Art Foundations 1a Disclosure Statement

Teacher:  Chris Wightman

Email:  cwightman@graniteschools.org

Course Objectives:

This course is a continuation of the 7^th grade art class and will allow students to explore 2 dimensional and 3dimensional media that will be offered in the 9^th grade classes next year.  We will focus on 4 main areas of study:

1. Art Production (making art):  Drawing skills, (subject matter) arranging images in a work space (composition), and creating expression (content).
2. Art Criticism:  Study decisions students and other artists make about subject matter, composition, and content.
3. Art History:  Study, write about, and re-produce works and the history around them.
4. Aesthetics – The philosophy that asks “What is beautiful?”  Explore, write about, and re-produce what you think is beautiful.

Materials:

All students must pay a $25.00 Class fee in the front office the second week of the semester.  All art materials, including pencil and paper, will be provided from this fund and should be kept in your assigned box in the classroom.  You are allowed to take materials home for homework assignments but you must have them in class every day.  Lost, stolen or damaged materials (including pencils) will be replaced by the student.  Students have the option to check out a key to keep their cubbies locked but will pay a $5.00 replacement fee for lost keys.  Students who misuse materials will lose the privilege of using them and will have to complete alternative assignments.

Grading/Keys to Success:

1. Be proactive. Assignments are much more project based in the AF1a class rather than concept based as in the AF1 class.  You will develop skills working toward more developed works of art.  You will make your own decisions about subject matter, composition and content.  Assignments will be much more involved taking more time with fewer assignments each term.  Some students tend to get off task thinking they can do it all in the last few days.  This affects their work negatively.  It is important that you work daily and try to stay excited about the assignments.
2. Take your time, develop craftsmanship.  Craftsmanship will be a big part of your grade.  Learn what you need to do to slow down and pay attention to details.  Craftsmanship is the first casualty in hurried work.
3. Be thoughtful and creative.  Show me that you are putting thought into your work and trying to think “outside of the box” instead of doing what everyone else is doing or the first thing that comes to your mind.  Purge the obvious.
4. Be responsible.  Keep up on assignments.  You will be given progress grades for finishing parts of long assignments on time.  These grades cannot be made-up.  Respect the materials.  Make-up work due to absence.  Make good use of class time.

Homework:  Homework will be assigned in the sketchbook to help you to develop skills learned with each project.  You should expect about an hour of homework each week.

 

Grading Scale:

• 90% - A                      80% - B                      65% - C                 53% - D
• 87% - A-                     75% - B-                     60% - C-                50% - D-
• 83% - B+                    70% - C+                    57% - D+     Below 50% - F

Classroom Expectations:  (See Attached Sheet) Violation of expectations will result in the following consequence:

First offense:  Review expectation violated by copying it down and turning in to the teacher.

Second offense:  Review expectation, parent notification, drop in citizenship grade.

Third offense:  Review expectation, parent notification, drop in citizenship, 8^th period.

Fourth offense:  Review expectation, parent notification, drop in citizenship, 8^th period, meeting with vice principle.

Citizenship Grading Scale:  4.0 – Honor; 3.0 – Good; 2.0 – Satisfactory; 1.0 – Poor; 0.0 – Failure.

Accommodations:  If any special accommodations need to be made for the student, the parent or guardian should contact Mr. Wightman so that arrangements can be made.

Philosophy:  Art is a vital part of a student’s learning development.  Artists do not create with their hands, but with their minds.  Art exercises that part of the muscle we call a brain that will help students to solve problems creatively.  Art helps to develop visual learning skills, enabling the student to see things more clearly and completely.  Art helps students to learn to express themselves in effective ways.  Art helps to create well-rounded individuals and can be a source for life-long fulfillment.  Art is fun.  I hope that this course will be fun, fulfilling, and a great learning experience for you.

Mr. Chris Wightman