Tara McCaffrey

Visual Arts -Beginner- Room C101

taral.mccaffrey@cms.k12.nc.us
(by the way^ thats an L not a 1

Welcome to Beginner Visual Arts!

This class focuses on introductions to traditional media, composition and design, art history, and various art genres.
We will be working with the basic foundations of visual arts; including the elements of art and principles of design,
drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media and sculpture. We will be working on creativity, collaboration, critical
thinking, and other 21st century skills.

Curriculum Grading
Sketchbooks- Students will be expected to keep notes, Projects requirements will be discussed in class at the
medium exploration, research and practice activities in introduction of each lesson with project specific rubrics to
their sketchbook. These will be checked weekly in order assist students in achieving their goals. These requirements
to assess classwork grades. will be posted in the classroom and assessed through
Classwork- this will include skill development informal feedback throughout the project and reviewed
activities, design and research, as well as work time for before project submission. Grades will be based on the
formal projects. Students are expected to work following criteria:
independently and in a self directed manner. 1. Effort and Perseverance
Quizzes- will be given after periods of extensive note 2. Unified Composition and Design.
taking. These may be multiple choice or skill based. 3. Creativity and Original Solutions
Studio Projects- provide a way for students to apply 4. Craftsmanship and Technique
the theories and techniques they have learned during 5. Followed Format
the course. 6. Overall Product
Growth Projects-provide a way for students to explain
Late / Incomplete Work:
their process, difficulties and successes while assessing
Incomplete major projects will be dropped 1 letter
their own growth.
grade.
Tests- will usually follow each unit and will be based on
Late projects will be dropped 10 points if submitted
the sum of the information learned during that unit.
after the 5 day grace period.
Final Growth Project- All CMS Visual Art courses will Late informal assignments will receive 1/2 credit.
require a final portfolio at the end of the semester and Any late work submitted within the last 5 days of
will be counted as 50% of the Final Exam grade. A the quarter will receive no higher than a 50%.
satisfactory score will allow the students to move on to
the next level of that course. Students will be required Grade Weights: Grade Scale
to keep track of any and all projects created during the Studio Projects/Tests/ Growth Projects A / 90-100
semester. These projects will need to be photographed, 70% B / 80-89
and students will need to assess their growth from the Homework/Classwork/Notebook/Quizz C / 70-79
beginning of the class to the end. The specifications on es 30% D / 60-69
this project will be discussed further in class. Mid-term Exam 20% of 1st semester F / <59
grade
Final Exam 25% of Final Grade
Final Grade 1st semester Grade (37.5%)
+ 2nd semester Grade (37.5%) + Final
Exam (25%)
 Classroom policies
Cell Phones-
Cell phones are occasionally needed to photograph work and sketches however, unless the class has been given
express permission then personal electronics will need to be put away at all times. If a student is using their cell
phone without permission it will be taken away. Upon the first offense, the phone is taken for 1 class period and the
student will receive it back at the end of class. If the student has a second offense, the phone will be taken and turned
in to the front office. Any further offenses will result in disciplinary action.

Absences and Tardies-

We will follow the Hough attendance policy. Any absence after 10 days will need to be made up with recovery.
Anyone who arrives after the bell has rung will need to go to lockout and get a pass. Tardies are recorded by lockout
and handled by an administrator.

Expectations
1. Be on time, on task, and prepared to learn EVERYDAY.
2. Keep all personal electronics put away unless given permission.
3. Be responsible for your own learning.
4. RESPECT the teacher, the classroom, and the students.
5. Trash goes in the trashcan, ALWAYS.

Materials List*
1. Required Fee: 25$ Due Immediately!! This fee is used to purchase consumable supplies only as well as
providing you with a sketchbook.! If this fee is not paid it will be considered part of the students financial
obligations at the end of the school year.
2. Sketchbook this will need to be spiral bound(only) and at least inch thick. You need a sketchbook that you
use only for this class! Please get this as soon as possible as all notes and homework will be completed in the
sketchbook. A 3-ring Binder is also an acceptable alternative as long as you have drawing paper for sketches.
(Sketches should never be done on lined notebook paper)
3. #2 PENCIL(S) (required) No mechanical pencils please as these cannot properly be used to shade in
sketches.

*If at any time you are not able to provide the required materials/fee please let me know and we can discuss a
solution.