Course Disclosure Statement
This and all courses taught by Mr. Westenskow are based on the premise that every person can learn to create and understand art. It involves developing skills, habits of mind and understanding that come the same way any skill is achieved; Cooperating with an instructor or mentor, following instructions, and practicing to develop those skills.
Course Description
Introduction:
All 12 week courses are based on the foundation of the National and State Core Standards. Even more importantly the standards are taught within the framework of of the 8 "Studio thinking Habits of Mind" which are : Develop Craft, Engage & Persist, Envision, Express, Observe, Reflect, Stretch & Explore and Understand the Art World. These are not only mindsets and practices for artists but crucial for all critical thinkers and life long learners.
Courses are presented in a studio environment in which students are encouraged to pursue and apply personal ideas and expression. Assessing one's own work from clear but open-ended criteria will also be a feature in all courses.
The instructors, Ms, Thomas and Mr. Westenskow are both committed, educators and practicing artists.
Ceramics:
A one trimester course which introduces students to the art of ceramics. Techniques in creating, assessing and evaluating art work will be taught. Many projects will also be presented in historical and cultural context. Students will also keep a sketchbook and learn fundamental drawing skills as they apply to designing and communicating ideas about their work.
2-D Art:
This foundation course in art will focus on the elements of art and principles of design, composition and art history. Skill building, familiarity with art media and studio procedures are also key aspects of the course. Students will work with a variety of media and materials on 2-dimensional surfaces, including but not limited to pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic, printmaking, collage and mixed media.
3-D Art:
This foundation course in art will focus on the elements of art and principles of design with a focus on 3-dimensional works of art made from a variety of a variety of media an materials which may include, but not be limited to, paper, wire, plaster, and various found materials. Some of the curse content being covered will include understanding proportion, geometric and organic forms, and balance.
Required Materials
Students must have the following materials with them in class each day.
- Two sharpened, wooden no. 2 pencils, not mechanical pencils. These are to be sharpened and ready to go before the second bell rings.
- A folder or binder to keep self assessment sheets and other paperwork neat, clean, flat, untattered and available until they are due and are turned in.
- The sketchbook given to each student at the beginning of the trimester.
Academic Objectives ("Studio Habits of Mind")
- Develop Craft: Learn tool materials and practices of an art form.
- Engage & Persist: Learn to embrace problems of importance & develop focus within my work.
- Envision: Learn to mentally picture the next steeps in my work.
- Express: Learn to create works to convey an idea, feeling or meaning.
- Observe: Learn to look more closely and see things that may otherwise not be seen..
- Reflect: Learn to talk about the process of working and honestly assess my work/progress.
- Stretch & Explore: Learn to work beyond my capacity and embrace the opportunity to learn from my mistakes.
- Understand Art Worlds: Learn about art history and interact as an artist with other artists.
Why are the 8 "Studio Habits of Mind Important"?
Grades in this class are a reflection of your personal progress and achievement in terms of the course objectives. They do not measure talent or even necessarily effort since you can, by not following instructions, spend a lot of time and effort doing things and never show understanding or of mastery of the objectives being assessed.
Anyone can learn to draw, paint, sculpt, do ceramics, etc and develop at very competent skill level. Being willing to try and a good work ethic is all that is needed.
I am very much aware of the fact that students entering my art classes have widely varying backgrounds in areas of art. Sadly, there are no elementary art programs in the district. In other areas such as math and language the courses are fairly consistent throughout the district at all levels. A middle school math teacher at MLMS can be fairly confident of what concepts and general skills students will be familiar with when they walk into class the first day. In art, students arrive with a wide variety of backgrounds depending on widely varying and inconsistent backgrounds, on the awareness and interest in art at home in the arts and the student’s personal interest. With this in mind the first few assignments are used to assess the student’s knowledge of basic art concepts and assess their skill levels. Once that is determined students will be graded on the progress they make from that point forward. Students need not be concerned that their work will be compared against other students. Grades are based on personal improvement, completing assignments in a timely manner, demonstrating an understanding and mastery of the objectives..
Letter Grade Criteria:
Explanation and criteria of letter grade:
- “A” = Mastery - 90+100% : achievement beyond expected levels. There is evidence you have consistently put forth a great effort. You have consistently followed instructions and turned work in on time. Your willingness to stretch, explore, engage, and persist in your work in and out of class is evident.
- “B” = Proficient - 80-89+% : indicates an adequate level of achievement of expectations. There is evidence you have regularly put forth a great effort. You have regularly followed instructions and turned work in on time. Your willingness to stretch, explore, engage, and persist in your work in and out of class is evident most of the time.
- “C” = Approaching Proficiency - 70-79% : indicates a approaching proficient level of achievement. There is evidence you have regularly put forth a some effort. You have regularly followed instructions and turned work in on time. Your willingness to stretch, explore, engage, and persist in your work in and out of class is somewhat evident.
- “F” = Minimal -70% : indicates achievement/evidence below standard and ability or insufficient work/evidence to make a determination of achievement level. There is minimal evidence you have put forth any effort. You have occasionally followed instructions and turned work in on time. Your willingness to stretch, explore, engage, and persist in your work in and out of class is minimal or non-evident.
