CERAMICS: HONORS The Fine Arts Center        

Instructor: Kelly King Class times: 9:15-11:05 and 1:25-3:15

Phone: 355-2562

Email: krking@greenvilleschools.us OR krking@greenville.k12.sc.us

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will thoroughly acquaint students with basic building techniques and concepts involved in ceramic sculpture and pottery. The course will focus on the utilitarian dimension, the historical evolution, and contemporary issues surrounding ceramic art. Students will become familiar with and participate in firing processes, glaze application and surfacing techniques. Students will be expected to research project topics and their own interests and eventually develop themes in their own work. Accommodations will be made for students who wish to continue beyond the introductory level, making it possible for them to work at an advanced level (including AP) with a project plan tailored to the individual.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Goals for the semester will include-

• Utilize sketchbooks as a place for documentation, inspiration and a two dimensional workspace for their ceramic work. 

• Move easily from preliminary drawings or a maquette into a finished three- dimensional form in clay. 

• Have thorough knowledge and practice in a variety of hand-forming methods in clay and broad knowledge of wheel-thrown processes. 

• Demonstrate a good understanding of the relationship between the surface and the form of three-dimensional forms 
and exhibit an understanding of design principles. 

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to utilize glazes, underglazes, stains and different firing processes to achieve a desired surface. 

• Assist in different firing processes and exhibit an understanding of safety practices. 

• Discuss assigned readings for class discussions. 

• Discuss a variety of historical ceramic traditions as well as the work of contemporary ceramic artists 

• Participate in various formats of critical discussion of their work and the work of their peers. 

TEXT: Ceramics: A Potter’s Handbook by Glenn C. Nelson is available for in-class reference and out-of-class check out. Our ceramics library is located in my office and always available for you in class or to check out.

COURSE OUTLINE/TECHNIQUES AND PROCESSES COVERED:

These are the general processes we will cover in this class.  Some techniques may be omitted and/or added, due to the interests/goals of the class and time constraints.

  1. Pinching forms

         Additive and subtractive texture

         Adding  coils to change the shape of the pinched form

 2.  Coil building a simple form

         Underglaze painting/design

         Additive surface design

 3.  Slab building – hard and/or soft slab construction

         Wax resist design, sgraffito design, underglaze transfer

 4.  Basic wheel throwing techniques (fall semester only)

 5.  Sculptural construction using multiple hollow forms

*Note: Sculptural Topics (Spring) and Functional Pottery (Fall) are offered to advanced pm students.  Projects may be adjusted or expanded to accommodate students building an AP portfolio or students who are taking the class multiple times. 

ATTENDANCE: To be successful in this class, students must come every day and be on time. Instruction begins immediately at the beginning of class. If students are tardy, stop in the front office and obtain a pass BEFORE coming to class. The Tardy Policy (see the student handbook) states what is considered an excused or unexcused tardy.  The district-wide Attendance Guidelines for excused and unexcused absences can also be found in the student handbook.   If a student is late or absent from class, it is the student’s responsibility to get notes or further clarification about missed assignments. 

Note: If a grade (homework, sketchbook, reading assignment, etc.) was recorded during your absence, I am not going to remind you that you have to make it up. CHECK WITH ME OR YOUR CLASSMATES FOR MISSED WORK.

POLICY FOR TARDIES:

Note the following school-wide policy for tardies:

• 3 tardies - warning notification sent home to parent

• 4th tardy - Administrative Detention assigned; to be served as scheduled by an FAC Administrator on a Tuesday or Thursday of the school week

• 5th tardy - referral to home-base school for ISS; suspension of parking pass for 1 month (if applicable) 

• 6th tardy - referral to home-base school for ISS; suspension of parking pass for remainder of the school year (if applicable); student placed on Probationary Status and is in risk of losing privilege to attend the FAC

• 7th tardy - student loses the privilege to attend the FAC, removed from the program at the end of the semester

POLICY FOR LATE WORK (that is not excused) see student handbook:

Late Work Scenarios: 

● Student attended class and failed to submit a required assignment on time 

● Student has an unexcused absence as coded in PowerSchool  

Major Grades

● Accepted up to 3 days late 

● 15 point deduction per day 

● Grade will become and remain a zero (0) after 3 days    

Minor Grades  

● Accepted up to 3 days late 

● 15 point deduction per day 

● Grade will become and remain a zero after 3 days

MAKEUP WORK (for excused absences) see student handbook:

