It has been an exciting first week! By Friday, all visual arts students will have received a sketchbook. Students should begin working on at least two full sketchbook page drawings per week. This is usually the only homework assignment that they have for art class.
All of the classes started off this week with a big picture activity. This is a group project in which each student receives a small piece of a much larger picture. They must pay close attention to details and proportions to copy what they see on their piece. In the end, we should be able to re-assemble the pieces and identify the larger image.
Moving into next week, the seventh graders will begin working towards creating a monochromatic self-portrait painting. They will study the art and techniques of Chuck Close as they learn to make use of a grid and photograph to help them create the portrait.
The eighth grade class will be working on a mixed media composition. They will have the option of creating a landscape or a portrait. We'll also discuss the art of Zac Freeman and Anselm Kiefer, as examples of mixed media portraits and landscapes using non-traditional materials.
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.