Welcome to Visual Arts Exploratory

With Ms. Keller

Email: skeller@wcpss.net
Room Number: 503

Course Objective:
This course introduces the students to the Elements of Art through the application of various media. These include drawing,
painting, printmaking, mixed media, weaving and pottery. Students will also be familiarized with art history and learn to
critically analyze master artworks as well as their own.

Supplies:
Boys- old magazines or newspapers
Girls- a roll of yarn
At least 3 #2 pencils
Fine point black sharpie(s)
2 pearl pink erasers
A pencil pouch or 1 gallon zip-lock bag (to hold loose supplies)
A Sketchbook

***Other supplies are available at school but you are free to buy your own, such as markers or colored pencils

Please have your supplies ready for class ASAP!!!

Expectations:
Be present and be ready to begin the lesson as soon as you enter the classroom
Listen to instructions quietly and ask questions if you are confused/unsure of something
Be respectful of the teacher, your fellow students, the supplies, other students belongs/artwork and yourself
Never bring food or drink into the classroom
No texting or talking to other students while the teacher is teaching
Take responsibility for your mistakes
o Its okay to mess up; were an art class after all!!!
Always save your artwork

Course Activities:
This course will include the following, but not necessarily in this order:
Elements of Art
o Line, Shape, Space, Form, Value, Color, Texture
Visual Literacy
o Activities that involve both art and writing
Art History
o Students will study/analyze various artists and art movements throughout history
Art Criticism
o Analyzing and interpreting works of art
 Welcome to Visual Arts Exploratory
With Ms. Keller
Grading:
Your grades will be weighed as followed:
10% Drawing assignments (worksheets and homework)
30% Classroom assignments and quizzes
60% Major projects and tests

Late Work:
Homework/Worksheets:
All homework will be given to students at the beginning of every other week; there will be no homework during the first
week of school. Homework will be due at the end of the week on Friday, but students are allowed to turn it in any time
during the week. Students will not get extra points for turning their work in early but they will get a 10 point deduction if
they turn it in late. Absent students are responsible for acquiring the necessary materials and worksheets for the assignment;
either by emailing the teacher or talking to other students.

Major Projects and Classroom Assignments:

Late projects or classroom assignments will be marked ten points off for each day it is late. Students have five days to turn in
their work; after five days the assignment will receive a zero.

Quizzes and Tests:

A student must make-up a preannounced quiz or test on the day they return to class.

Added Notes:
Students must turn their work in to the teacher or designated area; I will not look through lockers looking for
projects to grade.
First and last names should be CLEARLY printed on every assignment. Projects without a name will be given a 15
point reduction.

***Parents, please note that art projects take several days- sometimes weeks- to create. Grades will be posted as work is
completed.

Tardies:
A student is tardy if he or she enters a classroom after the tardy bell has sounded. Students should wait to ask their teacher to
use the restrooms after the bell has rung.

Power Schools (Online Grades):

All grading will be posted and available through Power Schools. Parents may register by completing the Power Schools
application and submitting it to the school office. Once the account has been created, parents will receive an email with
instructions on how to activate their account.

Restrooms:
Occasional use of the restroom is acceptable, provided it does not interfere with teaching. Do not expect to use the restroom
on a daily basis without a note from a doctor.

Honor Code:
Students are expected to use good judgment and follow the Wake County policy on plagiarism and cheating. Tracing is a
form of plagiarism unless you are tracing your own work.
 Welcome to Visual Arts Exploratory
With Ms. Keller

Discipline Policy:
I have a four step discipline plan for students who are misbehaving during my class.

First Offense: Warning- this warning will either be a verbal warning or your name is written on the board
Second Offense: Lunch Detention/Silent Lunch
Third Offense: Referral to an administrator
Fourth Offense: Removal from class

(Please detach and return to Ms. Keller)

.

I have read the Art Room Expectations and gone over them with a parent/guardian and understand what is
expected of me. I will abide by these expectations.

Name: Signature: Period: .

Parent/Guardian Name: Signature: .