Ceramics 1

INTRODUCTION:

          The Ceramics 1 course at Milwaukee Lutheran is an advanced art course that has a pre-requisite of 3-Dimensional Art.  This is a course that has very little homework and only one test (the final exam).  There will be a quiz (open-note) and several projects to be designed and created. Most (O.K. all) work must be done in the classroom, so the course is designed to offer plenty of time and opportunity to do so. 

This course includes an introduction to the potters wheel (skills & processes), study of glazing techniques, study of clay as a sculptural medium, hand-building, the study of form and balance and (ready?) hydrodynamics, as well as ceramic art appreciation and terminology.  Most (O.K. all) work will be done individually.  Some work may be saved for the MLHS Fine Arts show or sent to some off campus exhibitions / contests. 

 

GRADING:

          Students are given assignments, which are of varying importance and timetables, some of which are creative designing opportunities while others (potters wheel intro) have proficiency objectives.  As students complete assignments, they earn points.  A percentage of points earned vs. points possible determines marking period and semester grades.  The school grading scale is used: MLHS Grading Scale
 

                   Students are graded according to criteria set up for each assignment.  Following directions, proper use of media, demonstration of learned skill, and demonstration of improvement are common criteria for assignments.  Other areas for evaluation are craftsmanship, use of time, glaze success, and usefulness.   Students are given feedback as they work, expected to self-evaluate assignments, and offered feedback as work is graded.  They can then use opportunities to re-work, re-do, or repair a design, if they choose.

 

 

LATE WORK & MISSED CLASS:

Due dates are given for assignments and work is expected to be completed by those dates.  If work is late it may have points subtracted from the points earned.  If work is undone or not turned in, it cannot earn its creator points, resulting in zero points.  Several zeroes often results in course failure.

          The points in this course are closely tied to the work done in class.  Very few assignments will be done outside of the ceramic room, so class attendance is important.  When possible, students who miss class will be given equal days to complete work.  This may or may not need to be done outside of class time.  Classes missed for field trips, sports, etc. will be treated similarly.  Students missing work are expected to use Student Help Times and Student Help Days.

 

MATERIALS:

          Students need no special materials for this course.  A drawer and a “cubby” is issued to each student.  These are excellent places to keep projects, ideas, sketches, notes, handouts, etc.  Students should bring most work home after it is graded.  Students should bring a writing utensil everyday.  There is a fee for this course that covers, clay, plaster, glaze, kiln firings, etc.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

          Students are expected to design, plan, create, & turn in work that only they have created.  Work should be completed in the classroom.  Respect for the work of others is also expected (watch out, keep hands to yourself, be cautious.). 

 

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT:

          The best way to contact Mr. Jurss is through email (jjurss@milwaukeelutheranhs.org).  Please include information about how/when you can be reached for further questions.  Mr. Jurss’s school phone is 414.461.6000 ext 247.  Mr. Jurss has courses that meet (at times) in 3 different rooms (rm.s 229, 231, & 300).  He is often at school very early in the morning.  After school he is not available most of the year as he coaches Boys & Girls Cross Country from August through October and Track from March to June.   He has 2 free periods during the school day.  Call or email for the best times to meet.

          If students need extra time to complete projects (or even do extra creations), area is often available other periods of day, during study halls, before school, after school, etc. – see Mr. Jurss.

 

RULES:

          Art materials should be used as intended.

          Be good stewards of the time, abilities, materials, & relationships with which you have been blessed.

          Respect all other artists and their work.

          Keep food in the cafeteria, water in appropriate areas.

          Remain positive, organized, and creative.