Fairmont High School Art Department
Visual Arts Syllabus
Instructor: Mr. Terry DurhamLocation: C building, Room 5
E-mail:
School Phone Number: 910-628-6727 or 910-802-0421. Please leave a message
Classroom Text:Powerpoint’s on all projects, artist, and art history
A.Objectives
To learn compositions through the elements of art and principles of design
To demonstrate the use of concepts by the use of various tools and techniques
To improve basic artistic skills
To build self-confidence in one’s work, and be respectful of other students work
To understand the importance of quality and good craftsmanship in a work of art
To utilize higher-order thinking skills
To learn how to collaborate with other students
B.Course Procedures
It is expected that every student take responsibility for their behavior and follow school and classroom rules/expectations. Items that deserve special attention are:
Be prepared for the day’s assignment when the tardy bell rings. Tardiness will be strictly enforced.
Once the bell rings, food drinks and other items are to be put away. Failure to do so will result in possible confiscation of the items or other disciplinary action if deemed necessary.
The student is to remain in seat until told to do otherwise. The instructor reserves the right to make changes in seating at any-time during the semester.
The student is to properly utilize class time. Come to class ready to work with all materials needed, especially pencils!
Students caught using profanity or discussing inappropriate subject matter will result in disciplinary action.
Students need to be prepared to get dirty. Having a new shirt or uniform is no excuse for not doing work. Students should bring an old shirt or apron to pull over their clothing.
Students are permitted to leave the classroom for personal reasons a maximum of 5 times per 9 weeks. Medical concerns will be taken into account.
Only one student at a time may be out of the classroom unless called to the office.
No passes will be issued the first 15 minutes or the last 15 minutes of class.
Students out of class longer than 5 minutes, or caught skipping, face disciplinary action and a loss of privileges for a period of one week.
Students that leave the classroom without the instructor’s permission will be seen as skipping and will face disciplinary action.
If a student does not use all of his or her passes they may be returned at the end of the semester for 1 point each on the final exam. For a total of 10 points.
Students are to remain in assigned seats until the ringing of the bell and the instructor says they may leave.
C.Class Rules:
Be advised of the class rules and guidelines, which are clearly spelled out and will be orally reminded as the need arises.
No cell phones.
Always come to class ready to work hard.
No STICK people are allowed to be drawn
Students must exhibit exceptional behavior. Art is a discipline therefore must be taught in a disciplined environment.
If a student fails to exhibit proper behavior consequences will follow. The contents of the assertive discipline plan are posted in the front of the classroom.
First offense: Student/teacher conference.
Second offense: Parental contact.
Third offense: Removal from class by referral to administration.
D.Clean-up and Care of Art Materials:
All students are responsible for cleaning up their work spaces and returning any materials used during class to the appropriate storage areas. If a student breaks or destroys art supplies, he or she is destroying school property and will be required to replace the item(s) or face other disciplinary actions. Fees will be turned in at the end of each semester to the office.
Students are only given 1 piece of paper. We have limited supply so this is the importance of doing sketches in his/ her sketch book.
Students who leave supplies out or do not clean area will follow these consequences:
1)Verbal reprimand
2)Clean up duty
3)Loss of privilege of use of materials and will be given substitute materials to be able to complete project. Example, if we are painting, student will be given marker/crayon.
4)Loss of privilege of using that material for the remainder of the 9 weeks.
E.Absences:
It is the student’s responsibility to make up any missing work within 5 days of an excused absence.
Class attendance is expected. This is a studio course, which means the bulk of the assignments are done during class time. Regular attendance is essential to the continued progress of the student, as each assignment builds on the skills developed in prior assignments. Failure to make up any assignment, test, sketchbook work, etc will result in a zero.
F.Web Resources: Class Dojo and Google Classroom
- Google Classroom: Students will find the notes from class here, see what the assignment is and the due date. Once completed they will upload theirwork for me to grade. Students sign in thru their school emails ending in "@robeson.k12.nc.us".
- Class Dojo is my means of keeping up with hall passes, in which each student gets 5 per nine weeks. It also allows the parentsand meto communicate over what the student is or is not doing, ways to improve, and ways to see visual progress thru pictures. Students may also log in to see where they stand because the site allows for point to be given and taken away. Dojo comes with avatars that students can change.
G.Grading:
50% Studio projects
20% Classwork/Participation – The ability to listen and follow instructions
10% Sketchbook – Will be checked weekly, not having one at all will result in an “F” for the nine weeks
20% Test/Final Exam
Cleaning up the classroom area on a daily basis.
Final decision of exemptions is at the discretion of instructor.
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