Digital Photography is a CTE class. 

CTE stands for career technical education, meaning that this class is the first in a pathway of classes for a digital arts and media CTE completion certificate. This class is designed to prepare you for a career in the digital arts and media field, and prepare you for entering college in the digital arts field. 

As such, it will use advanced language, involve technical and challenging assignments, and delve deeply into art in both practice and theory. 

Art students receive grades in two main categories: Summative classwork, made up of class projects/artworks (80%), and Formative Writing Exercises (20%).  These areas are calculated together to give you your final grade.  E - Grades are also taken into account. Poor class behavior or engagement with material during class time will negatively affect student scores. If students or parents have questions or concerns about grades, they should contact Mr. Berdino by email at hberdino@dusd.k12.ca.us

ALL PROJECTS WILL BE GRADED ON A 4 POINT SCALE. 

Writing assignments =4 points. 

Artwork = 4 points.

The scores represent the following levels of understanding: 

0 - No work has been submitted 

1- Approaching - understanding is minimal and work is missing most of the vital information, skills, vocabulary or written/spoken/or created comprehension required to master an assignment. 

2- Progressing - understanding is progressing, however, work is missing some of the vital information, skills, vocabulary or written/spoken/or created comprehension required to master an assignment. 

3- Proficient - understanding is proficient and displayed, however, work is missing a small piece of the vital information, skills, vocabulary or written/spoken/or created comprehension required to master an assignment. 

4- Exemplary - The work displays all of the vital information, skills, vocabulary or written/spoken/or created comprehension required to master an assignment. 

Classwork will consist primarily of taking, editing, and turning in photos. There will be additional projects throughout the year, but primary focus will obviously be on the photos. 

Photos will be turned in as JPG files along with the submission form. The photos or artwork-related classwork will make up the majority of the student grades. 

Grading: students will be assigned all of their projects and turn them in via Google Classroom for 4 points. Missing requirements, lack of techniques or terms taught in class applied to the artwork, or lack of creativity and innovation will result in lost points. You should always check PowerSchool to double-check that Mr. Berdino has entered your grade after completing an Assignment.  If not, you need to let him know right away. 

EFFORT/EFFICIENCY:  Not only will your grade be affected by your assignments, but also how efficiently you use your class time. E-Grades help those who work hard and lower the grades of those who decide not to work.  Even if you’re not a great artist, your effort & efficiency shall be rewarded.  Showing up to class unprepared (without your work) shows a lack of efficiency, and can affect your E-Grade.

At times, students may be asked to answer questions, or engage in class activities such as discussions or certain exercises.  Level of participation, or lack thereof can effect your E-Grade.

Note:  Photography may be expected to take Cornell or Focused notes on demonstration days.  These notes count towards E-Grades as well as writing grades.  Students that are absent on demonstration days can either watch the instructional videos at home or at school and take notes individually, or copy them from a classmate upon their return.

Writing Exercises consist of:

1.  A written proposal for artwork, 

2.  A writing and inquiry piece that will ask students to typically write 2 paragraphs,  

3.  A short response consisting of 3 questions that will be answered at the end of each assignment. 

These assignments will all be turned in on one submission document for each assignment. These assignments are based on the Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) state standards, can be done at home or at school, and can be turned in any time after they have been assigned in Google Classroom as long as they are submitted one week before the end of the quarter they were assigned.  

Class Flow: 

At the beginning of an assignment (at the beginning of the week) students will hear lecture from Mr. Berdino. Students will be responsible for using the information in this lecture to complete notes, written work, and to take and edit photos. 

After this point, students will be given a set amount of time to take photos, edit the photos, and complete all sections of the submission sheet at their own pace (typically assignments will be submitted on Fridays.) 

On the due date all work must be submitted on the submission form, with the photos pasted as JPG files or linked in the GC assignment as JPG files. 

Equipment and Darkroom use: 

When you want to use equipment of any kind (including spotlights, cameras, tripods, etc,) you MUST sign it out on the form on Mr. Berdino's desk. This equipment is very expensive and you are responsible for tolen or damaged equipment. If at any point equipment is misused, you will be given detention, and will be writing essays instead of taking photos. 

We will have two darkrooms availible for studio photography. If you want to use a darkroom, you must reserve a time slot on the sheets hanging outside the door. Time slots are ten minutes maximum. Do not misuse darkroom space or equipment or you will have privileged revoked. 

Taking photos outside: 

You will be allowed to take photos outside of the classroom at school during class hours. After checking out equipment, and showing Mr. Berdino your proposal for approval, you MUST sign out on the sign in/sign out sheet on the door. If you do not do this, or sign a fake name outdoor equipment use will be revoked, and you will remain inside during all class time for the remainder of the year. 

You MUST be in view of a teachers front door at all times. If a teacher cannot see you from their windows, you are out of the appropriate shooting boundaries for photography class. In simpler terms, you will primarily take photos in the quad if you choose to take photos outside. 

If you are caught off task when you are supposed to be shooting outside, your outdoor shooting privileges will be revoked for the year. Inappropriate behavior includes: distracting other classes/teachers, using your phone outside, misusing equipment, entering a zone outside of appropriate shooting boundaries, or being loud, or off task when outdoors.

You are expected to go outside, take your photos, and immediately come back. 

Follow this link for detailed photography behavior and protocol expectations: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q6_E-GmWEAB7cUTSgo2CLTl4Wuak9cihjjjq4bEqguk/edit?usp=sharing

1)  READ, WATCH, & LISTEN!

2)  When the teacher talks, you listen. 

You must be in your seat, listening, working, and being respectful in speech, and action at all times. If you have concerns or questions quietly raiuse your hand and wait to be called on. Feel free to send emails or talk after class if you have more sensitive concerns!

3)  Respect others’ right to learn, & their property.

Do not ever tamper with other student work or property. 

4)  Respect the teacher and his/her right to teach.

Be active in class. Listen to instructions. Respect what is asked of you and complete your work to the best of your abilities. 

5)  Clean up after yourself & respect school property.

It is a privilege to have access to high quality art supplies. However, they are messy and will need to be cleaned up a few minutes before class ends. Be respectful and incredibly careful with all classroom equipment that you check out. Follow rules and expectations regarding equipment check-out very carefully. 

6) Phones are NOT allowed. 

According to the districtwide rules, phones and headphones are deemed "banned" in the classroom. There will be times when they will be used to take photos for projects, but phones must be in backpacks at all other times. Misuse of phones will result in confiscation, and referral.  

This also includes EARBUDS! Earbuds must be put away unless expressed permission is given to use them.

You and the others that sit at your table are a team, and are expected to keep your table clean.  Individual students or groups that have a dirty area or table will not be dismissed until their area/table is clean.  If you make it out of the classroom with a dirty table, you or your entire table will receive zero E-Grade points for the day and will be given detentions.  If you are caught marking on the table, counter, wall, etc., you will also be expected to clean, and given detentions.  Carving in the tables or defacing property will result in a referral.  Let’s keep things clean and work as a team to take care of our equipment & materials.

If you require classroom accommodations, do not hesitate to talk to me personally or send me an email. Accommodating medical issues of any kind, requirement of a classroom aide, hearing visual, audio, or translation aides are available as needed. Any student who walks in my door is valuable, and I care about your success in my class. Talk to me about any help you may need, and we can try to make it happen! 

All IEP's, 504's, and behavior plans will be reviewed discretely and implemented into the classroom to benefit your learning.