Ceramics 1 Syllabus

Ceramics 1 Bloomer

Course Description: 

• Ceramics 1 is a beginner-level art course that introduces students to the basic principles and techniques of working with clay as a medium for artistic expression. The course aims to provide hands-on experience with the foundational skills necessary for creating functional and decorative ceramic pieces.

Learning Objectives:

• Hand-building Techniques: Students will be introduced to basic hand-building techniques such as pinch, coil, and slab construction. These fundamental methods form the basis for creating various forms, including bowls, cups, and sculptures.
• Surface Decoration: Exploration of basic surface decoration techniques such as carving, stamping, and slip application. Students will learn how to enhance the visual appeal of their pieces through texture, patterns, and glazing.
• Understanding Clay Properties: An introduction to different types of clay, their properties, and how they behave during the firing process. Students will gain an understanding of the transformation of clay from a malleable form to a durable ceramic object.
• Creativity and Expression: Encouraging students to express themselves through their creations. Emphasis will be placed on the development of individual artistic voices and the exploration of personal themes in their work.

Major Course Projects, Topics, and Activities/Course Assessment Plan:

• All topics will last 1-2 weeks with various projects throughout to support learning. At the end of each 1-2 week unit, students will be quizzed to check for understanding.

Class Rules and Expectations

• be on time
• bring your pencil and Chromebook and charger each day
• help with cleaning up daily (even if it’s not your mess!)
• respect yourself, your peers, (this includes opinions and property) and school staff & property
• take responsibility for your own learning (ie. ask for help, stay focused during work time given)
• Follow all safety rules and be aware of your surroundings

Supplies Needed: 

• #2 pencil/eraser, pens
• 1 subject notebook
• Sketchbook
• Chromebook

Late Work Policy:

• It is the student’s responsibility to communicate in written format with the teacher about the plan for submitting late work.   This is a school-wide policy.
• Students have five (5) school days to get assignments from teachers upon return.
• No assignment will be accepted beyond three days after the original due date, unless medical or excused absence.
• Late work will be accepted at a penalty of 25% off of the earned grade.
• Late work formula calculation→ Student Score x 0.75 = Final Assignment Score
  • ie. if a student submits an assignment late and earns a 90, the late penalty would be 22.5 points deducted for a total of 67.5% grade

• Any work not completed during the school day MUST be completed as homework. 

Grading Scale:

Your grades in this course fall into the following categories: 

• Gold Category = 40%
  • Tests, Bigger art projects, research projects, final essays
• Silver Category  = 35%
  • Quizzes, middle level projects or essays
• Bronze Category = 25%
  • Smaller daily assignments, Participation

Grade Scale: We use a ten point scale, which is as follows: 

A = 90-100

B = 80-89

C = 70-79

D = 60-69

F = 59 and below

Extra Help: 

• If, despite your efforts, you happen to fall behind, please reach out to the teacher for assistance.

Final Exams Policy

• Final Exams will count for 10% of the overall grade for each high school course. 
• Criteria for Final Exam Exemption:  To be exempt from a district-created or teacher-created final exam, a student must meet the academic requirement, the attendance requirement, and the discipline requirement outlined below.

1. Academic Requirement:  Students must earn a 90% A average or above

2. Attendance Requirement:  A student may have no more than 5 absences in a semester course.  

• Absences due to school-sponsored activities, approved field trips, documented religious observances, documented medical accommodations, or other legally protected absences shall not count against the student.  

• Students with excessive unexcused absences, chronic absenteeism concerns, or unresolved attendance interventions may be denied an exam exemption, even if the academic requirement is met.

3. Discipline Requirement

• A student may not qualify for a final exam exemption if the student has received an out-of-school suspension during the semester of the grading period connected to the final exam.

TARDY TO CLASS Policy:  Disciplinary Responses to Class Tardies or Not Going to Class as Assigned

• By 3rd Offense
  • Administrative verbal warning
  • Problem-solve potential barriers (locker issues, hallway traffic, etc.)
  • Parent notification
• By 5th Offense
  • Administrative written warning
  • Parent notification
  • Administrative or teacher detention (i.e. after school, lunch or Saturday)
• By 7th Offense
  • Additional detention
  • Parent conference
  • Behavior Agreement w/ academic impact review
  • Loss of privileges (i.e. hall pass restrictions, etc.)

Note: Continued non-compliance may be considered a violation of BSO3 - Refusal to comply with the requests of staff and may result in an in-school or out-of-school suspension assignment.

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Instructor Contact Information: 

Michelle Bloomer - Room #B114

(434) 773-8186 (Galileo Office)

mbloomer@mail.dps.k12.va.us