A comprehensive Christ-centered art curriculum for Grade 4 that develops advanced artistic techniques, critical thinking about art, and meaningful creative expression. Students master elements and principles of design, explore diverse media including perspective drawing, advanced painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital art, while studying American and world art traditions. Art is presented as a gift from God to be developed with excellence and used for His glory.
Demonstrate mastery of all elements and principles of design through intentional application in original artwork
Use perspective drawing, advanced painting techniques, and complex sculptural methods with technical proficiency
Create art with meaning and message that reflects personal worldview and communicates ideas effectively
Analyze artwork critically using appropriate vocabulary and connect art to historical and cultural contexts
Apply artistic processes (plan, create, reflect) consistently and develop regular practice habits as good stewardship of God-given abilities
Click any week to see daily lesson details.
Explore Genesis 1:27 and how being made in God's image means we are creative beings. Discuss what it means to be an artist and steward our gifts.
Biblical foundation for creativitydiscussionReview all seven elements of art (line, shape, color, value, texture, space, form) by finding and sketching examples in classroom or nature.
Identifying and naming elements of arthands-onReview principles of design (balance, emphasis, movement, pattern, proportion, unity, variety) through analyzing famous artworks.
Recognizing principles of designanalysisSet up sketchbooks as creative journals. Create a title page that reflects personal interests and artistic goals for the year.
Establishing artistic practice habitshands-onCreate a reference poster demonstrating understanding of one element and one principle through original drawings and examples.
Applying elements and principles knowledgeprojectObserve natural objects closely, noticing God's intricate design. Practice slow, careful looking before drawing.
Developing observation skillsobservationLearn contour drawing technique by drawing objects without looking at paper, focusing on edges and continuous line.
Blind contour drawinghands-onPractice modified contour drawing (looking occasionally at paper) to create more accurate observational drawings of natural objects.
Modified contour drawinghands-onExplore different pencil grades (2H, HB, 2B, 4B) and practice creating value scales from light to dark through pressure control.
Understanding pencil grades and pressuretechnique practiceComplete a detailed observational drawing of a natural object, applying contour techniques and varied pencil values to show form.
Observational drawing with valueprojectExplore how light reveals three-dimensional form. Set up simple objects with single light source and observe highlight, midtone, shadow, reflected light, and cast shadow.
Understanding light and shadow principlesobservationCreate a 10-step value scale from white to black using careful shading and blending techniques.
Creating smooth value gradationstechnique practiceDraw and shade a sphere using five values to create the illusion of three-dimensional form through proper light and shadow placement.
Shading spherical formshands-onPractice shading cubes, cylinders, and cones, understanding how different forms catch and reflect light differently.
Shading various geometric formshands-onCreate a simple still life drawing of 2-3 objects (fruit, cup, ball) using value to show three-dimensional form and cast shadows.
Applying value to create formprojectDiscover how our eyes see depth and distance. Look at photos of roads, hallways, and railroad tracks to identify natural perspective.
Understanding perspective conceptsobservationLearn key perspective vocabulary: horizon line, vanishing point, orthogonal lines. Practice drawing basic one-point perspective setup.
Setting up one-point perspectivetechnique practiceDraw boxes and rectangular forms in one-point perspective, understanding how parallel lines converge at the vanishing point.
Drawing forms in perspectivehands-onCreate a simple cityscape with multiple buildings using one-point perspective, varying heights and adding basic windows and doors.
Applying perspective to architecturehands-onDraw an interior hallway scene in one-point perspective, including floor tiles, doors, and ceiling details that recede to vanishing point.
Creating interior perspective scenesprojectReview primary, secondary, and tertiary colors by creating a complete 12-color wheel through careful mixing and painting.
Color mixing accuracyhands-onDivide colors into warm and cool families. Create two abstract paintings, one using only warm colors and one using only cool colors.
Understanding color temperaturehands-onExplore complementary color pairs (opposites on color wheel) and how they create visual excitement. Paint complementary color studies.
Using complementary colorshands-onLearn to create tints (adding white) and shades (adding black) of colors. Create value scales of different hues.
Creating tints and shadestechnique practiceCreate a simple landscape or still life using only one hue plus white and black, exploring the full range of values in one color.
