ART I:

FOUNDATIONS OF STUDIO ART

Howard High School Art Department 2010
Ms. Molly Brennan – Instructor
Mary_f_Brennan@hcpss.org
www.hhsart1brennan.blogspot.com

WELCOME to ART I! You made a good DECISION in

CHOOSING this class to fulfill your fine art elective for your
graduation requirement. I realize that not all of you consider
yourself artists – perhaps you are a stellar athlete, a
mathematician, or writer. Also, you may think that you do not
possess a talent for art. With that said, I want you to know
one thing before we start the year: ART IS A SKILL THAT
CAN BE LEARNED by engaging the right side of the brain.

This syllabus outlines the procedures, policies, and objectives of this course. The last page is an information sheet
that needs to be completed by the student AND the parent/guardian and returned by the date indicated. This
syllabus will be kept in the students Sketchbook/Binder.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Students will apply concepts about the elements of art and principles of design (refer to visuals) through a variety
of experiences in learning the language of art. Activities are designed to build creative problem solving skill
through drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and other art disciplines. As students gain a sense of the ways artists
find and interpret ideas, they develop an understanding of the role of the artist in a culturally diverse world.

Students will be able to…

• IDENTIFY the Elements of Art and Principles of Design to develop a basic vocabulary. These Elements
and Principles are the backbone to any artmaking activity.

• RECOGNIZE and APPLY compositional formats used in 2D and 3D masterworks.

• USE Feldman’s 4 step process for making critical judgments to become aesthetically literate.

• USE various conceptual and interdisciplinary approaches for the development of subject mater including:
imagination, observation, memory, verbal to visual and experimental.

• DEVELOPMENT of compositional formats, problem solving and technical skills in drawing, painting,
printmaking, sculpture, and other art disciplines.

ART I AT A GLANCE:

Quarter 4
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 - Other media
- Art Elements and - Observational Skills - Printmaking - Sculptural Design
Principles - Media exploration - Clay - Formal Critiquing
- Sketchbook spread - Aesthetic Theory methods
STRUCTURE of the CLASS NOTEBOOK/BINDER/SKETCHBOOK

There are 5 sections/parts to class every day. You will need a ½” or 1” binder for this class. This binder
The following is the art studio’s established routine: will hold your monthly drill sheets, worksheets and serve
as your sketchbook. Sketch paper will be put in the
1. INTRODUCTION/DRILL binder for thumbnail sketches, visual spreads, and
2. DEMONSTRATION practice pages.
3. STUDIO TIME
4. CLEANUP
5. ASSESSMENT/CLOSURE

GRADING POLICY
You will be assessed on your ability to:
GRADES ARE WEIGHTED AS FOLLOWED:
• Keep and organize an artist’s notebook
• Maintain a Drill Log 40% Final Projects
• Successfully use design and compositional space. 30% Classwork (thumbnails/practice)
• Identify differences between philosophies of art 30% Drills (daily)
and stages of art criticism.
• Develop knowledge of master arts and cultures’ artwork.
• Complete classwork.
• Meet requirements to complete a final exam.

The Art Rubric is as follows for each final project. Each section is worth 25 points.
STUDIO SKILLS Have you use the skills demonstrated by the teacher in a successful way?
DESIGN which includes the originality of ideas, creative problem solving, knowledge of art elements
OBJECTIVES Have you met the established criteria or the assignment? Have you completed practice worksheets
and thumbnail sketches? Have you done the research and daily drills?
CRAFTSMANSHIP Neatness, craftsmanship, completion and evidence of pride.

ABSENCES/EXTENSIONS/UPGRADES

• You are expected to complete all assignments by the specified due date. Due dates will be clearly posted.
• I will give you an extension on any assignment at my discretion. (Final Projects only)
• If you have an excused absence (by way of a Readmit Slip) you will have the same amount of time you were
absent to make up an assignment.
• UPGRADING – Not happy with your grade? Think you can do better? Okay, considering upgrading.
Basically, you can re-do or add on to any artwork you think you can do better on. This only qualifies for
final projects.

