Mr. Bell, Visual Arts Teacher wbell@saludaschools.org
Call Saluda High @ 864-445-3011 ext. 242 My Planning Period is Fourth Period
Dear parent(s) or guardian(s),
I have been teaching visual arts for 18 years. I love teaching and sharing my love for the arts with young adults. It is my goal to help
students successfully complete their course work and enjoy the learning process. My expectations for all students are high. I truly
believe all students can learn as well as excel in the arts. I invite students to take all offered visual art courses before they graduate
from Saluda High School. Let’s all have a great year.
Visual Arts Courses Offered
Art 1 / Introduction to Visual Art
Art 1 / Ceramics and Sculpture
Art 2 / Drawing and Painting (pre-requisite)
Art 3 / Adv. Ceramics and Sculpture (pre-requisite)
Art 3 / Adv. Drawing and Painting (pre-requisite)
Art 4 / Studio (2-D or 3-D) (pre-requisite)
I am available for additional help, as needed by
my students, before and after school.
In my enthusiasm to promote our Visual Arts Program at Saluda High I am including a brief course description of all courses offered:
(2D) Introduction to Visual Arts: Designed as an introduction to drawing, painting, ceramics and sculpture, which will assist
student/parents in selection of further courses.
(2D) Drawing and Painting: Designed to involve students in drawing and painting techniques.
(2D) Adv. Drawing and Painting: Designed to prepare students for further exploration in drawing and painting techniques.
(2D) Studio Art – Drawing and Painting: Designed to help students who may be considering an arts related career in 2D fields.
(3D) Ceramics and Sculpture: Designed to involve students in ceramic and sculpture techniques.
(3D) Adv. Ceramics and Sculpture: Designed to prepare students for further exploration in ceramics and painting techniques.
(3D) Studio Art – Ceramics and Sculpture: Designed to help students who may be considering an arts related career in 3D fields.
Common to All Courses:
Students will learn how to consistently create quality work through the study of the Elements and Principles of Art and the process of
art criticism. Art assignment grades will be based on successful completion of Research, Lesson Criteria and Skills. They may be
expected to show their art at school, local, state, and national shows and/or exhibits, and submit work to Saluda High’s Prism
Magazine.
All art lessons are teacher created and directed. Students receive individual instruction. State adopted textbooks may be used as
a resource in regards to concepts taught in the introduction of a lesson and for written assignments. Our Textbooks do not contain
instructions on techniques.
Learning and Developmental Objectives/Goals:
All students will work toward confidence in their own abilities and develop critical thinking skills that lead to creative solutions to
problems they may face now and in the future. Visual Arts Standards focus on utilizing four components in art instruction: Aesthetic
Perception - visual and tactile (What do you see?); Creative Expression - artistic knowledge and skills (What are you making?); Visual
Arts Heritage – historic and cultural (What are your influences?): Aesthetic Valuing – analysis, interpretation and judgment (Why is it
art?). Students work weekly on understanding the four components of Art Criticism: description, analysis, interpretation, and
judgment. They will also work to develop a better awareness of art-related careers.
Expected Learner Outcomes:
 Understand the terms that prepare them for taking additional classes in art.
 Have a working knowledge of many of the tools and techniques that will enable them to succeed in further art instruction.
 Gain an appreciation of art history by having an overview of the major periods in Western art and a general grasp of worldwide
styles of art.
 Appreciate the major works of art and to be able to analyze what makes a masterpiece of art important.
 Compare and contrast different artworks with a critical eye and a vocabulary that allows the student to express opinions on art.
 Gain an appreciation of cultures past and present from all over the world and how the importance of their contribution to the
expansive variety of today’s art.
 Produce their own pieces of art utilizing creative thought and expression.