Assignment Weighting:
All assignments are not created equally. That is to say that all assignments are not weighted the same.
- Major projects =75% of overall grade.
- Sketchbook =10% of overall grade.
- Self-Assessments =10% of overall grade.
- Supplementary = 5% of overall grade.
Grading Codes:
When checking your grade in Aspire you may see a number grade with a decimal after it. That number is actually a code to indicate why you got the score you did. For example on a 95.2 the .2 indicates the assignment was turned in late which cost you a few points. Below is a breakdown of the code.
- .1 = The work lacked proper identification-first or last name missing or illegible, or class hour missing.
- .2 = The work was turned in late.
- .3 = Incomplete
- .4 = Craftsmanship issues
- .5 = Lacking creativity
- .6 = No or wrong score (on self-assessments).
- .7 = Excessively thick (for pottery).
- .8 = Did not follow instructions
Extra Credit:
Your overall grade earned in the course is done so on a daily basis by and demonstrating improved skills and personal development completing the required assignments. Extra credit does not substitute for the achievement, progress and skill development that comes over time by doing all of the regular assignments how and when they were assigned.
To Receive Full Credit For Assignments:
- Class projects and assignments must be turned in no later than 4:00pm on the due date.
- Sketchbook assignments are to be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date.
- Other assignments are due when specified.
- All work must have your full name, both first and last and the class period legibly written on it.
- Any exceptions to these policies must be cleared by Mr. Westenskow before turning them in.
Mr. Westenskow is happy to discuss specific questions about grades before and after school, but usually will not use class instruction time to look up and discuss student grades.
Grades are usually input within 24 hours of the due date. Students and parents may check grades, 24 hours and day, 7 days a week. Do this regularly.
The last two weeks of the trimester is too late to make up projects!
A Final Note Concerning Grading:
Paying attention in class, a good work ethic and attitude, following instructions and doing your best daily is the way to earn a good grade. The class is designed for students to be engaged and working every moment of class. Wasting time, doing things carelessly, and putting things off always result in frustration and disappointment for you.
“You learn something new every day, but if you miss a day it can really start to back up.” -Steve Wright
Attendance:
Absences
Students are expected to be on time and attend class regularly. Regardless of reason or quantity of absences students are responsible for finding out what was done during their absence and promptly completing and turning in the work.
Tardies
- Unexcused tardy: anywhere but in your seat with your sketchbook out working on the day's Quicksketch.
- Excused tardy: must have a signed pass.
- Hall Passes: Once students arrive in the classroom it is important for safety and studio management purposes for students to remain in class and be accounted for. Students have 1 "free" hall pass they may use during the trimester. If you need to use it check with Mr. Westenskow and follow the instructions on the Hall Pass Logbook.
Health Issues:
If you have a health issue, learning disability etc. that Mr. W. should be aware of, as soon as possible and when you feel comfortable, please talk t Mr. W and let him know so if necessary, accommodations can be made .
Citizenship/Life Skills:
District & School Rules:
All district and school rules as stated in the Student Handbook all students have received are observed in class.
Life Skills Rubric:
Please see the MLMS Life Skills Rubric in the Student Handbook.
Classroom Rule & Policies:
Students may engage in any behavior that does not cause a problem for themselves or anyone else on the planet. Choices of behavior that do cause a problem are handled in a non-punitive manner, but in a way that will allow the student to experience the consequences of that choice. Since equal is not the same as fair, consequences will be designed to fit the problem of the individual student in an appropriate manner. Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that student(s) involved in the situation understand how and why they are involved in the consequences.
Finally, if at any time I act or react in a way that a child truly feels is unjust, that student need only say to me “I’m not sure that is fair.” A private conference will be arranged in which the student may express why they feel my actions are unfair. This may or may not change my course of action. I like to be open to calm rational discussion on any matter. (Special acknowledgment and thanks to Jim and Charles Fay and Mrs. Krochmal.)
“Never mistake courtesy and kindness for naiveté or weakness” -Anonymous
Important Points Of Emphasis:
Although most are mentioned in the Student Handbook there are a few specific points always seem to need special emphasis and attention.
- Cell phones and all other devices, including private listening devices, should be turned off and put away before entering the studio. Time is short, all attention should be focused on classwork.
- Studio 509 is a backpack/book bag free zone. Bring only required material to class.
- Food and beverage are not permitted in class at any time.
- Coats and jackets are to be left in students lockers and not brought to class.
Confiscated items will be taken to the vice-principal. These items are taken to the office the morning of the next school day. Parents or students may then contact the office then to arrange the return of the items. Be courteous and understanding with office staff when inquiring about the status of the item and/or arranging to meet with the vice-principal.
Note to Parents:
Frequently talk to your child about what they are doing in class. Ask to see the artwork in their sketchbook. Visit this site often to get current information. Due to extreme sizes of many classes
You are welcome, invited and encouraged to come on down and visit my classroom any time! Please feel free to come in during your child's class or any other to see first hand what we do and how we do it. Remember first to check in at the front office before you come down to the studio (room 509).
For conferences, other that official parent /teacher conferences, about your child please make an appointment beforehand.
PARENTS - Please stop by during class sometime. At least take a peak inside and see first hand what we do. You are always welcome!