Art 1: Foundations of Studio Art

Grades 9,10,11,12: 1 Credit

Instructor: Jocelyn Bocchino
Jocelyn_Bocchino@hcpss.org
http://RHScreative1.blogspot.com/
Art is, after all, only a trace- like a footprint, which shows that one has walked bravely and
with great happiness. –Robert Henri (1865-1929)

Welcome to Art!
As the foundation course, Art 1 is the prerequisite course for the comprehensive high
school art program and fulfills the one credit Fine Arts graduation requirement. In this class you
will be given the tools and methods to understand the visual world in which we live. Everyday
you see images on television, in magazines, on billboards and in books. All of these images are
part of the wide world of art. In order to understand this world, you must first understand the
process that contributed to its creation.
Through studio problems designed to build creative and critical thinking skills, you will
have the opportunity to develop unique responses to a variety of art problems. The solutions you
develop will evolve from a multitude of media experimentations and will take the form of many
wonderful and personal prints, drawings, sculptures, collages, paintings and craft objects.
Progress will be monitored through individual and group critiques as well as self reflection. A
visual journal will be maintained to record concepts, media experiments and generate ideas.

General Assessment:
As you can see from the above description, this class is truly about personal process and
self-discovery, not solely “endproduct” based. Basically, this means that no one expects you to be
a “master artist” right away. You will be graded on all parts of your process, with the greatest
number of points allotted to how well your final product meets the criteria of the assignment.
You will be graded only on your own performance and progress on your individual effort,
growth, and improvement-NOT on how your finished work compares to the rest of the class. At
the completion of each problem you will assess your own progress through written reflection
before submitting the work for a grade.
For some students, this process will come easily and naturally, others of you will have to
work a little harder to earn a top grade. This may even include spending time after school. In this
way learning art can be compared to learning math, English, history, or any other subject.
Sometimes you need a little more help, or a different sort of guidance to be successful. You will
be required to complete a portfolio that will include all of the work done in class and at home,
(that includes all sketches, sketchbook, and visual journal).

Grading Policies and Procedures:

Portfolio: Each student will compile a portfolio that consists of work completed in class or at
home, sketchbook/visual journal, reflections and exams. Each work in the portfolio will be
graded according to the following criteria:
Objectives - Meeting the criteria or objectives for the specific assignment. Ex. An assignment
may include specific preparation/brainstorming.
Studio Skills – Proper handling of equipment, responsible use of time, respect for others and
their work, clean up, and class participation.
Craftsmanship / Presentation – Neatness and respect for your work should be evident in the
appearance of a completed assignment.
Design – Thoughtfulness to the composition and its relationship to your personal ideas.

Homework: The nature of this class requires work to be done outside of class in order to
complete the requirements on time. This work will include but not be limited to completing
class work, making up missed studio time, doing research and gathering ideas for work.
Visual journals: These are small, personal books that we make in class. It will allow you to
experiment and expand on ideas for making art in different ways. Visual Journals will be
collected at the end of each quarter.

Late Work: For each day late you submit a homework assignment after the deadline, you will
be deducted one letter grade, (or 10%) off of your grade. For each day late you submit an in-class
assignment after the deadline, you will be deducted half a letter grade, (or 5%) off of your grade.

Absence: If you are legally absent, you may make up missed work. You are permitted a one day
extension for every day you are absent. You are responsible for asking the instructor for
missed work. The nature of the assignment may require that you do the work at school rather
than at home. It is up to the instructor to decide on what day and at what time this would occur.

1. Grades will be based on a points earned/total points system. The grade is determined by
dividing points earned by points possible. Letter grades will assigned on a 100 point percentage
scale: 89.5%+=A, 79.5%+=B, 69.5%+=C, 59.5%+=D, 59.5% or less = E
Quarterly Grades:
Class Assignments = 70%
Homework = 30%
Participation = 10% Participation includes daily behavior and engagement in class. You can
receive a maximum of 4 participation points per day, every day. Points will be deducted for
lateness, (2 pts. per lateness) wasting class time, negative behavior, etc.

Honor code: Remember that plagiarism is illegal. If a student is found to have plagiarized from
print or internet sources, they will receive a zero for the assignment, a parent conference and
office referral.

Required Materials:
-You are required to have a useable #2 pencil, with an eraser, EVERYDAY!!!
-Sketchbook: Students must have a holding place for notes and brainstorming material. The
notebook will be used for class notes, image collection, sketches for idea development, journaling
and critiques. The notebook will be graded. This can be a spiral bound notebook or a
binder/folder to use with computer paper. As an artist, I highly recommend using a
spiral bound sketchbook (9x12 inches). However, it is not required.
Sketchbooks can be found at local arts or office supply stores such as Michael's, Office Depot,
Staples, JoAnn's, etc.
-You may also want to bring in an art smock or an old oversized shirt to protect your clothing.

Attendance: Good attendance is essential for passing this course. You are responsible for all
class-work. If you miss a class for any reason, you will be expected to make up the studio time.
Missing nine or more days may result in denial of credit for this course. In order to make up
work, an excused absence note must be received within 2 days of returning to school.
Lateness: Always be on time. If you are late, you must have a pass.
1st Offense: Teacher/Student Conference
2nd Offense: Lunch Detention
3rd Offense: Parent Contact (written or oral) and after school detention
4th Offense: Administrative referral that could result in more serious consequences such as
Saturday school, In School Suspension, or Suspension.
Behavior: All school wide rules and policies are in effect, in addition:
- No food or drink on any occasion, even if it is a holiday, your birthday or any other day you
might consider special, is permitted in the studio, this is for your safety as well as the safety of
the work of others.
- Experimentation is part of learning; however, do not disturb the work of others or use
materials in an unsafe manner.
- Be responsible; remember that others are depending on us and us on them to keep the
equipment in working order. You must clean up after yourself. You are responsible for your
assigned materials, please keep them safe and clean. Do not waste supplies!!! If your
materials have been misused or damaged in any way you will be held accountable.

- For some people, conversation helps them to make art; for others, quiet, focused thought is
best. In this class, talking quietly while you work is okay – as long as your conversation is not
adversely affecting your work, or the work of those around you. I will be the judge of how
much is too much!

- Any spills or accidents with materials must be promptly cleaned up. (All students who share
space at a table are responsible for that table and are expected to help clean up any messes,
even if they are not personally responsible.)
- Due to the nature of this class, students may be in different areas doing different things at
one time; therefore you must behave in a mature and responsible manner. Immature
behavior can include but not be limited to: misuse of equipment, damage of equipment, horse
play (running, pushing, hitting, wrestling, fighting) dangerous use of materials (splashing,
throwing, consuming), abusing other students’ work. If you fail to do so, you will receive the
following consequences:
1st Offense: Teacher/Student Conference
2nd Offense: Lunch Detention
3rd Offense: Parent Contact (written or oral) and after school detention
4th Offense: Administrative referral that could result in more serious consequences
such as Saturday school, In School Suspension, or Suspension.
**Severity of behavior may result in multiple or more severe consequences

Opportunities!
National Art Honor Society (NAHS) NAHS is a nationally accredited honor society in
which students participate in a variety of events and activities. We take special field trips, we
host RHS’s annual CoffeeHouse, we do art projects with younger students, we have crazy
contests and festivals, and we make lots of fun things! In general we relax and have a good
time once a week after school.

Art Shows and Exhibitions: On our website, you can access lots of information regarding
scholarship opportunities,
contests, and county programs that you can apply for.