Art

Art I
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

Art I is a survey of art designed to give the beginning art student a basic working knowledge of different media and techniques. Drawing, shading, perspective drawing, painting, and ceramic sculptures are mediums taught. Originality and independent thinking are strived for. Students learn the care, safety, and proper use of the tools and materials used. They become familiar with the terms and procedures used to create artwork.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of art as a language for expression, meaning, communication and creativity
• Complete work and develop skills in a wide range of media areas
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of art media, tools, and materials
• Develop the ability to evaluate artwork
• Develop individual thinking and problem-solving skills

Art II
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I

Art II delves deeper into various art areas. It is for the art student who wishes to extend his/her knowledge and talents in various art areas. As a continuation of Art I, the student will be encouraged to continue to develop broader technical skills, creativity, and original thinking skills, through the use of a variety of mediums.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of art as a language for expression, meaning, communication and creativity
• Complete work and develop skills in a wide range of media areas
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of art media, tools, and materials
• Develop the ability to evaluate artwork
• Develop individual thinking and problem-solving skills
• The student will develop knowledge and appreciation of historical and cultural developments in art

Graphic Design
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

This course will introduce students to computer-generated art and graphic design.  Students will explore Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.  Students will create logos, posters, letterheads, business cards, and other computer-generated art.  The focus of this course will be on design skills, layouts, and typography.  This course is for beginners and advanced graphic designers.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of computer-generated art as a language for expression, meaning, communication, and creativity
• Complete work and develop skills in a wide arrange of computer applications
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of computer hardware
• Develop the ability to evaluate, assess, and critique art
• Develop individual thinking and problem-solving skills
• Create personal work that is unique
• Experience the creative possibilities of digital technology and computer

Graphic Design
Offered to grades: 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Graphic Design I

The students will work independently alongside Graphic Design I students with teacher assistance on “real world” graphic design projects for the school district and various companies.  Students will also design a web portfolio for their work.

Ceramics
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II

This class explores the various areas of creating with clay, specifically hand-built, wheel-thrown pottery. The student will have the opportunity to learn glazing and decorating techniques.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of clay and glazes as a language for expression, meaning, communication, and creativity in 3-D form
• Complete work and develop skills in a sculptural form
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of media, tools, and materials
• Develop the ability to evaluate artwork

Ceramics II
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Ceramics I

Students that sign up for this course must be able to successfully throw on a potter’s wheel.

The students in Ceramics II must be able to successfully throw on the potter’s wheels.  Students will have the opportunity to go more in-depth with the throwing process on the potter’s wheel and develop and create more glazing and decorating techniques.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of clay and glazes as a language for expression, meaning, communication, and creativity in 3-D form
• Complete work and develop skills in a sculptural form
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of media, tools, and materials
• Develop the ability to evaluate artwork
• Develop individual thinking and problem-solving skills

Ceramics III
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Ceramics II

Students that sign up for this course must be able to successfully throw on a potter’s wheel.

This class is for the serious art student who has successfully taken Ceramics II and wants to pursue more in-depth throwing techniques.

Jewelry and Metalsmithing
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II

The student in jewelry and metalsmithing will learn to construct jewelry objects by using the sawing, wire wrapping, riveting and soldering techniques.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of art as a language for expression, meaning, communication, and creativity in a 3-D form
• Complete work and develop skills in sculptural 3-D forms
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of art media, tools, and materials
• Develop the ability to evaluate artwork
• Develop individual thinking and problem-solving skills

Jewelry and Metalsmithing II
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Jewelry and Metalsmithing

Students will use sawing, wire wrapping, riveting, soldering, and casting using the centrifuse casting technique. Other techniques using glass and cuttlebone will also be explored.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of art as a language for expression, meaning, communication, and creativity in a 3-D form
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of art media, tools, and materials
• Develop the ability to evaluate artwork
• Develop individual thinking and problem-solving skills

Jewelry and Metalsmithing III
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Jewelry and Metalsmithing

This class is only for those serious about jewelry making who want to challenge themselves in creating professional pieces.

Painting
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II

This course will introduce students to painting with acrylic and watercolor. The history of the Impressionist movement and its impact on painting will be studied. Students are exposed to a variety of painting techniques to help them explore and start to develop their own style.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of art as a language for expression, meaning, communication, and creativity in a 2-D form
• Complete paintings and develop skills with various paints
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of tools and mediums
• Develop the ability to evaluate paintings
• Develop individual thinking and problem-solving skills
• Develop a plan and carry it to completion using various painting techniques

Painting II
Offered to grades: 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II, Painting

This course will provide students with a more in-depth study of painting techniques through the use of acrylic paint. Assignments will be given with an emphasis on landscape and still life, as well as developing a personal style. Subject matter and concepts for creating a painting will be developed through the use of essential questioning and developing the artist’s voice from within.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of painting as a language for expression, meaning, communication, and creativity
• Become secure in the ongoing process of creating art, involving informed and critical decision making
• Continue to develop technical painting skills
• Continue to develop sequential painting steps to aid in the completion of a painting
• Create landscape and still life paintings, after researching their significance in the History of art
• Develop proper critique techniques individually and in a large group

Painting III
Offered to grades: 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Painting II

This course will provide students the opportunity to build their painting portfolios. Individual assignments will be created by the student to demonstrate a concentration theme that they choose. Creative thinking skills will be further developed.

