Montour High School Course Syllabus
Ceramics 1
Instructor: Mr. Daniel Balcerek balcerekd@montourschools.com, 412-490-6500x1366
Ms. Marsico
Text/e-Text: N/A
Supplemental Materials: Student sketchbook, Teacher handouts Portfolios, google classroom, videos
Course Description:
This semester class will provide students an opportunity to work with ceramic clay creating both hand-built and wheel-thrown objects. Methods of hand-building that will be taught are pinch, slab, and coil. Wheel-throwing will be introduced. The students will learn about finishing methods to include underglazing, glazing, and painting. The students will be required to keep a clay journal to track their work going into and coming out of the kiln. A portfolio of finished works will be developed throughout the semester, as the final exam.
Course Alignment to PA Common Core Standards:
All Drawing and Painting courses strive to integrate the PA Common Core Standards. Throughout the semester, students will be exposed to variety of art techniques that hone in on skills utilized in the Mathematics, Biology, and English Language Arts Common Core
Course Enduring Understandings:
Art can be create by a variety of people from the professional to the recreational artist.
Art mediums, techniques, and processes work harmoniously together in order to create works of art.
Artist use art elements and design principals to create and organize visual communication.
Art is influenced by many factors including time period, culture, and regions
Art elicits individual responses allowing all viewers to connect and appreciate art on a personal level.
Art is multi-faceted discipline that is intertwined and enriches the understanding of other disciplines.
Course Learning Objectives/Targets (Skills/Desired Outcomes):
By the end of this course, students will:
Explore various using a variety of tools and materials.
Experience a wide range of themes and subject matter.
Gather an understanding and application of the art elements and principals.
Research art from the past as well from various cultures.
Critique and reflect on artwork.
Demonstrate creativity and ability to problems solve.
Exercise organization and proper classroom maintenance.
Produce a variety of drawings and paintings.
Course Methodologies and Procedures:
This course is designed around a constructionist approach utilizing hands-on learning and applications of techniques learned through demonstrations. Students are expected to be on time, in class daily, follow all class rules, procedures and complete all assignments.
Multiple methods of instruction will be utilized throughout a class period, which include but are not limited to:
Direct instruction
Visual aides
Presentations
Hands on
Demonstrations
Small and whole group instructions
Behavioral expectations for class:
Come to class on time and prepared.
Enter and exit the room quietly.
Remain in you assigned area.
Listen while teacher is talking.
Respect one another and their art work.
Use equipment and supplies properly.
Keep your area and the room clean.
Course Methods of Assessment and Evaluation:
Multiple methods of assessment and evaluation will be utilized, which include but are not limited to:
Observation
Participation
Use of class time
Sketchbook homework
Projects
Final exam
Craftsmanship
Portfolio
Rubrics
Attendance
Using the above methods of evaluation, each student’s grade will be based in compilation of:
Sketchbooks
Final projects
Test/ skill worksheets
Art critiques
Weekly work and effort
Portfolio of work
All Drawing and Painting Courses will utilize the Montour Grading Scale:
A=90%-100%
B=80%-89%
C=70%-79%
` D=60%-69%
F=59 and BELOW
Scholastic Integrity:
Montour High School is committed to encouraging strict standards of academic integrity and committed to helping students develop intellectually, creatively, and ethically. Honesty in all school work is considered essential in adhering to the standards. Cheating and plagiarism are both forms of academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated as acceptable behaviors.
Cheating is defined as the submission of work that is not one’s own. Plagiarism is the use of another person’s ideas or words without giving proper credit. Both cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses.
It is the responsibility of all students to maintain scholastic integrity with regard to class assignments, exams, and any other graded course requirements. Thus, cheating, plagiarism and/or knowingly assisting another student to violate scholastic integrity are all violations of the above mentioned.
All scholastic integrity violations will be reported to the High School Administration.