Ms.Nesi's Backpack
Curriculum & Pedagogy
I taught a number of classes that have included Yearbook, Graphic Design I-IV, Visual Arts III & IV Ceramics I - IV, and AP Art History for high school and Media Arts I - III for middle school. Below you will find links through my backpack that will lead you to individual course instruction.
Required Course Supplies List
All Materials listed should be bought by the 2nd week of school.
From time to time, other materials may be requested. Ms.Mogianesi will let you know when these things are needed. Please note, there is a lab fee for ceramics.
AP Art History
colored or standard index cards 5 x 8 (lots of them!)
a box or rings for organizing flashcards
notebook paper
1" binder or spiral notebook
have something that can store handouts and that you can organize content efficiently.
various writing materials to take notes with such as pencils, gel pens, highlighters, color pencils, etc.
Media Art I, II, III (Middle School)
Portable Media Storage (flash drive)
Dot Grid Journal or Dot Grid composition notebook (A5 size - 5.83" x 8.27" or similar)
various materials to draw with such as pencils, gel pens, highlighters, color pencils, etc.
Sanitizer wipes for classroom
Personal Headphones with jack attachment (optional)
Ceramics I, II, III & IV
A personal hand or bath towel
Mixed Media Sketchbook (either 8" x 8", 6" x 6", 7"x 9", 9" x 6")
#2 or any h/b graphite pencil. Please have your own eraser.
Shop sponge & microfiber cloth
Small Plastic lidded container or bucket (size between 1-5 QRT)
Handheld Spray Bottle
green painter tape or automotive masking tape
Recommended Items that are Optional but not Required
Apron or Old T-Shirt
Disposable or reusable Boot & Shoe cover
hand lotion
fingernail brush
!All ceramic students must pay a $30 LAB FEE (exact cash or check)!
The fee covers the cost of each student's use and access to clay, glazes, hand tools, and various equipment throughout the school year.
Payment should be made during the first two weeks of school.
Place all payments in an envelope with your student's name written clearly on it.
Exact cash only. No change can be returned.
When writing out a check, the recipient should be written to Davidson fine arts.
Check memo line should include the student's name.
Visual Arts Comprehensive III & IV
Pencil pouch or similar
Graphite Pencil set, eraser, handheld pencil sharpener (helpful link below)
Mixed Media Sketchbook (either: 8"x 8", 7"x 10", 8.5" X 11", or 9" x 12")
This is not an option.
We will be practicing techniques using different dry and wet art media.
You need heavy and durable paper for your sketchbook, or it will fall apart.
Mixed media paint brush set.
Five or more in a group of various sizes and shapes
Paint Palette or tuber ware container.
It needs a lid and preferably is air-tight.
Drafting/artist tape or blue/green painter's tape
The following items are highly recommended for young artists but not required.Prismacolor Pencil set
Artist portfolio 17 x 22 or larger
Where to purchase Supplies
I want us always to be thinking about our environmental impact, especially as practicing artists. I encourage you to use materials that you already have, or that can be given to you before purchasing new ones. Think about ways that you can recycle, upcycle, and repurpose to fit your needs.
If you have to purchase something new, I encourage you to support local businesses in our community or through independent small business owners. I would suggest Ollies Bargain Outlet, located on Wrightsboro rd, and Hobby Lobby or Michaels, located in the Augusta Exchange shopping center. Usually, Michaels & hobby lobby have year-round local coupons, and Ollies always has great finds and awesome goodies. You can also purchase online through these reputable art material retailers.
lick Art Materials – www.dickblick.com
Jerry’s Artarama – www.jerrysartarama.com
Art Supply Warehouse – www.artsupplywarehouse.com
Utrecht – www.utrechtart.com)
Cheap Joe’s Art Supplies – www.cheapjoes.com
Michael’s Arts & Craft – www.michaels.com
Daniel Smith – danielsmith.com
!!! For the love of all that is good, DO NOT BUY SUPPLIES FROM AMAZON !!!
Choosing the right Clay Body
Choosing the right clay body can be a challenge, as every studio or classroom has different needs for creating ceramic ware and sculptures. When considering the clay body, you need to determine your studio practice – hand building, wheel throwing, sculpting, or casting. What is the desired surface texture, size of the forms, glaze effect, and end-product usage? What type of firing and temperature do you have access to in your classroom or studio?
Each clay body is composed of different minerals, and the amount/type of flux determines the firing range. Depending on the composition of the clay, natural color, and cone to which the clay body fires, your glazes will range in effects. Depending on your practice, you may need only to choose one, in other instances, you may find that two or more clay bodies are needed. If this is the case, my advice would be to stick to the same firing range.
With all of these factors in mind, it should (in theory) be easier for you to narrow down and evaluate which clay is best for your studio or classroom practice. No matter what anyone says, all clay bodies are lovely, but it's essential to think about the desired result from the qualities I mentioned earlier.
If you need help getting started, I have a blog post that goes over general concepts