SYLLABUS for Art Design at Brandon Middle School
Teacher: Mrs. Daniels
Purpose: Art Design is an exploratory course in Visual Fine Arts.
Prerequisite: Art I
This course is for 7 th or 8 th grade students
Course Description:
Art Design will allow students will learn to use Design Thinking as a method for problem solving.
Students learn to create unique outcomes to normal everyday items, problems and issues that
are product based or to make statements that will invite the viewer to engage in the topic being
displayed. The student will be encouraged to take risks, and adopt unconventional perspectives
in the process of problem solving.
Design is the process of constructing original outcomes in anything anyone creates in art;
aesthetically, or functional. The process of research, rough drafts, thinking and comparing any
functional solution is the key component of Design Thinking. Understanding how to process
new ideas and not to accept easy outcomes is a solution to a problem that should be taught and
can be applied to all other aspects of creating.
This course will contribute to the structure and scaffolding of all other Visual Fine Arts courses
currently offered.
Materials used will vary in all forms of Art Mediums with extremely limited amounts of ceramics
The class will help students to focus on creative outcomes that can be artistically pleasing, or
that are not the norm; which invites futuristic change or thought in the community.
Materials: You should bring a #2 Ticonderoga pencil (not mechanical), with an eraser, and your
creative mind with a good work ethic to class daily!
Expectations: My expectations of students are that YOU WILL:
Conduct yourself in a SAFE and RESPONSIBLE manner in all of your actions. Safety of
all students is my number one priority.
Come to class on time and prepared! (Pencil and eraser, and bring any homework that
was assigned).
Do your best to complete all personal needs like using facilities, going to your locker,
getting what you need from the office PRIOR to coming to class. It is very important that we
focus on working during class, and not leaving the classroom during class.
You should bring your Chromebook; and it should be charged! If you require images to
work from this is where you will get them. You will NOT use your phone for this.
Respect the teacher and your fellow classmates with your words and actions! This
includes listening and participating during demonstrations in large group situations, without
causing distractions! Inappropriate behavior whether by your words or actions is not
appreciated or tolerated. Inappropriate actions on your part will result in consequences by
the teacher.
I expect students to always be kind to others.
Respect materials and tools in the classroom; please do not waste them! Clean and
store materials borrowed properly. All students will participate to keep our room clean! This
will include helping to clean up around your table, sink areas, or other designated areas by
Mrs. Daniels at the end of every class. We ARE a TEAM!
Students will not be allowed to leave the classroom unless the room is completely
cleaned! Part of the curriculum for this class is to learn to be responsible for the mess you
create.
Put effort into EVERY project! Please try NOT to take the easy way out to just get the
project done. You will only be successful if you strive for QUALITY outcomes! This happens
through thoughtful planning, taking time to morph and expand on your original ideas, work
through mistakes and sometimes starting over! Your GOAL should be NOT TO RUSH
through projects, but to constructively execute your ideas with careful craftsmanship. I
expect EVERY student to try to create great outcomes in your work. This takes time, and
effort! We are not in a race to complete our projects; we want to raise our bars for quality
work. Every student can create quality outcomes!
My greatest hopes are that you will not be afraid to fail. Learn from our mistakes, and
learn to embrace the mistake as an opportunity to create unique outcomes that were not
planned! Sometimes, these “mistakes” can have amazing outcomes!
Our GOAL is: Quality in all we do!
Please, never touch artwork that is not yours!
Please pay attention when I am giving direction on classroom procedures. This is
Important to keep the work you create safe, and to also care for the work of others.
Be kind in your words when talking about another student’s artwork.
You may NOT take images from the internet and copy them! This is plagiarism!
Stay in your assigned seat during class and once you have cleaned up and put your
materials away for the day at the end of class.
Every student is required to help pick up anything that has fallen on the floor before we
leave the room! We are a TEAM! Even if a mess is not yours, please be kind and help out!
One day it maybe a mess that is yours, and I know you would appreciate the help J
Use your class time wisely and work on the project at hand:
Artists’ follow certain procedures to ensure their work environment is safe. This includes
using materials in appropriate ways. Wasting materials may result in your replacing them at
your expense.
Sitting and talking and not working is not acceptable! You may not use the excuse that
you are “thinking about what to do”! (If this is a repeated practice, then this is just an excuse
not to work).