Monochromatic color schemesprojectExplore practical arts and crafts of colonial America: quilting, weathervanes, folk art. Discuss how faith influenced early American creativity.
Understanding historical contextdiscussionStudy early American portrait painters and the importance of portraits before photography. Analyze painting techniques and formal poses.
Analyzing historical artworkanalysisCreate a design inspired by American folk art traditions, incorporating geometric patterns and symbolic imagery.
Creating pattern-based designshands-onDesign and draw a weathervane featuring an American symbol or animal, understanding the functional art of early America.
Designing functional arthands-onStart an ongoing American art timeline, placing colonial and early American art in historical context with major events.
Connecting art to historyprojectLearn how distance affects color and value in landscapes. Distant objects are lighter, bluer, and less detailed. Observe this in photos and nature.
Understanding atmospheric perspectiveobservationPractice painting skies with smooth gradations and cloud formations using wet-on-wet and dry brush techniques.
Sky painting techniquestechnique practicePaint a simple landscape establishing three clear planes of depth using size, detail, and color changes to show distance.
Creating depth in landscapeshands-onStudy Hudson River School painters who celebrated American landscapes as God's creation. Discuss their techniques and spiritual perspective.
Analyzing landscape paintinganalysisCreate an original landscape painting inspired by American scenery (mountains, plains, coast), applying atmospheric perspective and depth techniques.
Complete landscape paintingprojectExplore the history of printmaking and how it allowed art and ideas (including Bible printing) to spread. Understand relief vs. intaglio printing.
Understanding printmaking conceptsdiscussionCreate practice prints by drawing into styrofoam trays with pencils, inking with brayers, and printing. Understand positive and negative space.
Basic relief printing techniquehands-onPlan an original design for a relief print, considering how lines and shapes will appear reversed and how to create visual interest.
Planning for printmakinghands-onTransfer design to printing block and carefully carve or incise design, thinking about what will print and what won't.
Creating printing blockshands-onCreate an edition of multiple prints from the block, exploring color variations and learning to sign and number prints properly.
Printing multiple impressionsprojectExplore diverse Native American art traditions from different regions and tribes, understanding art's spiritual and practical purposes.
Cultural art appreciationdiscussionStudy geometric patterns and symbols used in Native American art. Understand that symbols carry meaning and tell stories.
Understanding symbolic artanalysisDesign a pottery vessel inspired by Native American ceramics, incorporating traditional patterns and understanding form and function.
Designing functional arthands-onCreate a paper weaving using colors and patterns inspired by Native American textiles, understanding the mathematics of pattern.
Creating woven patternshands-onCreate original artwork inspired by (not copying) Native American art traditions, discussing cultural respect and appreciation vs. appropriation.
Creating culturally-informed artprojectExplore the difference between 2D and 3D art. Discuss how sculpture exists in space and can be viewed from multiple angles.
Understanding sculptural conceptsdiscussionPractice clay techniques: pinch, coil, slab, scoring and slipping for joining. Create small sample forms using each technique.
Clay hand-building techniquestechnique practiceChoose an animal from God's creation to sculpt. Sketch from multiple angles and plan construction approach.
Planning three-dimensional workhands-onConstruct animal sculpture using clay techniques, paying attention to proportions, texture, and structural stability.
Constructing complex formshands-onAdd final details to sculpture using tools to create texture and features. Allow to dry and paint if desired.
Refining sculptural detailsprojectDiscuss Psalm 139:14 and how each face reflects God's creative design. Observe how faces are similar yet uniquely different.
Observing facial featuresobservationLearn basic facial proportions: eyes halfway down head, nose halfway between eyes and chin, etc. Practice proportional guidelines.
Understanding facial proportionstechnique practiceStudy eye structure and practice drawing realistic eyes with proper shape, iris, pupil, highlights, and lashes.
Drawing eyes accuratelyhands-onPractice drawing noses from front and side views, and mouths with various expressions, understanding form and shadow.
Drawing facial featureshands-onDraw a complete face using proportional guidelines, incorporating all features with attention to placement, size, and shading.
Drawing complete portraitsprojectStudy self-portraits by famous artists. Discuss how artists reveal personality, emotion, and even faith through self-portraiture.
