COURSE OVERVIEW – Stained glass is an art form with tools, techniques, and terminology to be studied and applied. Students will learn to design and make patterns, to cut glass, to use copper foil, to solder, and to construct stained glass windows. Students will also explore the history of stained glass, learn how glass is made, and gain a working vocabulary applicable to the history, tools, and techniques of stained glass. Through a process of self-evaluation, students will become familiar with ways to evaluate stained glass products made by their peers and modern glass artists. Materials used in this class are expensive and the fees for this class are listed in the BHSN Curriculum Handbook. Students taking Stained Glass will engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of quality works.
STUDIO SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE – Safety procedures for working with glass and soldering irons will be demonstrated. Students must use care when working near classmates and must follow safety procedures at all times. Students are expected to care for the tools and equipment they use and to help maintain the studio each class period. If clean up becomes a problem then clean-up duties will be assigned on a rotation basis.
COMMUNICATION – During the semester, oral and written instructions will be given to the class: including demonstrations of proper stained glass techniques and safety precautions, instructions for assignments, grading criteria handouts, etc. If you, as a student, don’t understand instructions, or are unclear about techniques being used, or are confused about any aspect of an assignment, please communicate that fact to me. Please let me know when you need assistance because I have to know about a problem in order to help fix it.
ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES– Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class period. It is the responsibility of students arriving late to notify the teacher that they are present in order to have their names removed from the absence list. In other words, late students must talk to the teacher before taking a seat in the classroom. The tardy policy outlined in the school handbook (Cougar Planner) will be followed in this class.
HOMEWORK – Because stained glass uses special tools and equipment it is impractical, for the most part, to take work home. If, for some reason, a student is absent or falls behind in class, they can make arrangements with the teacher to work in the stained glass room after school. Every day it’s customary for at least one of the art teachers to stay and work until 4:00 o’clock, except when school meetings are scheduled. If one of the art teachers is available to supervise and prior arrangements have been made, then students can work in the stained glass room after school.
STUDENT CONDUCT – Misbehavior or mistreatment of people and property in this class will not be tolerated. All students have received the student handbook with school rules and regulations clearly outlined. Students are expected to follow school rules and conduct themselves in a manner that shows respect for other students, teachers, staff, and school and student property.
BEGINNING AND ENDING CLASS – Students should take their stained glass materials out of the tote trays and put them on their desk as soon as they arrive in the classroom. Tests will be given at the beginning of class and announcements pertaining to the whole class will be given at that time. If the intercom turns on with a message from someone in the office, students must quiet down so the message can be heard. At the end of class, students are to finish cleaning up their work area and return to their seats until the bell rings.
GRADES – Grades are averaged on a percentage basis. Projects count for 50% percent, tests and quizzes 25%, and work points 25% of the grade. All projects 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 Stained Glass is listed below.