Ceramics 2 Syllabus

Ceramics 2 Bloomer

Course Description: 

• Ceramics 2 is an intermediate-level art course that reviews the basic principles and techniques of working with clay as a medium for artistic expression and develops them further. The course aims to provide hands-on experience, while developing the skills necessary for creating functional and decorative ceramic pieces.  Students will be familiarized with centering clay and throwing simple forms on the potter’s wheel.  

 

Learning Objectives:

• Hand-building Techniques: Students will review 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.
• Pottery Wheel Introduction: Students will be introduced to centering clay and throwing simple forms, such as cylinders, bowls, and lidded vessels.
• Surface Decoration: Exploration of surface decoration techniques such as carving, sgraffito, and slip application. Students will learn how to enhance the visual appeal of their pieces through texture, patterns, and glazing.
• Creativity and Expression: Students will be encouraged 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.
• An Artist Process Journal will be created and contributed to, per the requirements of the MYP Program

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