Ceramics
by April DeVena
October 20, 2006
Ceramics I
In Ceramics I, students will advance their skills with clay. Each students will b introduced to the pottery wheel and advance their hand building skills. Ceramics I students will also gain knowledge about glazes and the beginnings of firing processes. Intrinsic motivation and time management skills are a must in this class. Numerous projects are due by the end of the semester; however, there are no real time deadlines throughout the semester. This is why time management skills are so very important.
Homework: In Ceramics I, there is not a great deal of out of class homework, unless the in class deadlines are not being met. Sketchbooks, however, are almost entirely out of class assignments. Each sketchbook is worth 10 points and requires six to eight new entries each time it is due. The other exception is a written paper. Preparation for these writing samples will take place almost entirely outside of class.
Grading: All ceramic projects are worth 20 points. These points are divided among the following categories: quality, time management, effort, originality, and glazing. In class assignments include – 5 wheel thrown pots/vessels and 6 hand built pots/vessels (2-utilitarian, 1-12 inch vessel, 1-16 inch vessel, 1-human shaped vessel/sculptural form, and 1-emotional piece). Ceramic I students have several projects due over a grading period, which allows for a large accumulation of points. Other ways students may gain points are through sketchbooks, participation, and a writing assignment.
Late Grade Policy: Ceramics I is set up very differently than many of the other art classes. Time management skills are a must. Late grades for projects will not necessarily be known until the end of the semester.
Sketchbooks = 10 points (100%)
ONE class period late = 7 points (70%)
After one class period late, sketchbooks will no longer be accepted.
Quarter Grades: Quarter grades are based on the percentage earned through an accumulation of points from projects, quizzes, written assignments, and sketchbooks. (Examples: 223/250 = 89%)
Semester Test: Semester tests are worth 1/5 of the overall grade.
(Example: (1st Quarter x 2) + (2nd Quarter x 2) + (Semester Test)/5
