VA Beginning Level II and III, Grades 7 – 8, Spring 2012, Mrs. Fleischman

(Preferred) Teacher Contact via e-mail at kendra_fleischman@dpsk12.org

Please call the classroom phone before 7:30 or after 2:40 at 720 424-1777

Current Class Work

Big Idea #1: Students will learn from guest artist Marie Gibbons how to use the ceramic technique called sgraffito. Students will:

• Understand how to use hand-building techniques in ceramics
• Use techniques like scoring the clay, using slip to join pieces
• Understand the different states of clay like Greenware, Leatherhard,  and bone dry
• Create interesting surfaces using sgraffito

• February 14th – Gallery Review #1
• March 15th – VA Quarter Show 6 pm
• April 10th – Gallery Review #2
• May 11th – Va Quarter show and end of year celebration 6-8 pm

CLASS SYLLABUS

Art History/Appreciation—Big Ideas

This semester, 7th and 8th grade students will look at the work of artists from European cultures, specifically folk arts and the significance of folk art to a cultural identity.  We will also explore new mediums and digital arts and how artists can use digital tools to create art.

Sculpture

Students will build on fundamental art concepts and sculpture making skills with additional experimentation in the following areas:

• building figurative armatures in wire and clay
• exploring 3D spaces by creating an environment for stop motion figure
• Students will use digital software and editing tools such as iStopmotion, Dragon Stop motion, iMovie and Garage band to help them create a short animated sequence
• learning how to manipulate fibers, specifically paper to create sculptural forms

Graded Activities and Assignments

•  Weekly sketchbook assignments, submitted on Mondays for class critique

•  Two required Art Gallery Reviews, one per quarter

•  Mandatory attendance at both VA quarter art exhibitions

•  Class critiques and small group discussions

•  Individual and small group art projects (3 – 14 days)

•  Quizzes and written assessments

Grading

1^st Quarter                45%  (50% product and 50% process)

2^nd Quarter                45%  (50% product and 50% process)

Final Assessment    10%

Please use the parent ICportal to check grades on a regular basis.  Written work, homework assignments, artistic process, as well as projects are important components of this class.  Writing and verbal skills are emphasized as major elements in artistic success and are integrated through class discussion, reviews, essays and quizzes.   Students will be presented with a rubric for each major assignment.    It is better to turn in incomplete work than not to turn in anything since nothing turned in will be a zero, however, incomplete work may not be displayed in a final critique or quarter show.  Most assignments are worth 10 points each.  Longer assignments and projects are generally worth 15 – 20 points.

You must keep ALL work from the semester until the semester is over or the final assessment.  Class attendance, attitude, studio responsibility, on-task behaviors, and critiques are part of the process grade.

Late work is penalized 10% per school day and cannot be submitted after 10 school days.  No late work is accepted the last week of the quarter except in the case of excused absences.   Excused absences (including only illness or family emergencies) are allowed only 2 additional days per excused absence day to complete work.  After 3 late assignments in a semester, no additional late work will be accepted.  Projects not completed for critique will be penalized another 10%.

Behavior Expectations

• The sketchbook and toolbox is required in class every day.
• All art projects must be retained in the school portfolio until the end of the semester for final assessment.
•  Class attendance is crucial in a studio class that meets for a double block daily.  Many in class exercises cannot be made up, especially those using a model.  Students are required to attend class unless excused for illness or family emergencies.   Please plan travel and routine medical appointments outside of regular school hours.  Teachers are not required to produce advance assignments for students who miss school for family travel.  Attendance in the major is.
• Be open to trying new techniques, receptive to learning about all areas of art and maintain a positive, inquisitive attitude.
• Critique participation is an important part of art school process and all students must fully participate.
• Be open to trying new techniques and receptive to learning about all areas of art.  A positive, inquisitive mind-set is expected from all students.
• Critique participation is a major part of the art school process.
• Care for the studio space, equipment and supplies in a cooperative and responsible manner.  Clean up and replacement of tools is a group responsibility.
• NO FOOD (except water bottles with screw lids) is permitted in VA classrooms. Drink cups or cans left at the studio door will be thrown away.  Repeat offenders will be assigned studio cleaning duties after school.
• Students are not allowed in the Bookroom or Jewelry studio without teacher permission.
• Focus for the full block-period without excessive noise or horseplay.
• Respectful behavior toward the instructor, peers and the artwork of others
• Most major projects require work outside of class.  Check with instructors for availability of the studio school, during free periods and lunch.  · District policy requires a teacher to be present if students are in the studio.  Check with teachers for availability of the studio during free periods, lunch and after school.  Students may not work in the studio without a teacher present.
• Personal headphones prevent students from being part of a cooperative learning studio environment.  Use of headphones is discouraged and is allowed only with DAILY permission from the instructor.
• Cell phones are never permitted in the classroom and will be confiscated if seen or heard during class.  First offence:  phone kept until end of day.  Second offence requires a parent conference before the phone can be returned

Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Art to be Addressed

 1.Observe  and  Learn  to   Comprehend   The  visual  arts  are  a  means  for   expression, communication  and   meaning  making.

2. Envision  and  Critique  to  Reflect  Visual  arts  recognize,  articulate,   and  implement  critical  thinking   through  the  synthesis,  evaluation   and  analysis  of  visual  information.

3. Invent  and  Discover  to  Create  Generate  works  of  art  that  employ   unique  ideas,  feelings,  and  values   using  different  media,   technologies.

4. Relate  and  Connect  to  Transfer  Recognize,  articulate,  and  validate   the  value  of  the  visual  arts  to   lifelong  learning  and  the  human   experience.