Sunday, August 14, 2011

August 15, 2011 Grade 9

Last week we had a busy first day, getting acquainted with new students and getting reacquainted with returning students. We reviewed the course description together. Students will be required to purchase a bound sketchbook available through the school. The cost is 250. Lempira. This book will be used as a sketchbook/research journal throughout all of their high school art courses. We will start using it right away so please make this purchase through the business office as soon as possible.

Our second day of class was equally busy. We reviewed the Five Perceptual Skills of Drawing and the methods and techniques of drawing with a pencil. Then we put those techniques into practice with our first “baseline drawing”. Students used their own hand as their model for this first drawing.

Next week we will learn about the technology of Durer’s Device and use it for our first extended drawing exercise.


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Welcome to AP Visual Arts 2011-2012

Welcome to Advanced Placement Studio Art

I am looking forward to a year of visual exploration and discovery. Below you will find answers to many of your questions about the AP Drawing Portfolio. In class you will get more information and clarification. This is your year to concentrate on the development of your personal "style" and to develop, explore and express your own visual ideas and interests.


AP Studio Art Syllabus: Drawing Portfolio

Course Description
Through studio practice, application of design concepts, and informed decision
making, students will assemble a body of artwork that demonstrates a high level of
quality and growth over time of content, technique, and process. Students will
develop mastery in concept, composition, and execution. Students will address
three components in their portfolios: Quality, Concentration, and Breadth.
Students will submit this body of work to the College Board for grading and
possible college credit.

Artistic Integrity
Originality and creativity are important components of this course. Students are expected to use artistic integrity throughout the course. It is preferred that students work from “life”. To facilitate their work, students may work from personal photographs that they themselves have taken. Other artist’s work may be used as a reference for personal artwork and should be properly credited.

Plagiarism
Students will not make direct use of another artist’s work and call it their own; this violates copyright laws and is plagiarism, and will result in an automatic failure for the project, and possibly the class. Copying and/or duplication of another artist’s work and calling it your own is cheating and fraudulent, and is not permissible in this course.

Drawing Portfolio
Students will expand their drawing and two-dimensional design skills and
advance their visual communication skills by exploring a variety of drawing processes
and techniques, and compositional and aesthetic concepts.

Expectations
The process of developing a portfolio requires a great deal of time and effort and
the five 50- to 55-minute class sessions per week are markedly inadequate to create
the amount of work necessary for the portfolio.

Open Studio
The open studio is designed to provide concentrated work time in the studio with a teacher present as a resource. Open studio is not required but is recommended for success. An open studio schedule will be posted in the art room. Students should sign up if they plan to attend.

Homework
Students may receive specific assignments or just be asked to spend
time working on a particular in-class assignment at home. They should be
prepared to spend four to eight hours a week outside of class on their work.

Sketchbook
Students will use a sketchbook as a visual journal to work through ideas, to practice
drawing and design skills, and to record their journey through this year. It is expected that students will use their sketchbooks as tools for developing and recording their ideas.

Critiques
The majority of class time is spent making artwork, though students
are expected to participate in group and individual critiques throughout the
semester. Furthermore, individual instructional conversations with the teacher
will assist each student in assessing strengths and weaknesses in their own images
and provide feedback on ways to further develop their individual and unique
drawings and compositions. In turn, these conversations will help the student
discover ongoing ways to improve their art making.

Drawing Portfolio
Students will produce a minimum of 24 works that satisfy the requirements of
the Quality, Concentration, and Breadth sections of the AP Studio Art Drawing
Portfolio.

Student Objectives:
Maintain a strong work ethic
• Work through and solve visual problems effectively.
• Refine the ability to draw/render and interpret what you see.
• Understand how art elements and design principles communicate content.
• Increase awareness of the creative process.
• Increase knowledge of art tools and materials.
• Pursue the art making process with a passion—be fearless.

Supplies
Many supplies and basic equipment will be provided by the school, but some
supplies will need to be purchased by each student.
Materials in bold are required:

Sketchbook workbook journal (minimum 9x12 maximum 11x14)
An art bin to organize supplies - like a fishing tackle box and/or a storage container with a lid.
A set of Prismacolor colored pencils, the 12, 24, 36 or 60 color set
Pencils #2
Ebony pencil
Charcoal pencils of varying hardness
Vine and compressed charcoal
Erasers – kneaded, Pink Pearl
Paint brushes – “easel” brushes for use with oil or acrylic paints
Paint – acrylic only
Oil Pastels
Pencil sharpener
Pastel pencils


Assessment and Evaluation
Most grading of work is accompanied by a written rubric and comments. Drawing assessment is an ongoing part of the class and takes place individually, in small groups and through self-evaluation.

Portfolio Development
Based on finished work as per term quota
Graded using the evaluation rubrics as established by the College Board
Both volume and quality will be taken into consideration for final grades

Participation
Regular attendance is mandatory.
Use of in-class time.
Attention to lectures, directions and demonstrations.
Participation in critical discussion.
Proper safe use of materials and equipment.
Cleanup responsibilities and storage of work.


