1. Introduction to Art
Teachers: Mr. Gresens – gresens@fultonschools.org; Room 301; 404.847.1980 ext. 270
Ms. Karp – karpe@fultonschools.org; Room 303; 404.847.1980 ext. 280
Ms. Munson – munsond@fultonschools.org; Room 410; 404.847.1980 ext. 272
Introduction to Art This course is a prerequisite and provides a foundation for all other visual art courses offered at Riverwood
International Charter School. Students who successfully complete this course receive .5 units of credit and are allowed to enroll in
additional upper level art courses. Students will study artistic ideas as they relate to their own lives, to other areas of study, to their
community and to other cultures. Skills and techniques will be developed and explored so students can communicate there ideas
with greater clarity. Through this course, we hope to develop internationally minded people who exemplify the traits found in the
Learner Profile. Units that are studied in the Introduction to Art course support the three fundamental concepts of the International
Baccalaureate Middle Years Program:
• Holistic learning – students discover ways in which art is related to all other subjects. They also learn that the strategies
they develop to analyze and solve problems are those that will be used throughout their lives.
• Intercultural awareness – through their study of art, students discover the rich history of the subject. They gain an
understanding and appreciation for the many cultures that have contributed to the body of knowledge which they study.
• Communication – students will be encouraged to be active learners who can communicate their knowledge to others. They
will practice technical, contextual, formal and conceptual ways to communicate the visual arts.
In addition, throughout this course, we explore ways and examine topics that provide opportunities for students to develop the traits
contained in the Learner Profile. The Introduction to Art Course Team, consisting of all teachers that teach the course, works to
consistently examine the unit designs, classroom practices, assessment policies, and management and leadership activities to
assure that attention is focused on the processes and outcomes of student learning.
Methodology & Objectives: A number of methodologies are used in the Introduction to Art classes. Students generally work
individually with interaction and feedback from their classmates through discussion activities and critique opportunities. They will
receive direct instruction and be encouraged to show independent investigation and exploration to personalize their own learning.
Students will read about art and artists, develop technical skills, analyze art work, experiment, participate in problem-solving projects,
formulate creative solutions, write and reflect on their work depending on the unit.
Requirements:
1. Visual Verbal Journal – Students will keep a sketchbook that will be used as a visual verbal journal. This will be used in class
for notes and examples of the theories of design and composition as well as periodic assignments outside of class given by
the teacher. These assignments will help reinforce work done in class and will also introduce new media. In addition to
assignments, students are encouraged to sketch everyday.
2. Class Assignments, classroom discussions, and activities – students will complete all class work and participate in class
discussions and activities. You are expected to be present for class, participate in discussions, and to make use of class time.
3. Notebook – Students will keep a notebook containing all tests, handouts, and notes taken on reading assignments, lectures,
films and demonstrations.
4. Work Environment – Be responsible for tools, supplies, and studio work area.
Textbook – The textbook for this class will be Art Talk, Ragans, Glencoe Publishing, 2005.
It will be kept at school, however student should not hesitate to take the book home to complete assignments or on days prior to
tests. The book will be returned in good condition at the end of the semester or fines will be assessed. Replacement cost: $51.99.
Grading Criteria: A wide variety of assessments are used to gauge the success of Riverwood students. These assessments can be
formative or summative. At Riverwood International Charter School, assessment is viewed as a continuous process allowing
students, parents and teachers accurate information about student achievement. In this class, teachers utilize formative
assessments to determine student understanding. These assessments often occur throughout each unit. At the end of each unit,
summative assessments are utilized to gauge student understanding. A MYP assessment is also used to show how the student has
performed against the MYP assessment criteria for the unit.
Use of the MYP Criteria: Riverwood adheres to the Fulton County grading policy. Traditional grade reports are sent home every 6
weeks. As an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program candidate school, RICS will use the program’s assessment criteria
to report student progress. The students will be assessed at least once per semester against each of the four criteria. Reports of
these scores will be sent at the end of each semester.
