LAGUNA BEACH HIGH SCHOOL
SYLLABUS: Ceramics 3
2015-16
Instructor
Ms. Selway BFA, MS Ed.
Phone
949-497-7750 x 1343
Department
Art, room 43
E-mail
sselway@lbusd.org
Web
Address
www.breakerceramics.webs.com Haiku
www.youtube.com/user/SomerCeramics
http://mylbusd.haikulearning.com/sselway/lbhsceramics/cms_page/vie
w
Course Description:
Ceramics Studio 3 is a yearlong course that is designed for students with ideally two years of previously passed beginning
ceramics at LBHS. Course submission into ceramics 3; All ceramics 3 students must have passed ceramics one at LBHS
with a B or better grade. If students are from another high school with previous ceramic course experience, then a series of
assessments will be made to determine if they are eligible for ceramics 3, if they do not pass these assessments then it will be
determined that they take ceramics two at LBHS. Ceramics 3 students will explore three-dimensional design in greater detail
through new hand building and wheel throwing assignments. Both functional and non-functional forms in art history will be
introduced, as well as applied to assignments. Throughout this course students are able to focus on technical, historical,
aesthetic, cultural and contemporary concerns of clay artists and sculptors as they develop their own personal and artistic
ways of working. Ceramics Studio Disciplines: Wheel, Sculpture, or Hand building; I. Wheel Throwing can be narrowed
down to specific types of forms or throwing methods. II. Hand building can be narrowed down by a particular hand building
method, i.e. coiling, pinch, mold or slab building. III. Sculpture can be specifically narrowed down to additive, subtractive,
positive or negative relief.
SUGGESTED SUPPLIES NEEDED:
All clay materials and supplies will be provided. In compliance with state law, students are not required to pay a materials
fee. However a donation of $40.00 is suggest to the LBHS ceramics program to help offset the cost of ceramics materials
that are intended to become student’s personal property.
GRADES:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 59% or less
GRADE CALCULATION: Grades are determined by a grading rubric scale, which will be passed out to each student and
visibly posted in the classroom. Points earned for assignments will be divided by the total possible points in that weighted
grade category to determine a grade percentage. Students and parents are encouraged to log into Aeries to check grades and
assignments.
Assignments on Aeries are divided into three categories:
1. Projects: clay assignments = 50%
2. Daily Performance: attendance, in class contribution, classroom maintenance = 40%
3. Assessments: quizzes, midterm/final exam, sketches, vocabulary = 10%
PROJECTS: Several ceramic clay projects will be assigned each semester and account for 50% of a student’s grade.
Projects need to be bisque fired and glazed fired for a grade. No unfired work will be graded.
**All projects will have specific size specifications, no projects over 10 inches in any one direction (height, width, depth) will be fired
without prior instructor approval.**
DAILY PERFORMANCE: An important part of being enrolled in ceramics 3 is student directed & motivated learning.
Students are expected to stay on task though-out the class period. Performance points are based on the student’s daily
activities performed in class. Sufficient performance in ceramics class is defined as: The student arrives to class ON TIME
and is in their assigned seat before the tardy bell rings. The student while in class is ON TASK, and spends class time wisely
WORKING on clay assignments. The student participates in classroom maintenance activities. The student has
appropriate conduct that is conducive for a positive classroom environment. Due to ceramics class being primarily a daily
working lab, in which minimal homework is assigned, it’s very easy to fall behind due to excessive absences. All
EXCUSED missed work and missed performance points due to excused absences, can be made up at tutorial, or by
appointment. If students know ahead of time that they are going to be absent for a prolonged period of time then it is
recommended that you go on independent study. If students would like extra participation points, then it’s suggested to
complete extra credit assignments when applicable.
ASSESSMENTS: There is a midterm exam and final examination. These account for 10% of a student’s grade.
NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED
Page 1
LAGUNA BEACH HIGH SCHOOL
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES:
The Laguna Beach High School discipline policies will be strictly adhered to. Students have the right to an unhampered
learning environment. In order to have a learning environment that is conducive, creative and positive for all students, pupils
are expect to:
BE PREPARED: to work and learn by the last tardy bell.
BE PRODUCTIVE: participate in classroom maintenance, assignments and activities.
BE RESPECTFUL: to each other, the teacher, the tools and materials, use tools and materials appropriately.
BE A PROBLEM SOLVER: Produce projects that are appropriate to a healthy artistic classroom.
*The instructor reserves the right to dismantle or remove ANY project that is deemed inappropriate*
Positive Consequences
1.Keep all classroom privileges
2.Receive high-quality grade
3.Work on optional projects
4.Extra credit points, and various rewards
Negative Consequences
1.Verbal warning, behavior contract
2.Loss of participation points, clean up duty
3.Loss of classroom privileges, lunch detention, contact home
4.Office referral
Tardy Policy:
TARDIES: The school wide tardy rules will be strictly followed. A student’s responsibility while at school is to be on time
and be prepared to learn. Students must be in their seat prepared to learn and work BY THE LAST tardy bell, or they
will be considered tardy. Every tardy will result in the student loosing their daily performance point.
CELL PHONES: and other electronic devices are NOT permitted during class time. If a student is seen using an electronic
device during class time they will lose their daily performance point. If a student is seen more than 2 times with an electronic
device, then it will be confiscated. If the student needs to make an important phone call, then please ask the instructor for
permission to step out of class.
Student class work competition wavier:
The instructor reserves the right to submit any or all student class work to; shows, competitions, promotional material,
promotional web sites and/or any other public forum.
CERAMIC VIDEO: Throughout the year, various video demonstrations will be recorded and uploaded to the ceramics web,
your student could be in a video. If you do not want your student to be in any videos please indicate in the space provided.
*If you have any questions or comments about this course, please feel free to contact me at the number listed above or via email. Parents and Guardians, I hope to provide a creative educational experience for your student.
Sincerely, Ms. Selway
Page 2
LAGUNA BEACH HIGH SCHOOL
Please sign that you have read and understand the ceramics syllabus.
I have read the ceramic syllabus carefully and agree to follow the rules and terms therein
Student Signature
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Student Name CLEARLY PRINT
________________________________________________________________________________
Period:_______
I have read the course syllabus and understand the course outline and expectations of my child
Parent/Guardian Name (s)
__________________________________________________________________________________
Parent / Guardian
Signature__________________________________________________________________________________
Contact phone numbers
_____________________________________________________________________________________
e-mail contact
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______ YES my student can be in ceramics demonstrations videos
______NO I do not want my student to be in any ceramic demonstration videos
Page 3