Students who miss classwork or tests due to illness (WITH DOCTOR OR PARENT NOTE) or suspension must have the opportunity to make up the work. Students will request make-up work through the teacher. The Instructor will set an appropriate deadline for the submission of work based on the nature of the student’s absence.  Extended illness should be handled on an individual basis with the student’s illness and workload in min

COMMUNICATION: Communication with parents concerning students’ grades will occur through report cards, the Fine Arts Center Weekly Update, and by email or phone if necessary. Students will be graded regularly throughout the semester. I will also be available for discussions with students during, before and after class.

***On Instagram?  Follow fac_ceramics for professional artist inspirations, demos, and progress shots from your class!

GRADES: Project grades will be based on Project Criteria, Creativity, Formal Issues (understanding and utilization of the elements and principles of design), and Craftsmanship. Students must complete all major projects, preliminary sketch assignments, glaze tests for each project, written quizzes, research assignments, and participate in various required ceramic processes (making clay, loading kilns, etc.).

The final semester grade will be 45% first quarter grade, 45% second quarter grade and 10% final exam.  Advanced Placement (AP) students will also be evaluated on their progress toward their AP portfolio.  All students will receive 1-3 in progress grades throughout the semester.  Progress grades are checkpoints to ensure that the student is completing work on time.

A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 69-60 
F 59-0  

CLASSROOM RULES AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Students are required to bring sketchbooks to class EVERY DAY and be prepared to discuss drawings and projects at any time.

•  Students should dress appropriately for clay work and groom appropriately. Example:  work shirt or apron (red clay stains)
-nails trimmed close
-hair pulled back and no loose strings from clothing when participating in making clay or a kiln firing.

•  Students must be responsible for your clay, tools and any area worked in.   Never leave clay out- return to bags, spray with water and cover tightly. Place dried out clay in the APPROPRIATE recycling bin- NEVER in the trash. Take home your shirt and towel to wash as needed.
  Do not leave used towels/paper towels all over the classroom.

• Use your class time wisely! Come prepared and ready to work. Talking is permitted, but not at the expense of any student's progress. 

• Be attentive and listen respectfully when the instructor is giving directions, a demonstration or showing a video during class (see FAC cell phone policy).

•  Return the materials to their appropriate location and in a relatively clean condition (wipe spills, wipe lids, clean clay stuck to molds, etc. 

• You may use books and technologies available in the room for your research. In my classroom, the computers and 
your phone are not for casual personal use. NEW DISTRICT POLICY RESTRICTS CELL PHONE USE IN CLASS.  All technologies must be put away 5 minutes before the start of class. You may only use a cell phone or headphones if it is related to the curriculum AND you are given permission by the instructor.

• All assignments (sketches, readings, major projects, research, etc.) are due promptly at the BEGINNING of class.

• BE WILLING TO TAKE CHANCES, MAKE MISTAKES AND SOMETIMES FAIL. THIS IS CALLED ARTISTIC GROWTH!

SUPPLIES:

Each student will be provided with a clay tool kit. Students are responsible for putting away kits (complete with every tool) everyday. Students will be responsible for turning in the complete kit at the end of the semester. They will be charged for any missing tools. Students have access to many other tools and materials in the Ceramics room. All students should be  considerate and return all tools and equipment to their original condition after you finish using them.

*A supply fee of $60 will be collected from each student to pay for class materials expenses. Supply fees are used for materials that each student uses such as clay, glazes and sketchbooks- not studio equipment.  Please turn this in right away.  Students who have PIP status are not expected to pay fees.

The easiest way to pay fees is through Myschoolbucks, but we also accept check or cash.  To find the MYSCHOOLBUCKS  link:go to the home page of the FAC website

• go to ABOUT on the far left of the page

• select CURRENT PARENTS AND STUDENTS

• scroll down to PARENTS STUDENTS FAQS (FEES) 

• select CERAMIC ARTS STUDIO FEES (KELLY KING)

OR click on this link:  https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/stores/catalog/getproduct?productKey=ZZJY522CAJ0X4BV&OPTZZJY522CAJ0X4BV=ZZJY522CAN0XTI1