Teachers can have different philosophies about art education, and that can impact your understanding of art and your performance in class. It is important that you understand my philosophy.
Art is a discipline, or subject, just like other disciplines you can study, such as science, literature, acting, mathematics, or engineering. Sometimes students enter art class with the misunderstanding that art is simply “fun time,” “break time,” “time off from other classes,” or time that they can just “do whatever I want.” Some students might have even experienced that kind of environment in elementary or middle school, or maybe even in other high school classes. That is not truly studying art, and that is not my approach to art education. If you want to make whatever you want, there are many excellent venues where you can take that approach.
My approach to art education is for my students to learn a holistic model of art that includes art history, art criticism, aesthetics (the philosophy of art), as well as the more commonly taught studio art (the hands-on part). I develop specific, structured assignments that help students learn design and composition concepts while also learning the technical aspects of working with art materials. Assignments will include researching and studying the background of art (art history), discussing why people make art (aesthetics), and evaluating student work as well as the work of others (art criticism). While occasionally people have a creative insight that appears to come out of nowhere, creativity is not a magic gift, but instead it is something that needs to be practiced and worked on. Just waiting for creative inspiration is not acceptable; you have to work at it.
We will have open group and private critiques throughout the semester. These are used to help you grow in your understanding of how your work communicates and how other people perceive your art. It also helps you build a language for talking about art. In addition, part of your grade will come from your ability to identify and talk about the concepts we are covering. We will learn how to make safe, considerate, and thoughtful comments about artwork.
Students will be given reasonable opportunities to complete assignments missed due to absence. The time allowed for make up work will be determined by the length and nature of the absence, but as a general rule, you will have the number of days you were absent to complete work missed. I accept work on or before the due date. Work submitted late will be marked down 10% for every day late, down to 50%. I will not accept any late work within 2 weeks of the last day of school. Work that is submitted on time is graded promptly; work that is handed in late is graded when I have time.
When you are in this class, I expect you to work on this class. It is not acceptable to work on other work. I promise, you will not run out of things to do.
Computers and other electronic devices, when used in class, are for use for this class only. It is not acceptable to use your electronic devices for anything other than assigned work in this class, such as for social media, texting, etc.
Passes are required for travel in the hallways.
Due dates, late work: In 2020-2021, many teachers, including me, were lenient about students turning in work late due to pandemic-related issues such as taking care of siblings at home, remote learning, technology problems and other issues. Now that we are back in school, in person, work is expected to be turned in on the due dates, and late penalties will be enforced.
IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, LET ME KNOW!!! Support? Supplies? Pep Talk? A shoulder to cry on? Help with work? Call 785-330-1426 or email damont@usd497.org
What do you need to know to be successful this semester?
How are you feeling right now?
Classroom Expectations
Technology Expectations
Index cards: Name, pronouns, why you took this class, something about you!
How will we get to know each other to maximize our learning?
Make a table tent, introduce yourself to the class, learn about others in class.
How are you feeling right now?
Name, pronouns, 4 things about you drawn (or written), on both sides, readable from across the room.
Name, pronouns, why you took this class, something unique about you
How will we get to know each other to maximize our learning?
Introduce yourself to the class, learn about others in class.
How are you feeling right now?
Name, pronouns, why you took this class, something unique about you
What do you need to know to be prepared and successful this semester?
Understand the course scope.
How are you feeling right now?
Projects you will do (Google Slides)
What we will learn: website "tour"
Welcome Page
Syllabus Page
Class Information Pages
Assignments Pages
Read the syllabus
How will technology help us learn this semester?
How do procedures, organization, and routines help us be successful in teaching and learning?
How can learning to organize yourself help you outside of class?
How are you feeling right now?
Setup
Class Website - BOOKMARK!
Google Classroom - Codes
Hour 1 - zpwdiu2
Hour 2 - n445cwq
Hour 3 - uik6avf
Hour 5 - jijvw6a
Hour 6 - lxfdhcm
Hour 7 - 2yxylmh
Substitute Google Classroom (if you have a substitute) CODE = dtw7sis
Click here to access the calendar for your class, assignment reminders, homework, and to find out what you missed if you were absent.
Your class calendar includes assignment reminders, homework, and information to find out what you missed if you were absent.
Ensure that you can access and know how to use:
Google Classroom
Substitute Google Classroom (if you have a substitute) CODE = dtw7sis
The Class Website is bookmarked or “favorite” on your computer for easy access
No Cell Phone Zone
Ms. Amont’s Classroom Electronic Device Policy
This art class is your time to be whole-hearted into art. It is your time to be away from everything else in your life. I want you to think of it as sacred, special time to be creative and to learn about and practice making art.
It is for that reason that my classroom is a NO CELL PHONE ZONE (NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES).
If you must bring your cell phone into the classroom, please ensure that it is in the OFF position and that it is completely put away (such as in a backpack, purse, pocket) where it is not visible before you walk in the door.
If you are having an emergency and you need to use your phone, all you have to do is let me know, and I will find a private place for you to take care of your urgent matter. That way you have privacy, and we can maintain the integrity of the phone rule.
When computers are used, they are only to be used for assigned work.
No games, no social media, nothing other than assigned work.
No phones. No phones are allowed to be taken out in the classroom without specific permission from the teacher.
No headphones.
Put electronic devices away BEFORE you walk in the door.
You are welcome to take them out AFTER you walk out the door.
Non-negotiable: Masks must be worn properly at all times, except outside or in the cafeteria when eating.
Safety glasses/goggles MUST be worn whenever using ANY and ALL power equipment.
Cleaning: You are REQUIRED to thoroughly wash all debris, trash, clay, material dust, metal dust, etc., off all tools, tables, surfaces, at the end of every class. Clay contains silica, which is toxic to breathe. Toxicity is reduced by wet cleaning and washing ALL clay surfaces.
No horseplay.
No food outside of the cafeteria and outdoor eating areas.
No food or drink, except for water in a covered container.
NO TRAVEL without a pass
If you absolutely must leave the room, fill out pass, bring to teacher to sign, bring pass with you, bring it back to class.
You are expected to be in class ready for class when the bell rings.
Up to 15 minutes late = tardy
After 15 minutes late = unexcused absence