Grades: 6, 7, 8
MYP Art Syllabus and Course Description: Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies
Course #: AR01/AR02
IB Course Description
I. Course Outline
Our art class will delve into visual art as a form of creativity that is achieved through appreciation of different art and artists;
personal research; attention to craftsmanship; and reflection and evaluation as outlined in the Mesa Public Schools Arizona
Academic Content Standards for Visual Arts grades 6, 7, 8. Students will confidently develop their own skills by practicing a
combination of various techniques, using the elements and principles of art, and experimenting in a variety of media. Preplanning to consider how artists formulate an idea and working through the creative cycle are the primary steps students will
undergo to bring their ideas to completion.
Throughout this course, IB students will be asked to reflect on their progress along the Learner Profile continuum, which
includes becoming motivated and principled learners. Students will expand their global outlook through research, problemsolving, and communication.
Key Concepts for this course will include aesthetics, identity, change, and communication. Related Concepts will include a
number of models which include, but are not limited to, audience, composition, expression, style, representation.
II. IB Aims and Objectives
The aims of MYP Visual Arts are to encourage and enable students to:
 create and present art
 engage in a process of creative exploration and (self-)discovery
 understand the relationship between art and its contexts
 respond to and reflect on art
The objectives of MYP Visual Arts are:
 Knowing and Understanding
 Developing Skills
 Thinking Creatively
 Responding
Outside of these, ATL (Approaches to Learning) are always present and help students “learn to learn” with tools to enable
them to become life-long, independent learners. ATL skills include thinking, social, communication, and research skills.
III. Topics
Major topics for this course include global art appreciation which allows students to connection and respond to historical and
contemporary eras, art critique and reflection, and art creation which includes project planning and working through the
creation process, and presenting their work.
IV. Global Contexts
Global Contexts provide a framework on which to build each unit of study. The six Global Contexts will be integrated within
the various units of study to help provide a basis for class projects. The six Contexts are Identities and Relationships, Scientific
and Technical Innovation, Fairness and Development, Orientation in Space and Time, Globalization and Sustainability, and
Personal and Cultural Expression; however, of particular emphasis in this subject content will be Personal and Cultural
Expression.
V. Internationalism
Internationalism for this subject will include investigation into art from different countries and cultures. The arts enable
students to establish links between subjects, cultures and different areas of experience. Students will develop the ability to
express themselves and their ideas about the world they live in. Student awareness of the contribution various cultures have
made to society, and how art has improved the quality of life for everyone worldwide is emphasized. The arts promote an
understanding of how traditions, history and beliefs have influenced the way art is made and valued in society.
VI. Teaching Methods
Teaching methods for this class incorporate study skills which include lecture, cooperative group experience, individual studio
work, and inquiry-based research. These techniques are designed to help the student become a developing artist, one who is
able to assess their skill level and target the areas that they need to further develop. Students will have opportunities to
decide their area of study and identify and discuss issues that pertain to their project.
VII. Assessment
Students are given an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of knowledge and the Criteria A-B-C-D skills using a variety of
assessments such as tests/quizzes, projects, presentations. Performance-based assessments take up most of the class and the
specific objectives for each project are introduced at the beginning of the project. Students’ work will be assessed against
defined criteria and not against the work of other students. Feedback will take place as students are making decisions during
their work process, as well as at the project’s final completion. As students develop their own strategies for learning and
problem solving, some assessment tasks may focus less on the actual result or product and more on the thought processes
leading to the desired outcome. This way, students are given an opportunity to self-reflect and refine their product prior to
teacher evaluation.
Rules and Expectations
1. Please be respectful and quiet when teacher or others are talking to the class.
2. Follow all directions completely, quickly, and quietly.
3. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
A ttitude- Be positive and ready to learn
R espect- Be respectful and courteous to others in classroom and use tools and materials appropriately
T rustworthy- Be on task and behave responsibly
S afety- Behave in a safe, careful and mature manner
A Note on Student Behavior
Since most of our projects are worked on and completed during class time, it is especially important for students to monitor
their own behavior and practice good time management skills. If a student begins to struggle in art, it is usually because they
are not using their time wisely which effects the quality of their work. If a student is behaving in an inappropriate manner, they
will be redirected, asked to leave the classroom, or issued a detention or other consequence. These consequences depend on
the severity and frequency of the behavior.
