syllabus SE

Self Expression

Grade: 9-12 Length: Semester Credits: 5.0

lab fee $10 - $15.00 (only for materials which students keep)

Additional studio time and assistance: Mondays & Thursdays

Conference requests: Bruce Dean, National Board Certified Art Teacher, Leominster High School

website: exploreanddiscover.us/ email: brd@theworld.com

Lessons may be seen and printed out from website link.

Course Description: The primary focus of this course is to examine art forms through students' personal experiences. Art will serve as a means of communicating ideas and expressing emotions. After an introductory unit on drawing techniques, this interdisciplinary course requires students to keep journals with writing and sketching as an ongoing process. Projects often emerge through self-examination using a variety of approaches: how to capture ideas, autobiographical writing, self portraiture, oral history, visual and auditory collages, assembling a time capsule, mask-making, researching a family tree, illustrating a favorite quote, and rendering old family photographs in pencil and watercolor. Mediums may include painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, stained glass, printmaking, word-processing/writing, photography, and lettering.

Grading/Assessment of Student Achievement: Self Expression students are at different levels in their art backgrounds. Active and productive class participation is essential. The primary focus of evaluation is each student's ability to explore creativity through personal images as presented in a portfolio format. Other factors include daily attendance, completion of assignments on time, work complexity, craftsmanship, and skill development. Effort, cooperation and personal improvement are valued as much as the product. Capturing ideas in ongoing journals is required and is worth twenty percent of the grade. Contracts for independent work must be completed beyond class time and signed by the instructor before the project begins. Students check in with the instructor when they complete assignments before deadlines, and begin their next project. Individual conferences and group critiques will be conducted with students during each term. Students will conduct a class presentation worth ten percent of their grade.

Materials: Each student is assigned a drawer, given a pencil and eraser, and charged $1 for a sketchpad. Journal/sketchbooks are available for $5. Students may turn in pencils and erasers for new ones. There is a 25 cent charge for each when lost. Other materials are provided in class.

Projects: Projects vary in complexity and allotted class time. Deadlines will be given at the start of each project. Extensions must be requested a minimum of one day in advance.

¥ Incomplete projects receive no grade. Student's are responsible for completing all assignments and requesting extensions for legitimate reason.

¥ Ten points are taken off for unexcused late projects up to one week These must be completed as homework.

¥ When a student falls behind s/he is to do the current assignment in class and do the make up after school or at home.

Homework: Homework is assigned. Preliminary studies for a project, researching a topic, and completing work where deadlines are approaching is expected. When we begin a new project, the previous assignment becomes homework. Requests for project extensions should be discussed with Mr. Dean prior to the due date.

Absences: Students are responsible for making up any missed work by consulting with teacher to see what work is needed. Students may work in the art room after school during open studio times. The art room is open until 3pm and often later.

Exams/Finals: Students may be given final projects as take home in advanced with a scheduled due date along with dedicated class time.

Independent Study: Students may sign up for studio time at the Visiting Artists Studios located at the Bernat Mills. Work along side of visiting artists and learn in a relaxed, stimulating environment. Submit your work for extra credit.

20 Week Activity Sequence: (sequence & lessons may vary)

Week 1 - introduction of drawing techniques and review -

Learning style inventory

contour, gesture

sighting technique

cropping views

photo collage - summer stuff

writing - a place of importance

how to capture ideas - journal sketchbook scrapbook

writing - a person who influenced me

Week 2+3 - introduction to printmaking

Week 4 - photography introduction