Exploring tools and ideas
Students start the year getting comfortable with cameras, tablets, microphones, and other tools used to make media. They try out ideas and notice how pictures, sounds, and videos can tell a story.
What does a student learn in
This is the year students discover that pictures, sounds, and videos are things people make on purpose. Students play with simple tools like cameras, tablets, and recorders to turn their own ideas into little projects. They share what they made with classmates and talk about what they see and hear in others' work. By spring, students can create a short picture or sound piece and explain what it is about.
- Making media
- Cameras and tablets
- Sharing creations
- Looking and listening
- Personal ideas
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 simple media projects
Students put their ideas into small projects like a photo, a short recording, or a drawing on a screen. They learn to stick with a project, change parts they want to fix, and decide when it feels finished.
- 3
Sharing work with others
Students pick pieces they want to show and practice presenting them to classmates and family. They talk about what their project is about and what they want others to notice.
- 4
Looking at and talking about media
Students watch, listen to, and look at media made by others, including work from different cultures and times. They share what they see, what they think it means, and what they like about it.
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 use things they know and moments from their own life as the starting point for making art.
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Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural
Students look at photos, drawings, or songs from different places and times to see how art tells us where people came from and what they cared about.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art | Students use things they know and moments from their own life as the starting point for making art. | MA:Cn10.pk |
| Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural | Students look at photos, drawings, or songs from different places and times to see how art tells us where people came from and what they cared about. | MA:Cn11.pk |
Creating
Creating
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Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Students explore simple ideas for pictures, sounds, or short videos by playing with materials and talking about what they imagine. The focus is on coming up with ideas, not making something finished.
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Organize and develop artistic ideas and work
Students pick materials (crayons, paper, blocks) and arrange them to make something they had in mind. This is the first step in turning an idea into a finished piece.
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Refine and complete artistic work
Students finish a media art project by looking at it, making small changes, and deciding when it feels done.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work | Students explore simple ideas for pictures, sounds, or short videos by playing with materials and talking about what they imagine. The focus is on coming up with ideas, not making something finished. | MA:Cr1.pk |
| Organize and develop artistic ideas and work | Students pick materials (crayons, paper, blocks) and arrange them to make something they had in mind. This is the first step in turning an idea into a finished piece. | MA:Cr2.pk |
| Refine and complete artistic work | Students finish a media art project by looking at it, making small changes, and deciding when it feels done. | MA:Cr3.pk |
Performing/Presenting/Producing
Performing/Presenting/Producing
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Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation
Students pick which drawing, photo, or project they want to share with the class and say why they chose it.
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Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation
Students practice a media art project (a drawing, photo, or short video) more than once, making small improvements before sharing it with others.
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Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work
Students share a drawing, song, or simple creation and explain in their own words what it means to them.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation | Students pick which drawing, photo, or project they want to share with the class and say why they chose it. | MA:Pr4.pk |
| Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation | Students practice a media art project (a drawing, photo, or short video) more than once, making small improvements before sharing it with others. | MA:Pr5.pk |
| Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work | Students share a drawing, song, or simple creation and explain in their own words what it means to them. | MA:Pr6.pk |
Responding
Responding
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Perceive and analyze artistic work
Students look at images, videos, or sounds made by others and talk about what they notice. This is the start of learning to read the world around them.
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Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work
Students look at a picture, video, or sound and say what they think it means or how it makes them feel.
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Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work
Students look at or listen to something they made and say what they like about it and what they might change.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Perceive and analyze artistic work | Students look at images, videos, or sounds made by others and talk about what they notice. This is the start of learning to read the world around them. | MA:Re7.pk |
| Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work | Students look at a picture, video, or sound and say what they think it means or how it makes them feel. | MA:Re8.pk |
| Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work | Students look at or listen to something they made and say what they like about it and what they might change. | MA:Re9.pk |
Common Questions
What is media arts in pre-kindergarten?
Media arts means making and looking at things like photos, videos, drawings on a screen, and simple sounds or recordings. At this age, students explore tools like a tablet camera or a voice recorder and start sharing what they made with others.
How can families support media arts at home?
Hand over a phone or tablet camera for a few minutes and let students take pictures of things they care about. Ask what they wanted to show and why they picked it. Short, playful moments like this build the same skills used in class.
What should media arts look like by the end of the year?
Students should be able to come up with an idea, make something simple like a drawing, photo, or short recording, and talk about it. They should also be able to look at someone else's work and say what they notice or like.
Does a child need a tablet or camera at home?
No special gear is needed. A phone camera, crayons and paper, or even a cardboard box used as a pretend TV all work. The point is for students to make something on purpose and share it with a person who listens.
How should media arts be sequenced across the year?
Start with exploring tools and noticing pictures and sounds in the world. Move into making simple pieces with a clear idea behind them. End the year with students choosing a favorite piece, fixing it up, and sharing it with the class.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Most students need extra practice talking about their own choices and saying why they made them. Holding a camera steady, pressing record at the right moment, and waiting before reacting to a classmate's work also take repeated practice.
How can a parent help if a child says their art is bad?
Skip praise like good job and ask a real question instead. Try what part do you like best, or what would you change next time. This teaches students that art gets better with another try, which is exactly what the school year is building toward.
How do I know students are ready for kindergarten media arts?
Look for students who can plan a small project, stick with it long enough to finish, and explain what it is about. They should also be willing to look at a classmate's work and share one specific thing they noticed.