Good artwork requires hands on work that takes time! Many times, you will need to
rework one idea over and over and change things as you get new ideas during the process
of creating. This can be hard work! Don’t “settle” for “it’s good enough” or “can I be
done”?!!! I would hope that every student will raise their bar and work towards outcomes
they did not think they could achieve.
IF some students are doing something that is “off task”; this does not mean you should!
Mrs. Daniels will deal with each student on a one to one basis.
Be careful not to get involved in inappropriate behavior that now is your
Grading: Mrs. Daniels uses the Brandon Visual Fine Arts Grading Rubric to determine
your grade on every project. A copy of this is handed out in the first few days of class. You
should keep this and use it to determine if you are doing the best work you can during each
project! You do not have to be the “best” artist to get an A in this class! Everyone is an
Artist! You are here to learn! Learning to not be afraid to try and push your limits and to not
be afraid to repeat and practice, over and over until you get it right is a mind set some of us
need to get more skilled.
· I expect that you will do what is assigned and meeting the objectives of the project;
however if the project I assign does not interest you, and you have a different outcome
idea, you should share that with me! I am not looking for “cookie cutter art outcomes”! I
want you create artwork that interests you, but it MUST be school appropriate.
· The Originality of your work, being neat and well crafted, using your class time wisely
going above and beyond the project assigned (creativity) Using your ability to the fullest
and not rushing to be done!
You MUST be on task and respectful!
There are NO deadlines in this class! There is only QUALITY ART!
I am looking forward to a productive year with respectful students. I am here to teach to all
students and to help you increase your creative abilities. I truly believe that all students can
succeed in this class. It is up to the student to be a respectful functioning member of this
classroom. This includes not laughing when other students are disrespectful! We are all a team
in this room, so let’s work together for a great outcome!
PROHIBITED BEHAVIOR AND ACTIONS
Refusal to work. (sitting and talking, and not working)
Refusal to clean up (arguing that it isn’t your mess)
Wasting or abusing art materials and tools
Throwing “ANYTHING”
Tampering or causing intentional harm to another student’s artwork or their personal
belongings.
Putting any materials on yourself / your skin/ NO drawing of any kind on your skin!
Making a mess on purpose
Intentionally destroying another students work, or materials, tools, or furniture in the art
room (will result with consequences)
You should NOT create inappropriate distractions during demonstrations, discussions or
critiques that are random off topic comments, meant to be funny or disrespectful. You will be
removed from the classroom; a call will go home, a detention will be served or other
appropriate discipline up to and including dismissal may result.
Please, think before you speak or act!
Please do NOT draw on our tables, or contribute to any “holes” in the surface. These
tables have a long history to me trying to restore them. Please do not intentionally draw on
them!
Any intentional misbehaviors will be met with being sent to the office (and consequences that
the office deems appropriate), and possible classroom cleaning, and organizing.
Misc:
PHONES are not to be used in the Art Room Classroom. No exceptions.
IF you chose to have your phone in your pocket it must be off. You may not check it to
read a text or any other purpose.
· You will need to email yourself any personal pictures you need for artwork outside of
school.
The rules for phone use in the art room are as following and will be strictly
adhered to.
1. Phones will NOT be used to take photos of your artwork for Google Classroom
uploads, you will need to use your Chromebook. For this reason, it is imperative that
you have your Chromebook with you, and that it is charged.
2. NO texting allowed / as you are NOT using your phone in my classroom!
3. NO Social Media / as you are NOT using your phone in my classroom!
4. NO Videotaping from any device / as you are NOT using your phone in my
classroom!
5. NO other students or the teacher should be in the background of your artwork photos
when using your Chromebook camera.
6. NO Phone calls, or any other use of the phone, not even searching on the internet;
you have your Chromebook for that.
Again, you are NOT using your phone in my classroom. IF you do, you may get one warning
and then your phone will be taken to the office.
If you violate any of these rules, you will be given ONE warning, with consequences to follow.
· IF you bring your phone to class because you forgot to put it in your locker, it should
be kept in a pocket where I can’t see it.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM INFO:
· Students will use their Chrome Books and Google Classroom to turn in their work.
· This is where I will do all grading. When deadlines are announced for a project,
(which is usually announced when the majority of the class is done with the project
that we have in progress, you are expected to upload your work, EVEN IF you are NOT
done! You will NOT be marked down for not being done, but you WILL be marked down
if you do not turn you work in progress)!
· IF your student is absent on any given day, they should be able to keep up with what
is going on in class via Google Classroom. I will allow extra time in the classroom to
catch up, however, if the student does not attempt to complete any work after their
return, points will be deducted.
