Unit Plan 3 (PreK Art): Talking Before Creating
Preschool art unit where children practice planning their artwork by saying simple ideas like “I’m going to make…” before creating, building early language, intention, and confidence in the art process.
Focus: Describe what will be made before beginning an artwork.
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 talking about their ideas before they start making art. With support, they learn to say simple planning sentences like, “I’m going to make a rainbow,” or “My picture will have my dog.” Children gather in a brief “planning circle” or at tables to say their plan out loud and sometimes draw a tiny sketch line before creating. The focus is on building language, intention, and confidence, not on perfect artwork. By the end of the unit, children can share a short idea about what they plan to create and begin making artwork that connects to their words.
Essential Questions
- What does it mean to talk about my idea before I start my art?
- How can saying, “I’m going to make ___” help me get ready to create?
- How can I listen to my friends’ plans for their artwork?
- How does talking first help me feel ready and excited for art time?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Children will be able to:
- Share a simple plan sentence about what they want to make before starting (with adult support).
- Use sentence starters such as, “I’m going to make ___” or “My picture will have ___.”
- Begin an artwork that shows at least part of what they said they would create.
- Listen briefly while a peer shares their plan and respond with a simple comment or smile/nod.
- Notice that artists can plan with words as well as with drawing and tools.
Standards Alignment — PreK (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr1.PKb — Talk about what they plan to create before beginning.
- Example: A child says, “I’m going to make a rainbow.”
Success Criteria — Child-Friendly Language
- I can say what I am going to make before I start my art.
- I can use a planning sentence like “I’m going to make a ___.”
- I can start a picture that shows part of what I said.
- I can listen when my friends tell about their art plans.
- I know that talking first can help my art idea feel more clear.