GRAND VALLEY ART I SYLLABUS

Marcella Tolnar, Instructor Phone: 440-437-6260

email: Marcella.tolnar@grandvalley.school Office Hours: upon appointment

ART 1 COURSE DESCRIPTION

A year course designed to instruct beginning art students in drawing, painting, and printmaking.
Students will become familiar with the principles and elements of design while completing a variety of
assigned projects and experimenting with different media and processes. In addition to art production,
students will be introduced to art history, art criticism and aesthetics.

In the first semester of this year-long course, the major focus is on the elements of
art line, shape, form, color, value, texture, and space. How these elements are put together in a
composition -- the principles of design is the foundation of the second semester; students will explore
the ways that well known artists have used these basic building blocks of art. We will explore many
artists, styles & media and develop technical & critical skills.
Activities include studio projects, reading, writing, group activities, videos and quizzes. All activities
count toward your grade.

Classroom Expectations:

Course Expectations Students are responsible for in-class studio work, participation during in-class
activities, studio preparation and clean-up, artist/artwork research, writing assignments, homework and
weekly sketchbook assignments. Students are expected to come to class on time and be prepared for
every class. Students are expected to plan artwork, put forth good effort in creating that work,
manage their studio/working time appropriately, complete the assignment, turn assignment in on time,
and complete the written analysis or reflection. Students are expected to do their own work, unless
working on a group activity, and are responsible for adherence to copyright laws and Grand Valley High
School Academic Integrity Policy.

Art 1 Curriculum
Elements: Line, shape, form, texture, color, value, space
Principles: Unity, balance, emphasis, contrast/variety, pattern, movement, rhythm
Theories: Mimetic (from Nature), Expressionistic (from self), Pragmatic (for audience),
Procedural(formal criteria)
Media: pencil, pen, collage, colored pencil, charcoal, tempera /acrylic paint, ceramics, mixed
media sculpture
Units of study: Line, composition, value, perspective, color/painting, figure drawing &
portraiture
Grading policy: Each student is graded on an individual basis. No cross-class comparisons will
be made. I grade on my expectations of you and your growth as an individual. Your projects will
be graded with the following criteria in mind:

Effort- this means always striving for your personal best

Craftsmanship- you have taken your time and done a careful job
Creativity/Originality- you have developed your own idea and not copied someone else's
Following instructions- you have met the criteria outlined for each assignment

A = Excellent, outstanding effort, exceeds expectations; WOW!!!

B = Strong work, very good
C = Fair, adequate, looks finished.
D/F= work does not demonstrate Colorado standards and must be resubmitted

Your total grade will be broken down in the following way:

40% Projects
60% Work Grades (Daily Points)

1st Quarter 45% of final grade

2nd Quarter 45% of final grade
Final Test being 10% of the final grade = 100% for a semester

Classroom Procedures:
The amount of time you will have to complete each project is planned to coincide with the
amount of class time given before the due date. Generally speaking, you should have enough
studio time to complete each project in class. However, it is expected that you also complete
work at home in order to meet the deadlines. The following is our usual class routine.

Start of Class:
Be on Time As soon as you enter the classroom, you should find any projects or materials
needed for the day, be seated and start working. If there is a presentation or demonstration,
sit quietly and take out your sketchbook to take notes.
Studio Time:
If you need clarification or have questions about the days activity, ask questions. Follow
instructions for how the studio time is utilized. Utilize time management. Instructor will be
circulating the room to assist, if not readily available to help you, ask a peer for help.
End of Class:
The last 5 minutes are for cleaning up. Put all materials away. Wash anything that needs it. Put
your project away. Make sure you know about any homework or what is needed to prepare for
the next class. Take project home if needed.

Attendance:
1. Absences & tardiness: interfere with your learning & success. Be here, on time.
2. Excused Absences: Students are responsible for making up missing work outside of class
time within 1 week of the absence.
Absences are excused by a note or phone call from parent to the office. If you are absent,
it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out what you missed & make it up ASAP.

As Art I is a studio course, attendance is crucial to success in this class. Excessive tardiness or
absences can negatively affect academic grade. This is an activity based course; lack of
presence in class directly impacts understanding of course content as well as quality of artwork.
If you know in advance that you will be missing class, it is student responsibility to be aware of
and get coursework in advance. Schedule a meeting outside class time to get this information.

Deadlines: Projects are usually due the next day after the last day we work on it in class.

Open Studio: Check with teacher in advance regarding times and days

Sketchbook Requirements:
Students will be keeping a sketchbook for the entire year. Sketchbook assignments act as a
collection of resources and inspiration. Your sketchbook will consists of a series of drawings and
mixed media pieces that you will use to develop work for your portfolio. Each one should be
considered a complete art piece.
Each quarter your journal assignments will be graded and each assignment is based on the
following criteria: Creative idea and concept, composition, Elements of Art, Principles of Design and
craftsmanship in the use of materials.
What goes in your sketchbook EVERYTHING!

Sketchbooks are due every Thursday!

Materials:
Supplies Needed:
1. 6- #2 pencils (not mechanical)
2. Large Eraser
3. Sketchbook- Spiral Bound no smaller than 9x12
4. Black Sharpie Markers (fine and medium point)
5. Students may purchase their own materials, such as colored pencils and markers, if they wish.

Dear Student & Parents:

I am delighted about your interest in fine arts and about working with you this year. Hopefully, this syllabus has
provided sufficient information regarding curriculum, expectations and grading policy. The keys to success in this
program are regular attendance, a positive attitude and good work habits. If you have questions, please ask. I
read email daily and respond promptly. I try to check my mail box at school daily.

If finances are a problem, please let the office know.

I anticipate that this class will be an exciting, productive experience and look forward to sharing art work with
parents, the school and the community.
Your signature on the tear strip acknowledges that you are aware of and support these expectations for your
student.

Sincerely,

Marcella Tolnar

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I understand the rules, expectations and consequences of this class. I also understand how I am
being evaluated and graded and have read and understand this syllabus and have asked
questions about the procedures and expectations. I will give my best effort toward meeting class
expectations. If I have future questions, I will contact the teacher using the information located
at the top of page one.

Circle class: Art 1 Art II Art III Art IV Sculpture Period:

____

Student (printed): _______________________________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________________________________

Parents/Guardians: Students are asked to show you the course syllabus. Please sign
here to let me know that happened. Thank you. *Return it signed within one week. (10
pts)

Parent/Guardian (printed): ________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________________________

Current home phone: _________________

Parents email address (es): ________________________

Course goals
1. Demonstrate basic skill building in drawing and painting production, applying the fundamentals of the elements and principles of fine art
and design.
2. Experience not only art production, but also artistic philosophy, art criticism, and art history.
3. Analyze and make critical assessments about artworks.
4. Respond appropriately to a variety of inquiries related to the curriculum.
5. Produce artwork that shows individual creativity and problem solving ability.