Mrs. Giannamore- Visual Arts Welcome to the art room. I will be your child’s teacher this year. I have been teaching art for 31 years. I have been at Great Oak School for 28 of those years. Besides teaching Middle School students, I have also taught Elementary and High School levels. I also teach a university level class to our next generation of art teachers.

Art and the Common Core Curriculum Along with the No Child Left Behind Act, Art was designated as a core academic subject area to be taught by a highly qualified teacher, and with all of the responsibilities to the common core as in any other subject area. The State of CT. mandates students graduating from high school have one credit in the Fine Arts, and beginning in 2020 students will have to obtain an additional credit in the humanities. All universities also require credits in the arts. In order to help teachers align their subject area with the common core, the NAEA and professionals around the country, worked to develop a new set of standards that teachers can use when devising their lessons. These lessons are also aligned with math, science, and language arts as the idea is that all of the disciplines should be connected.

National Standards of the Visual Arts The new standards are based on: Creating- conceiving and developing new artistic ideas Presenting- interpreting and sharing Responding- understanding and evaluating how the arts convey meaning. Connecting- Relating artistic ideas and work with personal meaning There will be performance standards for each grade level that I will turn into measurable goals for the students. They will be given pre-assessments (not graded) to see where their knowledge or skill level is before we begin an activity and then an assessment as the end of the project in the form of a rubric, test, written assignment (graded)

Essential Questions & Enduring Understandings Every art lesson will begin with an Enduring Understanding. These are the “big ideas” that you want students to understand and recall after they’ve forgotten the details. These core ideas should be central to art and have a value beyond the classroom. Students should also make connections to other disciplines Essential Questions. These are thought provoking questions that are not answerable with finality in a brief sentence. The aim is to stimulate thought.

What will my child learn in Art? Communication Skills- through art critiques of student work, discussions on artwork and artists using visual art vocabulary, as well as presentations of student work Cultures- Students will learn about diversity and multiculturalism as they study the history of art and artists of different times and places. Critical Thinking Skills- students will learn to read visual images, by describing, analyzing, and interpreting their work and the work of others Creativity and Expression- students will work through ideas by observing, problem solving, experimenting, and creating art work Follow Through– through commitment to produce and complete art, students will gain personal satisfaction of a job well done to the best of their ability

Instruction and Directions given orally Written copy of Directions provided for each assignment along with art vocabulary Teacher Demonstration Opportunity for Student Practice and teacher to monitor for understanding Daily review of information and questioning of students Supplemental materials provided to enhance learning: reading for information, educational videos, visual aids, interactive lessons Sample project provided Formative assessments (quizzes, written assign., critiques) Teacher available at Flex for extra help Final project Summative Assessment (Rubric, test, writing, critique) What Procedures Will Be Provided To Students To Aid Them In The Achievement Of A Successful Art Experience?

Student Responsibilities Come to class on time every day prepared with a pencil and eraser. Make up work when you are absent. Work more than talk Ask for help if you don’t understand. Finish all of your work. Credit will not be given for incomplete work- extra credit will not be given Take work home or work during flex if you need to. Follow directions given orally and on handouts provided Put forth your best effort. Be creative Work should be neatly presented. Study for tests, quizzes, and take your time on written assignments.

Grades and Assignments In a 30 day rotation there will be an average of 4 assignments. Assignments and student grades will be posted on Power School. Please check it often and contact me with any questions or concerns before the conclusion of the 30 day rotation. giannamorek@oxfordpublicschools.org