Sturgis Middle School Katherine Svoboda, Art Teacher 269 659-1550, ext.

1122 (Best time to call: 3-4:00 p.m. after school) ksvoboda@sturgisps.org (I return all emails in a timely manner.) Sturgis Middle School Mission Statement: Sturgis Middle School is dedicated to the academic, social, and emotional development of each individual. Teacher Statement:
I am devoted to helping children reach their full potential. I believe all students should be exposed to the creative aspects art allows and I will encourage your child to develop constructive goals for a successful outcome in this advanced art class. While working with a variety of art mediums your child will have many opportunities for artistic growth. Students in advanced art class will also be expected to develop 21st Century literacy skills by creating digital media using computers, cameras and the Internet. Students will be developing online skills that include working with digital images, podcasting, blogging, and other creative areas while learning about cyber safety.

Art Syllabus for Advanced Art Class

Advanced Art Course Description
Advanced art students at Sturgis Middle School will explore art using the elements and principles of design while employing a variety of two and three dimensional media. Students will look into the lives of artists and discuss motivations for creating art that include looking at different art styles. Students will examine art history and the artists from that period. Students will be encouraged to use their imagination to create unique works of art while gaining an appreciation of art. Students will learn how to develop fine craftsmanship while learning how to manage their time in a productive manner. Students will learn how to use and value constructive criticism. Students will develop confidence and be well prepared for any additional art class they may take in the future. Students will monitor their personal growth by developing 21st Century literacy skills that showcase their artwork through digital storytelling, PowerPoint, blogging, and sharing their artwork online. This class does have a fee to participate. On June 1st, 2012 students will display their artwork in the library/media center showcasing their talent and artistic growth. Parents and family members are all encouraged to attend this art show.

21st Century Literacy Skills: Students in advanced art class will have many opportunities to learn about 21st Century literacy skills by sharing and creating online digital content showcasing what they are learning in art class. Students will be creating a classroom blog and may even be creating their own blog as the class progresses. Students will be guided to use technology in a constructive manner that keeps them safe, that is creative, and allows them the opportunity to learn valuable information about digital media usage in education. This is designed to enhance learning and prepare students for future challenges. Many of these technologies require students to publish to the Internet. These include the use of blogs, podcasts, wikis, and digital photography.

Textbooks:
8th Grade: Art A Community Connection Scholastic Art Magazine Artistic Styles, Art purpose in Communities

Other Resources Utilized:

Complete poster and DVD set: Art Styles (Covers prehistoric art through modern art.) Art Prints, Painter, Bryce, Artrageous, and PowerPoint software, Art websites, art videos, the Internet, and art books.

Student Materials Needed:

A pencil An apron or old shirt (I do provide these if students dont bring their own. However, they are worn by many students. If you are concerned about flu outbreaks, etc. you may want your child to bring their own.) Students need to bring old clothes when working on a pottery wheel.

Student Responsibilities:
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a positive manner and treat each other with respect. Students are also expected to treat the teacher, art room and materials with respect as well. Students must maintain a safe and clean work area. Students are responsible for any material covered or announcements made during their absence. Students need to use their time wisely. All work is produced during class time. Misuse of time can have a profound effect on a students final grade if they are unable to make up the work. Students should always pay attention to the art poster displayed prominently in the art room as it will assist students in making the proper choices. Students can make up any missed time by staying after school with Ms. Svoboda when she is available. This is usually Monday through Thursday until 4:00 p.m.

Grading Procedures:

80%-Academic (This is totally performance based on meeting the state of Michigan art standards.) A variety of different rubrics will be used that cover
the state of Michigan art standards. These will be clear to the student prior to turning in their finished assignments.

20%-Work Habits (Behavior Related. This is turning in requested papers on time, following rules and directions, contributing to class, things that are not part of the art standards but help the student recognize and develop quality study skills and attributes. This will also take into account any extra credit artwork students want to develop during class.) Artsonia: Students must participate in Artsonia. http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=8364

Discipline Procedure:
Students in the advanced art class are expected to have no behavior problems. If they should occur, this is the procedure that will be taken. All rules in the school handbook pertain to art class. When a student is exhibiting disruptive behavior the following procedures will be followed: Step One: Student will be asked to stop the disruptive behavior with a warning. Step Two: If the behavior continues or changes to another disruptive behavior the student will be given a time out space where they can continue to work on their art project. Step Three: If student continues to exhibit disruptive behavior a private teacher/student conference will be required. Student may have another consequence after the conference. A phone call or email will be made home at this time. Step Four: If disruptive behavior continues and student has not learned how to control themselves, student may face administrative discipline and/or in school or out of school suspension or other creative methods to help the student reach their full potential. A parent conference may be required.