Drawing
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II

This course will provide students with the opportunity to use and perfect their drawing skills. The student will learn about different mediums by experimenting with them. Still-life, portrait, surreal, and abstract drawings will be covered. Mediums used will be graphite, ink, charcoal, colored pencil, and your choice.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of art as a language for expression, meaning communication, and creativity in a   2-D form
• Complete assignments and develop skills with different mediums
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of tools and mediums
• Develop the ability to evaluate drawings
• Develop individual thinking and problem-solving skills

Drawing II
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Drawing

This course will provide students with additional opportunities to demonstrate their drawing skills. The students will work independently alongside Drawing I students with teacher assistance. Students will create 5 original compositions using graphite, pen and ink, charcoal, colored pencil, and your choice. Students can also focus on establishing work for their portfolios in preparation for college art programs.

Drawing III
Offered to grades: 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Drawing II

This course will provide students with additional opportunities to demonstrate their drawing skills. The students will work independently alongside Drawing I & II students with teacher assistance. Students will create five original compositions using their choice of media that challenges their skills and interests. Students can also focus on establishing work for their portfolios in preparation for college art programs.

Digital Photography
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II

Digital SLR cameras are used in this class. Students will learn the fundamentals of photography including how to use an SLR camera, shooting the picture and composition, manipulation using Photoshop, and the history of photography.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of photography as a language for expression, meaning, communication and creativity
• Complete work and develop skills in black and white and color digital photography
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of cameras. 
• Develop the ability to evaluate photographs
• Develop individual thinking and problem solving
• Create personal work that is authentic
• Experience the creative possibilities of digital cameras and computer

2D Mixed Media
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II

Students will learn reduction, collagraph and drypoint etching, and mono-print printing techniques. They will make collages and create personal images. Media used will include just about anything you can find.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of mixed media as a form of expression and creativity
• Complete work and develop skills in a wide variety of mediums
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of mediums, tools, and materials
• Develop the ability to critique/evaluate artwork
• Develop individual thinking and problem-solving skills
• Develop an appreciation for historical and cultural development in artworks
• Use a printing press

Textiles
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II

This is an exploratory studio class where students learn different textile processes including loom weaving, batik, tie-dye, macramé weaving, beading, textile printing, yarn painting, and needlework. Knitting and crochet may be incorporated into the class if the student chooses. This is a class that encourages students to be creative using these techniques alone or combined to create unique pieces.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of textiles as a form of expression and creativity
• Complete work and develop skills in a wide range of fiber media areas
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of media, tools and materials
• Learn to evaluate fiber artwork
• Develop individual thinking and problem-solving skills
• Develop an appreciation of historical and cultural development in textiles

Textiles II
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Textiles

This course provides students a more in-depth experience working with the fiber arts that were introduced in Textiles I.  In addition, requirements to successfully complete the class includes the use of the sewing machine on projects and a series of works in one medium to convey a personal concept.

Sculpture
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II

Students will learn to create 3D works of art in both relief and freestanding styles.  Students will explore a variety of mediums:  clay, plaster, wire, paper, and other found objects.  Students will also take a field trip to downtown Des Moines to view public sculptures and the Papa John Sculpture Park.  Students will end the term by creating their own sculpture proposal for a public sculpture at the high school.

The student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of sculpture as a form of expression and creativity
• Complete work and develop skills in a wide variety of media
• Practice a responsible attitude toward the care and safe use of art media, tools, and materials
• Develop the ability to evaluate sculpture
• Develop individual thinking and problem solving
• Develop an appreciation for historical and cultural development in sculpture and develop an awareness of career opportunities

AP 2D Design
Offered to grades: 11, 12
Length: 2 Terms
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II, Drawing
Dual Credit: 3 credits (DMACC) – Course: Art 195, Design: Exploring Art Media

AP 2D Design is for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. Students will be creating a portfolio of 2-D works that demonstrate understanding of design in concept, composition, execution, and art history. Originality and student voice are a critical part of the portfolio. This class uses all mediums that are considered two-dimensional.

This class is not based on a written exam for AP credit; instead, students will submit a portfolio for evaluation at the end of the school year.

The student will:

• Creatively and systematically investigate the formal and conceptual issues in art
• Become secure in the ongoing process of creating art, involving informed and critical decision making
• Develop technical painting skills
• Demonstrate the knowledge of the visual elements of design and principles of organization
• Create a collection of the art that has a central, conceptual theme
• Demonstrate knowledge of art history in artworks personally created
• Develop proper critique techniques individually and in a large group
• Display their portfolios to the public