peer at least one thing they added to improve their picture.

Standards Alignment — PreK (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cr3.PKa — Add details or make changes to artwork after discussion.
  • Example: A child adds more lines after being asked about missing parts.

Success Criteria — Child-Friendly Language

• I can look at my picture and find one thing to add.
• I can talk with a teacher or friend about how to improve my picture.
• I can add more parts or details after we talk.
• I can work with effort while I change my picture.
• I can tell someone what I added to make my picture better.