Introduction

Welcome to 3-D Design. This course is an exploration of aesthetics and techniques as it relates to manipulating a variety of materials in the 3-dimensional space to create works of art. This course is based on the California State Frameworks and The California State Visual Arts Content Standards. Throughout the course of the year we will explore a variety of design theories and techniques that will help build artistic confidence and critical thinking skills.

The hands-on nature of this class provides that the majority of work be completed during the class period. There will be assignments in which students are expected to complete on their own time. Tutorials will be provided on most Mondays after 7th period. Additional tutorials will be announced throughout the year. I will do everything in my power to help you master the material that will be presented, but it is up to you to come to class prepared to work hard, and stay on task. By doing this, you will succeed in this class.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

• Create Artwork using three dimensional design construction techniques.
• Demonstrate the ability to respond to, analyze, and make critical assessments about three-dimensional works of art.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the historical contributions and cultural dimensions of 3-D design.
• Process, analyze, and respond to sensory information through the language and skills unique to 3-D design.
• Connect and apply what is learned in 3-D design to learning in other art forms, subject areas, and careers.
• Create and maintain a portfolio of 3-D works that are thoughtfully conceived, and demonstrate skillful execution.
• Possess fundamental drawing skills to aid in the planning and design of 3-D works, and across curriculum
• Formulate, refine, and present your own ideas to a group.

Student Responsibilities

As a student in my class you have the following responsibilities as listed below:

• Be in the classroom ready to work when the tardy bell ring
• Come to class prepared.
• Be respectful of others.
• Complete all assignments on time.

Class Expectations

There are a few class rules that I expect you to abide by at all times.

• Stay on-task and follow directions
• No food, drink, candy, or gum is allowed in the classroom
• Treat the equipment, your peers, and the instructor with respect
• Abide by all the policies and rules outlined in your student handbook
• As per the school policy, there will be no electronic devices allowed in class.
• Due to the project-based nature of this course, it is often necessary to coordinate your clothing to the day’s activities. (i.e. skirts on a day you are signed up to use a potters wheel)

Consequences

1. Verbal warning
2. Parent contact
3. T.A.S. or after school detention
4. Referral

This is list is intended as a general guideline. Some circumstances require different consequences. I as the Teacher of the class reserve the right to alter the course of these consequences as the situation dictates.

Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form in my class. This includes unauthorized use of material from the Internet or other sources that are protected by a copyright. Please see me if you have any questions regarding use of materials. More information is available on page 10 of the student handbook.

Attendance

The specialized nature of this class requires that most of the projects be completed in the classroom during class time, or tutorial time. In the majority of cases there is a direct correlation in my course between attendance and students receiving a D or an F. With this in mind, I cannot over emphasize the importance of regular attendance and punctuality. (See page 19 of the student handbook for more information)

Grossmont High School’s absence policy:

“In accordance with State Education Code requirements, a student must be in class a minimum of sixty hours (60) to receive five units of credit. There will be no automatic drop from class. Students may be removed from class for excessive absences (exceeding 10 hours), if the teacher determines that the absences in combination with lack of effort, lack of academic success, or poor attitude results in disruptive behavior. The teacher will notify the parent/guardian of his/her recommendation to remove the student from the class with loss of credit. Suggested strategies for contacting parents/guardians would include telephone contact or in-office conference. Students and parents/guardians must recognize that there is a direct relationship between school attendance and grades/credits earned.”

Lates/Period Truancies/Truancies

Students are expected to sitting in their seats when the bell rings. Students anywhere else will be marked late. If a student is not in my classroom, I will mark them absent. The attendance office will then determine whether that student has an excused absence, or if they are truant. It is the student’s responsibility to clear any absences with thee attendance office. I will base my attendance record off of the reports I receive from the attendance office.

I will regard excess tardies, and truancies or any combination of them as defiance, and I will assign consequences for this behavior as follows:

Number of tardies and/or truancies Consequence
1-3 Warning (parent contact at 3rd)
4 Lower conduct grade 1 level
6 Lower conduct grade 2 levels
8 Referral
Please Note: that any time you are tardy and come to class 10 minutes or more after the start of class you will receive additional consequences. Coming to class 30 minutes or later results in a period truancy, and you must clear it with the attendance office before entering class.

In addition to the behavior consequences, your participation as a member of my classroom helps determine your academic grade, 10% of your grade is determined by participation, and excessive tardies or truancies will have an adverse effect on your participation grade.

Grading Policy

Your grade will be determined by a total point value of all your projects, quizzes/worksheets, participation and the final exam. You will be assigned letter grades by the total percentage of points that you have achieved. The following table outlines the grading values.

Grade Percentage Scale
A+ 97% and above
A 93%-96%
A- 90%-92%
B+ 87%-89%
B 83%-86%
B- 80%-82%
C+ 77%-79%
C 73%-76%
C- 70%-72%
D+ 67%-69%
D 63%-66%
D- 60%-62%
F 59% and below

Each category will be weighted differently, due to the project-based nature of this course; the projects completed by the student will have the most significant impact of the student’s grade. A summary of the value of each category follows.

Quizzes/Worksheets 10%
Projects 70%
Participation 10%
Final Project/Exam 10%

I will post grades in my classroom and online every two weeks. Parents of any student who has a grade below a “C” will be notified at this time. My contact information will be included on each progress sheet; please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns.

Late Work

All project work is due at the end of the semester. You will be graded on a certain number of projects during each grading period. I will post a due date for each project soon after we begin. That due date will determine what grading period it will be graded on. If a project is not turned in by that due date, it will be marked as incomplete, and your grade will be affected until it is turned in. Semester grades are final, I will not accept late work after the semester ends.

Quizzes and worksheets are due on the date posted, and late work will be deducted points as follows

Days Late Penalty
1 15%
2 30%
>3 50%

If you have special circumstances, please contact me as soon as possible so that we can make other arrangements.

Materials

Most materials during the course of any project will be supplied in the classroom. I will make every effort to supply each student with a reasonable amount of material, and consumables to complete all projects during the year, but it may be necessary that a student purchase any excess material or consumables they use. I will have these available for purchase in the classroom at my cost. There will occasionally be times when a student will be required to provide very inexpensive, or free materials (i.e. newspapers, soda cans, ect.) There will also be occasion when I will make available higher end materials (i.e. silver, specialized glazes, ect.) for a student to complete a project. These materials will be available at a reasonable price, and are not required to complete any project.

To come to class prepared, each student is required to have a writing utensil, and folder or binder to contain and organize any handouts or paperwork, and most importantly a notebook. The notebook will serve as a place to take down any important information, and as a place to create and workout any idea and plans related the projects the student will be working on. I do not require any specific type of notebook, although an unlined sketchbook is preferred.

Communication

Communication between all involved parties is crucial to your success. I encourage an open dialogue between you, your parents and myself. There are a number of ways that I use to communicate to you and your parents. Please feel free to contact me for any reason regarding our class. The following is my contact information:

• Phone: (619) 668-6109
• Email: pspiller@guhsd.net
• Web site: www.mudandmetal.net