*A copy of this letter went home with all visual arts students this week.
August 11, 2009
Dear ACMS Parents,
I am excited to be here for my fourth year as the ACMS Visual Arts teacher! We will begin two different art courses this week. The seventh grade will begin a yearlong course, which will build upon their experiences from sixth grade and develop a deeper understanding of 2-D and 3-D ideas and techniques in the visual arts. The eighth grade visual arts students will begin the first in a series of three visual arts courses which will be offered this year. These courses will enable them to further develop the techniques and ideas learned over the past two years and help them create a strong visual arts portfolio. Soon, the eighth grade classes will add digital photography and collage to their repertoire of art experiences.
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. Over the course of the first term, Students will be required to complete at least two full-page drawings per week. At least ten of these will be drawings from life. Most of these sketches should happen outside of class. It is my hope that this will become a habit for my students long after their art class has ended.. ACMS has arranged to purchase a sketchbook for each Visual Arts student. This is a hard cover sketchbook with 80 sheets of quality drawing paper. If your child should require an additional sketchbook, they will be available for $6 each. If you wish to make a donation to help cover the cost of purchasing these sketchbooks, donations will be gladly accepted. The sketchbook is the only required supply for this course aside from a pencil.
I will occasionally need parent volunteers to help with special events such as art shows, field trips, and projects. If you would like me to contact you when these needs arise, please email me at jedmison@atlantachartermiddle.com with your name and contact information. Also, please contact me if you have an art related experience or talent that you might like to share with the students.
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.