Art I

Woodrow Wilson High School

1401 Elmhurst Lane
Portsmouth, VA 23701-1798
757.465.2907
amy.kerner@pps.k12.va.us

Welcome

to the Art Department at Woodrow Wilson High School. As a

student enrolled in the Art I course, you are going to enjoy using a variety of art materials in a
safe and productive manner. I will be instructing you in artistic techniques for creative art
making as well as the safety procedures necessary to ensure your personal safety. This document
lists procedures and rules that all students will follow for a wonderful and productive art
experience. Course requirements and grading are also covered.
If you have any questions about the art program at Woodrow Wilson High School please feel free
to call me or email me. Please read the following information carefully and return the last page
signed to let me know that you understand the policies that you will follow.

Teacher
I am Amy Kerner. This is my 9th year as an art educator. I graduated from Radford University
with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 2007. I love everything creative and artistic. I
enjoy working in watercolor, pen and ink, and mixed media. I am married, and have a
dachshund, a lab mix, and a cat. I enjoy creating art, listening to music, reading, and spending
time with my husband and pets.

Student
Thank you for choosing Art I as your elective class. Art I students will have a great educational
and creative experience. Art I students will learn the vocabulary and skills needed to understand
and create art. I will be READY TO CREATE and READY TO TEACH you! No matter what
your skill level or interest level is when you begin my class I expect you to come to class
READY TO CREATE and READY TO LEARN!

Class Overview:
Art I
Art Foundations is an introductory course to art processes and appreciation. The
primary focus of the course is studio production. Students will become articulate in the
use of art vocabulary, be able to identify and use basic art tools and materials,
understand safety procedures, and realize and use the elements and principles of
design in studio production, applying them as they critique their work and the work of
others. The students will also be exposed to various artists and art styles over the
duration of the class.
Outline of Topics:
- Class Procedures and Expectations
- Elements and Principles of Design and the Critique Process
- Line
- Shape
- Value
- Space
- Color
- Texture
- Form
- Drawing
- Painting
- Printmaking
- Mixed media

Required Materials:
The following materials MUST be brought to class everyday:
- PENCIL WITH ERASER- coming to class without a pencil repeatedly will result
in deductions to daily grade.
- Sketchbook (if you lose or damage or use a different sketchbook than the
sketchbook provided)

Optional Materials:
The following materials you might want to have for class if possible:
- Hand sanitizer- We would be so happy and germ free if you bring a bottle for
the class to share. (Extra credit coupon for bringing in.)
-TISSUES- (Extra credit coupon for bringing in. )
- BOTTLED WATER (passes will not be written for visits to the water fountain.)

Grading:
It is important to turn in your work. Many people who fail this class do so because of
missing work. TURN IN YOUR WORK WITH YOUR NAME and BLOCK ON THE BACK.
Example: Amy Kerner Art I Block 2
Grade Determination:
50% Projects
25% Sketchbook (Includes warm ups, notes, and vocabulary)
25% Quizzes/ Daily Grades
-----100%
Midterm/Final Exam 20% of 9 weeks grade
You are expected to follow school and class rules and procedures. You are also
expected to work, participate in group activities and discussions. Points will be
deducted from project and daily grade rubrics for any misconduct that results in an
interruption of the creative or learning process. Examples of misconduct that would
lower your grade would be having your head down, having a cell phone out, MP3
players out, out of seat without permission, being tardy, disturbing others, and
unexcused absences. I will deduct the full amount of points from each offense.
- Pay attention to due dates. I will accept late work only if you have an excused
absence or extenuating circumstance. You will only receive an exemption from your
daily grade with an excuse for your absence. I will deduct 10 points a day from project
grades after due dates. You are responsible for all work when you are in class and when
you are absent. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to bring in an excuse and ask
for and do make up work. In the event of excused absence, the number of extra days
you have to turn in work is equal to the number of excused days missed. Please wait to
ask me about make up work during project times when I am not going over new
material.
- You will be assigned a number that corresponds with your materials. Please memorize
that number and understand that you are expected to be responsible for all items with
your number on them when checked out. Please be responsible for your personal
property and class work as well. If someone steals your work you must make it up. If
someone steals your property school policy is to NOT check for it, so keep track of your
items. ( DO NOT EXPOSE CELL PHONES THEY ARE A HIGH THEFT ITEM)

The Class Requirements

Tardies
If youre not in the room when the bell rings, youre late. If you come in late without a
note or a lock-out pass, its unexcused. You need a note or pass. The door will be
locked for the safety of the class once the final bell rings and if you are late you can
make a sad face in the window at me until I am done going over work with the class for
me to let you in. Once you have entered the room you are to stand by my desk with
your pass or lockout until I can stop working with the other students and enter it into the
computer with you standing there. If you just sit down your attendance record will not be
changed from absence to tardy.
Consequences for Unexcused Tardies:
1st tardy warning/explanation of the rule- Zero on your daily grade
2nd tardy call home( made during class with you involved.)- Zero on your daily grade
3rd tardy one full day of ISS- Zero on your daily grade
4th tardy three days out of school suspension
5th tardy 5 days out of school suspension
Subsequent- ISS or OSS (daily grade explodes.)

Absences
Absences are excused with a note signed by a parent/guardian. No note and the
absence will be unexcused. Any unexcused absence results in a zero for a daily grade.
You must bring in the excuse the day you return to school, or your daily grade will
remain a zero.
All absences count towards the 10 day limit. Over ten days absent and you fail.

