Welcome to FCCS Art

Ms. Strasser 5-8

August 22, 2016

Dear students & families,

Welcome to new and returning students to FCCS. I am so pleased to be back at Frederick Classical Charter School for my second year to continue teaching 5-8 Art. This school’s rigorous curriculum is near and dear to my heart because I can combine my love of art history with my passion for art making to share with my students. I would like to begin the year by reviewing previous classroom procedures, while laying the groundwork for new procedures that will be implemented this year.

Sketchbooks

This year all 5th-8th grade art students are required to purchase a sketchbook for class. If a sketchbook has not yet been obtained, sturdy spiral or bound sketchbooks can be found at craft stores such as AC Moore or Michael’s. Please refrain from purchasing a pad-like sketchbook because the pages can easily tear and the book will fall apart. Sketchbooks will be able to be stored in the art room this year, but students must take them home at least once every two weeks in order to complete sketchbook homework assignments.

Do Now Activities

I will be implementing a Do Now activity at the beginning of every class. These activities will look different each day, but they will always be projected onto the wall for students to read as they enter the classroom. Some examples would be a written warm-up, to discuss a question from a homework assignment, to get out materials, or to analyze a presented artwork with a partner.

Ready Position

Across the school we are implementing a few new visual and verbal commands, one being ready position. A ready position will look different in each classroom based on the demands of the subject. When students hear “ready position” spoken by the teacher in the art room, students should immediately stop their Do Now activity and stand behind their table with their chair pushed in and wait to be greeted so we can begin class. Students will only hear the term ready position at the beginning on their art class.

Griffin Points

There is a new participation system in place this year called Griffin Points, in which each class needs to work together in order to earn a total of 4 points for that class period. In art the four points include entering the room ready to learn, respecting the teacher while instruction is given, staying on-task while working on projects, and preparing to exit the classroom quietly. By showing virtuous behavior, the class should have no problem earning all four points; however, this is a group effort, so if a few students are off-task, a point may not be rewarded. Points may be taken away for poor behavior, but they may also be earned back throughout the class period.

Social Media

By following me on Twitter and Instagram at @MsStrasserArt, parents can receive frequent updates of happenings in the art room. Students will also be able to find useful tips and resources for art making at home. I enjoying using both social media platforms to share the artwork of my talented students with the community.

I look forward to a fun year filled with a lot of art making!

Kacy Strasser

5-8 Art Teacher

5-8 Art Syllabus

Curriculum

This art class is tied to what the students are learning in their history courses with an emphasis on the Language of Art. Using the Elements of Art & Principles of Design, students will create eye-catching compositions that demonstrate their understanding of a specific culture or time period. Fifth grade will focus on Ancient Art, sixth grade will focus on Medieval Art, and seventh and eighth grade will focus on Art of the Renaissance.

Grades

50% Classwork/Projects (artwork, Do Now activities, worksheets, participation)

30% Quizzes (artist statements, reflections)

20% Homework (sketchbook assignments or reading)

Quizzes

Students will be required to complete a written reflection of their artwork after each completed project, which includes a self-evaluation of the artwork completed as well as an assessment of the historical content learned during the unit.

Homework

1. Homework will be assigned weekly on the first day students come to art in a week and due on that same day the following week, allowing a full 7 days for students to complete the work. All assignments complement the current art project and provide deeper insight to the historical figures, artists, and culture of the time period.
2. Homework assignments will generally alternate between a sketchbook assignment and a written assignment. Students will complete their drawing assignment in their sketchbook and the written assignment on loose leaf to turn in.
3. On the day an assignment is due, students will either leave their sketchbook in their designated class crate with the book open to the specific page or turn the loose leaf written assignment into the turn-in bin.
4.  A homework grade based on a 0-5 scale will be given.  Zero means the student did not do the assignment. A five means the assignment was completed neatly and directions were followed.  Grades of 1-4 are assigned based on level of completeness, whether directions were followed, and neatness of work.  Occasionally, an assignment will be collected and graded as a quiz.  I will not announce when this will occur, so students should complete each night’s homework assignment, be neat, and follow directions.
5. If the student does not have the assignment on the due date, or they left it in their locker, the grade will result in a zero. Students are required to come to class each day with all of their materials, including homework.
6. There should be no reason for a student to miss an assignment because they will receive a hardcopy and can also access it from any computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Entering and Exiting the Classroom

1. For safety reasons, please do not enter any room without adult permission.
2. Line up quietly outside of the classroom.
3. Wait for a teacher to greet you at the door and enter the room quietly.
4. Go to your assigned table, put your books on the floor beside the table, and complete the Do Now that is projected on to the board.
5. When the teacher says, “ready position,” students should stop working on the Do Now and stand behind their table with their chairs pushed in, waiting for their greeting.  Greet the teacher respectfully and avoid singing or saying the greeting too loudly.  
6. To exit the classroom, please wait for the teacher to ask you to line up outside the door.  Please be respectful and do not push classmates as you line up.
7. As soon as the class is quiet and in an organized line, you will be asked to go to your next class.  
8. Please wait for the teacher to escort you to the next class.