· Please make sure your student is checking their school email daily, if they are absent
for any extended time, I may be contacting them to see how things are going through
· Please make sure your student has ALL of their assignments posted on time in
Google Classroom! Generally when students post in Google Classroom for all Art
Classes; they should include their rough draft, a picture of their final artwork and they are
required to write something about their artwork. I will not be posting individual
assignments here. All assignments will be posted in Google Classroom under the
Classwork Tab.
· I would prefer to keep the Stream page of Google Classroom open for resources that
I will post for students regarding assignments; this is not a place for questions. Should
they have an urgent question that cannot wait until the next day, they should email me.
· Please also know that all students work at different speeds, all student's artwork will
vary; so some students may have chosen to place more details in their artwork than
others, and due to that students may possibly not have completed their artwork by the
due date. As long as students are working diligently, but may not have their artwork
completed by the deadline, I prefer and need them to post their work that is in
progress anyway. IF this happens, they should write a note in private comments, that
they are not finished and what it is they still need to complete. This way, when I grade
after the due date it will remind me. They are required to finish all unfinished work
though!
· If the student does not post ANY artwork by the due date, the grade entered will
be entered as a zero. This grade can be altered if the student makes efforts to contact
me; and complete their work in a timely manner, but more importantly that they post
their unfinished artwork at or near the time of that contact. It is likely the student will
lose points due to posting after the due date. The longer the absence of posting any
artwork after the due date; *(finished or unfinished), the more deduction of points are
probable. Ultimately, if no artwork is posted, the grade will remain a zero.
· Please understand that students should NOT consider emailing me artwork to get
credit. ALL artwork is graded in Google Classroom.
If you have ANY questions or concerns, please email me! jdaniels@brandon.k12.mi.us
ART II is NOT offered during Semester 1 of 2025 The following is information for Art II if held 2nd semester
Art II is the next step up from Art I. This is an intro art class, but we build on the lessons of Art I. We do a "DEEP DIVE" based off The Elements of Art and learn
how to manipulate and learn more about how to really implement The Elements of
Art (*for instance, Color is an element, however here we will learn how to make
tints and shades, how to use primary colors alone to mix our own colors,
monochromatic colors, etc.. We will use these and incorporate them
successfully to create unique personal outcomes in your artwork. All of
my lessons are open ended. This means your student is in charge of the
outcome of what they create. I will introduce an Artist, an Art Movement,
or various Media that can be connected to various topics. Basically, I
utilize D.B.A.E. art outcomes. This stands for Disciplined Based Art Education.
It is well versed for me to manipulate into whatever the students are
interested in, which helps spark their interest in being engaged in the
assignments. The only rule I absolutely require is that all topics and
or visual outcomes are school appropriate.
SYLLABUS FOR ART II Brandon Middle School
Teacher: Mrs. Daniels
Purpose: Art II
Art II is the next step up from Art I. This is an intro art class, but we build
on the lessons of Art I. We do a "DEEP DIVE" based off The Elements of Art
and learn how to manipulate and learn more about how to really implement
The Elements of Art (*for instance, Color is an element, however here we
will learn how to make tints and shades, how to use primary colors alone to
mix our own colors, monochromatic colors, etc.. We will use these and
incorporate them successfully to create unique personal outcomes in your
artwork. All of my lessons are open ended. This means your student is in
charge of the outcome of what they create. I will introduce an Artist, an Art
Movement, or various Media that can be connected to various topics.
Basically, I utilize D.B.A.E. art outcomes. This stands for Disciplined Based
Art Education. It is well versed for me to manipulate into whatever the
students are interested in, which helps spark their interest in being engaged
in the assignments. The only rule I absolutely require is that all topics and
or visual outcomes are school appropriate.
Materials: You MUST bring a #2 Ticonderoga pencil (not mechanical), 1
eraser, and your creative mind with a good work ethic to class daily! See
the supply list provided in class and on the first page of this website.
Expectations: My expectations of students are that YOU WILL:
Conduct yourself in a SAFE and RESPONSIBLE manner in all of your actions. Safety of
all students is my number one priority.
Come to class on time and prepared! (Pencil and eraser, and bring any homework that
was assigned).
Do your best to complete all personal needs like using facilities, going to your locker,
getting what you need from the office PRIOR to coming to class. It is very important
that we focus on working during class, and not leaving the classroom during class.
