Janis Paulson

Rupert 201

phone: 301-475-2814 x492 (preferred method of contact is e-mail)

office hours: Mondays 3:00-4:00, other times by appointment

Class Description: This class is designed to give the student an overview of the history and techniques of the visual arts and music. The student will learn basic terminology in both disciplines and will be able to create and critique various types of artistic works.

Grading: Assessments are given regularly and will incorporate several different learning styles so that all students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their level of acquisition of the subject matter. In most cases, students will be given access to specific scoring rubrics.

25% in class participation: Students will be given a score from 1-5 for each class period. If a student is to receive anything lower than a 5 for a given day, he/she will be given a slip for their records indicating the deduction and reason.

25% warm-ups and homework: Students will be required to keep journals with various writing assignments which will be turned in on E day every week (unless otherwise instructed.) Homework will generally consist of reading or research, but may also include obtaining special materials for class projects. Students will be given prior notice for any special materials needed.

25% large projects and group activities: Students will create several pieces of art and music during the semester and will also do one research paper on an artist or musician of their choice. More specific information will be given as the due dates approach.

Make-up work: If a student has an excused absence, he/she will be allowed to receive make-up work from the teacher (check the website for materials.) Any assignments that were due on the missed day are due the day the student returns to school unless a parent’s or doctor’s note is turned in with extenuating circumstances. (NOTE: Items are still due even if the student does not have Arts Appreciation on the day they return to school.) NO LATE WORK will be accepted for unexcused absences and no make-up work will be given.

Other late assignments: NO LATE WORK will be accepted unless a student has an excused absence.

Academic dishonesty: Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive an automotive zero for the assignment or test, and may receive additional disciplinary actions as deemed appropriate by the school. Please see the student handbook for school policy. NOTE: Papers or written assignments may be run through anti-plagiarism software.

Performance Attendance: All students are required to attend one live artistic performance of their choice outside of school (music, dance, drama or other performance art with permission.) Guidelines for the connected assignment will be posted online. If a student is unable to attend a performance because of transportation, a parent note is to be turned in NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 4, 2007. Any student with a signed parent note will be given an alternative assignment to review a performance on video.

Class Materials: All students are required to have a black and white composition notebook, a homework folder in a specific color, a pencil and pen, and a notebook and folder where they can take notes and keep assignments. (homework folder colors- period 5 green, period 6 blue, period 7 white-yellow can be used if you can’t find white.) Most art supplies will be supplied by the teacher, but students may be asked to bring in a few specific items depending on the type of pieces they choose to make.

Class Procedures: Students are to enter class on time, in uniform, and they should have all the above class materials with them every time or participation grades may be affected. A warm-up assignment will be written on the board as well as any instructions for turning in any assignment that are due that day. Students should quietly begin the warm-up assignment while the teacher takes attendance unless other specific instructions are given. Students are NEVER to leave anything on the teacher’s desk, or remove anything from the teacher’s desk without specific permission. The quiet bell means that all noise and talking should cease immediately so the teacher can give further instructions. Anyone continuing to talk or make noise after the quiet bell has been rung will have one point deducted from their class participation grade for the day. Restrooms should be used between classes, but if a student has an immediate need to leave the room, they do not need to ask permission. The student should take the bathroom pass by the door and go to the nearest restroom. They should return as soon as possible. If a medical need arises, the student must return to the classroom to get a pass to go to the office to call home. DO NOT JUST LEAVE WITHOUT INFORMING THE TEACHER. (Only one student may be out at a time. Students are NOT allowed to leave class during a test.) Cell phones are prohibited in class; they should be left in the student’s locker or car during school hours. If the teacher sees a cell phone during class, the student will receive an automatic 5 demerits and Saturday detention as per the school policy. Any cell phones in the room during testing will be considered automatic academic dishonesty whether or not they were being used at the time.

Student Responsibilities: Students should ALWAYS keep their assignments in case any discrepancies occur in grades. Every effort will be made to ensure accurate grades, but occasionally a mathematical error occurs or there is a problem with the grading program. Students should bring any problems to the teacher’s attention as soon as the discrepancy is noted. Students are to open their mind’s to new experiences and information, and they will allow other student’s to do the same without fear of retribution or harassment of any kind from other students.

Teacher’s Responsibility: The teacher is to give appropriate notice for all assignments. She is to make expectations clear and give every student the opportunity to succeed. She is to grade responsibly and fairly by use of a rubric or other predetermined factors.

HAVE A WONDERFUL SEMESTER! YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS CLASS!

(Unit outlines currently under construction. The following is a rough draft.)

Unit 1: What is art? Aristotle, Plato, and psychological theories

Unit 2: Criticism and comparison. Learn to describe, analyze, interpret, and judge

Unit 3: Common definitions

The elements of art- line, shape, form, space, color, value, texture

The elements of music- time, space, tempo, pitch, timbre, texture

Unit 4: Principals of design

Art- Rhythm and Movement, Balance, Proportion, Variety, Emphasis, Perspective

Unit 5: Art around us.

Mediums- drawing, printmaking, painting, photography, film, sculpture, glass, sand, etc.

Instruments- orchestral, band, popular, non-western

Unit 6: Style and Era

Unit 7: Art in our everyday life