Art Foundations
Art Foundations is open to students in any grade level. Students in this course work independently or in small groups to complete assignments in each unit. Units of study focus on thinking and behaving like an artist. Students are encouraged to use a wide variety of materials and cover a range of subject matter. While technical artistic skills are practiced and required in this course, emphasis is put on problem solving, exploring and showing growth.
After completing the required units, students will create their own goals and learning outcomes. Students will make their own choices in their learning and be expected to track their own progress, reflect daily and present their work to others.
DAILY SCHEDULE
Warm-Up (5 minutes): Just like in sports, it is important to warm up for thinking and creating. Each day students will complete a 5 minute daily doodle of their choice. This should be done independently as students enter the classroom. Thought and effort are expected and required.
Art Talk (5-10 minutes): Some days, a new topic will be discussed, presented or demonstrated. Students are expected to observe, listen and participate in Art Talks. This is a general schedule of Art Talks, though some modifications may be made:
MONDAY: Demo Day: a new material or technique will be demonstrated
TUESDAY: Sharing Day: Students will share their work with the class and get feedback as well as critique each others' work.
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY: Studio Day: Students will work independently or collaboratively on assignments.
FRIDAY: Feature Artist Day: Students will be introduced to a historical or contemporary artist and their work. Often followed by a short quiz.
Studio Time: Students will be given studio time after the day's Art Talk. Students will have time to work on independent artwork and activities related to Art Studio units. During this time students are expected to be exploring, researching, brainstorming, creating, and refining artwork. Students may also use this time to work on their digital portfolio. Students are expected to take care of the studio and clean up the materials they use during Studio Time.
ARTISTIC BEHAVIOR UNITS
Students will work through 8 units based on Artistic Behaviors. Each unit will have several assignments and a final project which will be graded using a rubric. Assignments are outlined at the beginning of each unit. Students are expected to complete assignments and build their digital art portfolio by uploading their finished work to Seesaw. All units and assignments are available for review on our Assignments Page. Students will have the opportunity to work in class to complete their assignments, but assignments may also be completed at home. Students are allowed to work at their own pace, however, students are expected to complete all assignments within the alloted time for the unit. Modifications to the timeline require approval from the teacher. Once unit work is complete students are able to work independently on artwork of their choice. Students are NOT allowed to sit and be idle because their work is done.
The Artistic Behavior Units we will cover are as follows:
Artists Observe
Artists Develop Skills
Artists Steal
Artists Solve Problems
Artists Tell Stories
Artists Inspire
Artists Collaborate
Artists Connect
SKETCHBOOKS
Each student is required to purchase a sketchbook for the year. Sketchbooks can be purchased at local stores like Michael's, JoAnn's, Walmart and Meijer. Sketchbooks must be 9x12 and have at least 60 pages. I would suggest purchasing the spiral bound sketchbooks. You should be able to find one for $5-$10. If you are unable to purchase a sketchbook please let me know. It is also recommended that students have a folder for art to keep their assignment sheets and handouts in. Please be prepared and bring your sketchbook with you or store it in a safe place in the classroom.
SKETCHBOOK HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
You will be given a topic for each week's sketchbook assignment.
Sketchbooks are due at the beginning of class on the assigned day. You will get one grace day. After that, -5 points per day.
The minimum time investment expected is one hour.
Sketchbook Assignments are graded as follow:
1. Followed directions for the assignment: 5 pts
2. Craftsmanship: 5pts
3. Effort: 5 pts
4. Composition: 5 pts
DIGITAL PORTFOLIOS/LEARNING JOURNALS
Digital Portfolios will be built throughout the year as students complete finished artwork. Students will share their work through Seesaw. Students will be required to upload most of their completed assignments to Seesaw. During the first full week of school, students will bring home an invitation to their parents to view their journal in Seesaw.
Parents: If you find that you need access to your student's journal and need the invitation with the QR code again, please contact me.
STUDIO EXPECTATIONS
RESPECT yourself, others & materials
CARE for the Studio & CLEAN UP your messes
BE PREPARED to begin warm up in your sketchbook when class begins
BATHROOM BREAKS only allowed during Studio Time
SNACKS & DRINKS are not allowed
CELL PHONES are to be used only during Studio Time and only for the following reasons:
research
photographing artwork and uploading to Seesaw
Music (headphones)
ABSENCES: Missed work due to absence is your responsibility. Demos, videos, links to lessons and other information about all assignments will be posted on our website on the ASSIGNMENTS page. It is your responsibility to check this if you are absent and to make up any work if needed. If you miss a due date for an assignment, it is due the day you return without penalty.
CONSEQUENCES
1. Warning
2. Contact Parent/Powerschool log
3. Detention/Powerschool log
4. Referral to office/Powerschool log
STUDIO HABITS
Students will be graded daily on basic habits and mindsets shown in the art studio each day. Examples include participation in warm-up and art talks. This grade also includes showing respect and responsibility to peers during critiques, caring for art materials and following studio clean-up procedures.
