Mrs. Dotson's Art page

Welcome to Art class! The importance of Art Education is: Learning skills and concepts in Visual Arts strengthen creativity, problem-solving skills, fine motor skills, academic performance, decision making, visual learning and literacy skills, perseverance, focus, collaboration and observation skills.

" Creativity is contagious, pass it on!" -Albert Einstein

Visual Arts Classroom Expectations, grades 6-8

Mrs. Dotson ddotson@milforded.org ESMS: 203.783.3559

Welcome to Art class! Students will work to understand and apply the Elements and Principles of Design in conjunction with different media, techniques and processes. Each year students will work on two and three dimensional projects. Computer art will also be explored at some point. Students will also become familiar with the concepts and aesthetics of art following the Common Core for Visual Arts. Students will make connections to previously learned content and real life situations. Classroom objectives are based on the Creative Process:

• Exploration- introduction to materials, art styles and media

• Originality- using examples to inspire

• Planning- sketching

• Problems-solving- ask yourself questions, such as… Do my sketches reflect the problems in the objective? What can I do to improve my artwork? What techniques or processes am I using? Am I doing it properly?

• Risk-taking-challenge yourself, don’t go with the easy answer!

• Revision – re-sketching and improving

  1. In class, students will treat each other honestly and courteously. They will be accountable, safe and act in a positive and respectful manner. Students need to come prepared to class with any necessary materials and a pencil is always recommended to be successful. Students will follow rules and use tools properly with regard to specific techniques and SAFETY. Students will speak politely and listen when others talk.

2. Regular attendance is a must, please refer to MBOE policy. All students are responsible for the work they have missed if absent or in enrichment. They should see ume for the make-up work immediately upon their return to school.

  1. Students will have individual rubric sheets for each project, keeping all graded rubrics in their binder is a good way for students and parents to be aware of the progress during each trimester.
  2. For homework, students may be asked to do research, write a paragraph or bring in something pertaining to a project. They may also be asked to bring work home to catch up with the class. This work should be handed in PROMPTLY. Please refer to MBOE policy concerning missing homework.
  3. Students work will be graded based on a rubric that incorporates accountability, respect, craftsmanship, drawing skills and techniques, participation in critiques and grasp of concepts exhibited in their work. Students will receive a rubric for each individual project before the start of the assignment. If students fail to turn work in they will be given ONE deadline extension (3 days for 6th, 7th graders, and and 8th graders) to complete the work (with points taken off) and handed it in. A zero is used as a place holder, children will have to stay after school in the recovery room to complete any work NOT handed in a Plan of Action, prepared by the student, will be submitted to detail how they are going to complete the missing work. Marking period grades are based on 75% for projects, 5% for writing, 5% for quizzes, 10% for critiques, and 5% for homework. Please refer to the MPS Grading and Reporting Practices, which can be accessed on the E.S.M.S. website.
  4. Please remember, student, parent and teacher are a team. We must all work together to prepare your child for sucess in school. Success in Art this year means putting in hard work, time and effort.
  5. I am available for extra help most mornings at 7:15am and on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons until 4pm by arrangement.