You should bring your Chromebook; and it should be charged! If you require images to
work from this is where you will get them. You will NOT use your phone for this.
Respect the teacher and your fellow classmates with your words and actions! This
includes listening and participating during demonstrations in large group situations,
without causing distractions! Inappropriate behavior whether by your words or actions
is not appreciated or tolerated. Inappropriate actions on your part will result in
consequences by the teacher.
I expect students to always be kind to others.
Respect materials and tools in the classroom; please do not waste them! Clean and
store materials borrowed properly. All students will participate to keep our room clean!
This will include helping to clean up around your table, sink areas, or other designated
areas by Mrs. Daniels at the end of every class. We ARE a TEAM!
Students will not be allowed to leave the classroom unless the room is completely
cleaned! Part of the curriculum for this class is to learn to be responsible for the mess
you create.
Put effort into EVERY project! Please try NOT to take the easy way out to just get the
project done. You will only be successful if you strive for QUALITY outcomes! This
happens through thoughtful planning, taking time to morph and expand on your original
ideas, work through mistakes and sometimes starting over! Your GOAL should be
NOT TO RUSH through projects, but to constructively execute your ideas with careful
craftsmanship. I expect EVERY student to try to create great outcomes in your work.
This takes time, and effort! We are not in a race to complete our projects; we want to
raise our bars for quality work. Every student can create quality outcomes!
My greatest hopes are that you will not be afraid to fail. Learn from our mistakes, and
learn to embrace the mistake as an opportunity to create unique outcomes that were
not planned! Sometimes, these “mistakes” can have amazing outcomes!
Our GOAL is: Quality in all we do!
Please, never touch artwork that is not yours!
Please pay attention when I am giving direction on classroom procedures. This is
Important to keep the work you create safe, and to also care for the work of others.
Be kind in your words when talking about another student’s artwork.
You may NOT take images from the internet and copy them! This is plagiarism!
Stay in your assigned seat during class and once you have cleaned up and put your
materials away for the day at the end of class.
Every student is required to help pick up anything that has fallen on the floor before we
leave the room! We are a TEAM! Even if a mess is not yours, please be kind and help
out! One day it maybe a mess that is yours, and I know you would appreciate the help
J
Use your class time wisely and work on the project at hand:
Artists’ follow certain procedures to ensure their work environment is safe. This includes
using materials in appropriate ways. Wasting materials may result in your replacing
them at your expense.
Sitting and talking and not working is not acceptable! You may not use the excuse that
you are “thinking about what to do”! (If this is a repeated practice, then this is just an
excuse not to work).
Good artwork requires hands on work that takes time! Many times, you will need to
rework one idea over and over and change things as you get new ideas during the
process of creating. This can be hard work! Don’t “settle” for “it’s good enough” or
“can I be done”?!!! I would hope that every student will raise their bar and work
towards outcomes they did not think they could achieve.
IF some students are doing something that is “off task”; this does not mean you should!
Mrs. Daniels will deal with each student on a one-to-one basis. Be careful not to get
involved in inappropriate behavior that now is your
Grading: Your grade in art will come from the following: Mrs. Daniels uses the Brandon
Visual Fine Arts Grading Rubric to determine your grade on every project. A copy of
this is handed out in the first few days of class. You should keep this and use it to
determine if you are doing the best work, you can during each project! You do not
have to be the “best” artist to get an A in this class! Everyone is an Artist! You are
here to learn! Learning to not be afraid to try and push your limits and to not be afraid
to repeat and practice, over and over until you get it right is a mind set some of us need
to get more skilled.
· I expect that you will do what is assigned and meeting the objectives of the project;
however, if the project I assign does not interest you, and you have a different outcome
idea, you should share that with me! I am not looking for “cookie cutter art outcomes”! I
want you create artwork that interests you, but it MUST be school appropriate.
· The Originality of your work, being neat and well crafted, using your class time
wisely going above and beyond the project assigned (creativity) Using your ability to the
fullest and not rushing to be done!
You MUST be on task and respectful!
There are NO deadlines in this class! There is only QUALITY ART!
I am looking forward to a productive year with respectful students. I am here to teach to all
students and to help you increase your creative abilities. I truly believe that all students can
succeed in this class. It is up to the student to be a respectful functioning member of this
classroom. This includes not laughing when other students are disrespectful! We are all a team
in this room, so let’s work together for a great outcome!
