Intro to Art: Foundations Syllabus

The focus of Kooglers Art and Design Program:

These are two basic areas of focus in the Koogler Middles School Art Program. They are as follows:
The primary focus is to create innovative and unique artworks. All of the skills necessary to create this
art will be taught during class through demonstrations and hands-on skills.
The second focus is to learn to use the Developmental Sketchbook (or DBS) as a creative and reflective
tool. In doing this, there are a wide variety of skill-based activities assigned during class time. You will
document your ideas, understandings, research, planning, and persistence in solving problems in this
sketchbook. It will be the main tool in which you demonstrate your personal artistic growth.

Intro to Art (FOUNDATIONS):

In this course you will be exposed to a variety of media, such as mixed media collage, painting,
sculpture, print-making, and clay. Students will learn basic skills and techniques through the mediums of
specific units. This course will use three approaches to learning: Organization, Thinking, and Reflection.
There three areas will allow the students to learn how to read works of art, create novel solutions,
identify and solve problems, plan outcomes, time management, self-evaluate, and apply knowledge and
concepts.

Student Goals:

The students will learn:

Elements of Art and Principles of Design
Perspective
Clay Sculpture
Composition
Print-Making
Painting
Drawing
How to Read Artwork

Major Projects:
There are four major projects in Intro to Art. Your grade will be based on the quality of the work as
outlined by the rubric. Self-assessment using the rubric is encouraged throughout the duration of a
project.
The projects in this class are as follows:

Collage and mixed media unit: Paper Cuts

Drawing from observation, ephemeral and clay sculpting unit: Our Word

Painting and Printmaking unit: Express Yourself

In-class activities and smaller assignments:

All other activities (aside from the qualitative projects, listed above) will be completion grades. Most of
this work can easily be completed during class time if you stay focused and work at reasonably pace. If
you do not use class time to finish this work, it becomes homework. Extensions on class work are
granted at the discretion of the instructor, and are based in part, on your productive use of time. All
smaller assignments are done in the DSB.

Examples of assignments for completion grades may include the following (DSB):

Notes from demonstrations

Notes from PowerPoints shown in class
Worksheets and art activity skills
Discussions/ Critiques
Research
Idea sketches
Notes from Art Talk (LECTURES)
Reflective quotes, questions and responses

Project due dates and late work:

Small DSB assignments submitted one day late (the next day the class meets) will be eligible for
a maximum of 60% credit.
Small DSB assignments submitted two or more days late will not be eligible for credit.
Major assignments submitted one day late (the next day the class meets) will be eligible for a
maximum of 80% credit.
Major assignments submitted two or more days late will not be eligible for credit.
It is the students responsibility to bring late work directly to the instructor at the beginning of
the period, if its being submitted late. Do not leave your DSB on a desk or a counter! Hand it
directly to the instructor.

Make-up work:
Work or activities missed due to excused or prearranged absences should be made up the next day or by
prearranged deadline with the instructor. It is the students responsibility to request make-up work
within two days of the missed class. Missed instruction due to excused absences may be made up, by
appointment, outside of class time. Work, demonstrations or activities missed due to unexcused
absences may not be made up.

Cell phones, personal music devices and other electronic devices:

Cell phones are not allowed in class unless they are part of the lesson and are specifically requested by
the instructor. This syllabus constitutes the initial notification of this policy. A student will receive on

warning during the semester if his/her cell becomes an issue during class. Students whose cell phones
create learning or teaching issues will be referred to Dean of Students.
If there are extenuating circumstances in which a student must use his/her phone, it is the responsibility
of the student to notify he instructor of such a need at the beginning of class, and may only be used with
instructor approval.
Personal music devices may be brought to class, but may only be used during the time(s) specified by
the instructor. It is the students responsibility to insure that his/her music device does not compromise
their learning or concentration, or that of their classmates. The student has sole responsibility for the
safety of his/her music device.
No other electronic devices may be brought to class unless its need is specified in a legal document such
as an IEP or 504 plan. This document must be brought to the instructors attention prior to class in which
the device is to be used. Digital recording of the class or its content, by any means, is not allowed
without express consent of the instructor.
No electronic games are allowed in class including those games installed on school issued laptops.

Student expectations:

Arrive on time
Attend class everyday
Put your best effort into your work
Observe safety rules
Clean up after yourself
Be an asset to the classroom community
Put supplies and tools away everyday
Ask questions when you are uncertain or for clarification
Be respectful of your classmates, instructors, and guest speakers
Celebrate your successes
Look for enjoyment in the process as much as in the product
Check your grade early and often

My contact information:
Klchoate30@gmail.com
Student signature:

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Parent signature:

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