Dress Code
-

Do not wear clothing that is too revealing or with inappropriate language.

Do not wear clothing that is too loose.(pants pulled up)
Do not wear open toed shoes.
Tie back long hair.

Cell Phones
Electronic devices are prohibited, do not display, activate or use. If you expose your
phone and I ask you for your cell phone and you are polite about handing it over, I will
lock it in my office and you will get it back at the end of class. If you have an attitude, it
will be an office referral and the office will take it and you will get it back another day.

Vandalism
Art can be messy but that does not excuse purposeful damage to art room property. Do
not write on, steal or break art room property. You will be assigned a number the first
4

day of class, you are responsible for everything with that number. You are responsible
for your work area. You must clean up all materials. If you refuse to do so, it will come
off of your project points and daily grade. Do not touch any are supplies or equipment
without my permission. Do not touch anything that doesnt have your number on it or
has not been issued to you by me. Do not leave trash, pencil shavings, notebooks,
papers, on counter tops or shelving. Anything left in this areas will be trashed, including
sketchbooks and projects. Projects go in drawers if they are in progress and in class
basket if completed and ready for a grade. When you leave class check your area I
know you have to hurry but check your area for your belongings.

Food/ Drinks
You may have water in class. I encourage you to bring a water bottle because I will not
write passes to the water fountain. You are not allowed to have any food at any time! If I
see you with food you will need to immediately throw it away. This is important because
many people have food allergies and many people share this space.
Beginning of Class Routines:
Enter classroom calmly and quietly.
Sit in assigned seat and begin warm up activity posted on front board peacefully.
If warm up is completed you may work on sketchbook assignment of your choice
until instructions are given.
When instruction is being given you are silent and listening. Raise hand to ask
and answer questions.

End of Class Routines:

CONTINUE WORKING UNTIL MRS. KERNER announces clean up.
Clean up and sign in any numbered materials to Mrs. Kerner to be checked.
Wait IN your assigned seat until you are dismissed by the teacher, anyone out of
seat before bell rings will receive a deduction of points from their daily grade.

Safety Rules: (These are important to help prevent injury to yourself, prevent injury to others, and
prevent damage to tools and equipment.)
Be sure all safety devices are in place before operating machinery.
Never turn electrical switches on without permission.
Running, play-fighting, and throwing objects are never allowed.
Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry, or hair while operating equipment.
Select the right tool for the job.
Use machines and equipment the correct way.
Keep hands away from moving parts of machines.
When using the paper cutter, always follow the rules posted above the machine.
Always report broken or damaged equipment.
Always report injuries immediately.
Do not put tools or other objects in your mouth.
Never use any tools or operate any equipment until you have been given instruction and received
permission from the instructor.
If in doubt ASK MRS. KERNER.
Classroom Rules:

Respect others property and your own. (This includes all art room materials.)
Create appropriate art, use positive and appropriate words, and do positive and appropriate
things. ( If art is deemed inappropriate I will not accept it to grade.)
Do what the teacher asks Follow directions the first time given promptly.
Stay in your own assigned seat unless directed or excused by teacher.
Participate in class Complete all work Do high quality, honest work.
You may only bring food to class if it is already in your stomach. Please try to leave it there.
Follow the rules listed in the student handbook.
Be in your seat and working prior to the bell ringing.
If someone knocks on the door or the phone rings stay seated and I will handle it.
Absolutely no cheating
No talking during announcements, moments of silence, or when teacher is speaking.
Make sure you work quietly throughout class until TEACHER announces clean up time, failure to
do so will result in loss of project points and daily grade points.
Stay with class during emergency drills.
Follow school policy regarding cell phone use.
Complete class work when due.
Hold on to returned papers.
I cannot take my eyes off of the class so make sure you closely watch and listen to project
instructions the first time I give them, I will not repeat them.
You will be provided with three bathroom passes per 9 weeks. I keep them at my desk in a folder.
Only go if it is a true emergency. I will only issue passes the middle 30 minutes of class when
instruction is not happening. The first 30 minutes, you have had time to go en route to class, the
last 30 you have had time to go using the pass if it is a true emergency.

Computer Rules:

View only school appropriate content.

Print with teacher permission only.
One student per computer unless granted permission by teacher
No art supplies or personal belongings in computer area unless you have received teacher
permission.
Violations result in points off rubric and loss of computer privileges.

If you are committed to following the rules and procedures you will have a positive, fun, and creative
experience in this class. If you do not follow the rules and procedures the following consequences will
take place.

CONSEQUENCES:
Warning ( I will ask you to correct the behavior one time only)
Points off assignments and daily grade (Reductions based on rubric and daily grade expectations)
Teacher conference with student (You will be asked to wait in my office until we can discuss the matter)
Phone Conference with parent (We will call together from my office, if you do not know your parents
number it is an automatic referral)
Office Referral- If you cant fix the behavior, and we cannot reach your parent or if it is recurrent after the
issue is resolved you will be referred to the office. *This is automatic for dangerous or offensive behavior.
Alternative Assignments (You may not be able to use the supplies everyone else is using if I deem your
behavior unsafe or you have missed excessive work.)
Zero on daily grades and sketchbook checks for days of unexcused absences and tardies

I commit to follow and support the rules and routines stated in

this syllabus.

Students Name_______________________________________
Students Signature___________________________________ Date ______________

Parent/Guardians Name_______________________________________
Parent/Guardians Signature_______________________________ Date ___________