Course Outline
Students will primarily be preparing work for the Breadth section of the portfolio
during the first semester. A variety of concepts and approaches will be used
to demonstrate abilities and versatility with techniques, problem solving, and
ideation.

Students will transition into more open-ended and exploratory work
for the Concentration section of the portfolio during the second semester. Each
student will develop a cohesive body of work for the Concentration section, which
is a planned, sustained investigation of a visual idea in drawing.

Each student will present, to the class and teacher, an action plan for the development and completion of their investigation. Dates for critique will be set and provided students along with each assignment. Students will be expected to have projects “critique ready” at the beginning of class on each assigned critique day. Individual critiques with the teacher and group critiques with peers and the teacher are mandatory.

Welcome to Visual Arts 2011-2012 Grade 10

Welcome to Visual Arts Grade 10

Discovery School
Visual Arts Syllabus: Grade 10

Course Description
The Visual Arts grade 10 is a studio course designed to further develop foundation skills for art making. The course provides students with the opportunity to develop higher level skills in the application of media, techniques and processes of art making. An emphasis is placed on developing the individual student’s approach to problems solving. The course provides for the development of skills and concepts necessary for a student to be successful in the AP (Advanced Placement) Visual Arts course.

Student Objectives
Students will:
Understand and apply a variety of media, techniques and processes used in art making.
Explore the elements of art and principles of design.
Explore the visual arts in relation to history and cultures and other academic disciplines.
Reflect on and assess the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others.
Develop a personal philosophy on the nature of beauty and the nature and value of art (aesthetics).

Expectations

Time and Duration
This class meets 55 minutes four times a week for two semesters.

Open Studio
The open studio is designed to provide concentrated work time in the studio with a teacher present as a resource. Open studio is available for students who need extra time or who have missed a class period (see Discovery absence and make up policy). An open studio schedule will be posted in the art room. Students should sign up if they plan to attend.

Homework
Students may receive specific assignments or just be asked to spend
time working on a particular in-class assignment at home. They should be
prepared to spend two to four hours a week outside of class on their work.

Sketchbook
Students will use a sketchbook as a visual journal to work through ideas, to practice
drawing and design skills, and to record their journey through this year. It is expected that students will use their sketchbooks as tools for developing and recording their ideas.


Critiques
Students are expected to participate in group and individual critiques throughout the
course.

Artistic Integrity
Originality and creativity are important components of this course. Students are expected to use artistic integrity throughout the course. It is preferred that students work from “life”. To facilitate their work, students may work from personal photographs that they themselves have taken. Other artist’s work may be used as a reference for personal artwork and should be properly credited.

Assessment and Evaluation
Assignments will be graded on a 100% scale per Discovery School criteria.
Production – Studio Work (75%)
Based on finished work as assigned.
Sketchbook assignments, written assignments, practice exercises
All work is graded using evaluation rubrics reflecting concept/creativity, skill/craftsmanship, knowledge and understanding.
Participation (25%)
Regular attendance is mandatory.
Use of in-class time.
Attention to lectures, directions and demonstrations.
Participation in critical discussion.
Proper safe use of materials and equipment.
Cleanup responsibilities and storage of work.
Demonstrates respect for all.

Supplies
Many supplies and basic equipment will be provided by the school, but some
supplies will need to be purchased by each student.

Sketchbook workbook journal - purchased through the school.
Pencils #2
Ebony pencil
Charcoal pencils of varying hardness
Erasers – kneaded, Pink Pearl
Pencil sharpener
Ruler
Course Content
Students will complete two and three dimensional works. They will work with a variety of drawing tools and techniques, water based paints, printing processes and 3D techniques – constructing and modeling. Students will explore art in relation to history and cultures.

Welcome to Visual Arts 2011-2012 Grade 9

Welcome to High School Visual Arts Grade 9

Visual Arts Syllabus: Grade 9

Course Description
The Visual Arts grade 9 is a studio course designed to further develop foundation skills for art making. The course provides students with the opportunity to develop higher level skills in the application of media, techniques and processes of art making. An emphasis is placed on developing the individual student’s approach to problems solving. The course provides for the development of skills and concepts necessary for a student to be successful in the AP (Advanced Placement) Visual Arts course.

Student Objectives
Students will:
Understand and apply a variety of media, techniques and processes used in art making.
Explore the elements of art and principles of design.
Explore the visual arts in relation to history and cultures and other academic disciplines.
Reflect on and assess the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others.
Develop a personal philosophy on the nature of beauty and the nature and value of art (aesthetics).

Expectations

Time and Duration
This class meets 55 minutes 3 times a week for two semesters.

Open Studio
The open studio is designed to provide concentrated work time in the studio with a teacher present as a resource. Open studio is available for students who need extra time or who have missed a class period (re: Discovery absence and make up policy). An open studio schedule will be posted in the art room. Students should sign up if they plan to attend.

Homework
Students may receive specific assignments or just be asked to spend
time working on a particular in-class assignment at home. They should be
prepared to spend two to four hours a week outside of class on their work.

Sketchbook
Students will use a sketchbook as a visual journal to work through ideas, to practice
drawing and design skills, and to record their journey through this year. It is expected that students will use their sketchbooks as tools for developing and recording their ideas.


Critiques
Students are expected to participate in group and individual critiques throughout the
course.

Artistic Integrity
Originality and creativity are important components of this course. Students are expected to use artistic integrity throughout the course. It is preferred that students work from “life”. To facilitate their work, students may work from personal photographs that they themselves have taken. Other artist’s work may be used as a reference for personal artwork and should be properly credited.

Assessment and Evaluation
Assignments will be graded on a 100% scale per Discovery School criteria.
Production – Studio Work (75%)
Based on finished work as assigned.
Sketchbook assignments, written assignments, practice exercises
All work is graded using evaluation rubrics reflecting concept/creativity, skill/craftsmanship, knowledge and understanding.
Participation (25%)
Regular attendance is mandatory.
Use of in-class time.
Attention to lectures, directions and demonstrations.
Participation in critical discussion.
Proper safe use of materials and equipment.
Cleanup responsibilities and storage of work.
Demonstrates respect for all.

Supplies
Many supplies and basic equipment will be provided by the school, but some
supplies will need to be purchased by each student.

Sketchbook workbook journal (Purchased through the school).
Pencils #2
Ebony pencil
Charcoal pencils of varying hardness
Erasers – kneaded, Pink Pearl
Pencil sharpener
Ruler
Course Content
Students will complete two and three dimensional works. They will work with a variety of drawing tools and techniques, water based paints, printing processes and 3D techniques – constructing and modeling. Students will explore art in relation to history and cultures.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Butterfly Project - The Houston Holocaust Museum


Some of our butterflies pose outside the administration building.


The last project of the year for grades six and seven was the Butterfly Project.

“In an effort to remember the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust, the Holocaust Museum of Houston is collecting 1.5 million butterflies. The butterflies will comprise an exhibition scheduled for Spring 2013.” See butterflyproject@hmh.org.

Our butterflies will make their way to the musuem this summer to become part of this collection to honor these children.

Students learned about - Artisit and teacher Friedl Dicker Brandeis.

"I remember thinking in school how I would grow up and would protect my students from unpleasant impressions, from uncertainty, from scrappy learning," Friedl Dicker Brandeis wrote to a friend in 1940.

Dicker-Brandeis and her husband were deported to the Terezín "model ghetto" in December 1942. She packed the two suitcases she was allowed to bring, full of art supplies. During her time at Terezín, she gave art lessons and lectures. She helped to organize secret education classes for the children of Terezín. She saw drawing and art as a way for the children to understand their emotions and their environment.

In September 1944, Brandeis was transported to Auschwitz; Dicker-Brandeis volunteered for the next transport to join him. But before she was taken away, she gave to Rosa Engländer, the chief tutor of Girls's Home L 410, two suitcases with 4,500 drawings. F. Dicker-Brandes died in Birkenau on October 9, 1944.[Her husband Pavel, survived.After the war, Willy Groag, the director of the Girl's home L 410 brought the suitcases with children's drawings to the Jewish Community in Prague. Many of these drawings and children's writing were published in the book I Never Saw Another Butterfly.

*The above is from Wikipedia








Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Grade 8,9,10, Advanced/AP May 31-June 3 2011



Portfolios are ready to be picked up as well as all other student work. Some students prefer to leave their work behind. All work left in the art room will be included in the...


First Ever Unclaimed Art Sale!


June 6, 7, 8 In the Art Room 7:30 am – 1:00 pm
While Supplies Last!

YES!
It is true!
Many fine pieces of original student art have been abandoned in the art room. Now YOU have the opportunity to own one of these original works.

Affordable – 10-20 (or best offer) Lempira per Art Work
All proceeds of the sale will be used to purchase materials and equipment for the art room.

Questions? See Mrs. Campbell in the art room.


Thursday, May 26, 2011

May 26 Grade 10 See You Around


Grade ten takes a break but they will be back!


Alec and Theo Sign Off

Shon signs in two languages.

Today was the last class meeting for Grade 10 Art before finals and AP Exams start. Some students are leaving Discovery School, as we know we all will sooner or later. They will be missed. Grade 10 has been a joy and privilege to teach. They have met every challenge I put before them, drawing, guacoles designs, mask making, painting, and of course THE MURAL.

The epic Library Rainforest Mural will be held over for a third year. It just keeps getting better and better. We will have a first quarter 2011-2012 Reunion Lock-In to, as the Pope said to Michelangelo as he worked on the Sistine Chapel, “make and end to it”.

Students will be welcome, these busy last days of the term, to stop by the art room during spare moments to pick up art work and finish a few unfinished projects – magic wand – to catch a few minutes of quiet study or find out more about AP and Advanced Art for next year. The 2010-2011 school year is not over yet. See you around.




Thanks Sherwin Williams for such great paint!