Analyzing self-portraitsanalysisUse mirrors to carefully observe own facial features, proportions, and unique characteristics. Make observational sketches.
Self-observation and sketchinghands-onPlan self-portrait composition: background elements that show interests, expression that reflects personality, media choice.
Planning meaningful artworkhands-onBegin final self-portrait, focusing on accurate proportions and careful observation while looking in mirror.
Applying portrait skillshands-onComplete self-portrait with shading, color, and background details. Write artist statement about what the portrait reveals.
Completing and reflecting on workprojectExplore the diversity of African art across the continent. Understand that Africa has thousands of cultures, each with unique artistic traditions.
Understanding cultural diversitydiscussionStudy African masks and their ceremonial purposes. Analyze stylization, symmetry, and symbolic elements in mask design.
Analyzing cultural art formsanalysisLearn about Adinkra symbols from Ghana, each carrying specific meanings. Design a personal symbol representing an important value.
Creating symbolic designshands-onStudy the geometric patterns and color meanings in Kente cloth. Create a paper weaving or painted design inspired by Kente.
Creating geometric patternshands-onCreate a small sculpture or mask design inspired by African art, incorporating learned elements while creating something original.
Synthesizing cultural inspirationprojectReview watercolor fundamentals: wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, color mixing, water control. Practice creating smooth washes.
Basic watercolor techniquestechnique practiceExperiment with special watercolor techniques: salt texture, plastic wrap patterns, sponge dabbing, splatter, and lifting color.
Experimental watercolor techniqueshands-onLearn to build depth and richness through layering transparent washes. Practice patience as layers dry between applications.
Watercolor layeringtechnique practiceCreate artwork using resist techniques with crayon, oil pastel, or masking fluid to preserve white paper or create patterns.
Resist techniqueshands-onCreate a watercolor painting celebrating an aspect of God's creation, applying multiple techniques learned this week.
Applying multiple watercolor techniquesprojectCompare Eastern and Western art traditions. Discuss different philosophies about art, nature, and spiritual expression.
Cross-cultural comparisondiscussionLearn about Chinese brush painting traditions. Practice holding brush vertically and creating varied brushstrokes with ink.
Brush control techniquestechnique practicePractice traditional bamboo painting, learning the specific brushstrokes for stems, branches, and leaves. Understand symbolism of bamboo.
Traditional brushstroke techniqueshands-onStudy Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e). Analyze composition, flat color areas, and distinctive style. Discuss Hokusai's Great Wave.
Analyzing printmaking stylesanalysisCreate artwork inspired by Asian art traditions, incorporating learned techniques and compositional approaches.
Synthesizing Asian art influencesprojectExplore real texture (tactile) vs. visual texture (implied). Create texture rubbings from various surfaces and collect texture samples.
Understanding texture typesobservationPractice drawing various textures: rough bark, smooth glass, soft fur, hard metal. Learn specific techniques for each texture type.
Rendering texture through drawingtechnique practiceExplore creating texture with paint: impasto, dry brush, stippling, sgraffito. Experiment with adding materials to paint.
Creating painted textureshands-onCreate a collage using materials with different textures, arranging them to create visual interest and tactile variety.
Working with real textureshands-onCreate an artwork that emphasizes texture, combining real and visual texture to create rich, interesting surfaces.
Integrating multiple texture techniquesprojectStudy Hudson River School painters who saw American landscapes as evidence of God's glory. Analyze Thomas Cole and Frederic Church.
Analyzing landscape painting movementanalysisExplore genre paintings showing everyday American life. Discuss how artists documented culture and told stories through art.
Understanding narrative artdiscussionStudy Winslow Homer's seascapes and scenes of American life. Analyze his use of watercolor and powerful compositions.
Artist study and analysisanalysisCreate sketches of everyday American life in your own time, thinking about what future historians might learn from your art.
Documentary drawinghands-onCreate a painting in the style of a 19th century American artist studied, applying their techniques to a personal subject.
Applying historical techniquesprojectExplore photography's history and its place as an art form. Discuss how cameras capture light and how photographers make artistic choices.
Understanding photography conceptsdiscussionLearn photographic composition rules: rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, symmetry. Practice framing shots with viewfinders.
