Avery Art Department

by Jimmie Tucek

September 08, 2009

Jimmie Tucek, Instructor

Welcome to a new school year in the Avery Art Department! I am very excited this year, as I will have many of the students I started in Middle School Art as new High School Freshmen. I’m counting on these energetic and enthusiastic young people to push our art program to a higher level of involvement and success. I expect great things from this group. In addition to this new influence of youthful energy and eagerness, we have a new mission statement here at Avery ISD.

Our Mission: Avery ISD commits to engage in 21st Century learning, while cultivating positive growth in social, emotional, and behavioral attitudes.

This year we will have Elementary Art for grades 1-4 and High School Art classes in Sculpture, Painting, and Drawing. It is my intention to foster the growth mentioned in our mission statement through the use of projects that are dependent upon cooperative learning, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. The results of these skills will be showcased at our annual spring art show for the community to enjoy.

Elementary Art: Grades 1-4

Elementary Art Students will be introduced to basic art principles and media through “hands-on” studio experiences. Students will be able to participate in the annual art show in the spring. Grading will be based on the student’s ability to follow directions and participation efforts.

High School:

The Elements and Principles of Art, which are necessary for both sophisticated art creation and art critique/analysis, will be taught to all visual arts students. In keeping with our mission to promote authentic learning and personal growth, students will engage in written critique tests and oral presentations in addition to the actual art creation process. The students will be exposed to art history through their critique tests and project research. All high school visual arts students will assemble and maintain digital art portfolios.

Grading Policy-All High School Art Classes

Daily Grades: 60% of six weeks grade
 Students will receive a weekly studio experience grade (maximum of 100 points). Students will accumulate points each studio work day of the week (four days of studio work=25 points possible per day, three studio days=33-24 points per day, etc.)
 In addition, students will receive various daily grades for completed portions of projects and other daily assignments.

Test (and Project) Grades: 40% of six weeks grade
 Students will have approximately four written critique tests each six weeks.
 Projects will also be counted as test grades. The number of projects each six weeks will be dependent upon the complexity of the assigned project(s). Project grades will be assessed not only by the “finished” product but by the time and effort expended by the student(s).

Rules and Procedures for all High School Art Classes:

Rules: In keeping with our mission statement, the big word is “Respect.”
     Please show respect and consideration to me and your classmates.
     Be on time, so that I do not have to mark you “Tardy.” Use your time between classes and during breaks wisely. I will not let you leave during class everyday to visit the restroom.
     My Pet Peeve: Do not throw objects or supplies in the classroom.
     PLEASE-NO COLOGNES, PERFUMES, OR SCENTED SPRAYS out in class.
     No Homework!

Classroom Procedures:

     Safety First: Please do not use any of the equipment in the classroom without instructor permission and instruction. Remain in your own work area, except when retrieving supplies/equipment. Please enjoy class, but be respectful of everyone else’s rights, including mine. Do not “touch” other people’s artwork. No Horseplay. Exercise care moving around the room while your classmates are using equipment and tools. Please do not run inside the classroom for any reason.
     New School Policy: All phones are to be turned off and placed in the basket on my desk until you leave for the next class.
     Place all “personal” non-art items (book bags, notebooks, purses, etc.) on the floor under your work station or at the front of the classroom (including all electronics-except phones). No hats in class.
     Find your seat and assignment(s) for the day. Assignments will be posted on the board each day.
     Begin assignment. You will have a short assignment to complete in the first 5 minutes of class most days.
     All work will be “original.” No “copy” art. Students will be expected to compose and take their own photo references (with your own or the teacher’s camera) or work from real-life observation.
     Ask for access to any class equipment and supplies from cabinets or drawers. Project supplies and tools will be placed out for class use or distributed by the instructor. There is a “sign-out” sheet for some tools.
     There is a “two-paper” limit per day. Plan wisely. I will not allow you to “restart” a project more than once on the first day of the project. I will also discourage any “restarting” of a project after the third day due to time constraints.
     I will announce clean-up time about five minutes before class ends. Tools need to be checked in before I dismiss class.
     Please keep the room orderly and neat-each class deserves this consideration. Please do not deface school property.
     Not all classroom sinks are “operational.” Make sure that you use one in working order. Do not use the “Clay Sink” for anything other than clay cleanup and retrieval.
     When cleanup (and tool check-in) is complete, students will be allowed to gather their personal items from the floor.
     Return to “your seat” and wait quietly.
     Drawing Students: Do not leave your work in the classroom. You are responsible for keeping up with your artwork. Keep your work in your “tube” and keep it in your possession. Do not leave your tube or work in the classroom. Your work is safer in your locker. Sculpture work will need to be locked in the sculpture cabinet each day and paintings must be placed in the “wet painting” rack.
     The bell is my reminder to dismiss you. Please remain seated until I dismiss class. You may pick up your phones on the way out.

Class Descriptions:

Drawing: This is a yearlong course in which first semester skills are needed to be successful in semester two. Basic drawing and design will be taught through the understanding and use of the elements and principles of art. Students will create and maintain digital portfolios showcasing their original work. During the second semester, students will develop a series or collection of work related to a central concept for the annual student show. Students will be expected to participate in the annual art show in the spring.

Supplies needed: Shipping tube for artwork storage and a class notebook

Painting: Students need to have a basic grasp of drawing skills to be successful in this class. This is a yearlong course in which first semester skills are needed to be successful in semester two. Basic painting techniques and media expertise will be gained through studio experience, while design and composition will be taught through the elements and principles of art. Students will create and maintain digital portfolios showcasing their original work. During the second semester, students will develop a series or collection of work related to a central concept for the annual student show. Students will be expected to participate in the annual art show in the spring.

Supplies needed: Class notebook and work shirt (in addition, painting students may want to keep a stain remover, like “Tide to Go,” etc. in their bags for paint accidents)

Sculpture: This course will address the history of sculpture, ceramics, modeling, molding, casting, carving construction and assemblage. This course will also cover throwing on the wheel, kiln firing, primitive firing, glaze use and surface design. Further, exhibition, portfolio development, and development of a series or collection of work related to a central concept will be a goal. Students will create and maintain a digital portfolio showcasing their original work. Students will be expected to participate in the annual art show in the spring.

Supplies needed: Class notebook and work shirt

Conference Time and Contact Information:

Conference times: 7:30am-7:50am (except on “duty” mornings) & 1:10pm-1:55pm daily
Email: Jimmie.Tucek@averyisd.net
Home phone: 903-684-5748

Extra-curricular Art Activities:

Monday After-School Art: Beginning the second or third week of school (notices will be sent out and beginning of classes will be announced) from 3:45pm to 4:55pm. This activity is available to all students from grades 2-12. Cost is $10 @ lesson. This money goes into our Art Club account. This summer I used some of this money to purchase small items to improve the use and convenience of the art room (storage items) and to purchase art supplies for the students to use to begin the school year-both enrolled students and after school artists.

Thursdays, after school-VASE work/tutoring time: 3:45pm-4:55pm. I set this time aside for current and “hopeful” High School VASE students to work on their competition pieces with additional instruction as needed.

Avery Art Club-to foster and support students involved in VASE and those students interested in future VASE competition. Meetings will be announced as needed. Membership can be obtained by attending meetings or Wednesday after school work sessions. No dues.