EXPLANATION  OF GRADING

PLEASE BE ADVISED:

Student grades in visual art are NOT based on innate talent, but rather on an objective scale focused on recall of learned information, effort put forth, and engagement in learning.

DAILY PARTICIPATION (30% of total grade)

Students receive ten participation points each class day by simply being prepared, attentive, engaged, and respectful of their work, materials, teacher, and classmates. These points are automatically added each day and will only be deducted should students fail to do what they are expected to do. Ways to lose points include (but are not limited to):

-          Talking while the teacher is talking

-          Unnecessarily being out of seat or sitting in an unassigned seat

-          Misuse or theft of art materials

-          Non-constructive criticism of classmate work

-          Poor overall use of class time / no progress made

ASSIGNMENTS (10% of total grade)

Students will periodically be assigned in-class assignments meant to supplement our daily activities and goals. These assignments may include worksheets, group quizzes, game score cards, small drawing exercises, etc. The easiest way to lose points on assignments is by turning in unfinished or careless work.

PROJECTS (60% of total grade)

The vast majority of the visual art grade will be based on successful student completion of culminating unit PROJECTS (typically 3-4 per quarter). These projects vary in objectives, materials used, time frame, and scale. Students will receive a rubric explanation for all project grades received.

MISSING / UNSIGNED / INCOMPLETE WORK

Student work that is not signed with first and last name or not properly turned in as instructed will be assumed incomplete and be entered as a 0%. Students that struggle to complete projects due to chronic absence will be expected to provide proper evidence for absences or make up missing work outside of class.

"Balloon Dog (Green)" by Jeff Koons

Welcome Parents / Family / Guardians!

As we begin the new school year, I want to greet and thank all of you for working so hard to support education and personal growth in the home. Your student(s) have gotten to where they are - and will continue to succeed long into the future - thanks in large part to your help and encouragement.

While it is only my second year at Richard Henry Lee and with the Chicago Public School system, I plan and hope to continue working towards becoming an active part of your community and the future of your student(s). I ask that you help me in doing this by actively participating and voicing any concerns or considerations that may arise throughout the school year. Please do not hesitate to contact me via email (sbrice1@cps.edu) to address any concerns you or your student(s) have regarding behavior, content, grades, etc. Our goal is to foster the same sense of enthusiasm and community outside the classroom as we do inside.

Please look over the classroom expectations and goals on the reverse side of this sheet with your student(s). These are just the beginning to what will hopefully be a very creative, productive, and cooperative year.

I look forward to working with all of you and having a fantastic school year!

-Mr. Sean Brice 

_______________________________________________________

¡Bienvenidos Padres / Familia / Guardianes!

Al comenzar el nuevo año escolar, me gustaría saludar y agradecer a todos ustedes por trabajar tan duro para apoyar la educación y el crecimiento personal en el hogar. Su estudiante han llegado a donde están - y seguirá teniendo éxito mucho tiempo en el futuro - en gran parte gracias a su ayuda y aliento.

Aunque es sólo mi segundo año en Richard Henry Lee, y con el sistema de las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago, pienso y espero seguir trabajando para convertirse en una parte activa de su comunidad y el futuro de su hijo(s). Le pido que me ayude en hacer esto al participar activamente y expresar cualquier inquietud o consideraciones que puedan surgir a lo largo del año escolar. Por favor, no dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo por correo electrónico (sbrice1@cps.edu) para abordar cualquier preocupación que usted o su hijo(s) tenga con respecto a la conducta, cont­­enidos, calificaciones, etc. Nuestro objetivo es fomentar el mismo sentido de entusiasmo y de la comunidad fuera de la clase como lo hacemos en el interior.

Por favor, miren por encima de las expectativas del aula y los objetivos en la otra cara de esta hoja con su estudiante. Estos son sólo el comienzo de lo que esperamos será un año muy creativo, productivo y cooperativo.

¡Espero con interés trabajar con todos ustedes y que tengan un año escolar fantástico!

-Mr. Sean Brice

"Best Buddies" by Keith Haring