Exploring art materials
Students get hands on with crayons, paint, paper, and clay. They learn how each material feels and what marks it makes. Expect a lot of experimenting and a lot of mess at home.
What does a student learn in
This is the year art becomes a way to share what students see and feel. Students try out crayons, paint, paper, and clay, and they start to talk about what they made and why. They also look at pictures and art from other people and share what they notice. By spring, they can make a piece of art on purpose, name what it shows, and point out something they like in someone else's work.
- Drawing and painting
- Art tools
- Talking about art
- Sharing ideas
- Noticing details
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
- 1
- 2
Making art from ideas
Students start with an idea and turn it into a picture or sculpture. Drawings of family, pets, and favorite places show up often. Kids learn that art can come from things they care about.
- 3
Finishing and sharing work
Students learn to keep working on a piece until it feels done, then show it to others. They practice telling a grown-up or a friend what their art is about.
- 4
Looking at and responding to art
Students look closely at pictures, photographs, and art from different places. They notice colors and shapes, say what they see, and share what a picture makes them think or feel.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Pre-Kindergarten.
Connecting
Connecting
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Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art
Students draw on things they already know and moments from their own lives when they make art. A drawing might come from a memory, a feeling, or something they saw that day.
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Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural
Students look at artwork and talk about where it came from, who made it, and why. A painting or sculpture can tell a story about people and places from long ago or far away.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art | Students draw on things they already know and moments from their own lives when they make art. A drawing might come from a memory, a feeling, or something they saw that day. | VA:Cn10.pk |
| Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural | Students look at artwork and talk about where it came from, who made it, and why. A painting or sculpture can tell a story about people and places from long ago or far away. | VA:Cn11.pk |
Creating
Creating
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Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Students come up with their own ideas before they start making art. They might decide what to draw, build, or paint before picking up a crayon or brush.
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Organize and develop artistic ideas and work
Students pick up crayons, paint, or other materials and make something they had in mind. This is the first step in turning an idea into finished artwork.
-
Refine and complete artistic work
Students pick a drawing or project they have been working on and make small changes until it feels finished.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work | Students come up with their own ideas before they start making art. They might decide what to draw, build, or paint before picking up a crayon or brush. | VA:Cr1.pk |
| Organize and develop artistic ideas and work | Students pick up crayons, paint, or other materials and make something they had in mind. This is the first step in turning an idea into finished artwork. | VA:Cr2.pk |
| Refine and complete artistic work | Students pick a drawing or project they have been working on and make small changes until it feels finished. | VA:Cr3.pk |
Performing/Presenting/Producing
Performing/Presenting/Producing
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Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation
Students pick which of their drawings or creations to share with the class and start to explain why they chose it.
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Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation
Students practice a drawing or artwork more than once to make it better before sharing it with others.
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Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work
Students share their drawings or artwork and talk about what they made and why. The picture or object carries the idea they wanted to express.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation | Students pick which of their drawings or creations to share with the class and start to explain why they chose it. | VA:Pr4.pk |
| Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation | Students practice a drawing or artwork more than once to make it better before sharing it with others. | VA:Pr5.pk |
| Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work | Students share their drawings or artwork and talk about what they made and why. The picture or object carries the idea they wanted to express. | VA:Pr6.pk |
Responding
Responding
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Perceive and analyze artistic work
Students look closely at a picture or artwork and talk about what they notice, like colors, shapes, or what is happening in the scene.
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Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work
Students look at a drawing or painting and talk about what they think the artist was trying to say or show. They explain what the artwork makes them feel or notice.
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Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work
Students look at a drawing or painting and say what they like about it and why. They start learning to tell the difference between work they find interesting and work that does not catch their eye.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Perceive and analyze artistic work | Students look closely at a picture or artwork and talk about what they notice, like colors, shapes, or what is happening in the scene. | VA:Re7.pk |
| Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work | Students look at a drawing or painting and talk about what they think the artist was trying to say or show. They explain what the artwork makes them feel or notice. | VA:Re8.pk |
| Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work | Students look at a drawing or painting and say what they like about it and why. They start learning to tell the difference between work they find interesting and work that does not catch their eye. | VA:Re9.pk |