Ceramics I, II, III, IV
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Ms. Abbatiello
Course Descriptions:
Ceramics I: Prerequisites: None
Students in Ceramics I will be taught the basics of working with clay. They will learn to use hand-building techniques such as pinch-pots, coil-building, and slab-building to make pottery and sculptural work. They will learn the proper terminology and use of tools, and materials, and they will learn how to reconstitute dry clay into workable clay. Students will learn about wedging and throwing pottery on the pottery wheel. Students will also learn about finishing, glazing, and firing their pieces. Students can take this course as many times as they wish, moving up in levels each year. Each time they will build on their previous experience and work on creating more advanced projects.
Ceramics II: Prerequisite: Ceramics I
Students in Ceramics II will continue to develop their skills and craftsmanship with this media. They will begin to complete higher level projects such as making sets of pottery, sectionals. or series of works. They will also learn about more advanced techniques such as sgraffito and majolica, and learn more about the processes of firing and glazing.
Ceramics III, IV Prerequisites: Ceramics I and II
With approval, students at this level have the option to start developing their own body of work with Ceramics as their medium. They will be able to explore more of their own ideas and techniques, while developing their own body of work in ceramics. Students who are interested will also receive instruction and help with professional development such as building portfolios, writing resumes, and applying for scholarships, colleges, or residencies.
Required Materials:
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All Art Supplies we have will be provided but donations are always welcome.
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Computer (Google Classroom and Artsonia)
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Clay clothes (Optional) We have some aprons but if you would like to protect your clothes you may want to bring an old shirt, shorts, pants, etc. to throw over your clothes. Clay will wash out so it’s up to you.
Course Topics:
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Art Vocabulary and Criticism
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Wheel-throwing
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Hand-building
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Recycling & Reconstituting
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Documenting Artwork
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Writing Artist Statements
Expected Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
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Demonstrate a basic knowledge of using a variety of techniques while working with clay materials.
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Use a variety of Ceramic materials and tools effectively and safely, and accurately recall their names and how to use them.
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Demonstrate an understanding of vocabulary related to the Ceramic Arts including the different stages and types of clay.
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Explain the process of loading and firing a kiln.
Course Policy:
Phones: Cellular devices may only be used as specified by the instructor. I will allow you to use them to listen to music only, in which case you need to wear headphones, and it needs to be out of sight. If I see a phone for any other unauthorized purposes, it will be confiscated until the end of the period. If you do not comply you will be sent to the office immediately, and your parents or guardians will be notified. We now have Ipads to take pictures of your finished work, and they are much faster. If both are being used and there is a long line then use your computer.
Academic Integrity: Complete your own work. Do not try to submit work from anyone else. This is plagiarism, and will be taken seriously. You will receive a 0 for the project and I will call home. Take your work seriously and you will be amazed at how well you do, and how much you are able to improve. Be proud of your own work, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, that is how we learn.
Student Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated by weekly tasks and/or projects, as well as their:
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Timeliness
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level of improvement
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attitude (Be kind and professional)
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performance during class
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Effort
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level of participation: See below
Weekly participation Points: Please be aware that I factor your behavior, attitude, and participation during class into each project, but on top of that, you will also receive 10 participation points a week. To get the full 10 points you will need to:
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Grab your sketchbook immediately when you come in and place it at your seat before the bell rings.
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Then begin gathering your materials. I should see your sketchbook at your assigned seat when I take attendance. If it is not there, in your spot, you will lose points.
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Listen and pay attention while I am giving instructions.
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Participate during class discussions
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Use Materials correctly and safely.
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Work hard and stay on task the entire class period until the last 5 minutes, then clean up without me asking. Do not clean up early unless you are finished.
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If you do get finished and cleaned up early, ask me what the next step is. If I am busy helping others, or it is a step that requires a demo, then immediately begin working on any sketchbook or in-between assignments. You should never just be sitting around, or distracting others, you will lose points.
Absences and Deadlines: The student is responsible for making up any class material missed in the case of an absence. The student will receive one extra day per absence IF the absence was excused. You will lose half a letter grade for every consecutive day that a work is late until the work is turned in. It is better to turn things in on time and tell me that the work is unfinished because you may always resubmit your work for a better grade up until the end of each marking period. After a marking period has finished you are unable to submit work from the previous quarter(s).
Critiques: How to Successfully Participate in an Art Critique.docx
Extra Credit: I rarely ever give extra credit. The best thing you can do is resubmit any work you received a low grade on, up until the end of that marking period. You may not resubmit work from the previous quarter(s). Any work not turned in by the end of the quarter will receive a 0.
Art Progress Reports/Signatures/Phone calls home: This is one of those rare moments. At least once a quarter about halfway through, I will print an Art progress report for you. If you are passing, you can get extra credit points for getting it signed, and turned in. If you are failing, it is required, and I will also be calling home to let your parents and/or guardians know, to make sure that you get those points.
Sketchbook/In-between assignments Grade: You will receive a grade for your sketchbook at the end of each quarter/in-between assignments. Any time you finish an assignment early you should be working on these assignments.
The student’s final grade will be determined using the following grading policy:
90%-100% = “A,”
80%-89% = “B,”
70%-79% = “C,”
60%-69% = “D,”
and below 60% = “F.”
Course Outline: All learning outcomes will be covered. However, your instructor may deviate from the timeline suggested. Updates will be posted on our schedule in Google Classroom as the year progresses.
Please keep the syllabus, Artsonia Information letter, and Course Outline attached for your records. They will go into your sketchbook but they will also be available on your Google Classroom. The Syllabus agreement needs to be signed and returned to me immediately! Thank you and I look forward to working with you this year,
Ms. Abbatiello