The total semester grade will be an average of the following parts:
50% Studio Assignments completed in class.
15% Mini-labs, Classwork, and Homework
15% Visual Journal assignments
10% Final Exam
10% Tests, and Quizzes
2. Fulton County uses the following grading scale: 90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 69-Below = F
ASSIGNMENT COMPLETION AND DUE DATES: Students will be given time to complete each studio assignment and will be given
advance notice of due dates for both homework and class work.
• Studio and Journal assignments not turned in on the due date will receive a 10% deduction each day the assignment is late.
Late work turned in 5 days or more after the assigned due date will receive a 50% deduction. Unfinished work will receive
only partial credit, 50% or less of the total points possible.
• Homework assignments not turned in on the due date will have a 10% deduction if submitted by the following class.
Beyond that point assignments will be accepted for 1 more class with a 50% deduction.
• Folders will only be accepted late one class period after the due date for a 50% deduction.
Parents will be notified by phone or email after 2 zeroes are recorded and/or when the student is in danger of failing. Please consult
the Student Handbook for the recovery policy.
Studio Time/Teacher Office Hours: The studio is open at 8am every morning for students needing extra time to work on
assignments. The teacher is available at that time, but appointments are encouraged if the student knows he/she will need the
teacher’s help. You can also set up additional time in the afternoons by a pre-arranged appoint with at least one day’s notice.
Recovery Policy: Fulton County’s recovery policy is designed so that students who have regular attendance and have completed all
assignments but are still unsuccessful in a course can have a chance to demonstrate mastery. Students can request recovery only if
they meet the preceding criteria. Recovery does not mean that a student can skip a test or fail to turn in a major assignment and
receive recovery as an alternative. The type of recovery assignments available to students is a matter of teacher discretion as long
as it directly relates to the course objects. Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may
improve their grades. (See page 4 of the Student Handbook.)
Introduction to Art is broken down into three units of study. Within each unit you can expect:
• MINI-LABS: short lessons that introduce one or two of the main objectives of the unit and will prepare you for creating the
final project for each unit.
• VISUAL VERBAL JOURNALS: one to two assignments that reinforce the objectives of each unit. If the journal assignment
is not completed in class, it should be considered homework and completed on your own time.
• STUDIO PROJECT: cumulative art project for each unit of study where you will demonstrate the art techniques and
concepts taught for each unit.
• TEST/QUIZ: with each unit of study, you will have a test and/or an art application test.
Unit 1: 2-D Design: Color and Creative Thinking (Intro to Art)
• Unit Question – How do artists use the Elements of Art and Principles?
• Area of Interaction – Community and Service
• Assessment Criteria – Knowledge and Understanding
Significant Concept – Exploring how art can communicate and color’s influence on that communication.
Students are introduced to the language and tools of art. Elements and Principles of Design are explained to assist
in creating quality compositions. Students will explore how artists change the perspective of the world around them
through their artwork.
Unit 2: Making Connections through 3-D Design (Intro to Art)
• Unit Question – How do artists “form” space?
Introduction
• Area of Interaction – Environments
to Art
Units of • Assessment Criteria – Reflection and Evaluation
Study & Significant Concept – Critically looking at art work to understand it’s personal and cultural value. Students learn to
Areas of look and create works of art from multiple angles. Characteristics of 2-dimensional art are applied to 3-dimensional
Interaction: art. The impact of using different media and materials in creating works of art is explored. Art’s influence on its
environment, as well as the environment’s influence on a work of art are also considered.
Unit 3: Introduction to Drawing and Creative Thinking (Intro to Art)
• Unit Question – How does an artist revision the world around them?
• Area of Interaction – Health and Social Education
• Assessment Criteria – Human Ingenuity
Significant Concept – Understanding Art and drawing connections between drawing and seeing. Students are
introduced to the language and tools of art. Elements and Principles of Design are explained to assist in creating
quality compositions. Focus is placed on developing observation skills to assist in better representing ideas. A
variety of drawing approaches and techniques are presented to enhance communication from the artist to the
viewer.
