Art Department, Mrs. Ciarci

Portfolio Preparation

Ellington High School

Mission Statement: Ellington High School prepares students to become knowledgeable, respectful citizens who value learning, integrity, personal well being, equity and diversity

Expectations for Student Learning

Students will perform according to Ellington High Schools expectations for Student Learning. EHS students will:
   • Listen and view with understanding: Art Department primary objective
   • Read and write effectively.
   • Reason effectively, think critically, and solve problems.
   • Utilize resources including media, computers, and other technologies

Course Description:

Portfolio Preparation is an advanced level 1 art course. Students will develop a portfolio for admissions into an art school and expand their awareness of art related career opportunities and educational pathways. Students will develop a portfolio of 15-20 images and are required to present their portfolio at National Portfolio Day. Students are required to research art careers and art schools. During the course, a variety of art schools and colleges will present information on art careers, educational opportunities and portfolio requirements. Students are required to photograph their portfolio and present it as slides or a digital portfolio. Students must leave a copy of this portfolio with the Ellington High School Art Department. Students are also required to submit a minimum of 5 matted artwork for the annual art exhibition at Hall Memorial Library.

COURSE CONTENT: The Portfolio Preparation curriculum is aligned with Connecticut State Visual Arts Standards and is divided into two categories, Creating Art and Responding to Art.

COURSE GOALS

To develop a portfolio for art school admissions.

To develop student understanding of and ability to apply the elements and principles.

To develop a personal approach to materials, techniques and processes.

To develop student understanding of content, theme and subject in art.

To develop student ability to analyze and understand artwork.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS OUTSIDE OF CLASS

1.      Students must attend National Portfolio Day, the first Saturday in November

2.      Students must complete a detailed, portfolio quality homework every two weeks.

3.      Students must come in during study halls and after school in order to create a superior portfolio. Those only using class time cannot achieve this.

4.      Students must work in their sketchbooks 10-20 minutes each day. Themes must be developed and explored.

5.      Students will photograph their work for admissions and give a set of these photographs to the art department

6.      Students will matt artwork and organize a year end show and reception at Hall Library in Ellington.

OUTSIDE HELP FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO

The Hartford Art School, University of Hartford has an excellent portfolio prep course each summer and offers Saturday classes in the Fall and Spring. Students who create superior portfolios attend these classes for high school students.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Students will complete projects based on observational drawings of still-lives, self-portraits, interiors and landscapes.
• Students will complete works with sophisticated compositions based on the elements of art and principles of design.
• Students will complete a16x20 fully developed drawing as homework every two weeks.
• Students will develop advanced skills and a personal approach in techniques, processes, content, composition and material handling.
• Students will photography their portfolio for art school admissions.
• Students will attend National Portfolio Day, the first Saturday of November.
• Students will matt and hang their artwork for a student exhibition at Hall Library in the Spring.
• Students will identify design elements and stylistic qualities, process and technique to understand content and apply evaluative strategies that lead to understanding and judging of artwork.
• Students will use advanced art vocabulary accurately and clearly. Students will complete reflection essays that analyze composition, materials and content.

GRADING

Quarter grades are determined by the number of earned points divided by the number of possible points. Grades include Project, Homework, Sketchbook, Participation and Preparation.

Projects: Projects are completed every two weeks (10 business Days). Late projects will be accepted up to 3 days after due date but not after and will be marked down one letter grade.

Homework: Homework assignments are completed every two weeks and should be of the same size and quality as projects. Late homework will be accepted up to 1 day after due date but not after and will be marked down one letter grade.

Sketchbook: Students are expected to keep a sketchbook approximately 6x8 inches (no larger) and to work in it every day. Examples of subjects would be sketching from life, object or features studies, composition studies, expressive and or abstract compositions, collage and paintings. Themes and material use will be developed and explored.

Participation and Preparation: project preparatory sketches, project research, critique participation, project reflection writing and worksheets

MATERIALS

Students will need a three ring binder for taking notes and storing handouts, a pencil box for materials and a small 6x8 inch sketchbook.

LATEWORK, ABSENCES, EXTRA CREDIT

• I will accept a late project up to three days past the due date, marked down 10 points each day.
• Students may redo a project and resubmit for a higher grade.
• Students must make up missed tests within 3 days and ask for missed handouts & notes.
• Extra credit projects are available only to students who have completed all assignments.
• Three unexcused tardys' will result in an absence and each unexcused tardy thereafter is an absence.
• 21 absences, excused or unexcused, will result in a loss of credit for the course.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

• Be in class, in assigned seats and ready to work when class begins
• Be in designated areas and working on assigned projects during class.
• Be prepared and responsible for learning: keep handouts, directions and know what to do
• Participate in all class activities
• Treat all peers and the teacher with respect and courtesy.
• Keep your art shelf, artwork and the room clean and organized.
• Set up and Return supplies and clean all work areas as directed
• Be responsible for all assigned books, cameras, enlargers and other materials and equipment.
• Follow all safety and health rules, especially the wearing of protective glasses.