Exploring art materials
Students try out crayons, paint, paper, and clay to see what each one can do. They learn how to handle supplies safely and start thinking of themselves as artists.
What does a student learn in
This is the year art becomes a way to share ideas, not just play with materials. Students try out crayons, paint, clay, and collage, and they start to talk about why they made something and what it shows. They also look at art made by other people and say what they notice. By spring, they can finish a piece, explain what it is about, and pick one to show the class.
- Drawing and painting
- Working with clay
- Talking about art
- Sharing ideas
- Looking at artwork
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
Drawing from life and imagination
Students draw the people, animals, and places around them. They also pull from their own ideas and memories, learning that art can come from anywhere.
- 3
Looking at art together
Students study pictures and objects made by other artists. They notice colors, shapes, and stories, and start to guess what the artist was thinking.
- 4
Finishing and sharing work
Students pick a piece they are proud of, add finishing touches, and get it ready to show. They talk about what makes a piece feel done and what they want viewers to notice.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Kindergarten.
Connecting
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Making art from what you know and feel | Students draw on things they already know and moments from their own life to make artwork. A drawing of a family dinner or a painting of a rainy day counts as this kind of thinking. | CA-VA:Cn10.k.K |
| Art tells us about people and places | Students look at artwork and talk about where it came from, who made it, and why. That conversation helps art mean more than what you can see on the surface. | CA-VA:Cn11.k.K |
Creating
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Coming up with art ideas | Students come up with their own ideas for drawings, paintings, and other art before they start making anything. | CA-VA:Cr1.k.K |
| Making art from your own ideas | Students pick colors, shapes, and materials to make a piece of art, then adjust their choices as the work takes shape. | CA-VA:Cr2.k.K |
| Finishing a piece of art | Students look at their own artwork, decide what to fix or finish, and make it better before calling it done. | CA-VA:Cr3.k.K |
Performing/Presenting/Producing
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Choose artwork to share with others | Students pick which of their drawings or projects to share with the class and start to explain why they chose it. | CA-VA:Pr4.k.K |
| Finishing artwork to share with others | Students practice and improve a piece of artwork until it is ready to share with others. | CA-VA:Pr5.k.K |
| Sharing art to say something | Students share their drawings or artwork with others and explain what they made and why. | CA-VA:Pr6.k.K |
Responding
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Looking at and talking about art | Students look closely at a piece of art and talk about what they see: colors, shapes, and how the whole thing feels to them. | CA-VA:Re7.k.K |
| What art is trying to say | Students look at a piece of art and talk about what they think the artist was trying to show or how the artwork makes them feel. | CA-VA:Re8.k.K |
| Judging what makes art good | Students look at a drawing or painting and say what they like about it and why. They practice giving a reason, not just a feeling. | CA-VA:Re9.k.K |
Common Questions
What does art class look like this year?
Students try out drawing, painting, cutting, gluing, and building with simple materials. They learn to come up with their own ideas, talk about what they made, and look closely at art other people made. The focus is on exploring, not on producing finished masterpieces.
How can I help my child enjoy art at home?
Keep crayons, paper, scissors, and glue somewhere students can reach without asking. Let them make whatever they want for ten minutes a few times a week. Ask what they made and listen, instead of guessing or correcting.
My child says they are bad at art. What should I do?
At this age, art is about trying things, not making something look real. Praise the choices they made, like the colors they picked or the shapes they used. Avoid drawing on their paper to fix it, even if they ask.
How should I sequence the year?
Start with short, low-pressure projects that build comfort with basic tools like crayons, glue, and scissors. Move into projects that ask students to plan an idea first, then make it. Save group sharing and looking at other artists for later in the year, once students can sit and talk about what they see.
What skills usually need the most reteaching?
Holding scissors correctly, using a small amount of glue, and cleaning up a workspace take the longest to stick. Talking about art using words like color, shape, and line also needs repeated modeling. Plan to revisit these every few weeks.
Does my child need to learn about famous artists?
Students look at art from different places and times so they get used to the idea that people make art for many reasons. Visiting a museum, library art section, or even looking at picture books together counts. No memorizing of names is expected.
How do I know a student is ready for first grade art?
By spring, students should be able to come up with an idea, pick materials, and stick with a project long enough to finish it. They should also be able to say something about their own work and a classmate's work without putting either one down.
How do I handle students who only want to copy a friend's idea?
Copying is normal at this age and often how students learn. Gently ask what they would change to make it their own, like a different color or an added detail. Over time, prompt them to start with their own idea before looking around.