Advanced Art Class Sturgis Middle School Art Syllabus

Please go over this form with your child. Both of you should sign it. Please return it to Ms. Svoboda ASAP. Art Hour:_____Grade:___ _________________________(Print student name) and I have read and discussed each of the individual sections on the syllabus including the 21st Century literacy skills section. My child will bring a pencil to art class every day and follow all cyber safety directions. __________________________ ______ Student Signature Phone Number and Email to reach you: __________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Class Fee: $15.00

This fee is to cover the extra supplies that are purchased for this class. These are things like a large canvas, t-shirts, ceramic tiles, etc. If this is a hardship for your family please send me a note. Ill figure out a way to accommodate the concern. Make check payable to Sturgis Middle School and put the check number here _________ If paying by cash please check here.________ Student Name:________________________________________________________ ____ T-shirt size: (adult sizes) Please circle. Small Medium Large Extra Large 2 or 3x large

Katherine Svoboda, Art Teacher, Sturgis Middle School ksvoboda@sturgisps.org 659-1550, ext. 1122 Dear Families: Throughout the 2011-2012 school year my art classes will be using technology to enhance learning and prepare students for future challenges. Many of these technologies require students to publish to the Internet. These include the use of blogs, podcasts, wikis, and digital photography. Blogs & Wikis A Weblog, or blog as they are commonly called, is a special type of web page that can be created and easily updated using a web browser. Each new entry has its own date stamp. Each entry has a comments section where visitors to the blog may leave comments for the author. For example, students in our class will respond to prompts and discuss making art in our class blog. Having a real audience is one of the key components to developing a blog. In addition to receiving comments from their classmates, our class will receive comments from other classes who are invited to visit our web pages. I anticipate possibly arranging for students in other parts of the country or world to visit our blogs and comment on our writing. Parents are also invited to visit the blogs and respond to the writing. A wiki is a place to develop user content in a community forum. Podcasts A podcast is a digital audio and/or video recording published on the Internet and available for downloading. For example, students may write a creative interview with a famous artist and publish it on the web in the form of a podcast. Digital Photography A digital photograph is a still picture that can be stored electronically and published to the Internet. I anticipate that class activities and special events will be photographed and shared through digital slideshows and videos. Security The use of the aforementioned technologies has been designed to minimize risk to your child. Students will be required to refrain from sharing personally identifying information such as last name, address, phone number, age, etc. The issue of cyber safety and cyber bullying will be addressed in art class. Permission Before your child may start blogging, podcasting, developing a wiki, using digital cameras or appearing in our slideshows, we are asking for you and your child to discuss and sign the attached form. Please return the form to Ms. Svoboda as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Svoboda at ksvoboda@sturgisps.org or 659-1550, ext. 1122.

Blogging Terms and Conditions/Podcast & Photo Consent/ & Website content for Art Class at Sturgis Middle School, Teacher: Ms. Katherine Svoboda 1. Students using blogs and websites are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts. You agree to not post or give out your family name, password, user name, email address, home address, city, country or other information that could help someone locate or contact you in person. You may share your interests, ideas and preferences. 2. Students agree to never log in as another student. 3. Students using blogs are expected to treat blog spaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school. 4. Blogs are to be a forum for student expression. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and as such will be constrained by the various requirements and rules of classroom teachers. 5. Blogs are to be a vehicle for sharing student writing with real audiences. Most visitors to your blog who leave comments will leave respectful, helpful messages. If you receive a comment that makes you feel uncomfortable or is not respectful, tell your teacher right away. Do not respond to the comment. 6. Students who do not abide by these terms and conditions may lose their opportunity to take part in the blogging activities. 7. This form is expected to cover all art classes that your child is enrolled in during their middle school years at Sturgis Middle School. I have read and understood these blogging terms and conditions. I agree to uphold them. I also give permission for digital images and recordings of me to be published to the Internet and for my child to utilize websites that Ms. Svoboda recommends. Students Signature:_____________________________ Date: ________________ Parents Signature: _____________________________ Date: ________________