University Academy Middle School 2014/2015

Ceramics

Kathleen Hammond/ B220

816-412-5964

Course Description

Ceramics I and II offersstudents an introduction to the fundamental methods of forming clay. Building techniques include pinch, coil, mold, slab,and throwing. Students will learn the chemistry and nature of clay, ceramic terminology and history, the physics of the materials, andglazing techniques. The student’s work should demonstrate creativity and mastery of craftsmanship. We will explore historical and contemporary art periods and artists. This will provide the tools necessary to look critically at art through the ages to better understand the historical and cultural context for each period. Ceramics I is a prerequisite for Ceramics II,and so forth for Ceramics III and IV. Ceramics III and IV will allow the student to show more fully developed and personalized work, as well as to showcase mastery of techniques.

Expectations

You must be ready to learn and engage your mind. Preparation and a willingness to try are essential. Mistakes are a natural part of any learning process--DO NOT FEAR MISTAKES- they are opportunities for learning in this classroom and for life in general.

Classroom Rules

-Follow all instructions given by the teacher.

-Be respectful at all times. Please give it AND expect it!

-You must be in your seat and silent prior to the tardy bell, unless we are in the middle of a project. In that case, you are to enter the room and start work immediately. This is NOT, however, cause for you to stop and socialize.

-The art room needs to be QUIET so your synapses can fire effectively and your artwork is the best it can be. There will be minimal, quiet talking only. If this cannot be accomplished, we have NO talking at all- your choice. Quality artwork is the goal of this class- NOT socialzing!

-Raise your hand if you would like to ask a question or contribute to a discussion.

-Any misuse of supplies and/or tools is strictly prohibited.

-You must have cleaned up and put away your supplies by the dismissal bell to leave on time. The bell does NOT dismiss you. You will be dismissed when yourarea is clean. Do not expect a tardy pass if you are not cleaned up and therefore late to your next class.

-When absent, it is your responsibility to ask for make-up work and turn it in by the due date given. This must be done within one week of absence for full credit.

-NEVER touch anyone’s art but your own. ACCIDENTS happen--Be respectful to others’ hard work.

-Do not eat, drink, or sleep in class. NO cell phones or other electronics allowed.

-All school-wide policies including dress code apply and will be enforced.

-When in doubt, refer to rule one!

Failure to comply with these rules will result in the following consequences in this order—

Verbal warning, teacher-student conference, buddy room and/or phone call home, and lastly, an office referral —in that order.

Required Materials

All materials are provided. Textbooks are used in class only and are as follows:

Art Talk, Third Edition, Rosalind Ragans, Ph.D., McGraw Hill Glencoe.

The Annotated Mona Lisa, A Crash Course in Art HistoryFrom Prehistoric to Post-Modern. Carol Strickland, Ph.D., and John Boswell.Andrews and McMeel.

History of Art, Sixth Edition, H.W. Hanson and Anthony F. Janson, Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

Experience Clay, Maureen Mackey, Davis Publications, Inc.

Course Requirements

Participation in reading assignments, class discussions, presentations, note-taking, critiques, and homework is required.

Incomplete projects by the deadline are an automatic “D” at the minimum. These projects can be finished after school and turned in for a better grade (100% credit of final earned grade) during that quarter only. Designated projects must be finished to at least 80% which is considered mastery. This may be achieved by reworking or completely re-doing from scratch, whichever is necessary.

Various types of formal and informal assessments are done with each project. Informal assessments occur during the project by the teacher and student together. These are constant- we have to analyze how we’re doing at each step to make sure our project is the best it can be!

There will be one art history essay over an artist or genre that we base a project on. Ample class time will be provided for research and writing. The only outside work on this is the final essay. If class time has been used wisely, this should simply be rewriting the rough draft. As with any class, plagiarism is not tolerated and will result in a zero and an office referral. NO late papers will be accepted unless specifically granted by the instructor.

University AcademyUpper School Grading Standards and Scale:

90-100% A

80-89%B

70-79%C

60-69%D

0-59%F

** Parents, please note the best way to reach me is via email (shown above).

I welcome your thoughts and concerns and look forward to working with you and your child this year! Please stop by on occasion and see your student’s artwork displayed in the halls.

Signature Required !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Due byMonday, August 11. (25 points) First “A” or “F”.

Student name and signature ______

Parent/Guardian name and best contact information ______

Parent signature ______