Course Description

This class is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop a foundation of varied art skills, techniques, and concepts.  Through hands-on practices, students will develop an understanding of visual arts.

The art program infuses art production, art history, aesthetics and art criticism.  Throughout the course, the student will produce, discuss and write about their own artwork and the artwork of others.  The student will also establish a portfolio for the purpose of generating ideas and to show full understanding for art objectives. 

Goals and objectives for students with Individual Educational Plans will be addressed in this course.

Grading:_________________________________________

Over the next nine weeks, there will be two main units that will be studied.  All artwork created by students will be assessed using a detailed rubric. The rubric will outline explicit specifications covering the unit studied.  Each unit will include worksheets, class work, homework, notes and participation that will also be graded.  In addition, students will produce a writing assignment over the nine weeks that will be included in their final grade.

Grades are weighted in the following way, and all grades are calculated for the student’s final grade in the course:

Studio Work:                                                                                   60%

Quizzes and Writing Assignments:                                           15%

Class Participation:                                                                     25%

Provisions for Improving Grades:___________________

“Recovery” is an opportunity for students to recover from a failing or low cumulative grade (73 or below) in a particular subject. It is available for students who have completed all required work as assigned and who have demonstrated effort and attended school, but have failed to achieve success. A student may request recovery work only once per course during each semester (or nine-week connections period). Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers will establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be completed prior to the last ten school days (or five school days for a nine-week course) of each semester.

Absence and Make-up:_____________________________

After a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to contact the teacher directly following the absence about work missed.  The time the student is allotted for make-up work to be completed will be the equivalent to the amount of time the student was absent.  Students are expected to partake in make-up work, whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

Extra Help Sessions:____________________________

If a student is interested in additional help, he or she must contact the teacher 24 hours in advance, and get a pass signed in his or her agenda.  Such help sessions can happen either before or after school.

Class Expectations:__________________________

1. Each student is expected to be prepared for class and on time.  It is required that the student bring his or her sketchbook and wooden pencil on a daily basis.
2. The student should respect himself or herself, his or her classmates, the art room and all art materials.
3. Each student is to actively listen and not cause distractions while the teacher is giving instructions.

If a student chooses to ignore the class expectations, he or she will be asked to comply with the discipline process, outlined in his or her school handbook.