Welcome to 8 th Grade Visual Arts! Teacher: Paulo Machado

-What visual arts are and why it is important to study them. -How works are affected by their contexts (time, place, culture). -Where visual artists get their ideas. Some course highlights… What does it mean to be a visual artist today?

Things that we will investigate further in this class: -What is art, a work of art, and what are art’s main challenges. -How to apply elements and principles of design to 2D and 3D works. -How to assess one’s work and the work of others. -How to build, maintain, use, and evaluate your own portfolio. -How to deepen observation skills through contour and gesture drawing. -How to sight angles and proportions. -How to draw using one and two point perspective. -How to manipulate color interaction through color studies. -How function affects form and form affects function in 3D explorations. -How to explore visual communication through digital technologies. -How to describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate a work of art. -What are the steps needed to solve design challenges. -How to expand the powers of your imagination, creativity, and thinking. -What kind of careers are available for visual artists.

How you will be graded: Your grade will depend directly on your dedication to the following two areas: 1-Visual works - You are expected to have at least one example of each project done in class. A list of targets for each project will be on display throughout the duration of a project. In every project you should try to: a) Show that you understood the assignment. b) Explore different solutions to the assignment. c) Arrive at an original solution. d) Submit a final solution that reflects posted targets as much as possible. 2-Written assignments - You will produce writings in response to things that you will read, observe, hear, think, and feel. There will be a short quiz at the end of most units. Class notes will be available on Google Docs.

The following work habits will greatly affect the quality of your work: 1-The ability to work independently: show that you can manage your time efficiently, that you are self-directed, able to stay on task and willing to reflect. 2-The ability to be engaged: show interest in what you are doing and pay special attention when new information is introduced. Try your best at all times, show care and attention to detail, and demonstrate that you are not afraid of experimenting. 3-The ability to work cooperatively: show that you can participate in class discussions insightfully with appropriate vocabulary, and that you can listen to and collaborate fairly with others. 4-Respect for others: show that you respect others by paying attention to what you say, to the volume of your voice and to your actions and attitudes in class. 5-Correct use of facilities and supplies: show that you can manage and leave your working area clean, and use facilities and shared materials responsibly.

Important rules in this class. 1-When you arrive in class, take a seat and wait quietly for instructions. 2-When the class’s attention is asked, stop what you are doing, listen and observe. 3-Avoid projecting your voice across the room. 4-Raise your hand for help or to participate in a discussion. 5-Talk and act respectfully. 6-Always stay in your seat unless your teacher tells you otherwise. 7-Interact only with tools and materials provided by the teacher. 8-Leave your workspace ready for others to use. 9-After an absence, check with your teacher for missed assignments. 10-Always write your first and last name, and your section number on your work.

Note #1- Feel free to share new ideas with your teacher that may improve the classroom atmosphere and its environment. Note #2- Extra credit work is accepted as long as the work done relates to material covered in class. Extra credit works can earn.25,.50,.75, or 1 full point! The level of complexity of each work will determine the points to be awarded. For every four accumulated credits, a full point will be added to your final grade. Note #3- Grade scale: A= ; B= 80-89; C= 70-79; D= 60-69; E= 0-59 Note #4-Each project will be graded on a scale of Every project can be reworked and resubmitted to be re-evaluated. Incomplete or missing projects will be graded as 5/10 until completed. Note #5- A ½ point will be deducted from work without your first and last name and section number. Note #6- “Materials” needed: willingness to learn and an open mind!

REMEMBER If you are not happy with the grade earned on a project, revise that project, edit it, add to it, or redo it altogether and turn it in within ten school days to be re-graded.

Not sure of what do do? Just ask for help! Communicate your needs to your teacher. Your teacher is there to help you succeed! RELAX!!!

What happens during the last five minutes of every class?

Step one – Carefully, return tools and unused materials to their designated areas. Step two – Retrieve your portfolio, save your work and re-shelf the portfolio properly. Step three – Clean your work space – table top and floor. Step four – Sit down and wait quietly for closing remarks and dismissal. Step five – Once dismissed, push in your chair and walk quietly to your next class. Clean-up and dismissal procedures

Step 1 Save your work. Allow time for this! Step 2 Return the mouse. Step 3 Sit down and wait quietly for closing remarks and dismissal. Step 4 Once dismissed, push in your chair, grab your computer, and walk quietly to your next class. “Clean-up” when working digitally…

QUESTIONS?

Oh yes, I almost forgot! What is art? Discuss with a neighbor…

Art is skill or know-how. Art is the skill needed to make something A skill is knowledge. Art is knowledge. Art lives in the mind. Art is not a product. A work of art is a product. A work of art is work done by art or skill. You already know many arts. There are hundreds of arts. You are already an artist. Great artists improve their favorite art constantly. Every art is learnable!

In this class we will learn about & explore some v i s u a l arts.

What are visual arts?

Visual arts create works that are primarily visual in nature.

Some examples of visual arts: Drawing, painting, television, architecture, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video, film, video game design, textile and fashion design, computer graphics, industrial design, advertising design, interior design, graffitti, collage, animation, web design…

Have a great year of visual explorations! WELCOME TO 8 TH GRADE!