PROHIBITED BEHAVIOR AND ACTIONS
Refusal to work. (Sitting and talking, and not working)
Refusal to clean up (arguing that it isn’t your mess)
Wasting or abusing art materials and tools
Throwing “ANYTHING”
Tampering or causing intentional harm to another student’s artwork or their personal
belongings.
Putting any materials on yourself / your skin/ NO drawing of any kind on your skin!
Making a mess on purpose
You should NOT create inappropriate distractions during demonstrations, discussions or
critiques that are random off topic comments, meant to be funny or disrespectful. You
will be removed from the classroom; a call will go home; a detention will be served or
other appropriate discipline up to and including dismissal may result.
Please, think before you speak or act!
Please do NOT draw on our tables, or contribute to any “holes” in the surface. These
tables have a long history to me trying to restore them. Please do not intentionally
draw on them!
New this year:
PHONES are not to be used in the Art Room Classroom. No exceptions.
IF you chose to have your phone in your pocket it must be off. You may not check it to
read a text or any other purpose.
· You will need to email yourself any personal pictures you need for artwork outside of
school.
The rules for phone use in the art room are as following and will be strictly
adhered to.
1. Phones will NOT be used to take photos of your artwork for Google Classroom
uploads, you will need to use your Chromebook. For this reason, it is imperative that
you have your Chromebook with you, and that it is charged.
2. NO texting allowed / as you are NOT using your phone in my classroom!
3. NO Social Media / as you are NOT using your phone in my classroom!
4. NO Videotaping from any device / as you are NOT using your phone in my
classroom!
5. NO other students or the teacher should be in the background of your artwork
photos when using your Chromebook camera.
6. NO Phone calls, or any other use of the phone, not even searching on the internet;
you have your Chromebook for that.
Again, you are NOT using your phone in my classroom. IF you do, you may get one warning
and then your phone will be taken to the office.
If you violate any of these rules, you will be given ONE warning, with consequences to follow.
· IF you bring your phone to class because you forgot to put it in your locker, it should
be kept in a pocket where I can’t see it.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM INFO:
· Students will use their Chrome Books and Google Classroom to turn in their work.
· This is where I will do all grading. When deadlines are announced for a project,
(which is usually announced when the majority of the class is done with the project
that we have in progress, you are expected to upload your work, EVEN IF you are NOT
done! You will NOT be marked down for not being done, but you WILL be marked down
if you do not turn you work in progress)!
· IF your student is absent on any given day, they should be able to keep up with what
is going on in class via Google Classroom. I will allow extra time in the classroom to
catch up, however, if the student does not attempt to complete any work after their
return, points will be deducted.
· Please make sure your student is checking their school email daily, if they are
absent for any extended time, I may be contacting them to see how things are going
through email
· Please make sure your student has ALL of their assignments posted on time in
Google Classroom! Generally, when students post in Google Classroom for all Art
Classes; they should include their rough draft, a picture of their final artwork and they are
required to write something about their artwork. I will not be posting individual
assignments here. All assignments will be posted in Google Classroom under the
Classwork Tab.
· I would prefer to keep the Stream page of Google Classroom open for resources
that I will post for students regarding assignments; this is not a place for questions.
Should they have an urgent question that cannot wait until the next day, they should
email me.
· Please also know that all students work at different speeds, all student's artwork will
vary; so some students may have chosen to place more details in their artwork than
others, and due to that students may possibly not have completed their artwork by the
due date. As long as students are working diligently, but may not have their artwork
completed by the deadline, I prefer and need them to post their work that is in
progress anyway. IF this happens, they should write a note in private comments, that
they are not finished and what it is they still need to complete. This way, when I grade
after the due date it will remind me. They are required to finish all unfinished work
though!
· If the student does not post ANY artwork by the due date, the grade entered will
be entered as a zero. This grade can be altered if the student makes efforts to contact
me; and complete their work in a timely manner, but more importantly that they post their
unfinished artwork at or near the time of that contact. It is likely the student will lose
points due to posting after the due date. The longer the absence of posting any artwork
after the due date; *(finished or unfinished), the more deduction of points are probable.
Ultimately, if no artwork is posted, the grade will remain a zero.
· Please understand that students should NOT consider emailing me artwork to get
credit. ALL artwork is graded in Google Classroom.
If you have ANY questions or concerns, please email me! jdaniels@brandon.k12.mi.us
Please see the list of materials needed on the first page of my website.