TARDY POLICY

FIRST TARDY – conference with you

SECOND TARDY – conference with you AGAIN
THIRD TARDY – after school detention and phone call home
FOURTH TARDY – referral to your grade team leader
FIFTH TARDY – disciplinary referral

Tardies are recorded on the clipboard next the door by you. If you’re late, sign in.
THE SOCIAL CONTRACT – Art Room Edition

A social contract is an agreement of behavior within the art studio.

1. How do you want to be treated by me????????
2. How do you want to be treated by each other?????????
3. How do you think I, Ms. Brennan, want to be treated by you??????????
4. How should we treat each other when there is some sort of conflict????????

This will be done on the second or third day of class. Everyone will sign it when they feel like they’re comfortable
with it. It will hang in our classroom through the duration of the year.

“OO” DOUBLE Oh!

Cell phones and ipods, MP3 players, etc. are prohibited in the art room.
Offense 1: Warning by teacher.
Offense 2: Disciplinary referral. It will be written up with or without your
knowledge. Please be respectful of this policy.

FOOD and BEVERAGE

Food is absolutely prohibited in the art studio.

WATER IS permitted in a CLEAR bottle. Gatorade, Pepsi, Dr. Pepsi, SOBE,
etc. is not permitted. Having food in the art room goes against Howard
County’s wellness policy and is not tolerated.

National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and other artsy stuff…

The National Art Honor Society is a school-sponsored club that promotes the visual arts in the school and outside
community through art shows, Coffee Houses, fundraiser, art sales, murals, teaching art at a local elementary
school, and other service-oriented activities. The group meets on Wednesday afternoons. As an Art I student,
you will qualify to join the NAHS in December if you maintain a B or higher in Art I. You will be invited to join the
NAHS in December if you meet the requirements and will officially be inducted in May.

Open Studio The art studio will be open to ALL art students after school on THURSDAYS until 5pm. This is a
good opportunity to catch up on art classwork or just to hang out with other artists.

Annual Spring Art Show In May, the auxiliary gym turns into a school-wide art gallery. Every student enrolled in
an art class – from Art I to Photo to the AP classes - will display one piece of their artwork in this 2 day show.
Hundreds of artworks are on display including teacher and staff artwork.
Please write your LAST name in this box:
ART I: FOUNDATIONS of STUDIO ART 2010-11

Dear Parent/Guardian:

I look forward to having your student in Art I this year. I hope you had enough time to read through this syllabus
and know what the course is about, what the grading and behavioral policies are, and what your student will be
doing this year in his/her art class. Please take some time to visit my class website at
www.hhsart1brennan.blogspot.com (bookmark it!). There I post class updates, homework, pictures, links, documents
(including this syllabus!!), important dates and project information. I update it frequently. If you need to reach
me at school, the best time is from 2:15-3:00 at 410-313-2867. You can easily reach me by e-mail at
mary_f_brennan@hcpss.org. There is also a link on my website to my e-mail.

Sincerely,

Molly Brennan

PS. Hope to see you at Back to School Night on September 16!!!!

Student and Parents/Guardians, please read the below statement:

“Ms. Brennan went over the syllabus, course content, art studio policies, and class
structure/routine policies. I know what Ms. Brennan’s grading policies are and what the
consequences are if I’m tardy for class. She also went over policies regarding absences
(excused and unexcused) and art studio expectations, including
the “OO” policy
regarding cell phones and other electronic devices. I have seen a copy of
Howard High School’s Discipline Ladder and understand its consequences. Ms. Brennan
answered any questions I had about any of these policies, and I understand what is expected of
me in ART I.”

PRINT student name _____________________________Student signature___________________________

PRINT guardian name_____________________________Guardian signature___________________________

Provide the following information, please:

Best number and time to reach you ___________________________________________________________

Parent e-mail (optional)____________________________________________________________________

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE NO LATER THAN _____________________________________