Hampden Academy 

Hampden Academy challenges all students to achieve individual excellence. 

 
 
Course Syllabus
Course Information

Course Title: Art Fundamentals

Course Number: 949

Course Date: 1​st​ Semester 20/21

Course Location: 110 / 112

Instructors: Melanie Crowe

Email: ​mcrowe@rsu22.us

Course Description: Art Fundamentals is the art department’s entry-level course. This course
introduces students to the tools, materials, and processes of the artist and an
introduction to history of art. Students will explore the ​sources of creative
ideas, the concept of originality, and creative problem solving​, through
which students will develop individual interests and strengths. There are four
units of study: drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Students are
expected to be reflective in their writing about art and art making, participate
in critiques and to maintain some amount of homework. Through critique and
discussion, students will develop communication skills and an understanding
of Art as a visual language. This is a hands-on studio experience; therefore,
attendance is crucial for success.

Prerequisite/Program: None

Graduation Standards: Art Fundamentals AND Art 2 ​or​ Sculpture are needed to meet the Fine Arts
graduation requirement for Visual Art

Standards: Priority Standards:

Maine Learning Results
Disciplinary Literacy
A2 Elements of Art and Principles of Design as related to 3-Dimensional
A3 Media, Tools, Techniques, and Processes
Creation, Performance, and Expression
B3 Making Meaning
Creative Problem Solving
C1 Application of Creative Process

Additional Standards:
Maine Learning Results
Aesthetics and Criticism
 D1 Aesthetics and Criticism
Visual and Performing Art Connections
E3 Goal-Setting
E5 Interpersonal Skills

National Core Art Standards

Connecting
VA:Cn10.1 Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experience to
make art.
Creating
VA:Cr1.1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas, and work.
VA:Cr2.1 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Presenting
VA:Pr5.1 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for
presentation.
Responding
VA:Re9.1 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.

SLO: Foundational Concepts

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes: By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

◍ Define the concept of Art and its’ significance & importance to their
education and in culture.
◍ Exercise and demonstrate use of the Elements / Principles of Art.
◍ Use creative problem solving skills within their approach to
artmaking.
◍ Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills by utilizing a step-by-step
approach to specific issues in class projects.
◍ Create original & unique works of art that illustrate personal meaning.
◍ Demonstrate skill & understanding of a variety of art media.
◍ Develop a series of goals for their artwork.
◍ Analyze, interpret and evaluate the form and content of works of art.
◍ Create a digital portfolio of their entire body of work.
◍ Reflect upon their learning through reflective response prompts and
artist statements.
Instructional Methods

Methods: Art Fundamentals is a hands-on project based class that challenges students
to meet their individual level of excellence using creative problem solving
strategies. Topics will be introduced (​lecture & exploration)​ , discussed (​class
participation​), practiced (​project creation​), and critiqued (​class discussion​)
to a quality level of engagement. Once students have created a quality
finished product, they will present it to the class for critique.

Supporting Materials

Materials: Course Handouts, Google Classroom, Sketchbook, Folder, Pencil

 Google Classroom​ - You will be required to bring your Chromebook to class
everyday. Classroom is used to display project objectives, project
assignments, rubrics, feedback, and course handouts. We will also use it as a
platform to have class discussions about work. *Make sure you enable
notifications. Read all posts & emails. Respond promptly to emails and
reflective response prompts.
Sketchbook/Visual Journal & Folder​- Get a sturdy sketchbook as it is a
record of everything we do in class. Sketchbook/Visual Journals and
Folder/Binder will contain: project objectives, class notes, vocabulary &
definitions, notes from class discussions and presentations, sketches of ideas
and work to be created. You need to bring your sketchbook/visual journal
and folder every day to class and keep it up to date.

Google Classroom Code: see Course description handout

Assignments Course is student driven and designed by focusing on creating a portfolio of

work that speaks to their interests and voice as an artist through the use and
lens of drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture.

Assessment

Formative assessment tools:

Check-ins, Exit tickets, Observation, Google Forms, Checklists, Hand signals
(thumbs up / down), Reflective Journal Response (in process), Critiques

Summative assessment tools:

Artwork, Digital Portfolio, Reflective Journal Response / Artist Statements
(end of project), rubrics, worksheets, Assessments

Grading Policy Creating 50%

(Rubric driven, Application of Concepts, Creative Process & Artistic
Behaviors Focused)
Engagement 30%
(Preparedness, Skill Acquisition, Class Discussion, Use of time)
Reflective Practice 20%
(Critiques, Reflective Journal Response, Assessments)

 
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