Phone Number: (812) 330-7724 Ex 3490

e-mail: dsmith@mccsc.edu

Syllabus/Beadwork (One Semester)

This course is designed to teach students beadworking procedures or techniques and to produce works of art that students can wear, frame or display. Students will learn off loom beading stitches, bead weaving, how to make beads out of FIMO clay, how to create their own glass beads, and how to use various joining and fastening techniques to make beaded jewelry and ornaments. Because beads are found in all cultures and have a fascinating history, class time will also be spent learning about the cultural and historical uses of beads. Beadwork is growing in popularity and becoming an exciting avenue for creative and artistic expression, so there will be opportunities for students to display their work, to learn about the aesthetics of beadwork and to critique and assess their own and others work.

Students will be assessed through a variety of measures including, but not limited to: tests, quizzes, written assignments, self-assessments, teacher observations, and other appropriate measures. It is important for students to be responsible about following deadlines for turning in projects. If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent completion of a project on time then the teacher should be made aware of the problem prior to the due date. Students will be given a Room Management Plan that delineates class rules regarding grading, safety rules, behavior expectations, and studio maintenance. Classroom management rules and expectations will follow the policies outlined in the BHSN Student Handbook (Cougar Planner). Regular attendance is critical for success in art classes. Students who are absent can miss important demonstrations and they loose valuable studio time where they have access to knowledgeable personnel, supplies, tools and equipment needed for creating successful projects.

Class demonstrations will be given on all techniques and processes. Because no textbook is assigned for this class, extensive handouts are used to further clarify teacher instructions and expectations. It is important, in the planning and implementation stage, for students to understand what art standards are applicable and how projects will be assessed; therefore, all major projects will have a scoring rubric for students to use as a planning and self-assessment tool.

Grades are averaged on a percentage basis. All projects, tests, and assignments will be graded so it is important to turn in everything. Assignments not turned in will be given a 0, which adversely affects the total grade point average. The grading scale for Beadwork is listed below.

Unit 1: Beginning Beading Processes and Techniques

State Visual Arts Standards 4,5,8,9,10,12

In this unit students will acquire an understanding of simple stringing and finishing techniques for beaded necklaces and bracelets. In order to understand how design processes are applied to beadwork, students will learn to use a bead grid for graphing designs and learn to create patterns that vary in color and number sequencing. The art principles of variety, color, value, and repetition will be emphasized in this project. Paintings by famous artists will be used as resources for developing color schemes with color accents. Students will be expected to adhere to standards of craftsmanship in both the design and production aspects of this project. When finished with the first projects, students should be able to identify types and sizes of beads, demonstrate how to tie a variety of knots, be able to attach clasps, and understand the sizing system used for beading needles and bead string.

Unit 2: History, Terminology, and Information

State Visual Arts Standards 1,2,3,5,7,11,13,14

When finished with this unit, students should be able to recognize periods of beadwork art, identify cultural styles and be able to use correct beadwork terminology in written and oral communication. Students will be able to identify beadwork from various cultures, i.e. recognize the difference between African and American Indian beaded designs and objects. They will also learn about current and historical uses of beads within different cultures. For example, beads have been used as ornament, as wealth, as protective devises, and for religious purposes and students will be able to recognize and associate historical uses of beads with different civilizations. In addition students will explore the work of modern bead artists and learn how modern bead workers use traditional techniques in non-traditional ways. This unit is on going and students will periodically take written tests over material given to them orally and in handouts.

Unit 3: Square Stitch Construction

State Visual Arts Standards 4,5,6,8,9,10,12

Square stitch is one of many off-loom-beading techniques and the strongest beading stitch to be learned in class. It is useful for making objects that tend break or wear out when they are worn frequently. In this unit students will learn to design with patterns and symbols drawn from their own and other cultures. They will construct several patterns from 5 to 10 beads wide using the art principles of color, value, line, emphasis, variety, harmony, and gradation. From those drawn patterns, one will be picked to use in the square stitch construction. Students will learn the square stitch technique, how to control the craftsmanship, how to add string to projects, how to finish off the ends, and how to attach jump rings. In addition they will learn to use a scoring rubric and fill out a self-assessment that will be turned in with the completed project.

Unit 4: Loom Weaving

State Visual Arts Standards 4,5,6,8,9,10,12

In this unit students will learn to design with beadweaving properties in mind and will create their own picture/pattern to be translated into beaded art. Designing for beadweaving requires working with the concept of gradation and blending as the method used to create the illusion of three dimensional shapes and space. Learning how to do this with beads is an important part of the design requirement for this assignment. For the technical side of the project, when the weaving is finished students will know how to warp a loom, how to follow a weaving pattern, how to weave with beads, how to add string, and finally how to tie off the fringe and prepare it for framing. The weaving will be matted and made suitable for framing and display. Because of the number of beads manipulated in this assignment, all students will have to manage their time carefully and be prepared to work at home in order to finish the weaving by assigned deadlines. A grading rubric that addresses the standards and expectations for this project will be given to the students.

Unit 5: FIMO Beads

State Visual Arts Standards 4,5,6,8,9,10,12

By the completion of this unit, students will understand how to create beads out of FIMO clay. Strictly speaking, polymer clay is not a clay at all. It is a plastic called polyvinyl chloride, but it does have many properties of clay. It is moldable, requires heat to harden, can be stamped, carved, drilled, and painted just like clay. By layering colors and shapes of clay in different combinations, design patterns, called canes, are created. This technique is similar to one glass workers in Venice have used for centuries and relies heavily on that historical precedent. Students will learn to construct a variety of FIMO canes, create beads in various sizes and shapes, center holes, heat the beads to the correct temperature, control size variations, and develop complex canes. Class demonstrations will be given on how to create different styles of cane patterns with FIMO. When the beads are finished, they will be assembled into a necklace and earring set. Evaluation will be based on the quality and quantity of beads produced.

State Visual Arts Standards 4,5,8,9,10,12

This project will be the culminating activity for beadwork class. In creating the amulet pouch, students will be expected to demonstrate expertise in a beading technique of their choice. This assignment asks students to demonstrate advanced designing skills, technical skills, patience skills, finishing skills, critical thinking skills, self-assessment skills, and aesthetic skills. When finished students will have designed and constructed a functional pouch that includes a front, back and flap. They will also learn how to make a strap, attach a strap to the pouch, add fringe and finish an object of portfolio quality. The amulet pouch will be evaluated on the design, craftsmanship and aesthetic qualities evident in the finished work.

By the end of the unit you should be able to:

By the time you have completed the unit you will:

Summary of Assessments