Other Information on Curriculum
-Our projects and creations are based on the Elements and Principles of Art and incorporate history, current events, and
cross-curricular references. Students will learn techniques to use to create specific effects in a variety of media.
-We practice global art appreciation in historical and contemporary eras, art critique, and art creation which includes
project planning and self-evaluation of personal art through the creation process.
-Students will be challenged to think creatively but also must learn to follow directions and obey the protocols of an art
studio.
-Students are evaluated on their own skills and strengths and not compared to others. Art is a unique experience in that
the doing of it is sometimes more important than the end product. Students are encouraged to simply try their best, follow
instruction, and put in a 100% effort to grasp techniques and skills.
-Projects will be worked on almost exclusively in class. Students may take work home if they so choose (although I don't
encourage it) but must have care not to damage their art and ensure that it returns to school for their next day of art class.
Process Journal and Weekly Work
Students will be creating process journals in the form of a sketchbook in one of our first lessons. They will use their “PJ” to hold
notes, diagrams, experiments in technique and design and to generally keep track of their overall progress.
Also included inside their PJ will be their Weekly Work. Weekly Work will be usually worth 15 points and will be comprised of a
Weekly Sketch (10 point drawing assigned each week) along with Daily bell work ArtNFact comments. Daily ArtNFact bell work
will be presented at the beginning of every class in the form of a Powerpoint slide; students are expected to come into class,
get out their PJ and quietly record their responses to the slide (2-7 sentences, at least 4 words per sentence). Weekly Sketch
themes will be assigned at the beginning of the week (although they will be available as often as possible online the Friday
before), and the drawings will be presented at the end of every week. Weekly Sketches will be graded as follows: ____/ 3pts
Image takes up space/page (3-all to most, 2-half to most, 1-half to a quarter, 0- less than quarter used)
____/ 4pts Craftsmanship (4-all is neat and purposeful, 3- ¾ to ½, 2-half to a quarter, 0- ¼ or less is neat and purposeful) *no
unnecessary pencil marks
____/ 2 pts Time Requirements (2- at least one hour is spent on sketch and it appears that time was spent very wisely, 1- less
than one hour is spent on sketch and/or it appears time was spent less than wisely, 0- there seems to be very little time spent
on sketch)
____/ 1pts Meets Weekly Theme
____/10 pts
Eighth Grade Newsletter Blog Project
This is a month-long group project for eighth grade art students. The project involves students creating what is essentially a
monthly edition of a newsletter on art class that will be presented to students, teachers, and parents in blog form. Eighth
grade students will be assigned a group of students (usually 5 or 6 students) to work with and a month they will be responsible
for reporting on. At the beginning of the month they are responsible for, students will be given a few minutes of class time to
get together to decide who is responsible for what job. Then, over the course of the month, students will need to complete
certain objectives (most outside of class) and then submit their finished work to their editor who will then submit a finished
version via email to Mrs. Chiren.
Grading
Students’ work will be assessed against defined criteria and not against the work of other students. The specific objectives for
each project are introduced at the beginning of the project. Projects will include flexible options to allow personal creativity.
Students will plan and brainstorm, and use their knowledge and skills to develop a successful outcome. Feedback will take
place as students are making decisions during their work process along with at the project’s final completion. As students
develop their own strategies for learning and problem solving, some assessment tasks may focus less on the actual result or
product and more on the thought processes leading to the desired outcome.
Students will be graded in 3 ways: Projects, Weekly Work, and Tests/Quizzes *8th grade students will also be graded on their
contributions
to the Newsletter Blog
Projects are worth varying amounts, usually ranging 10-100 points, depending on the difficulty of the work and
number of expectations and objectives.
Weekly Work is worth 15 points a week. This includes daily bell work ArtNFact Comments (one 2-7 complete sentence
comment per day, at least 4 words per sentence) and Weekly Sketches. Students are expected to spend a minimum of one
hour on the sketches, which breaks down to 15 minutes a night, Monday night through Thursday night.
Tests/Quizzes are worth 5-20 points, with the exception of the class final at the end of the semester which is worth
10% of the semester grade. Quizzes will be given sporadically, as needed, to check for understanding, and the final will
summarize what was studied over the course of the semester.
Newsletter Blog Project: each eighth grade student will be evaluated once on their contribution to the class newsletter
blog for a total of 40 points. There will be a peer-grade aspect which will allow group members to weigh in on the work done
by one another.
