Digital Animation Syllabus

Lebanon High School

Technology/Art

Teacher: Mr. Todd Matte                           Email: tmatte@sau88.net

LHS 21st Century Learning Expectations:

Academic Expectations
Students at Lebanon High School will:
1. Read, think, and research critically and creatively.

2. Communicate effectively using a variety of means.

3. Reason logically to solve problems.

Social and Civic Expectation

4. Students at Lebanon High School will be active citizens and contribute positively to the LHS community.  

Overview

This course is designed to give students an academic understanding of digital animation as well as to introduce students to basic methods and practices in making animation.  This class will use project-based learning so that the students will often work collaboratively with each other to achieve common goals and solve problems. Students will learn the fundamentals of hand drawn and digital animation and we will use group discussion as well as online discussions to critique projects in a positive, academic way. Students will use Photoshop, iMovie, Garageband, as well as paper and pencil to make dynamic time-based art.  The course will conclude with the creation of final projects in which students will develop and create an animated short in a medium of their choosing and a collaborative animation defined and implemented by the group.

Course Competencies:

1. Students will analyze and explore digital animation as an art form and a vocation.

2. Students will discover and develop talents, aptitudes,and interests related to animation.

4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of animation as it relates to digital culture, new media, and how it can impact our lives.

5. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the mechanics of  animation and how it works.

Grading:

Summative assessments are assessments that demonstrate what students know or are able to do and directly relate to the course competencies. Summative assessments require that students transfer their knowledge and apply what they know in a separate task. Examples include quizzes, tests, projects, and or papers. Summative assessments will be used to determine the quarter grade.

Formative assessments help students move forward in their learning for a specific goal. Examples include verbal and written checks, activities which reinforce of skills, small daily quizzes, worksheets, and practice exercises. Formative assessments will

not be used to determine the quarter grade, but will be required work. If a student doesn’t complete a formative assessment, he/she may be referred to ATC or assigned an out of class time (before school or after school) to work with the teacher to finish the

assessment.

The semester grade will be:

Quarter One Grade- 40%

Quarter Two Grade- 40%

Final project/exam- 20%

Due dates

Late work may be accepted with teacher permission, and may be subject to a reduction in credit of no more than 10% cumulatively of the grade.

Make-up work

As stated in the Lebanon High School Handbook:

When a student returns to school following an excused absence or out-of-school suspension, the student will be granted the number of days he/she was absent to make up the work that was missed.

Use of the zero

Students who, in the opinion of the teacher, demonstrate an honest effort to complete a summative assessment task, will receive a minimum score of 50% when recorded in the grade book.

Students who, in the opinion of the teacher, do not demonstrate an honest effort to complete a summative assessment task may receive a grade of zero on that task. A zero grade on a summative assessment indicates an incomplete assignment.

Extra credit

Extra credit will not be offered. Extra credit assignments do not demonstrate that a student knows the material.

Reassessment Procedure

If a student earns a score below 70% on a summative assessment, he/she must take a reassessment. The nature of the reassessment task will be determined by the teacher. The highest grade earned will be recorded. In order to be eligible for a reassessment, a student must complete a teacher-approved action plan with due dates determined by the teacher.

If a student earns a score above 70% on a summative assessment, the opportunity for reassessment will be at the discretion of the teacher. If reassessment is permitted, the highest grade earned will be recorded. In order to be eligible for a reassessment, a student must complete a teacher-approved action plan with due dates determined by the teacher.

Reassessments will be given up to the final week before grades close each quarter and a reassessment is not permitted for the final.

Academic Tutorial Center

The Academic Tutorial Center (ATC) is available as a support for students to gain competency in their courses. ATC may be used to redo summative assessments,complete formative assessments or assignments prior to reassessment, or receive help in completing any formative or summative assessment.

Teachers may choose to work with a student prior to or in place of ATC assignment.Teachers will tell a student that he/she is being assigned to ATC, fill out an ATC slip,and give the slip to the assistant principal or guidance counselor with a description of what is to be completed by student.

The assistant principal or guidance counselor will meet with the student to review the work that must be completed, assign a date and time to serve, and distribute ATC slips to the student, ATC teacher, and the course teacher.

The student will submit work to teacher when it is completed. The work must be of a high level of quality to be accepted. The teacher will release student by signing an ATC slip.

Additional Classroom Rules:

Appropriate Computer Usage

The computers are not to be used to 1) play online games; 2) access Facebook,MySpace or any other social networking web sites; or 3) web surf for non-school related purposes. Students may receive a detention or be asked to leave the room for not complying. If a problem persists, they may lose their computer access at school for an extended period of time. Students may visit appropriate sites once their work is complete and with Mr. Todd’s permission.

Absences

If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to ask Mr. Todd what assignment(s) you may have missed. Students will have as many days to make up an assignment or test for full credit as the days of excused absences. For example, one day excused absence = one extra day to submit work. No additional make-up time is available for unexcused absences.

Late work may be deducted by 10% credit. If special exceptions for late work must be made, arrangements must be made with Mr. Todd  immediately, if not in advance.

Academic Independence

In the ever changing technology world, we often have the experience of not getting something right away. Sometimes it is quite a process of trial and error. In this class, the process of learning new tasks or new programs is valued. It is expected that when you reach a point where you are unable to figure something out right away, you will continue to problem solve, collaborate, research or just try something new. Giving up without an effort is not an option.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty (also known as “cheating”) is not tolerated in our classes. The handbook outlines our Academic Dishonesty guidelines and penalties. For the first offense, a grade of ZERO will be given for the assignment, and parents and administration will be contacted by the teacher, the assignment must be redone, and the student will serve an after-hours suspension. Further offenses will be subject to more consequences as outlined in the handbook.

Behavior

At all times you should behave in a way that allows teachers to teach and learners to learn. It is expected that you will respect yourself, others and property in the classroom.

The guidelines for behavior in the handbook will be followed.

Cell Phones/electronic devices

Please use them responsibly and productively. Please refrain from wearing headphones or earbuds while Mr. Todd is talking.

Syllabus Acknowledgment

As it is an important document, I am asking that you acknowledge that you took the time to read your syllabus in its entirety.  When you have read the whole thing, please sign below and give it to your parent or guardian and have him/her sign below as well.

Parents and Guardians, if you have any questions on the syllabus, please feel free to call me at (603)448-2055 or email me at  tmatte@sau88.net .

Student Signature:  _______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:  _________________________________________________