Art I- Foundations- Course Syllabus

Wethersfield High School               

Art Department       
Art I – Foundations- Unleveled        Credit 1.0

Mr. Bayek       Room 20         kbayek@wethersfield.me        

http://bayekart.blogspot.com/ - blog for Art I and Art II courses.

Art I is an introductory course that explores the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. The course is designed to introduce students to artistic techniques and ideas beneficial towards developing skills in creating, observing, thinking and problem solving. Art criticism activities are aimed towards student growth in describing, analyzing, interpreting and judging his/her own work and that of others. Art history and contemporary art are integrated into every unit. A variety of media and techniques are investigated in two and three dimensions. Areas examined will include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics.

Behavior

The Three C’s of the Art Classroom:

1. Consideration: Students will…

*Show respect for all people, teacher and peers. Respect others property, ideas, opinions and differences.

*Speak only when called upon, and never talk when the teacher or another student has the floor.

*When asked, give full attention; stop working, put down all tools, eyes on the teacher and mouth closed.

*Take special care of all artwork, tools and materials in the art room.

*Be in his/her seat before the bell rings, with a pencil, quietly sitting and ready to learn.

2. Cooperation: Students will…

*Accept responsibility by cleaning his/her work area, and returning supplies in the same condition in which they were received.

*Follow directions the first time they are given.

*Never leave the class when the bell has rung. The teacher must properly dismiss you.

3. Concentration: Students will…

         *Contribute and perform to the best of his/her abilities. 
              Effort is extremely important.

          *Use time wisely and work the entire class period.

          *Remain on task and allow others to do the same.

Deadlines

You are personally responsible for handing the work in on the due date and putting it in the designated area for completed projects. For every day an assignment is late the grade will be reduced by one-half a letter (i.e. a project which would have earned an A- if handed in on time, would receive a B+ if handed in one day late). School policies towards make-up work for excused absences apply. It is your responsibility to keep track of assignment due dates that passed while you were absent and to ask the teacher what you missed during your absence. If you know you will be absent from school for extracurricular or personal reasons, you are responsible to make arrangements with me regarding timely completion of the assignment.

If a project is handed in outside of the regular class period and I am not in the classroom, the project is to be put in my mailbox in the main office.

Homework

Sketchbook and Notebook assignments are the basis of your work outside of class. Out of class practice of skills and the application of techniques and concepts is crucial to an artist’s development. Sketchbook drawing assignments will be given weekly (one involved drawing per week, which will take a minimum of one hour). Notebook assignments will be based on developing your abilities to think and write creatively, critically and effectively. Notebook assignments will include art criticism, idea development, informative and creative writing. Homework may also involve research, collection of reference materials, thumbnail sketches. *Incomplete homework will only be given partial credit or zero credit depending on the quality of the work. Homework completion will greatly affect your growth as an artist, as well as your overall grade.

“Homework/Brainwork for the rest of your life. Expect to get ideas at unexpected times. RECORD THEM! (in a sketchbook or notebook).” You will be given extra credit for any sketching/drawing you do on your own. The drawings do not need to relate to what we are doing in class. The point is to be creative, practice your skills and record your unique ideas.

Warm-Ups

The first 5-7 minutes of every class will be dedicated to beginning rituals, or warm-ups.  Warm-ups will be quiet and concentrated activities designed to focus and center students towards the learning that will take place. These activities include observational drawing, critically responding to art works, ideas, quotes and questions. Practice is the main idea behind the warm-ups. Practice makes anything easier, builds self-esteem and builds confidence. 

 

Absences and Tardies

You are graded on participation, therefore unexcused tardies and unexcused absences will seriously lower your grade. *You are tardy if you are not in your seat when the bell rings.

School policy towards unexcused tardies and absences will be strictly enforced.

Assessment

Students will be graded on participation, process, creativity, product and accountability. Class critiques/assessments take place throughout the development process and are an integral part of learning to think critically about artwork. Each student must show his/her work and briefly discuss his/her intent. The class is then expected to provide positive feedback and offer constructive criticism to help the artist improve. All are required to participate and use the appropriate artistic vocabulary to describe, analyze, interpret and judge his/her own work and that of others.

Grading

Projects (inside of class work)           70%

Homework (outside of class work)      30%

Ongoing Extra Credit Opportunity

Any/all artwork created outside of class, based on a student’s individual choice. Any time spent thinking/planning creatively, practicing artistic techniques and focusing on the completion of a ‘self-selected’ work of art is time very well spent.