8th Grade Visual Arts Syllabus and Class Expectations 2014-2015
Course Description: This visual arts course covers concepts of design with emphasis on the development of good composition, technique and craftsmanship. Designing and painting materials will include graphite and color pencil, ink, markers, oil pastels, clay and acrylic paints. The class curriculum will focus on art history, art movements, and art production. Learners will use a variety of material to create 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional projects. Many of the projects covered in this course will be integrated with the learners’ core curriculum in other subjects so learners can make cross connections. MYP AIMS -create and present art -develop skills specific to the discipline -engage in a process of creative exploration and (self)discovery -make purposeful connections between investigation and practice -understand the relationship between art and its contexts -respond to and reflect on art -deepen their understanding of the world. Late Work and Work Missed for Excused and Unexcused Absences: If a student scores below a 70% on a major grade, students will have an opportunity to retest or redo up to TWO major grades per semester for up to a 70%. Students must work with the teacher to relearn the material or master the necessary skills before they retest or redo the assignment or test. Late Work For graded work turned in late, 10 points will be deducted from the assignment per school day; however, after the fourth day, students cannot earn higher than a 50 with a possibility of required Saturday school attendance for chronic late work. Assignments that are based on class participation or completion may not be accepted late. Academic Dishonesty: Meridian School Honor Code is based on the idea that true learning is built on honesty and integrity. As a result, Meridian students are expected to demonstrate honesty, integrity, and individual responsibility, both personally and academically, in order to maintain an ethical environment centered on learning. Students who commit themselves to upholding the Meridian School Honor Code will learn principles that will last beyond their high school years. ACADEMIC CONSEQUENCES If a student plagiarizes, cheats, or commits any other act of academic dishonesty, the following procedure will be followed: The student’s exam, test, or quiz, or assignment will be confiscated by the teacher, and student will be required to redo the assignment for a grade no higher than a 70%. The student will be required to meet with the teacher and an administrator for review of the student’s work and behavior. An administrator may impose disciplinary consequences in accordance with the Meridian School Student Code of Conduct. Grading: 50% Minor (Warm ups, class discussions, group assignments, daily drawings, demo participation) 50% Major (Summative Projects and Developmental Work Book Checks); Students should expect to have a major grade by the fourth week of a quarter, with at least two major assessments each quarter. Materials and Resources Most art materials for each unit will be provided. However, learners will be required to purchase the materials listed on the supply sheet. Developmental Workbook (DWB) - Along with studio work learners are expected to keep an on-going series of written and visual art journals (DWB) to: plan, record progress, critique their studio projects (ongoing reflection), research other artists, research other cultures and periods of art history, gallery and museum visits (1 gallery or museum visit is required per semester). Expectations and Success Meridian School and the IBO give the arts the same weight of importance as all other core subjects such as math, science, history and the language arts. Much is expected of learners in this course. All learners are expected to attend class prepared and ready to learn. This includes having your DWB with you at every class, a pencil and eraser and a black or blue pen. Class participation is a big part of the course. No learner should come into this course expecting to sit and exclusively socialize, watch videos or text on your phone or computer, or complete work for another class. Learners must be on time. Tardiness will not be tolerated without a pass from a facilitator or administrator. A learner is tardy when they are 5 minutes late to the class. Missed class time may need to be made up during tutorial times. Learners may not leave class without permission from the teacher. Permission must be obtained from the teacher prior to leaving for the restroom or to get a drink of water. Technology in the classroom (phones, tablets, and computers) is allowed for research and production purposes only. Technology protocols are posted in the class and should be observed. If protocols are not observed a conference with the learner and parent will be held and appropriate actions will be determined. During approved times learners may be allowed to listen to music while working if the have headphones/ear-buds. Shared devices or ear-bud are not allowed because it is more of a deterrent to getting work completed. Homework may be assigned as part of this course along with regular check-in dates and deadlines. In order to maintain a steady progression through the material this course is covering it is critical that learners stay on task Late work will be accepted; however parents will be notified if a learner has 3 late or missing assignments to discuss how to resolve the issue and correct this bad habit. Art is a very personal journey. It is a way to express and discover ones selves. This can leave learners feeling vulnerable. For this reason respect of others in the class will be held to a high standard. As always, foul language, inappropriate conversation, and destruction of supplies or property will not be tolerated. Learners that destroy property or supplies will be responsible for its replacement. Due to the nature of the work that happens in the art room and the tight space we are all asked to share, learners may have water in the art room only. No other drinks or food is allowed in the art room. |
Assessment Criteria for Visual Arts (MYP Year 3)
MYP VISUAL ART OBJECTIVES 1. Knowing and understanding – Through the study of theorists and practitioners of the arts, students discover the aesthetics of art forms and are able to analyze and communicate in specialized language. Using explicit and tacit knowledge alongside an understanding of the role of the arts in a global context, students inform their work and artistic perspectives. 2. Developing Skills – The acquisition and development of skills provide the opportunity for active participation in the art form and in the process of creating art. Skill application allows students to develop their artistic ideas to a point of realization. The point of realization could take many forms. However, it is recognized as the moment when the student makes a final commitment to his or her artwork by presenting it to an audience. Skills are evident in both process and product. 3. Thinking Creatively – The arts motivate students to develop curiosity and purposefully explore and challenge boundaries. Thinking creatively encourages students to explore the unfamiliar and experiment in innovative ways to develop their artistic intentions, their processes and their work. Thinking creatively enables students to discover their personal signature and realize their artistic identity. 4. Responding – Students should have the opportunity to respond to their world, to their own art and to the art of others. A response can come in many forms; creating art as a response encourages students to make connections and transfer their learning to new settings. Through reflecting on their artistic intention and the impact of their work on an audience and on themselves, students become more aware of their own artistic development and the role that arts play in their lives and in the world. Students learn that the arts may initiate change as well as being a response to change. |