Photographic compositiontechnique practiceExplore how light affects photographs. Practice taking photos in different lighting conditions and from different angles.
Working with light in photographyhands-onComplete a photo scavenger hunt finding and photographing specific subjects: textures, patterns, colors, shapes in creation.
Applying photography skillshands-onCreate a series of 5-7 photographs on a theme that shows God's creativity in creation. Curate and display best shots.
Creating cohesive photo seriesprojectDiscuss how art can communicate messages, raise awareness, and inspire change. Look at examples of message-driven art throughout history.
Understanding art's communicative powerdiscussionLearn how artists use symbols and metaphors to communicate complex ideas visually. Practice brainstorming visual symbols for concepts.
Using symbolic imageryhands-onChoose an important message to communicate through art: caring for creation, kindness, justice, gratitude. Brainstorm visual approaches.
Developing artistic conceptshands-onCreate thumbnail sketches and plan composition, color, and imagery for maximum impact. Consider audience and context.
Planning purposeful artworkhands-onCreate final artwork that communicates chosen message clearly and powerfully, applying design principles for effectiveness.
Creating meaningful artworkprojectExplore mixed media art and how combining materials creates new possibilities. View examples of successful mixed media work.
Understanding mixed media conceptsdiscussionExperiment with combining different materials: paint with collage, drawing with fabric, watercolor with ink. Test what works together.
Experimenting with media combinationshands-onPractice building layers in mixed media: background washes, collaged elements, drawn details, painted accents. Learn working order.
Layering mixed mediatechnique practiceCreate a mixed media piece emphasizing texture through combining materials: fabric, paper, paint, found objects.
Creating textural compositionshands-onCreate a mixed media artwork that tells a story or expresses an idea, thoughtfully selecting materials that enhance meaning.
Purposeful mixed media creationprojectLearn when two-point perspective is used (viewing corners of objects). Understand the two vanishing points on horizon line.
Understanding two-point perspective setuptechnique practicePractice drawing boxes and rectangular forms in two-point perspective, understanding how edges converge to two different vanishing points.
Drawing forms in two-point perspectivehands-onDraw a building viewed from the corner using two-point perspective, adding architectural details like windows and doors.
Architectural drawing in perspectivehands-onPlan a street scene with multiple buildings at different angles, all using the same two vanishing points for consistency.
Planning complex perspective sceneshands-onCreate a detailed cityscape using two-point perspective, including multiple buildings, signs, and urban details.
Creating complex perspective drawingsprojectExplore how American artists in early 1900s began experimenting with new styles, influenced by but distinct from European modernism.
Understanding art movement developmentdiscussionStudy Georgia O'Keeffe's bold flowers and Southwestern landscapes. Analyze her unique style and spiritual connection to nature.
Artist study and analysisanalysisExamine Edward Hopper's paintings of American life and his use of light, shadow, and solitude. Discuss mood in artwork.
Analyzing mood and atmosphereanalysisStudy American Regionalism and Grant Wood's celebration of rural American life. Analyze American Gothic and farming scenes.
Understanding regional art movementsanalysisCreate a painting inspired by an early 20th century American artist, applying their stylistic approaches to personal subject matter.
Applying modernist techniquesprojectLearn basic human figure proportions using head-height measurements. Understand how proportions change from child to adult.
Understanding figure proportionstechnique practiceUse simple stick figures to plan poses and proportions, establishing gesture and movement before adding form.
Gesture drawing basicshands-onAdd geometric forms (cylinders, spheres) to gesture drawings to build three-dimensional figures with volume.
Constructing figure formshands-onDraw figures in various action poses: running, jumping, reaching. Capture movement and energy through line and form.
Drawing figures in motionhands-onCreate a complete figure drawing with proper proportions, form, and some detail, showing a person engaged in an activity.
Complete figure drawingprojectCompare digital and traditional art-making. Explore how digital tools offer new possibilities while requiring similar artistic skills.
Understanding digital art conceptsdiscussionLearn basic digital art tools: brushes, layers, colors, selection tools, undo. Practice making marks and exploring the interface.
Basic digital tool usehands-onUnderstand how layers work in digital art. Practice creating artwork with multiple layers for background, main subject, and details.
Working with layershands-onPractice digital painting techniques: blending, opacity, brush variety. Create a simple digital painting of a natural object.
Digital painting basicshands-onCreate a complete digital artwork on a theme of choice, applying learned tools and techniques thoughtfully.
Complete digital artwork creationprojectObserve patterns in God's creation: flower petals, tree bark, animal markings, crystals. Discuss mathematical patterns in nature.
Observing natural patternsobservationExplore pattern types: regular, alternating, progressive, radial. Practice creating each type with simple shapes.
Creating pattern varietieshands-onLearn about tessellations and how shapes fit together without gaps. Create tessellating patterns with geometric shapes.
Creating tessellationshands-onCreate a radial symmetry design (mandala-style) using compass and ruler, incorporating pattern and color theory.
Creating radial designshands-onCreate an artwork featuring multiple complex patterns working together, using color and value to create visual rhythm.
Integrating multiple patternsprojectExplore how illustrations support and enhance stories. Study picture book illustrations and discuss how images add meaning to words.
Understanding illustration's purposediscussionPractice designing characters for a story, giving them distinctive features, expressions, and details that reveal personality.
Character design basicshands-onCreate illustrations showing story settings with details that establish time, place, and mood through visual elements.
Creating story settingshands-onIllustrate a key moment from a favorite Bible story or book, choosing the most important scene and composing it effectively.
Selecting and composing story momentshands-onCreate a series of 3-4 illustrations that tell a simple story in sequence, thinking about narrative flow and visual consistency.
Sequential storytelling through imagesprojectExplore abstract art and how it uses elements and principles without representing recognizable objects. Discuss how abstraction can express feelings and ideas.
Understanding abstract art conceptsdiscussionCreate abstract paintings expressing different emotions through color choices, brushstrokes, and composition without depicting objects.
Expressing through color and formhands-onCreate abstract compositions using only geometric shapes, exploring balance, color relationships, and visual interest without representation.
Geometric abstract compositionhands-onExperiment with action painting techniques: dripping, splattering, gestural marks. Focus on energy and movement in the process.
Expressive painting techniqueshands-onCreate an abstract artwork that expresses a specific idea or feeling important to you, using color, shape, and composition purposefully.
Creating meaningful abstractionprojectDiscuss Bezalel's calling to create beautiful things for the tabernacle (Exodus 35). Explore how Christians throughout history have used art to worship and serve God.
Understanding art as worshipdiscussionStudy traditional Christian symbols: cross, fish, light, vine, shepherd. Understand how symbols communicate spiritual truths visually.
Understanding religious symbolismanalysisChoose a meaningful Bible verse and create an illuminated version with decorative lettering and imagery that enhances the verse's meaning.
Combining text and imageryhands-onPlan an artwork depicting a Bible story, considering how to show the most important moment and communicate spiritual truth visually.
Planning narrative biblical arthands-onCreate artwork expressing personal faith, a biblical truth, or God's character using chosen media and thoughtful symbolism.
Creating personally meaningful faith-based artprojectAnalyze what makes compositions effective: focal point, balance, movement, unity. Study master artworks for compositional strength.
Analyzing compositionanalysisLearn the rule of thirds for placing focal points. Practice dividing compositions and placing important elements at power points.
Applying rule of thirdstechnique practiceCreate compositions that use leading lines to guide viewer's eye through the artwork and create visual movement.
Creating visual movementhands-onPractice creating balanced compositions using symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance while maintaining unity.
Creating balanced compositionshands-onCreate a complete artwork applying all compositional principles learned, with strong focal point, balance, movement, and unity.
Applying compositional principlesprojectStudy Abstract Expressionism and how American artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko used abstraction for emotional expression.
Understanding abstract movementsdiscussionExplore Pop Art and artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein who drew inspiration from popular culture and commercial art.
Analyzing pop culture in artanalysisStudy contemporary artist Faith Ringgold's story quilts that combine painting, quilting, and narrative to tell important stories.
Artist study and cultural contextanalysisCreate a pop art-inspired design using bold colors, repetition, and imagery from everyday life or popular culture.
Applying pop art techniqueshands-onCreate artwork inspired by a mid-20th century American art movement, applying learned concepts to personal expression.