Late Work
If a student is marked as an excused absence they are allowed extra time, equaling the days absent plus 1, to make up their
work. There may not always be class time to make up the work, but the student can come in early or stay late to work during
Open Studio or take work home.
If a student has not completed a project by its due date and wishes to turn in the project late, they may make use of the 4 Late
Pass Coupons given to students for use during the semester. These coupons are good for Weekly Sketches and Projects.
Students may use a maximum of 4 coupons over the course of the semester (meaning that these are not transferrable) and
only one extension coupon may be used per piece. Student and teacher will agree on new artwork deadline, which is noted on
the coupon, and any tardiness in getting the piece in by the new deadline will result in a 10% daily reduction of the grade until
the work is turned in.
---------this line will be cut/torn neatly to be turned in to Mrs. Chiren after the reverse is signed by a parent/guardian -----------
Resubmitting Work
If a student receives a 65% or less on a project and wants to resubmit the work, they have 2 weeks from the time they receive
the work back to recreate the work from scratch and turn it back in. Student must let teacher know that they want to redo
work so that a conversation on what to improve can be had. 10% will be deducted off the new grade.
Extra Credit
Extra Credit is available to students with no missing work or failing grades. If a student attends an art show, museum, gallery,
etc., and writes up an, at minimum, one-page paper (3-line heading of NAME, HOUR, TITLE; double-spaced, size 12 Times New
Roman font) about their experiences and staples their ticket to their paper, they are eligible for up to 10 points extra credit.
Papers must include the name of the show; the date the student attended; the name, artist, and media information of 3 pieces
the student found interesting, a description of the 3 artworks, and an in-depth reason why the student focused on those
pieces. I will expect students to use proper grammar and spelling. Extra credit is not eligible unless it comes with proof of
visitation (a ticket, or program, gallery summary, etc. may possibly be used- see Mrs. Chiren). Students may turn in as many
papers and tickets as they like over the course of the semester, and these points will apply to grades as long as student has no
missing work or failing grades.
Open Studio
Open Studio is a time for students to come in to work on their art. This is a less-structured work time, but I do expect students
to be using their time, the art supplies, and the room wisely. The supplies that are used during this time are to be cleaned and
properly put away before the student leaves so that the student has plenty of time to get to their 1st hour class or to their ride
after school. Students can work on art for the Art Wall during this time, but being in the room purely for socializing is
discouraged so that those needing to work may do so. See my website for Open Studio Hours.
Some Tips for Students
 Dress: Art class is hands-on and can get messy, so putting some thought into what to wear to Art is a great idea, and
smocks or cover-ups are welcome.
 Slow Down: So often students get excited with a project and rush into it, or rush to finish. Art is not a race and requires
thought and care, so take your time so that your project turns out the way you want it to.
 Draw LIGHTLY: Everyone strives for perfection and their personal best, and while art can be successful when imperfect
(and is actually sometimes enhanced by small "mistakes"), it is much easier to enjoy your work when not bothered by
silly, avoidable, blemishes. Drawing with a lighter hand from the start of the project so that any dislikes or mistakes can
be easily erased will make work much easier and a lot more enjoyable.
 Think: Think about what you want to do with your project before you start. Work out all the kinks in the planning
stage.
 Practice!: Much of the physical part of art is simply using hand-eye coordination. If you practice drawing, sculpting,
cutting, gluing, etc., you will improve; so spend your time wisely when working on your weekly sketch.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Student HOMEWORK (due This FRIDAY January 8th by 10 pm):
Your homework is to fill out a quick online Informational Survey on YOU! It’s available on the left sidebar of my webpage
(labeled “Informational Survey- Student Homework”), or go to the following link:
http://www.mpsaz.org/academy/staff/adschmidt/survey/
*****Make sure to click on the correct class link! (aka. YOUR CLASS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- tear or cut here to return bottom portion to Mrs. Chiren ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signing below states that I have read and understood the art class syllabus and course description and will approach Mrs. Chiren with any
questions.
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Printed Student Name
Student Signature
_________________________________________________
________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
Bottom Portion (YES, I only, ONLY, want the bottom portion of this slip back) Due in Class: ____________________________________
Worth 5 Points (5-on time, minus one point for every day late. O points if never turned in)