Ceramics I

							Ceramics/Sculpture/3D Design I                                     Mrs. Kraves (Powers)
                                                            joey.powers@kent.k12.wa.us
Welcome Students of C/S/3D I! This syllabus should cover everything that applies to
this class but there may be minor adjustments throughout the semester.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will be a basic introduction to ceramics,
sculpture, and three-dimensional design as art forms as well as exploring different
techniques, uses, and styles.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
   Students will become fluent in the basic elements of art and design.
   Students will be assessed on classroom participation (working on assigned
    projects, class discussions, critiques, and clean up) as well as completed
    assignments and projects (sketches, large projects, and preparedness).
   Students will gain familiarity with sculptural material as well as an understanding
    of their proper uses as an artistic medium.
   Students will learn proper vocabulary applicable to the subject and will be
    expected to utilize these terms in class discussions and critiques.

COURSE ACTIVITIES: This course will introduce students to the origins of clay,
different hand-building techniques in using clay, various sculptural and three-dimensional
design styles and techniques using a variety of materials. Students will have sketchbook
assignments and therefore will need to keep their sketchbook IN CLASS so that you will
have them handy for in-class assignments. Students will also be expected to keep a
folder for entry and exit tasks as well as handouts and/or writing prompts you may
encounter here (contrary to popular believe, you DO actually write in this class ).

CERAMICS STUDIO RULES: There may seem to be a lot of these but, as you may
discover, they are all very simple to obey and, so long as you do, you will be smooooooth
sailing!
Respect
     Mutual respect between students and teacher is ESSENTIAL in this room!
         No name-calling, no derogatory comments, etc- respect each other! Only use
         your own locker, your own clay, your own materials, and be kind to others- think
         happy family!
     Every student MUST respect the classroom materials (i.e. destroying, improperly
         using, and/or throwing ANY material = Kraves unhappy = immediate negative
         consequence for student).
Punctuality
     There will be forms by the door if you come in late allowing you to choose how
         you spend your make-up time. Most of the verbal instruction takes place in the
         first 10 minutes of class and I will not repeat myself for each tardy student.
         Basically, don’t waste my time and I won’t waste yours!
Assignments
     Deadlines are final. All assignments will be deducted by ten percent for each late
         day. Due dates are always made clear so most excuses are not valid.
Student Seating
     Students may choose their seats for the duration of the course so long as they are
         not disruptive to others and there are no students at the end of the tables. There
         should be a maximum of 12 students per row table and 8 students per small table.
         We also do not play musical seats in here- pick a seat and stay with it, please! I
         take the liberty to move students if the seating arrangement is “just not working
         out.”
Studio Time
     Students may talk QUIETLY while working so long as (a) work is being
         completed efficiently and (b) the noise level is kept at a minimum. Think “indoor
         voices.” This rule does NOT apply during instruction or demonstration and may
         be revoked if being abused. Basically, when I am talking, you are not. We
         generally listen to music during class through the speakers in front of the room-
         like always; headphones (and phones) will be taken if seen!!
Clean Up
     This is SUPER important. Students will be assigned daily clean up jobs. Each
         student is responsible for cleaning and taking care of his/her numbered materials
         and cleaning the area that s/he worked in as well as your assigned job. If you do
         not clean up after yourself after class, you will quickly find yourself logging time
         after school with me cleaning then. ***Working with these materials is a
         privilege and if they are not being taken care of properly, you will be charged to
         replace them and given written work in place of projects.
Kentwood Rules
**It goes without saying that ALL Kentwood High School rules (discipline, behavior,
attire, attendance, no headphones/phones and tardiness) apply to the Ceramics
classroom, as well. I tend to get feisty when I am forced to reiterate rules that you all
have been made aware of repeatedly.

SUPPLIES: Each student will be given a 25lb bag of clay to last through the semester.
When this bag is gone, you will have an “endless” supply of recycled clay. The clay will
be kept in your assigned locker for the duration of the course. Students will be given a
numbered drawer that you will share with other one other person from each class (i.e. a
student from periods 1, 3, and 4 may all be assigned drawer #26 to share). This drawer
includes a table sponge, various clay tools (a needle tool, 2 loop tools, a wooden rib, a
metal rib, a wire tool, and a clay sponge), and 2 paint brushes. If any of these materials
go missing, the students assigned the drawer will be financially responsible for replacing
them (prices will be posted in class and on materials list). Students are also required to
keep a sketchbook (9x13” or similar size) in which they will be doing class work.
Students will keep a folder in their locker, as well, for all other tasks and handouts. Also,
see “Materials List.”
There is also a $25.00 lab fee REQUIRED for this course that is due 09/12/08 .
GRADING: Students must complete every assignment and project in order to assure
credit for the course. There will be few content reading assignments, aesthetic scans, and
exams as well as daily prompts. Students are given a PARCA grade which will be
averaged weekly into their grade and will most likely have the most impact on their final
score. Students with unexcused absences do not get their PARCA points for the day.
MAKE UP-WORK: Students with legitimate absences (not truancies) may have an
equal amount of time to make up their work (ex: one absence=one extra day, etc. I will
not chase you for make up work- it is your responsibility to get it to me. If you have
missed class, check with your neighbor to explain what you missed then come talk to me
to fill in the blanks. Any “absent” assignments in the grade book will turn into zeros at
mid-term and semester’s end so you need to keep track of this.

                                          PARCA grade
          Your PARCA grade will be based not on the work you do in class but how you do it. This grade
will be averaged out per day (2 points per day) to be totaled for a weekly grade. If a student misses class
due to truancy or an unexcused absence, s/he has forfeited those points.


Participation
         In class, you are expected to be fully attentive and participating, regardless as to
         whether we are having a group discussion, a class critique, or whether you are
         working on your own individual projects.
Attitude
         Your attitude in class is expected to be positive towards your classmates, your
         teacher, and your work. I am not promising that you will love every assignment
         but you will be expected to complete them nonetheless and it is a lot easier to
         have a good attitude about it!
Respect (or Rules)
         As long as you are respectful of the rules, materials, and other people, this part
         should come easily. Simple as that!
Clean Up
         Students will need to complete their assigned clean up jobs as well as clean up
         their own work space and tools at the end of each class period in order to receive
         full credit.
Activity
         This sums everything up- basically, you will be told what you are supposed to be
         doing in class. Please, just do it!


Student Name_________________________________ Date ______________________

Parent/Guardian Name ________________________________ Phone # ____________

Comments/Questions ______________________________________________________
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