Expectations for Learner:
 Successfully complete all lessons
 Work hard on lesson till the last day till the last minute till the last opportunity to learn some thing new
 Show an interest in working to improve low grades (described in my grading policy)
 Arrange for Make up/catch up time when out or fallen behind
 Maintain an art portfolio to include:, sketches, handouts, and current lesson
 Participate in school, local and state art shows and competitions by displaying their work (when applicable)
Classroom Rules:
 Work Hard Then Work Even Harder
 Listen to Learn
 Do What is Asked of You
 Do Not Argue
Rewards:
 Praise/Reward incentives
 Happy Call to parents/Tiger Grams
 ARTSQUAD mentors (only w/teacher permission)
Consequences:
 Eye/verbal warning to the student/seat relocation
 Assigned detention with teacher
 Teacher/student conference/parent call/guidance referral
 Discipline referral (according to district/school site rules/regulations)
Grading /Assessment/Policies:
Assignment durations will vary from four week to six weeks. Students may be working on more than one assignment at a time
depending on down time and other extenuating circumstances.
Each lesson will involve three graded areas:
1) Research: including all revised papers: sketches/practice/exploration regarding testing of media and techniques: Resource materials
including photographs, Internet resources, book references, handouts and material/equipment.
2) Lesson criteria/concepts: Completed compositional/construction techniques (such as final contour line drawing, pottery, sculptures)
3) Craftsmanship/skills. Completed finishing techniques, (such as shading, painting, glazes.)
At the culmination of the lesson, should a student wish to resubmit their artwork for a better grade, he/she can contract for additional
time (not always class time). Artwork may be resubmitted for review upon making substantial improvements. Resubmitted artwork
extensions may be limited to one week following the original due date. No work will be accepted later than the week before a grading
period (end of quarter). Exceptions are at the discretion of the art teacher.
I do not accept work that is plagiarized (copied) or traced. Cartoon characters are not allowed as subject matter nor are cartoon style
drawings, unless the assignment is of that nature and/or without the express approval of the art teacher. Work that is presented for
grading that is torn, stained, folded, etc. will not be accepted and will need to be submitted after correction.
Failure to follow teacher instructions in creation of artwork may result in student correctly recreating the assignment.
Student work may be held until the end of the school year for the express purpose of exhibitions/competitions. Exceptions will be
made if the student needs his/her work for a portfolio scholarship review or to enter a competition not participated in by the school’s
art department. Students who are withdrawing from school may have their work to take with them.
Materials Needed
1. Number 2 Pencil
2. Sketch Book
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Evaluation will be based on the following:
 Art Portfolio (all major artwork)…...…………………………………… 90% (quarter averages)
 Performance (Research/other written work)………….…………………..10% (quarter averages
South Carolina Standards for 2011…Search Online for Saluda County Schools…Then Select a School – Saluda High
School…Then Departments – Art…Then Helpful Hints.
State Visual Arts Standards/Class Syllabus (briefly stated)
Creating Works of Visual Art: Standard 1: The student will demonstrate competence in the use of ideas, materials, techniques, and processes in
the creation of works of visual art
Structures and Functions: Standard 2: The student will use composition and the elements and principles of design to communicate idea
Exploring Content: Standard 3: The student will examine the content of works of visual art and use elements from them in creating his or her own
works
History and Cultures: Standard 4: The student will understand the visual arts in relation to history and world cultures and the technologies, tools,
and materials used
Interpreting Works of Visual Art: Standard 5: The student will analyze and assess the characteristics and qualities of his or her own works of
visual art and those of others
Making Connections: Standard 6: The student will make connections between the visual arts and other arts disciplines, other content areas and the
world
Please Sign, Date, & Return w/Student to Teacher
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Visual Arts Safety Contract
It is our policy to insure that all educational programs and labs promote and protect the health and safety of students and the environment.
Ample training and instruction will be provided for each class in safety skills and habits necessary to insure each student’s well being.
I further agree to abide by all verbal and written instructions given in class. Especially under dangerous situation I will expect respect
displayed toward others and me by exhibition of good manners and a cooperative nature, as well as caution to protect the teacher,
fellow classmates, the school, and myself.
I have read the above syllabus information and understand what has been explained to me.
Student Signature: ___________________________________________________
Date: ____/____/ ____
Parent/Guardian:
Date: ____/____/____
___________________________________________________
Minimal art supplies are requested. Please see attachment. Student should return paper signed so I am sure you
are aware of request. Ninety nine percent of art supplies are provided by SHS through the art teacher.
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