Mr. Fraley
2022-2023
My Why
This is my 19th year at Akers and I am looking forward to another successful school year with the students. When I was in elementary school I developed a love for drawing. My teachers used to promote local poster contests and I won a bicycle two times within a couple years. I was hooked. My love for art continued and I took classes in High School with an ambition to do something with my artistic skill. My teacher, Mr. Carrol, told me that I would make a great art teacher because of the way that he saw that I helped others in the class. That produced a spark in my mind that I later remembered after I graduated from college. After attending Reedley College, Biola University, and Chapman Universtiy, I fulfilled my dream of having a job that involved art and helping others. Often an encouraging word from a teacher can have a lasting impact on a student. Through good first instruction, the process of making art, and the understanding of the principles of art and design, I seek to offer the students an entrance into the world of art that is fun and fulfilling.
The students in grades 1-5 come to art once every two weeks. The 6th, 7th, and 8th grades will attend according to a four day rotation with their home rooms.
OBJECTIVES
- Students will learn about the techniques and ideas of master artists (Art History).
- Students will be able to identify the elements of art and principles of design in masterpiece artworks (Art Appreciation).
- Students will demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of the elements of art and the principles of design through a variety of art activities. (Art Production)
- Students will be able to recognize the elements of art within their own finished artwork and be able to judge the quality of their work (Art Criticism).
PHILOSOPHY
With help and time, even a person who thinks that they can’t draw, paint, or make pottery, can make great improvement. Patience and much effort will bring good results. I don’t expect for every student to produce the same quality of artwork, but, I do expect for the students to enjoy what they are doing. Success brings the greatest enjoyment, and in my class it is my goal to do whatever I can to help each student succeed. As a matter of fact, it is nearly impossible for a student to fail in my class, although it does happen when students fail to turn in the assignments. All I require, is that the student does the work to the best of his or her ability and turns it in. As long as the project is turned in, the student will never receive lower than a “C.”
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
- Respect everyone in the room.
- Always do your best.
- Use all tools safely and responsibly.
- Clean up after yourself.
All characteristics of good citizenship are expected of all students. This includes respect of others, kindness, trustworthiness, fairness, and responsibility.
HOMEWORK
Many art projects are difficult or impossible to do at home unless the student has the right supplies. It is not required that anybody purchase these supplies. With that in mind, the art assignments will not be given as homework. However, a student may choose to work on it at home if he or she does have the right supplies at home. Some tasks that are given on the iPad such as app drawings will be done at home because we do not have time for them in class.
MAKING UP INCOMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS
If a student has the materials at home, the assignment can be completed there. Otherwise, the student will need to arrange a time with me during lunch hour or after school to complete the work. Because I am also an athletics coach and often am out on the field or courts until 3:30, make sure you schedule your time so I can allow you to work in the room.
LATE WORK
All projects given have a deadline that is a projection of when it should be finished. If a student needs more time than what is given in class, the student will continue working on that assignment until it is finished. A student will not be penalized with a late grade, but all projects within the trimester must be turned in by the end of the trimester. So if a student turns in a project late, the next project will have to be completed quicker in order to catch up with the pace of the class.
DISCIPLINE
Because of the limited time in the classroom and the limited space that is available, students’ respect for the teacher, other classmates, and the posted rules are vitally important. Minor incidents, which may include interruptions or talking out of turn during teacher instruction time, are handled within the classroom and usually a verbal reminder is enough to refocus the student. For the 6th-8th grades, the above behavior will deduct participation points from their art grades. Blatant defiance or disruptiveness is handled in a more serious manner. The next two steps are for such a case.
1. If a student is being disruptive, disrespectful, or using materials in an unsafe manner, the student will be given a verbal warning and expected to correct the behavior.
2. If a student continues the behavior after being warned, the student will be sent to the office to sit out the rest of the class. A behavioral ticket (documentation only) will be written for the student and the parents will be notified via email or by phone.
A student who misses a class due to disciplinary action may make up the assignment if it is a first offense.
3. If the student has already received a behavioral ticket and continues the wrongful behavior, a discipline ticket (referral) will be written and the parents will be notified.
GRADING POLICY
1st through 3rd grades will receive a grade of either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory which is reported to the homeroom teacher. Each student is evaluated by their participation and ability to complete the task while learning to follow directions through art activities that are appropriate for their age level development. 4th through 8th Grades receive letter grades on their report card. They are graded according to the following standards.
4th-5th grades are graded as an A upon full completion of the project. These students are being exposed to different styles and media and their experience is to be fun and developmental.
6th-8th grades are graded by the rubric shown below. They are still supposed to find art enjoyable and experimental, but they are required to demonstrate deeper understanding of the concepts taught.
The grades may be viewed as they are updated on the District network in PowerSchool for 4th through 8th grade. Each project is worth 100 points. Response worksheets or tasks given on the iPad will be worth 10 to 25 points each. The project grade is based upon the combination of effort and quality as described in the rubric below.
TURNING IN ARTWORK FOR CREDIT
4th through 8th graders will finish an original piece of artwork in class. Upon completion of the project, each student must take a photograph of it using his or her iPad. The work is then uploaded to Showbie (the students are taught how to do this), and it is viewed by the teacher and receives a grade. A student's parents may view the portfolio anytime after work has been uploaded to the app.
GRADING RUBRIC FOR ART PROJECTS
Exceeds Standards (4) 97-100 Points. A+
The student demonstrates skills beyond the standards being taught. Takes the ideas and themes presented in a lesson and expands further to implement new and personal ideas and techniques, all the while remaining consistent with the objectives of the lesson.
Meeting Standards (3) 90-96 Points. A-, A
The student demonstrates the skills of the standards being taught. Implements ideas effectively, follow directions, completes the assignment, and shows understanding of the language of art.
Approaching Standards (2) 80-89 Points. B-, B, B+
The student demonstrates skills that show partial understanding of the standards being taught and can be improved with added effort or practice. Completes the assignment but struggles with directions, skills and the language of art.
Not Meeting Standards (1) 79 Points or below. C, D, F.
The student does not demonstrate motivation or effort to improve the necessary skills of the standards being taught.
Grading Digital Drawing using the iPad
All students have Sketchbook loaded onto their iPads. Each month students must produce at least one drawing on their iPad and save it into their Sketchbook gallery. I will ask them to show me their gallery once a month. As long as they are fulfilling their assigned drawings they will receive 50 points of credit for each week. This is exploratory only and will not be graded with the same rubric above, but based only upon completion.
Daily Participation Grade
Each student will also receive a daily participation grade worth up to 10 points each class period. These points will combine with the project grades total to determine the trimester grade.
The daily participation grade is meant to assess the students work habits during the class period. It will take into account whether the student stays on task, follows instructions, and is a good citizen within the class environment. Each time a student violates a class rule, is talking excessively, or is completely off task the student will lose a point off of the daily grade. The student will be told about the deduction at the time that it is issued.
If a student is absent from school and misses an art class, no participation points will be deducted. An EX (exempt) will appear in PowerSchool for that student. The student is still required to complete the art project that was assigned during the absence.