GRADING SCALE
Unit Assignments
4 = Mastered
3.5 = Proficient
3 = Progressing
2.5 = Attempted/Incomplete
0 = Missing
Studio Habits
4 = Always
3.5 = Mostly
3 = Sometimes
2.5 = Rarely
0 = Never
After completing the required units, students will create their own goals and learning outcomes. Students will make their own choices in their learning and be expected to track their own progress, reflect daily and present their work to others.
DAILY SCHEDULE
Warm-Up (5 minutes): Just like in sports, it is important to warm up for thinking and creating. Each day students will complete a 5 minute daily doodle of their choice. This should be done independently as students enter the classroom. Thought and effort are expected and required.
Art Talk (5-10 minutes): Some days, a new topic will be discussed, presented or demonstrated. Students are expected to observe, listen and participate in Art Talks. This is a general schedule of Art Talks, though some modifications may be made:
MONDAY: Demo Day: a new material or technique will be demonstrated
TUESDAY: Sharing Day: Students will share their work with the class and get feedback as well as critique each others' work.
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY: Studio Day: Students will work independently or collaboratively on assignments.
FRIDAY: Feature Artist Day: Students will be introduced to a historical or contemporary artist and their work. Often followed by a short quiz.
Studio Time: Students will be given studio time after the day's Art Talk. Students will have time to work on independent artwork and activities related to Art Studio units. During this time students are expected to be exploring, researching, brainstorming, creating, and refining artwork. Students may also use this time to work on their digital portfolio. Students are expected to take care of the studio and clean up the materials they use during Studio Time.
ARTISTIC BEHAVIOR UNITS
Students will work through 8 units based on Artistic Behaviors. Each unit will have several assignments and a final project which will be graded using a rubric. Assignments are outlined at the beginning of each unit. Students are expected to complete assignments and build their digital art portfolio by uploading their finished work to Seesaw. All units and assignments are available for review on our Assignments Page. Students will have the opportunity to work in class to complete their assignments, but assignments may also be completed at home. Students are allowed to work at their own pace, however, students are expected to complete all assignments within the alloted time for the unit. Modifications to the timeline require approval from the teacher. Once unit work is complete students are able to work independently on artwork of their choice. Students are NOT allowed to sit and be idle because their work is done.
The Artistic Behavior Units we will cover are as follows:
Artists Observe
Artists Develop Skills
Artists Steal
Artists Solve Problems
Artists Tell Stories
Artists Inspire
Artists Collaborate
Artists Connect
SKETCHBOOKS
Each student is required to purchase a sketchbook for the year. Sketchbooks can be purchased at local stores like Michael's, JoAnn's, Walmart and Meijer. Sketchbooks must be 9x12 and have at least 60 pages. I would suggest purchasing the spiral bound sketchbooks. You should be able to find one for $5-$10. If you are unable to purchase a sketchbook please let me know. It is also recommended that students have a folder for art to keep their assignment sheets and handouts in. Please be prepared and bring your sketchbook with you or store it in a safe place in the classroom.
SKETCHBOOK HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
You will be given a topic for each week's sketchbook assignment.
Sketchbooks are due at the beginning of class on the assigned day. You will get one grace day. After that, -5 points per day.
The minimum time investment expected is one hour.
Sketchbook Assignments are graded as follow:
1. Followed directions for the assignment: 5 pts
2. Craftsmanship: 5pts
3. Effort: 5 pts
4. Composition: 5 pts
DIGITAL PORTFOLIOS/LEARNING JOURNALS
Digital Portfolios will be built throughout the year as students complete finished artwork. Students will share their work through Seesaw. Students will be required to upload most of their completed assignments to Seesaw. During the first full week of school, students will bring home an invitation to their parents to view their journal in Seesaw.
Parents: If you find that you need access to your student's journal and need the invitation with the QR code again, please contact me.
STUDIO EXPECTATIONS
RESPECT yourself, others & materials
CARE for the Studio & CLEAN UP your messes
BE PREPARED to begin warm up in your sketchbook when class begins
BATHROOM BREAKS only allowed during Studio Time
SNACKS & DRINKS are not allowed
CELL PHONES are to be used only during Studio Time and only for the following reasons:
research
photographing artwork and uploading to Seesaw
Music (headphones)
ABSENCES: Missed work due to absence is your responsibility. Demos, videos, links to lessons and other information about all assignments will be posted on our website on the ASSIGNMENTS page. It is your responsibility to check this if you are absent and to make up any work if needed. If you miss a due date for an assignment, it is due the day you return without penalty.
CONSEQUENCES
1. Warning
2. Contact Parent/Powerschool log
3. Detention/Powerschool log
4. Referral to office/Powerschool log
STUDIO HABITS
Students will be graded daily on basic habits and mindsets shown in the art studio each day. Examples include participation in warm-up and art talks. This grade also includes showing respect and responsibility to peers during critiques, caring for art materials and following studio clean-up procedures.
GRADING SCALE
Unit Assignments
4 = Mastered
3.5 = Proficient
3 = Progressing
2.5 = Attempted/Incomplete
0 = Missing
Studio Habits
4 = Always
3.5 = Mostly
3 = Sometimes
2.5 = Rarely
0 = Never
content adapted from WHS Art Department