Middle School Art Syllabus
Listed below are a brief course description, grading policies, and grading scale for this year’s Visual Art Course. Please sign and return the attached form, acknowledging your understanding of the information and please feel free to contact me anytime with questions, comments
or concerns. My goal is for every student to have a meaningful experience in art, where they are challenged but also enthusiastic in their creative process. I am looking forward to an excellent year with all of you and thank you so much for your commitment to the Visual Art Program atHillside Innovation Academy!
Class description
Students will explore a variety of techniques and materials used to produce drawings, paintings, and three-dimensional works of art. There will be a range of themes, allowing for choice making and flexibility with the artistic process. Students will be expected to evaluate their progress through project rubrics and critiques of their work.
Special Events and Field Trips
The Middle School students will host an annual Visual Art Showcase. This event is the students’ primary opportunity to display artwork at a highly publicized and attended event. It is a command performance and attendance by all Middle School students is required. Attendance and participation in this event will constitute as a project grade (see below Projects are worth 10%). At times, students will have the opportunity to attend Art Field Trips and will have graded assignments in correlation to these trips. If a student is unable to attend a trip it is their responsibility to make up any missed work from the trip. Work from field trips will also constitute as a project grade (see below Projects are worth 10%).
Required grade expectations
*Put in your best effort and show excellent craftsmanship.
*Demonstrate understanding of the skills taught and convey concepts for the project. Feel free to show creativity!
*Arrive to class on time and remain on task throughout each
class period.
*Turn in all assignments on time and make up missed assignments due to absences.
*Communicate with Ms. Therres about any needs that arise in art class. Ask questions!
Grading policies
Final Artworks 40% (listed as “TESTS” in Genesis)
-Quality of craftsmanship and effort
-Show student growth in ability
-Understanding of procedures with materials
-Student can reference artists and art
movements directly related to the project in their artwork and closing reflections
-Completion of project rubrics
Participation 15% (listed as “Classwork/Participation” in Genesis)
-Participation will be graded based
on a daily 5 points system:
3 points: focus and work ethic on projects.
1 point: Attitude and effort.
1 point: actively participating in clean up
*Habitual, unexcused tardiness to class may result in
deduction of points from the daily grade
Exit Tickets 10% (listed as “Homework” in Genesis Gradebook)
Students will complete an EXIT TICKET at the end of each class. The exit ticket may ask students to write a brief reflection or it may be performance-based where they will sketch something in response to the given prompt.
Projects 10% (listed as “Projects” in Genesis)
These will typically be once a quarter, see a potential list below.
Quarter 1- Introductions Sheet
Quarter 2- Field Trip/Workshop
Quarter 3- Art Show
Quarter 4- Reflection for the year
Visual Journal and Quizzes 20% (listed as “QUIZZES” in Genesis)
-Maintaining notes on artists and art movements
-Project sketches and ideation
-Keeping a chronological and neat system of organization
-Regarding the journal with the same care and craft of Projects
-Quizzes will correspond with current projects and will be open note
**Each student will receive a journal at the start of the school year. The journal will chronicle the student’s artistic growth while at HIA and should remain in school. Journals that are lost or damaged due to mishandling, must be replaced at the expense of the parent/guardian.
Grading Scale
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 65-69%
F Below 65%, Failing
Late Work
Late work (past the assigned due date) will be accepted with penalties. 10 points off after one week, 20 after two, third week it's a max of 50%, fourth week it's a zero. Students who are absent from school, however, will have a week grace period to submit missing assignments without any penalty.
Office Hours
Students can schedule a time to meet with Ms. Therres for additional support giving at least one day’s notice. Ms. Therres will be after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for extra help.