Art Fundamentals Overview 
Ms. Vivian Oh
Room 123 / Extension 1234 /Email Address:​ voh@district..org

Course Objectives and Goals

(CA Visual Arts Standards: www.cde.ca.gov)
● To provide a meaningful, hands on learning experience that allows for personal growth and creative
expression
● To incorporate a comprehensive art program that integrates the areas of aesthetics, art criticism,
art history, and studio production
● To provide students with experiences that are sequentially planned on building on concepts, prior
knowledge, and experiences

Grading
● A standard grading scale is used in this class:
A (90-100%) / B (80-89%) / C (70-79%) / D (60-69%)
● I do not round grades. Each project will be based on a specific rubric. A student’s daily attendance,
studio participation, studio production, clean-up, and design application skills will be factored when
grading. Lack of student PARTICIPATION and PRODUCTION will result in a loss of points.
● Academic dishonesty includes copying other artists’ work and altering each other’s projects.
This will result in a ​zero​ on the project.
● Each project has several preliminary steps and can take several weeks to complete. Please be aware
that roughly 80% of the project is completed in class. Students will know the project deadlines well
in advance. Transitions will occur from one project to the next, but there will always be a final
deadline. Missing assignments quickly lower a grade. Students are responsible for completing all
missing assignments after an absence. School policies on absences will be enforced.

Classroom Expectations
1. Respect your work and the work of others. Our classroom is a positive space to improve as artists.
2. Put forth your best effort at all times. We are all here to learn and grow.

 
   

3. Be prepared for class each day. Taking artwork home is always encouraged but please remember to
bring it back!
4. Preserve a positive learning environment. This includes positive language and attitude.
5. Take responsibility. Your workstation should always be treated as a personal studio space.
6. Cellphone use is allowed to listen to music and research reference images. If found utilizing your
cellphone for other uses, you will be asked to put your phone in the phone pouch.
● Please be aware that consequences for failure to maintain a positive classroom environment will result
in: (1) verbal warning (2) call home (3) detention hours (4) referral to assistant principal. These rules
comply with the school policy.

Routines and Procedures

● Absences and Tardies​ Absences and tardies will affect studio participation points (10 points per
day). Students will be responsible for making up any missed hours during lunch with the Studio
Hours Card. This is an Art Department policy on making up missed studio hours.
● Classroom Production: ​Daily Production points will reflect student’s production each day (10
points day). Students who choose to be on their phones or be unproductive will be noted on Aries.
Please make sure you are working each day.
● ​ ll work will be turned into the cabinet space labeled by period.
Collecting and Returning Work: A
Students graded work will be placed in their individual bins.
● Late/Missing work:​ Students are responsible for turning in any late or missing work.
Every student is encouraged to revise their work even after its been graded for a higher grade.
● Restroom Use: S​ tudents will be given a restroom card they can place on my desk before leaving.
This card will be stamped each time they use the restroom. Students may use the restroom at any
time; unused restroom cards can be exchanged for extra credit at the end of the semester.
● ​ uring studio days, students are expected to retrieve any materials from their
Daily Routines: D
individual bins and start working when the bell rings. On demonstration days, students will be
provided with specific instructions for gathering materials.
● Daily Clean-up Routines: ​Each student is responsible for clean up at their own workstation. Failure
to clean will result in a loss of participation points.
● Requesting Help: ​I am available for lunch appointments. These appointments must be arranged
prior to lunch.
● Each student is responsible for abiding by these routines and procedures to maintain a safe and
positive learning environment for all students.

 
   

Dear Parents,

My name is Ms. Vivian Oh and I am your student’s Art Fundamentals teacher at ABC High School. ​ I am so
excited to share my greatest passion with your student. I hold a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Drawing
and Painting from Cal State Fullerton. I also studied Museum Studies and Art History at the Accademia di
Belle Arti in Florence, Italy. I have travelled to 17 different countries to see all my favorite works in major
museums. I am also a working artist and I show my work in galleries and various art shows. My love for the
visual arts began young and has never faded. Whether your student decided to take my class to explore a
hobby, create a portfolio or learn a new skill, I am so glad they are here.

My primary goal is to help students ​think​ like an artist. This will require taking risks, research and asking a
lot of questions. We will study the historical and cultural context of global art and search for an artistic
voice. We will multitask and learn to find peace with ambiguity. Students will develop their technical skills
using traditional and non-traditional mediums and learn that they are capable of creating things beyond
their imagination. Students will learn to carefully observe the world around them and conceptualize their
curiosities. By the end of the year, your confident student will have a body of incredible work.

Throughout the course of the year, students will engage in play with multiple artistic mediums. Some of the
materials used include graphite, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic paint, ink, chalk pastels, colored pencils, and
much more. Like any good art teacher, I am an expert in removing stains, should you ever need advice.

Students’ grades will be updated frequently on Aries under Art Fundamentals. Our students’ works will be
updated on our running digital gallery on ​www.weebly.artwithmsoh.com​.

I believe that for students to be successful at school, we need to work as a team. Please feel free to contact
me at any time with questions or concerns about your student’s art education. You can reach me via email
voh@district.org​, by phone (123)456-7890 ext. 123. You can also schedule a conference meeting through
the main office by calling (123)444-1234. My hope is that your students will have the absolute best art class
experience possible. If there is anything I can do to help make this happen, please let me know.

In June, we will hold a Student Art Show at the school library which will showcase all the wonderful talents
in our Visual Arts Department. More information will be sent home as time gets closer. I am looking
forward to meeting you on Back to School Night on October 13, 2020 at 6 pm.,

Artfully yours,
Vivian Oh 
 
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