Intermediate Art disclosure Statement
Teacher: Chris Wightman
Email: chris.wightman@granite.k12.ut.us
Course Objectives:
This course allows students to use the concepts learned in beginning art to produce works of art on a more creative and personal level and explore both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional media. Students will also learn about creative process and making decisions about subject matter, composition, and content through the study of art history, criticism of works of art, and by exploring their own aesthetic values.
Materials:
Students must pay a $20.00 class fee to the front office by the first Friday of the semester. All art materials, including pencil and paper, will be provided from this fee and should be kept in an assigned box in the classroom. Materials should not be taken out for use in other classes. Lost or damaged materials (including pencils) will not be replaced by the teacher.
Course Requirements and Grading:
Students will be given a lot of freedom to create. This demands that students stay self motivated and choose their own subject matter, designs and content. They will be challenged to stay working and not get discouraged. All students must:
Homework: Homework for the term is assigned with this disclosure packet in order to practice production skills, explore aesthetics, practice art criticism, and study art history. (see attached sheet titled “Sketchbook”). All other work is expected to be completed in class. Any work not completed in class becomes homework.
Grading Scale:
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, 8th period. Fourth offense: Review expectation, parent notification, drop in citizenship, 8th 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
Sketch Books
Intermediate art
Homework
Sketching Assignments: Students will draw from real life, or from photographs of real life (no animation). They will create 5 line drawings from these images (edges are represented with lines – no value) and 5 value drawings (edges created by value changes). Value drawings should show a good range of values (not high contrast). Students should spend an average of 30 minutes on each sketch (more on the value drawings, less on the line drawings). Sketches should show student effort and understanding of the techniques that they have been taught. Assignments are intended to help students develop their drawing skills through practice. Each sketch is worth 5points (50 points total)
Aesthetics Examples: Students explore their own aesthetic choices by finding 10 works of art that they personally find aesthetically pleasing. Students should focus purely on the visual qualities of the works and not the meaning that they have for the students. They will paste a picture of the work of art in their sketchbook, record the artist and title and write at least three sentences about what attracts them to the work of art. Elements of art and/or principles of design should be included in their evaluation (20pts.)
In Class
Art History: Fridays will be devoted to art history. Students will keep a section in their sketchbook for drawings, critiques and notes about art history (20pts.).
Notes and Drawing Exercises: Any notes we take or drawing that we do together in class in order to learn new concepts should be done in the sketchbook (10pts.).
Sketchbooks will be turned in at the end of the term and will be worth 100pts. (about 20% of the grade). Students should dedicate about 1 hour per week to their sketch books and not wait until the last week to complete everything.
Do not lose your sketchbook
Expectations
What is expected of me to help create a safe and effective learning environment for myself, my classmates, and my teacher.
1. Self Starter: I will arrive on time prepared with my sketchbook and go right to work. I will be in the classroom when the bell starts ringing. I will not bring any food or drink (except water), gum, backpacks, electronic devices or anything else that might distract from instruction into the classroom. I will not wait for Mr. Wightman, but will go right to work on the self starter. I will stay focused on my work and not talk to other students. If there is anything I don’t understand I will raise my hand and ask for help. If I finish early, I will work on assignments or draw in my sketch book until Mr. Wightman calls for my attention.
2. Instruction: I will give Mr. Wightman my full attention the first time he asks for it. I will then stop what I am doing, put down my materials, and look at him so that he knows that I am listening. I will stay focused on him and listen to what he is saying. I will not talk to others or make any noise. If I have a question or want to respond to something he says I will raise my hand and wait to be called on. When someone else is called on I will not talk over them. I will not get out of my seat for any reason during instruction. I will wait until Mr. Wightman says “Go to work” before I begin talking again or work on my assignment.
3. Production: As soon as Mr. Wightman says “Go to work,” I will retrieve all the materials needed to stay productive for the rest of the period. I will then stay focused on my work and not distract others. I will talk quietly and not shout across the room. During right brain exercises, I will not talk, but stay focused on drawing lines and shapes. I will not leave my seat except to retrieve materials as instructed by Mr. Wightman. If I finish early, I will work in my sketchbook or ask Mr. Wightman for something to do. I will always be working on some work of art.
4. Clean-up: I will ignore the clean-up bell. When Mr. Wightman says “Clean-up” I will clean up all of the area on and around my desk including wiping off my desk and picking up garbage around my desk. I will properly clean and care for all of my tools as instructed by Mr. Wightman and return them to their proper place. I will keep the sink and counters clean and not leave paper towels or anything else that doesn’t belong there. I will not leave any messes in the room. I will put all of my materials in my box and return it to its proper shelf. When finished cleaning, I will go back to my seat and wait for Mr. Wightman to check the room. I will ignore the bell and wait for Mr. Wightman to excuse me.
5. Respect: I will respect my classmates, the materials, the classroom, and my teacher. I will never bully others or say mean things about them or their artwork. I will not touch other people’s things without permission. I will never use the materials in ways that are not intended. I will not go places in the room where I am not allowed. I will never throw things in the room. I will not bring electronic devices into the room. I will never dress or talk inappropriately. I will show respect to the teacher. If I disagree with him, I will voice my disagreement with respect. I will do whatever I can to make it a safe, comfortable environment for my classmates and my teacher.
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Name________________
Period________
Detach this sheet and return to teacher.
A check for $20.00 made out to Wasatch Junior High should be taken to the main office for art class fees.
Bring the copy of your expectation sheet and sketchbook instructions to keep in your box in the classroom.
I have read this disclosure and understand what is expected of me to help this semester be a successful one.
Student_______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian_______________________________________
Telephone______________________________
Email________________________________________________
Comments: