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MIDDLE SCHOOL ART SYLLABUS 2017-2018

Ms. Christine McCormick K-12 Art Educator Room #2-119

(863) 259 - 4001 X 315 christine.McCormick@Polk-FL.net CitrusRidgeArtDepartment.weebly.com

COURSE DECRIPTION
ART 1 COURSE DESCRIPTION
This introductory art course examines the visual arts in what is known as the formalist
approach. In the first semester of this year-long course, the major focus is on the
elements of art line, shape, form, color, value, texture, and space. How these
elements are put together in a composition -- the principles of design is the foundation
of the second semester; students will explore the ways that well known artists have
used these basic building blocks of art. We will explore many artists, styles & media and
develop technical & critical skills. Activities include studio projects, reading, writing,
group activities, videos and quizzes. All activities count toward your grade.

ART 2, 3 COURSE DESCRIPTION

This visual arts program offers students complete art experiences with detailed
explorations in the classics such as painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture,
graphic design, photography, and crafts. In addition to gaining confidence and
proficiency working with a variety of mediums, students will learn about the history,
analysis, and interpretation of art.

CLASS GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS

All students have the right to learn, be safe, and be supported. No one has the right to
interfere with the learning, safety or well being of others. In addition to the school wide
discipline procedures (PBIS & CHAMPS), the following is the set of class guidelines for
success that will be followed:
Be Responsible Be Respectful
Be prepared for class bring pencils, Work quietly during class time using appropriate
sketchbook, planner to class everyday. language and having appropriate conversations.
Be to class on time and ready to learn. Respect the people, equipment and furnishings
Work area and materials must be properly in the art room.
cleaned and Listen to and follow directions.
put away before class is dismissed. Respect your artwork, give everything your best
Be honest and accountable for your actions. effort!

Be Productive Be Safe
Stay on task and work towards project Use all tools safely and properly.
objectives. Walk in the classroom.
Have a positive attitude and spirit of cooperation Sit in your seat appropriately.
and
participation!
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Students who struggle with demonstrating positive behavior will receive additional
instruction and consequences within their classroom setting and/or as needed will be
referred to the office. All consequences will follow the POLK County school policies and
procedures set forth in our Student Handbook.

ASSESSMENT
Assessment is the process of judging in terms of criteria. Assessment is an important
part of expected learning outcomes. Criteria are expected outcomes and observable
evidence of learning. The main purpose of assessment should be to improve teaching
and learning and to measure students progress. Evaluation of each student will be by
the following methods:

*Bellwork (Due every Friday)

*Sketchbooks (Art1 Due every other Friday, Art 2,3 Photo every week on Friday)
*Civics Grade (10 points per day (Up to 55 points a week), see attached Rubric)
*Exams 15% (Pre-test, Midterm, Final) (Pretest is FULL Credit ALL MUST
PARTICIPATE to receive credit.)
*Art Projects 15%

GRADING POLICY: Each student is graded on an individual basis. No cross-class

comparisons will be made. I grade on my expectations of you and your growth as an
individual. Your projects will be graded with the following criteria in mind:

Effort- this means always striving for your personal best

Craftsmanship- you have taken your time and done a careful job
Creativity/Originality- you have developed your own idea and not copied someone else's
Following instructions- you have met the criteria outlined for each assignment

A = Excellent, outstanding effort, exceeds expectations; WOW!!!

B = Strong work, very good
C = Fair, adequate, looks finished.
D/F= work does not demonstrate Polk County School standards and must be
resubmitted

RUBRICS WILL BE PROVED FOR ALL ASSIGNMENTS< Attached is an example of

one frequently used.

BELLWORK
Each week, you will be given a prompt when you enter the classroom. This will be
focused around Art History. Day one I will introduce the artist and you will spend 5-10
minutes writing or drawing about the artist, artwork or period of work. The next few days
will be similar as you will be drawing or writing and or comparing what you have
learned. All sketchbook entries are worth 50 points and you will be expected to get with
a friend or classmate to copy what you have missed.
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SKETCHBOOKS
Every two (2) weeks, Art 1 will be required to turn in one (1) sketchbook entries On
FRIDAY. Every week on FRIDAY Art 2,3 and Photography will be required to turn in one
(1) sketchbook entry. All students have 100 different entries to choose from. See the
attached list. All drawings must be labeled in the sketchbook.

CIVICS GRADE
Each week you will be given a weekly progress grade for a total of 50 points/10 points
each day. Your weekly progress grade will be based on the ten class guidelines for
success. For each guideline you do not complete, you will lose 1 point per day per
guideline. The following will produce your grade:

A- Postive Attitude
R- Respectful and Responsible
T- Trying Your Best
I- Using Your Imagination
S- Always Being Safe
T- Teamwork

T- Think About (Civics Thinking Skill: Able to Engage)

U- Understand (Civic Knowledge: Connecting contemporary issues)
D- Demonstrate (Civic Participation Skill: Use of Appropriate Behavior)
E- Express (Civic Disposition: Self Discipline)

DUE DATE & LATE POLICY & SICK DAYS

When 3-4 students finish the Art project, I will set a due date for each project. The due
date is the time all work in class will be stopped. You have two weeks grace period to
take it home or come in to class on your own time to finish. After that week you must
petition and explain to me why you need more time; however, you will not be given more
regular class time. If you do not talk to me about your goals for completion, I will deduct
5% per day for every day late up to 20% off. All other late assignments, sketchbooks,
etc. will be deducted 5% per day for every day late.

As teachers, we are allowed 5 sick days per year. Sometimes it is normal to come to
school and not want to do anything. (I understand) In your child sketchbook at the front
of the book, will be a Sick Day Log. Students may choose to come in and not work on
anything on any of those 5 particular day. The student will sign as well as the teacher.
This is to document to administration that the student has permission to use their phone
(in a secluded area from the class and will not be participating today.) If you do not use
all 5 sick days for the whole year, then 20 points will be added to your lowest grade.

CELL PHONES
Cell phones ARE NOT Allowed to be used in my classroom. ONLY When the Cell
phone sign is GREEN for GO, may the students use their phones to listen to music
while working on an independent art project. THEY MUST USE HEADPHONES! If the
music is too loud, they will be given one (1) opportunity to correct the volume. If it is not
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corrected, I will ask the student to put it away. If they refuse, Administration will retrieve
the phone and a parent will be contacted at their discretion.

MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS OR Course FEE

Materials: You have the choice of paying a $10 art fee (ART 1) or $20 art fee (Art 2,3
Photo) providing the following materials for successful completion of the course. You will
need all materials by August 21st!! If you do not have the required materials, you will
be assigned written work until provided. *Please communicate difficulties/emergencies
with me** Fundraising is available..

Art 1:
1 Sketchbook, Hard Bound or Spiral Preferred 70 pages no lines (On Sale for $5 at
Michaels)
2 Pocket Folder
1 pack of pencils
1 pack of erasers
Min 2 Black Markers (Sharpies preferred)
1 box of lysol wipes

Art 2:
1 Sketchbook, Hard Bound or Spiral Preferred 70 pages no lines (On Sale for $5 at
Michaels)
Variety of Drawing Pencils, (2b, 4b, 6,b, 8b)
1 pack of erasers
1 box of lysol wipes
1 24 color Watercolor set ($5 at Michaels)
Min 2 Black Markers (Sharpies preferred)
2 Pocket folder

MIDDLE SCHOOL ART SHOW/COMPETITIONS

There will be 2 middle school art shows both TBD (ample notice will be given). Both will
be during the Winter and Spring Music Showcases after school.

ALL STUDENTS, are required to participate in the various art shows and competitions.
Physical attendance is NOT Required. (Meaning you don't have to go to the after school
show or where ever the show is located, However, your work MUST be there)

Some Art Competitions will also have receptions, which I highly recommend both
student and parent attendance. Private notice will given to the individual student who is
acceptant into those shows.

PARENT PERMISSION FORMS

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Attached is a BLANKET art permission slip form. This is a general form to allow your
students work to be submitted and showed in our local community. Please note that
there will be other art shows and competitions that have separate permission forms
which will be sent home as needed. Please detach and fill out the permission slip form
and return it in a timely manner. Thank you.

CLASS RULES

1. Be respectful of all people in the classroom. Each student will be respectful of the
teacher and will not impede classroom instruction through disruptive behavior or
tardy entry to class. Be respectful of other students, and treat others in a mature and
thoughtful manner.
2. Be respectful of the art materials. Respect all art materials. They are to be treated in
a professional manner. Take proper care of the brushes. Do not be wasteful of paint
and paper. Do not write on the tables. Do not touch the printing presses, kilns,
standing easels or other art tools without a teachers permission. Graffiti will not be
tolerated.
3. Effort. Students are expected to participate fully in all classroom activities. No
student is expected to be an accomplished artist upon entry into the class. The
expectation is that the student will develop skills, through practice, during the year.
Students will use all class time for ART class work only.
4. Horseplay in the classroom. No horseplay of any kind will be tolerated in the Art
classroom. Horseplay endangers students and those around them as well as putting
creative endeavors at risk.
5. Food. School policy states that food, gum, and beverages are not allowed in the
classroom. Students are not to bring those items into the classroom.
6. Preparation. You will bring your Sketchbook, art folder, pen, and pencil to class
everyday.
7. Communication. If you are having a problem with this class do not assume that I
know. It is your responsibility to communicate with me, so that you will have a
successful experience. I can not help with what I do not know.
8. Class Dismissal. You are dismissed by the teacher only after all supplies and
materials are accounted for, stored properly and the room is cleaned.

Infractions of Rules:
ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS WHO DO NOT
PROPERLY USE THE CLASS PERIOD OR SUPPLIES. Examples of behavior that
would warrant alternative assignments are misuse of art materials, distracting behavior
or disrespectful behavior.

1st offense: Visual/ verbal reminder by teacher

2nd offense: Discussion with teacher about infraction/possible detention
3rd offense: written behavior plan/detention
4th offense: office referral
*See student handbook for discipline procedures.
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How Can You help (Parents)

If you are a certified PCSB Volunteer, I would love your help in the classroom. Email me
and we can set up a time for you to help in the classroom. We may also have field trips
and would gladly use the extra help.

Also we gladly accept any donations you would like to contribute to the classroom such
as old newspapers, magazines, coffee cans, metal soup/veggie cans, and old hand
towels.

NATIONAL JUNIOR ART HONOR SOCIETY

Citrus Ridge Art is proud to host the National Junior Art Honor Society this 2017-2018
school year. Membership into the club is based on Scholarship, Leadership and
Service. Students will meet the LAST Wednesday of every month. Students will be
required complete community service projects and monthly art project (Projects and
Service hours determined by club members) Open to students ONLY in grades 7th and
8th. Requirements: Student must have taken 1 year of Art (in middle school,) As long as
they have taken art, they do not currently need to be in Art Class to be a member.
Overall GPA must be a 3.0 B. Student must also be selected by a jury of Administration,
based on one letter of recommendation by a subject area teacher and essay. Please
see Ms. McCormick for more details.

ART CLUB
I will be the school sponsor for the 2017-2018 CRCAs Art Club. Art Club will meet one
day a month, the first Wednesday of every month (unless otherwise posted.) There will
be a one time $30 sponsorship charge for each child who wants to participate. Open to
all students in the school grades 4th to 8th. Limited to the first 30 students who apply.
Please email, phone or see Ms. McCormick for more details.

TEACHER CONTACT
I will be using the app called REMIND this year. I will individually add each parent to
remind and place you in the correlating class that your student is in. This is the easiest,
and quickest means to communicate with me. I can also be reached by email and
phone. Email: christine.M.McCormick@polk-fl.net Phone: 863-259-4001 x 310 or 302

**Please note that I will attempt to contact each parent 2 times a year. I may reach out
to you more depending on the student.**