* A hard copy of this letter was sent home with students on 8/11.
ACMS
Visual Arts
Jacob Edmison, Instructor
jedmison@atlantachartermiddle.com
(678) 904-0051
August 11, 2008
Dear ACMS Parents,
I am excited to be here for my third year as the ACMS Visual Arts Instructor! We will begin two different art courses this week. The sixth grade visual arts course will provide students with a chance to explore many facets of the art world. The first session of seventh grade art will focus on two-dimensional art and design.
One important element of our art program is the student sketchbook. This sketchbook will be an artifact, which the students will be able to use to reflect upon their artistic journeys. It will provide them with a tangible and readily accessible record of their growth. The sketchbook will also travel between home and school, allowing parents a chance to witness their child’s artistic development. We will discuss a variety of ways for students to use their sketchbooks including sketching, planning, and journaling. Students will be required to complete at least two full-page drawings per week. At least ten of these will be drawings from life. It is my hope that this will become a habit for my students long after their twelve-week session has ended.
We have arranged to purchase these sketchbooks for $8.00 each. This year, we will also offer a thinner version of this sketchbook for $6.00. The larger sketchbook has 110 pages, while the smaller has 80. Both books have high quality drawing paper and a hard cover. The sketchbook is the only required supply for this course aside from a pencil. All visual arts students should bring either six or eight dollars to purchase their sketchbooks by Friday, August 15, 2008.
I will occasionally need parent volunteers to help with special events such as art shows, field trips, and projects. If you would like for me to contact you when these needs arise, please email me at jedmison@atlantachartermiddle.com with your name and contact information.
I would like to take this occasion to thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with your children. It’s going to be a great year!
Sincerely,
Jacob Edmison,
ACMS Visual Arts Teacher
ACMS Visual Arts
ACMS
Visual Arts
Jacob Edmison, Instructor
jedmison@atlantachartermiddle.com
Each ACMS student should be able to create, document, and discuss his or her own artwork. Students will have a portfolio of their artwork, a sketchbook to demonstrate artistic growth, and numerous experiences both critiquing artwork, and leading a critique of their own work. All ACMS students should be able to use the visual arts as an effective tool for both communication, and self-expression.
Assessment
Several tools are used to assess ACMS art students.
At the end of all major assignments, students complete a written reflection. This provides them with an opportunity for self-assessment. Students will receive written feedback about their artwork. Projects will also be graded using a rubric that reflects the students’ achievement of visual arts learning expectations. The feedback will address both strengths and weaknesses to open a dialogue for student growth.
Students engage in critiques of their own artwork and that of their classmates. These critiques may take on a variety of forms, but all will be structured to help students learn to properly utilize and benefit from the critique as part of the artistic process.
Sketchbooks
Sketchbooks provide an opportunity for students to continue their artistic growth outside of the art classroom. They also provide a bridge between home and school. While most of the students’ artwork remains in the classroom, the sketchbook travels between home and school. It allows parents a glimpse into what their child is doing in art class. In addition to weekly-required drawings, the sketchbook is often used in class as a place to try new things and plan for artwork. Sketchbooks will be collected at least three times during the term. An overall sketchbook grade will be averaged with major project grades to determine the end of term grade.
Sketchbook Guidelines
All Art students are required to complete at least two full-page sketches per week.
You should have at least twenty-four sketches by the end of each term. Drawings should show evidence of shading and/or color work.
At least ten of these sketches should be from life. Life drawings are drawn from what the artist sees. They can be portraits, landscapes, animals, or still-lives. They should always be drawn while looking at something from real life. You may also use photographs as models for your life drawings.
The rest of your drawings may include abstract designs, cartoons, and other subjects that do not involve the direct observation of subjects from life.
Required Life Drawings
-A page of drawings of your hand
-At least 3 full page portraits (These may be of yourself, another person, or an animal.)
-2 still-life drawings
The subjects for the remaining four life drawings are up to you, but remember that they must be from observation.
Display Opportunities
We will have at least two art shows this year. These shows will take place at the middle and end of the school year. Other display opportunities may be added, as they become available.
What can you do at home?
-Encourage your child to practice and use his or her sketchbook.
-Ask to see your child’s sketchbook. This is a great way to start a dialogue about what they are doing in art class.
-Ask to see teacher feedback on assignments and the sketchbook.
-Provide your child with drawing pencils. The sketchbook and a pencil are the only required supplies. However, a set of a few different drawing pencils can really help bring your child’s sketches to life. If you have questions about which to buy, I will be happy to give you advice.
-Come out to support your child at the ACMS Arts Nights.
-Donate items or services from the Visual Arts Wish List.