Exploring art materials
Students start the year getting hands on with crayons, paint, paper, and clay. They learn how each tool feels and what marks it makes, and they begin to share ideas through pictures.
What does a student learn in
This is the year art shifts from scribbles to choices. Students try out crayons, paint, paper, and clay, and start picking colors and shapes on purpose. They talk about what they made and notice what other kids and famous artists made too. By spring, they can finish a picture or sculpture, share it with the class, and say a sentence about what it means.
- Drawing and painting
- Colors and shapes
- Talking about art
- Sharing artwork
- Art materials
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 experience
Students draw and build from things they know, like family, pets, food, and play. A parent might see pictures that tell a small story from home or school.
- 3
Looking at art together
Students notice colors, shapes, and lines in their own pictures and in art made by others. They start to say what they see and what a picture might be about.
- 4
Finishing and showing work
Students stick with a project longer, decide when a piece feels done, and choose work to display. They practice talking about what they made and why.
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 or paint from things they know and have lived through. A picture might show their family, a favorite place, or something that happened to them.
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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 tells a story about the people and place behind it.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art | Students draw or paint from things they know and have lived through. A picture might show their family, a favorite place, or something that happened to them. | 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 tells a story about the people and place behind it. | 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. That might mean choosing what to draw, what colors to use, or what a finished piece could look like.
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Organize and develop artistic ideas and work
Students pick up crayons, paint, or paper and start making something on purpose. They practice turning a simple idea into a picture or object they can point to and explain.
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Refine and complete artistic work
Students look at their own drawing or artwork, decide if something could be better, and make changes before calling it done.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work | Students come up with their own ideas before they start making art. That might mean choosing what to draw, what colors to use, or what a finished piece could look like. | VA:Cr1.pk |
| Organize and develop artistic ideas and work | Students pick up crayons, paint, or paper and start making something on purpose. They practice turning a simple idea into a picture or object they can point to and explain. | VA:Cr2.pk |
| Refine and complete artistic work | Students look at their own drawing or artwork, decide if something could be better, and make changes before calling it done. | 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. Choosing what to show is the first step in learning how to present their own work.
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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 with others and explain, in simple words, what their picture means to them.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation | Students pick which of their drawings or creations to share with the class. Choosing what to show is the first step in learning how to present their own work. | 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 with others and explain, in simple words, what their picture means to them. | 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 see, such as 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 say what they think it shows or how it makes them feel. There are no wrong answers, just reasons behind them.
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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 to notice what makes art feel finished or interesting.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Perceive and analyze artistic work | Students look closely at a picture or artwork and talk about what they see, such as 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 say what they think it shows or how it makes them feel. There are no wrong answers, just reasons behind them. | 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 to notice what makes art feel finished or interesting. | VA:Re9.pk |
Common Questions
What does visual art look like this year?
Students draw, paint, cut, glue, and build with clay or blocks. They share ideas about what they made and talk about pictures they see. The focus is on trying things and noticing, not on making art that looks a certain way.
How can I support art at home in a few minutes a day?
Keep crayons, paper, scissors, and tape easy to reach. Ask what a drawing is about instead of guessing. Looking at picture books together and talking about the colors and shapes counts as art time too.
Does my child need to draw realistic pictures?
No. At this age a person might be a circle with two lines for legs, and that is exactly right. What matters is that students choose colors, shapes, and materials on purpose and can say something about their work.
How do I plan art across the year?
Start with one material at a time so students learn how crayons, paint, scissors, and clay actually behave. Add new tools every few weeks and revisit old ones. Save space late in the year for students to pick their own materials for a project.
What should I do when a child says they can't draw something?
Ask what part feels tricky and offer a small starting move, like a circle for a head or a line for the ground. Sit nearby and draw your own thing without fixing theirs. Most students need a calm adult close by more than they need a technique.
How do I get students talking about their art and others' art?
Ask what they used, what they noticed, and what they might try next time. Show one picture from a book or a famous artist each week and ask what is happening in it. Short, frequent conversations build the vocabulary faster than long lessons.
What does ready for kindergarten art look like?
Students hold a crayon and scissors with some control, name basic colors and shapes, and stick with a project long enough to finish it. They can point to something in their work and say why they made that choice.
How do I display student work without it feeling like a competition?
Show every student's piece from a project, not just the strongest ones. Include a short note in the student's own words about what it is. A simple gallery wall that changes every few weeks teaches students their work is worth looking at.