“To be good, you have to draw eight days a week.” -Pablo Picasso
What is this class about?
Art 1: Art 1 students will study the Elements of Art and Principles of Design; specifically drawing with simple shapes, one-point perspective drawing, still-life drawing, grid drawing, shading, color theory, and famous artists.
Prerequisite: None.
Art 2: Art 2 students will continue their study of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design; specifically drawing with simple shapes, one, two, and three-point perspective drawing, still-life drawing, grid drawing, shading, watercolor painting, acrylic painting, and famous artists.
Prerequisite: Two passing terms of Art 1.
Commercial Art: Commercial Art student will develop artistic skills with the aim of someday producing artwork for monetary gain. Assignments will be given in the areas of drawing, shading, painting, cartooning, portraiture, illustration, and logo design. All projects will need to be drawn first, so students should come with drawing skills already developed in Art 1 and Art 2. In addition, students will study famous artists; specifically commercial artists.
Prerequisite: Two passing terms of Art 1, and two passing terms of Art 2.
Is there a fee for the class?
Yes. The Davis County School District requires the payment of a fee in order to participate in Art classes. This fee is used to cover the expenses of Art supplies. For each Art class in which a student is enrolled, the fee is as follows and needs to be paid in the Office:
Seventh-Grade: $10.00
Eighth-Grade: $10.00
Ninth-Grade: $15.00
Is this class required? Or, in other words, do I really have to take this class?
It depends. Art 1 is a required class that is usually taken in a
student’s seventh-grade year. However, some students take Art 1 as
eighth-graders or as ninth-graders (ninth-graders receive high school
credit for Art 1). Art 2 and Commercial Art are electives, meaning that
they are not required. Students take Art 2 or Commercial Art because
they are interested in, or really like the subject. Once again,
ninth-grade students receive high school credit for any Art class taken
during their ninth-grade year. Since “Arts” credits are required for
graduation from high school, taking an Art class as a ninth-grader is a
very wise decision.
What types of assignments will I be expected to do in this class?
You will spend most of your time in this class working on various Art
Projects (drawing, shading, painting, etc.). Other types of assignments
include note-taking, worksheets, and videos with questions.
What does the teacher expect from me?
I am a professional; I have the right to teach. All students have the
right to learn. Disruption of my right to teach, or your right to learn
will not be allowed. In other words, let me do my job and don’t bother
your neighbor. If you bother me or your neighbor, we will have problems.
Generally, problems will be solved by moving a student’s seat to an
“isolation area,” where distractions will be minimal.
What should I bring to class?
The following is a list of basic supplies that you should bring everyday:
Pencil (wood or mechanical)
Pencil Sharpener
Eraser
12 or 18 Inch Ruler
Crayola Broad Tip Markers
Colored Pencils
Reading Book -- A novel, not a comic book or a magazine. Since artists work at
different speeds, students will read after they finish their assignment.
This will allow slower students (or students who have higher
expectations for their work) to work without distractions.
A more complete and detailed list may be found at the Art Materials Link.
What are the policies for Absent, Late, Incomplete, and No-Name Work?
Absent Work: If a student is absent, the student has as many days to make up the work for full-credit as days absent. Otherwise, the assignment will be marked as “Late” (50% off).
Late Work: A penalty of 50% off will be applied to all work that is turned in as “Late” (L) for reasons other than Excused Absence.
Incomplete Work: A penalty of 75% off will be applied to all work that is turned in as “Incomplete” (I).
No-Name Work: A penalty of 50% off will be applied to all work turned in without the student’s name on it. It will be the student’s responsibility to locate their assignment in the “No-Name Box.” Once turned in, it will be noted as “Late” on the District Gradebook.
Students are responsible to seek the work missed because of absence.
Is there Extra Credit in this class?
Yes. Extra credit is given if your artwork is ever placed in the showcase in the South Hall. Occasionally, other extra credit assignments will be available, and will be found exclusively on the student’s “Homework” page on the Internet (it is wise for a student or parent to check this page daily). In addition, one extra credit project of your choice will be accepted and can be turned in near the end of the term, if all other assigned work has been turned in. Extra Credit projects will not be accepted from students who have “Missing” (M), “Incomplete” (I), or “No Makeup” (N) assignments at the end of the term.
Are there rules in this class?
Yes. The following is a short list of basic rules:
1. The school-wide tardy policy will be followed in this class. Students are marked tardy if not sitting in their seat when the bell finishes ringing. The textbook, "Art Talk," will be used to help students arrive on time.
2. Bring materials and art tools everyday (Please never ask me to loan you a pencil or an eraser.)
3. Be quiet and attentive during class discussions and while others are speaking -- especially me.
4. Raise hand to be recognized before speaking.
5. No candy or pop is permitted in class.
6.
No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, iPods, MP3 players,
cameras, etc.) are allowed in class and will be confiscated. They will
then need to be retrieved from an Administrator.
7. “Quiet Time” will be observed while producing artwork and during drawing demonstrations.
Is there any one rule that is more important than any other?
Yes, #7, “Quiet Time.” The production of superior artwork requires total concentration. Because this is so, conversations during the production of artwork are unacceptable and will not be allowed. Conversation while producing artwork leads to poorly completed assignments and low grades. In this class there is no such thing as, “We’re working while we’re talking...” Talkative artists will be moved to an "isolation area," where opportunities to talk will occur less frequently.
How will I be graded?
Grading is based on three areas: time, effort, and quality. Keep in mind that most student work is “good” or “average” and will receive “B” or “C” grades. Some student work is “superior” and will receive “A” grades. Please do not expect to receive “A” grades if your work is not superior.
Grade Codes used by the Davis County School District:
A: Superior
B: Good
C: Average
D: Poor
F: Failure
I: Incomplete
Grading Scale:
A 93 - 100
A- 90 - 92
B+ 87 - 89
B 83 - 86
B- 80 - 82
C+ 77 - 79
C 73 - 76
C- 70 - 72
D+ 67 - 69
D 63 - 66
D- 60 - 62
F 00 - 59
Preparation, Participation, and On-Task Points: Students are expected to be prepared, to participate, to be on-task, to be attentive, and to be engaged in learning at all times. When this does not happen, a reduction to the student's grade will occur in the "Preparation, Participation, and On-Task" column of their grade. This happens in this way: their score will remain a "zero" but the "Points Possible" in the column will increase every time there is some type of unfortunate incident, or behavior, related to preparation, particpation, or on-task behavior.
More detailed information about grading can be found here.
How can I find out my current grade?
The best way to keep track of your grade is through the Internet on the Davis County School District web site at Student Grades.
How are citizenship grades awarded?
Citizenship grades are based on tardies, behavior, attitude, and cooperation. It is expected that you will be cooperative and responsible for your own behavior. Citizenship grades will be assigned as follows:
H: Excellent behavior and cooperation, positive contributions to class (no tardies).
G: Good behavior (1 tardy allowed).
S: Satisfactory behavior, no serious problems (2 tardies allowed).
N: Needs improvement, excessive disruptions (3 tardies allowed).
U: Unsatisfactory, complaining or whining about assignments, severe
disruptions, a daily discipline problem, tracing, cheating, truancy,
office referral, open defiance of authority, etc. (4 or more tardies).
How can I or my parents contact you?
School address: 1450 S. 2000 W., Syracuse UT 84075
Phone: (801) 402-6800
E-mail address: jcalvin@dsdmail.net
This site is an excellent source to view course information, instructor art, student art, grading criteria, materials, philosophy, etc.