INTRO TO ART: Being, Imagining, Seeing, Making, and Communicating
[Introduction to visual art]
Dustin Hoon (instructor)
Big Sky High School Art Department
406-728-2400 ext 8069
dmhoon@mcps.k12.mt.us
Please clearly print student name on the following
line.___________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
* Students must have a spiral bound sketchbook by the beginning of the
second week of school. Possible business resources: University Book Store
(University of Montana), Target, Michaels, Various Grocery Stores. The book
must contain medium weight paper at the minimum. Please call with any
questions or concerns. Please choose a sketchbook with heavy weight paper
60 lb. ream weight or more.
Course Outline
Units are based on conceptual blocks (Big Ideas), and units may be flexible in order
of instruction. The instructor reserves the right to include or exclude units as
circumstances demand.
Principal Objectives:
1. Students will experience a variety of concepts in
pursuit of greater knowledge of visual art in terms
of language, technique/skill, critique, history, and
philosophy, through a multicultural format
2. Students will use a variety of media, in a guided
effort, to produce works of expression (art), while
developing specific skills.
3. Students will work to build a sense of self, and
community, while developing respect,
responsibility, and self-discipline.
Rules and Responsibilities: A Code of Conduct
1. Respect:
 Students will treat others and themselves with
respect, patience, and fairness in order to
exercise and develop empathy. Students will
understand and demonstrate empathy.
2. Responsibility
 Students will participate in the completion of
assigned objectives, while practicing safety,
focus, and responsibility for their own actions.
The class content and focus is informed by the curriculum of Missoula County
Public Schools and the Montana Standards for Art & Missoula County Public
Schools Standards for the Visual Arts.
3. Self Discipline
 Students will devote time to meeting classroom and lesson
objectives, while developing healthy constructive criticism.
 Students will be in their seats before the sounding of the
first attendance bell.
 Students may inquire about a bathroom pass after the first
15 min. of class but not after the last 15 min of class: Issued
one at a time.
 Students will observe the Big Sky High School Code of
Conduct
 HEALTH AND SAFETY IS THE CONCERN OF ALL HUMANS IN
THE ART CLASSROOM.
ATTENDENCE IS CRITICAL TO SUCCESS IN THE STUDIO OF
ART; (YOU CAN’T TAKE THE TEACHER HOME FOR
HOMEWORK!) Students are expected to be in their seats
when the bell rings period. Students are marked absent if
not in seats when the instructor calls role; (It’s a fact Jack!)
Grading, Procedures & Protocol:
A. PRINCIPAL ART Assignments are typically valued between 100 to 300
points, or higher, depending on the complexity of the assignment and the time
dedicated by the instructor to its proscribed duration.

Constructive Criticism is a critical component to the evaluation of
principal assignments and ongoing exercises.

Assignments will be accepted if late within the semester that it was
issued, up until the week preceding the final week of semesters one and
two.

Principal Assignments will have assessment tools or rubrics; and,
students will be expected to sign, date and hold their rubrics until they
turn them in at the conclusion of the assignment date.

Students should always feel comfortable asking the instructor
questions at any time.
B. Sketchbook Assignments Are Typically Worth 25 Possible Points Each
1. A rubric and/or instructions will be made available for sketchbook
assignments.
2. Students will have a specific due date for each assignment.
3. Students are expected to sign, date, and title their rubric for each
assignment.
4. Students will submit their sketchbooks on the specified due date with their
rubric enclosed. Failure to do so will result in zero points for the sketchbook
assignment.
C. Civil Objectives for Working in the Art Classroom Quarterly Rubric 100
Points Each. These points are adjusted and entered at Quarter End.
1. A performance rubric will be made available at the beginning of each
quarter.
2. This assessment is separate from the system used to grade the artwork
created by the student. It is meant to instill civil behavior and respect for the
physical process, room environment, and fellow humans.
3. This rubric will act as an ongoing record of participation and artistic
exercise and civility; it may be accessed by students and parent/guardians, at
any time, but it remains with the instructor.
Evaluation Continued:
1. A performance rubric will be made available at the beginning of each
principle assignment.
2. Students will sign & date their documents. Students must turn in rubrics at
the conclusion of the assignment.
Grading Scale

A = (90-100)

B = (80-89)

C = (70-79)

D = (60-69)

F = (0-59)
The Following titles & lists are intended to give the student a sense
of the kind of visual art experiences he or she will experience.
They are defined as broad concepts and practices:
Mark Making, Perspective, and Naturalistic
Fundamentals: Core Concepts

Exploring Drawing Media

Related Examples of Art Through the Ages

Elements of Art Principles of Design

Four Principle Forms

Still-life Drawing Positive & Negative Space, Contour & Silhouette

One, Two and Three Point Perspective Landscapes of the Mind

Constructive Criticism
Intro to Color, Design, 3D Fundamentals, &
Composition: Core Concepts

Color Composition/Tempera Painting involving color theory

Spectrum and color theory

Composition Elements of Design as an Underlying Current

3D sculpture and armature (possible materials: clay, metal, wood,
plaster etc.)

Form as Function
Form for the sake of Form

Exploring Drawing and Painting Media
Using Fundamentals:
Core Concepts

Related Examples of Art Through the Ages

Elements of Art Principles of Design

Cooperatives in Comic and Caricature

Understanding The role of the Individual in Visual Art

Composition & Character Development

Measurement Proportion

Mixed Media
Underlying Concepts of Printing, Production, Mixed
Media and Consumption:
Core Concepts

Intro to the printed image (history/concepts)

Pen & Ink / Mixed Media

Relief Prints

Transfers

Media Literacy & Multicultural Literacy

Image Transfer
Please have your parents’ sign, on the line
below, upon reading the syllabus. Thank you.
Please include phone numbers and emails if
possible.