Restrooms

         Restrooms are to be used during the time provided in the schedule between classes.  During class, restrooms are to be used only during times of emergencies and only after permission from the teacher has been granted.  Students are expected to pick up any trash in the restroom and to leave the restroom cleaner than when they entered.  While in the restroom, students may converse with others that are using the restroom, but lingering is discouraged.  

Missing Materials

      Being prepared for class is a very important component in the education of a student at Frederick Classical.  When students are prepared for class every day, they are ready to learn and teachers do not have to spend time in class asking why a particular student is unprepared for class.  Being prepared daily quickly becomes a habit and students are more likely to be prepared for activities outside of school.  Students are expected to have their sketchbook, sharpened pencils, and planner. If students are missing any of these materials, they will be reminded about what is expected of them and what supplies are required.   Continued offenses will result in a phone call home or an email to the parents.  Habitual offenses will merit an office referral to the administration.

Classroom Rules

1.   During class, raise your hand if you wish to speak and wait to be called on.
2.   Complete homework is expected to be done weekly and turned in the first day of art the    

       following week.

3.   Respect adults and classmates at all times.
4.   Remain quiet while in the hallways, to and from class.
5.   Always walk while in school, except while at recess or in gym.

Procedures for a Typical Lesson

1. Students will greet teacher at the door and enter after given permission.
2. Once in the classroom, students will complete a Do Now activity while they wait for the formal teacher greeting.
3. When they hear the teacher say “ready position,” students will stop working on their activity and stand behind their table with their chair pushed in. The teacher will greet the class with a statement such as “good morning, class.”  Students respond in kind and are asked to sit.
4. Teacher will go over the Do Now and review the objectives for the class.
5. Most days, students will be working on art projects, in which they will be responsible for passing out artwork and gathering their own supplies.  
6. Students will be assigned that night’s homework assignment at the end of class and will write it in their planner.  Planners will be checked periodically.

Contact me

Email is the easiest method to communicate with parents because I have limited phone access during the day.  Please make sure your preferred contact email is updated in our system.  Our school secretary is the only person who can update your email on file. The Specials team will contact parents on a monthly basis via HAC, but I urge parents to view my blog and follow me on Twitter to see more frequent and descriptive classroom updates. A direct link to my blog, www.msstrasserart.blogspot.com, can be accessed from the school website.

Dear Parents,

        Effective classroom instruction in which students learn the rich classical curriculum that Frederick Classical Charter School offers requires a classroom free of student misbehavior.  To that end, students were taught the class rules that will be in effect throughout the school year.  When followed, these rules ensure that students will learn in a positive, calm, and safe classroom environment.  When misbehavior occurs, I will follow Frederick Classical Charter School’s progressive discipline plan.  Please acknowledge you have received a copy of these rules by signing on the blank below.  For your convenience, a copy of the class rules is included at the bottom.  Thank you and I very much look forward to an exciting year of learning in the classical style!

Parent Signature       ____________________________________

Classroom Rules

1.   During class, raise your hand if you wish to speak and wait to be called on.
2.   Complete homework is expected to be done weekly and turned in the first day of art the    

       following week.

3.   Respect adults and classmates at all times.
4.   Remain quiet while in the hallways, to and from class.
5.   Always walk while in school, except while at recess or in gym.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR CONTRACT

Frederick Classical Charter School

2016-2017

      Rules and procedures help to keep our classroom safe and functioning properly.  We are all here to respect each other, be diligent, do our assigned work, and follow our virtues.

When someone interferes with us being able to do our job, there will be consequences.

When we work together and respect each other, there will be positive results!

I, __________________________________ (Name of student) agree to abide by all rules of the class and school for school year 2016-2017.

If I choose to misbehave, I will accept redirection by the teacher and improve my behavior.  If I continue to misbehave, I will accept consequences such as:

• Teacher redirection;
• Teacher phone call or email sent home;
• Referral to the school counselor or administrator

Student signature      _________________________________   Date   ______________

Teacher signature      _________________________________   Date   ______________