Valencia Art 1A/B Course Syllabus
Ms. Pharis, cpharis@hartdistrict.org, 661-294-1188 ext.104
Art Objectives 2008-09
To increase the awareness and utilization of students’ creative abilities.
To develop the student’s powers of visualization and imagination.
To introduce the background, techniques, and skills involved in drawing, painting, and sculpture.
To give the student an awareness that form, function, and content are related and dependent upon one another.
To create an understanding of the Principles of Art and the Elements of Design that are essential to all art forms, yet independent of time and culture.
To develop an awareness of recent contemporary art and how it relates to technological changes.
To offer a valid and personal foundation in fine arts that will encourage a student to make further investigations and provide enrichment in his/her life.
To create the understanding that art is a substantial record of history.
To provide an overview of art history.
Dear Parents and Students:
This course orientation has been prepared to communicate the expectations, course content, course requirements, policies, and any other information that will give you the opportunity to achieve and have a positive learning experience. Please read it carefully, learn it, and share this with your parents. If you do not understand, or you have a question about any part of this communication, please see me for clarification.
A well-balanced fine arts curriculum has been designed which will foster creative growth, and develop your ability to discover and create Art in our environment. We’ll learn about composition, the elements and principles of design, portraiture, drawing, sculpture, crafts, art history, various styles and genres, and current art developments. We will develop many techniques, including warm-up drawing exercises, shading techniques, measurement, simplifying forms, adding detail, and sighting skills. We will consider compositional rules and design concepts, as well as explore different mediums such as pastel, oil pastel, pastel, colored pencils, pen, charcoal and graphite pencils, scratchboard, ceramics, and copper bas-relief.
Evaluation is done through portfolios. Following directions, learning the concepts, completion of assignments, daily effort, and work habits will constitute a student’s final grade. Growth is very important. Consideration is given to where the student begins developmentally in the class, rather than comparing one student to another. Art is a communicative process, not a competitive process. If your son or daughter comes home with a grade that could be greatly improved, it is not because s/he isn’t “good at Art.” It is because s/he has not completed work, and is not using time wisely or following directions. Please feel free to e-mail or call me with questions or concerns.
Class Rules:
The Valencia High School discipline plan, along with the 5-step Opportunity Room program will be enforced for failure to follow classroom rules. Please be advised that inappropriate imagery dealing with alcohol, drugs, violence, gangs, or sexual content will be immediately turned over to the administration.
A $25.00 materials contribution is needed to buy the necessary materials to make our projects, such as silver scratchboard, copper foiling, sculpture, and linoleum carving and printing. A check may be made out to Valencia High School or send cash. You may bring a sketchbook, pencils, markers, erasers, and other similar items. It would be helpful to have a large, old shirt or smock to protect your clothing.
Extra credit is offered to students for drawings and paintings, which may be kept in a sketchbook. Students may also shoot images using a camera. Students should see me first, so that we may agree upon the projects and earned points.
Attendance is important and is directly related to a student’s success. It is important to be on time to class. The school tardy and the district attendance policy will be in effect in this class.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Ms. Pharis at cpharis@hartdistrict.org, 661-294-1188, ext. 104. Thank you.