Synthesizing modern art influencesprojectStudy assemblage art and artists who create sculptures from found objects. Discuss how ordinary objects can become extraordinary art.
Understanding assemblage conceptsdiscussionCollect interesting found objects and recycled materials, looking at them with artist's eyes for shape, texture, and potential.
Seeing artistic potential in objectshands-onSketch plans for an assemblage sculpture, arranging found objects in interesting ways and planning how to attach them securely.
Planning three-dimensional assemblagehands-onConstruct assemblage sculpture, problem-solving attachment methods and balance issues. Consider viewing from multiple angles.
Constructing assemblage sculptureshands-onComplete assemblage with paint or additional details if desired. Create a title and artist statement explaining the work.
Completing and presenting sculptural workprojectLearn formal art criticism method: Description (what do you see?), Analysis (how is it organized?), Interpretation (what does it mean?), Judgment (is it successful?).
Understanding criticism frameworkdiscussionPractice the description step: objectively listing what is visible in artworks without interpretation, using proper art vocabulary.
Objective description of artworkanalysisPractice analyzing how elements and principles are used, then interpreting possible meanings and artist intentions.
Analyzing and interpreting artanalysisPractice making informed judgments about artwork's success based on criteria, supporting opinions with evidence from the work.
Critical evaluation of artanalysisComplete a full art criticism of a chosen artwork, presenting findings and supporting opinions with evidence.
Applying complete criticism processprojectUnderstand portfolio purpose: showing range of skills, growth over time, and best work. Discuss how artists use portfolios professionally.
Understanding portfolio conceptsdiscussionLook through all artwork created this year. Reflect on growth, favorite pieces, and skills developed. Take notes on each piece.
Self-reflection on artistic growthreflectionChoose 8-10 best pieces that show variety of media, skills, and personal growth. Consider what each piece demonstrates.
Curating artwork selectionhands-onWrite brief artist statements for selected works explaining process, meaning, and what was learned from creating each piece.
Articulating artistic processwritingOrganize portfolio professionally with artwork properly displayed and documented. Prepare to present portfolio to others.
Professional presentation of workprojectDiscuss how art can serve others and community. Brainstorm art projects that could bless others: cards for nursing home, mural for church, etc.
Understanding art as servicediscussionChoose a community art project and plan it collaboratively. Assign roles, gather materials, create timeline.
Collaborative planninghands-onBegin work on community art project, collaborating effectively and contributing individual skills to group effort.
Collaborative creationhands-onContinue community art project, problem-solving challenges and ensuring quality work that honors God and serves others.
Sustained collaborative workhands-onComplete community art project and present or deliver it. Reflect on the experience of creating art for others.
Completing and sharing collaborative workprojectReflect on the year's work to identify emerging personal style: preferred media, subjects, colors, techniques. What makes your art uniquely yours?
Self-awareness of artistic preferencesreflectionIdentify which artists studied this year most resonated with you. How have they influenced your artistic thinking and approach?
Understanding artistic influencesdiscussionDevelop a personal artistic symbol or signature style element that represents your faith, values, or artistic identity.
Creating personal artistic identityhands-onWrite a personal artistic mission statement: Why do you create? How do you want to use your artistic gifts? What messages matter to you?
Articulating artistic purposewritingCreate an artwork that best represents your personal artistic voice, using preferred media and expressing what matters most to you.
Creating personally authentic artprojectLook back through the entire year's work. Celebrate growth from week 1 to now. Identify biggest learning moments and favorite projects.
Comprehensive reflectionreflectionPrepare an art show or gallery display of best work from the year. Create labels, arrange pieces, invite family and friends.
Professional presentation and curationhands-onHost art show where student presents work to family and friends, explaining pieces and demonstrating learned skills.
Public presentation of artworkpresentationReflect on how artistic gifts come from God and how they can be used for His glory. Discuss continuing to develop these gifts faithfully.
Spiritual reflection on creativitydiscussionSet artistic goals for the future. What skills to develop next? How to continue practicing? How to use art to serve God and others?
Goal-setting for continued growthreflectionStart with Day 1 and work through at your own pace. Each lesson builds on the last!