1. Exploratory Arts Course Description What are Artistic Habits?
Ms. Cynthia Gaub’s Art Class North Middle School School Year
Exploratory Arts
“Creativity takes Courage” – Henry Matisse
Course Description
Exploratory Arts is a semester course where students have the opportunity to explore a variety of art mediums and produce artwork in two and three dimensional forms. Students will use cameras, computers, clay, paint, pencil, chalk and a variety of materials in a studio environment with lots of choices to create 2-D, 3-D and digital artwork. Students will learn “Artistic Habits” to become creative thinkers and problem solvers. Our units will be themed based with an opportunity to make art in many different mediums. All 8th graders will also take the State Classroom Based Performance Assessment during this semester.
What are Artistic Habits?
There are many things that artists do when they are creating great artwork. We will Stretch & Explore as we learn how to use new tools and materials. We will Develop Craft as we practice those skills and learn to clean up and care for things. To Express the world around them, artists must Observe carefully. So we will look at real things to draw them and make art that shows our feelings and dreams. We will Engage & Persist, by not quitting when things get hard. Finally, we will Reflect on our work to understand what we learned and to see what we can improve.
Class Rules
AKA the 5 P’s
Prompt: We arrive on time, meet classroom deadlines and follow directions in a timely manner.
Prepared: We bring all necessary supplies to class.
Participate: We take part in classroom activities and contribute in an appropriate manner.
Purposeful: We think through and take responsibility for our actions, holding ourselves accountable.
Polite: We demonstrate a positive attitude by being courteous, respectful and encouraging others.
What happens if I don’t follow the class rules?
1. Redirect: the teacher provides a verbal reprimand/reminder to student.
2. Reset: Teacher moves student to a new seat in the classroom for a period of time determined by the teacher. Student still participates.
3. Refocus: Student is sent to another room to contemplate behavior. A form is filled out and the Parent will be contacted. Form is returned after parent signs.
4. Referral: Students will be immediately referred to the office for severe or repeating behavior problems.
4. Repair: Students will be offered opportunities to fix behaviors or problems, when appropriate, with community service or other options to be determined by the teacher and student.
Where do I go to find assignment information?
School Webpage: as often as possible I will update the school webpage with assignment information and handouts.
Artsonia: This is our awesome online gallery. Students will upload and reflect on their final draft artwork here. Parents can see the art, approve comments and even order cool stuff with the artwork on it. Please fill out the permission form attached so your child can participate.
Phone:

2. Ms. Cynthia Gaub’s Art Class North Middle School 2016-2017 School Year
Will We Have Homework?
Learning does not end when students leave the classroom! Most students will have homework if/when they fall behind on projects during class, this usually only happens if they are not using class time wisely or when absent. Students are expected to make up ALL work missed from absences. This MUST be done outside of class time so they do not fall further behind. If students NEED extra help they can make arrangements with me to work before or after-school.
What do I do if I am absent?
Supplies
We will have an absent bin with any handouts that you might have missed. You can also check with a classmate to see what you missed. Do your best to get caught up at home so you don’t fall behind. When in doubt, ask the teacher!
Most Tuesday’s after-school is ART CLUB. Students can come to the art room during this time to catch up on late work.
REQUIRED every day
Sharpened pencils, (more than ONE is a good idea)
An eraser
A handheld sharpener
School planner
A binder with a section for ART notes and assignments.
Notebook paper
Sketchbook (supplied by the teacher or get your own.)
Optional Materials:
Colored pencils, Scissors, Glue, Ruler, personal Sketch book, Pens, highlighters
What about late work?
Artists work at different speeds. However, all students need to learn the importance of deadlines and staying organized to meet them. If a student needs and extension they should make proper arrangements with the teacher.
How are we graded?
Each Unit will include New Techniques, New Skills and New Vocabulary. Students will be required to DEMONSTRATE their learning in FORMATIVE (30%) activities, including daily warm-ups, practice activities, rough drafts, note-taking and daily participation and SUMMATIVE (70%) assessments, including quizzes, long-term projects and final draft creations. These activities and assessments will be aligned with the State Standards of Learning in Visual Arts. Assignments are evaluated on one or more of the 4 C’s: Craftsmanship (skill with materials), Creativity (expressing unique ideas), Composition (Organizing work based on the Elements) and Communication (telling a story or idea in a work of art). Summative work will be scored on a Level System. Students can redo Summative work to improve their grade.
Level 1
69% - 50%
Does Not Meet the Grade Level Standard
Level 2
79% - 70%
Approaches the Grade Level Standard
Level 3
89% - 80%
Meets the Grade Level Standard
Level 4
100-90%
Exceeds the Grade Level Standard
Grades MI
Work was not turned in by the due date, student can talk to teacher about make-up options. AB
Student was absent and MUST make up the work EX
Student is excused from doing this work
How can I check my grade?
Grades are updated as often as possible, at least every 2 weeks, in our online grade system (LMS). Parents and students can check online anytime from home or school. Parents can set up their account to receive TEXT or message anytime your child falls below a certain grade. We also have several Progress Report times throughout the semester when PRINTED grades are sent home with all classes listed and missing work.
Please do not hesitate to contact me; is the best way to reach me

3. Please sign and return before 9/16/2016
Please Read the course information, sign, and return this form to Ms. Gaub
Parents/Guardians Which is your preferred way to keep track of student progress?
Check all the statements that apply to how you would like to communicate with Ms. Gaub about your student’s progress. I will, of course, call for major concerns or accomplishments, but with over 150 students, I like to know how you’d prefer to communicate.
_____ I/We have internet access at home, so we will check LMS at least twice per month to check on my/our student’s progress. I/We will Ms. Gaub about any concerns we have.
_____ I/We plan to Ms. Gaub monthly for an update.
_____ I/We do not have internet access at home, I/we would like paper progress reports or phone class.
_____ Text Messages through Class Dojo or other messaging service would be best.
_____ Other: _______________________________________________________________________
Artsonia: Our school is a member of the largest online student art museum. Artsonia showcases artwork from thousands of schools around the world. Artsonia’s goals are to develop students’ pride and self-esteem, increase their multicultural understanding through art and involve parents and relatives in student education and accomplishments. This is a unique, safe and exciting educational opportunity for the students. Let’s join the millions of other famous child artists on the Internet! One of the most exciting features about being published on Artsonia’s Art Museum is that friends and family can leave a comments for the artist and become a fan club members. As an extra security feature, Artsonia requires the parent to pre-approve all comments before they are posted on the website.
Students will use Artsonia to upload artwork images and write reflection statements. But artwork and statements are HIDDEN from public view until YOU give permission. Previously you could just give the teacher verbal or written permission to make the artwork public. BUT this year, **** Artsonia has changed how they grant permission**** ALL parent/ guardians must go to Artsonia to “activate” the student account in order for any artwork to be visible. Attached is the necessary security code to start your account. If you have questions feel free to me or check out the website.
Artsonia Preference:
Sign me up! This sounds cool. I will activate my account online to make my student's artwork public.
My child’s Artsonia account is already active, so keep it going. (they had North before)
No thanks. Do NOT make my student’s artwork public art on Artsonia or other websites.
Student’s Name:
___________________________________
Student’s Grade: ________________
Parent/Guardian Name:
Best Phone #
Alt Ph # ________________________
Best Address:
Print clearly!
__________________________________________________________
Parent Signature:
Today’s Date: ___________________
Please sign and return before 9/16/2016
Add a note about your child: