September 1, 2015
Students/Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to 8th grade art! We will begin our
creative journey in terms 1 and 2 of the 2015-2016 school year. This is your
last year in Joseph Case Junior High, so let’s make it the best year yet!
Students will be experiencing art making in unique and fun ways in my class. I believe
that now more than ever, in this visual age, that students need art to better
equip themselves for their future. Art
teaches an array of mental habits and problem solving skills which help
students form mental images – an ability that chemists, engineers, and
architects use to create models and inventors use to think up new ideas. Without
creation, we would not live in the technologically driven, vibrant, diverse and
visual world we live in today.
As an art teacher, I strive to make each and every student
feel that art is about individual expression with many interpretations and not everyone
will create or think about things the same way.
In this class, students will find their personal style and use it
throughout each lesson.
Attached you will find the class syllabus. This outlines the
art curriculum that aligns with the Massachusetts Art Frameworks, materials
needed for the class, grading and class expectations.
This year I am continuing my art blog in addition to my
teacher E-board. The address is:
I produced this blog so that parents and community members
can have in depth access to our exciting classroom experiences. Descriptions of art projects, photos of student
work and students in the art making experience will be featured, as well as art
opportunities that students can become involved in throughout the year. I will
also be posting information about our art exhibits and galleries featured in our school. In doing this, I hope that families can become more
aware of what is happening in art class and have the opportunity to become
involved in the arts at JCJHS! I am also excited about some new art room
routines that will be implemented this year as well as some interesting use of
technology in art class! Please follow our classes to stay tuned.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to working with our
8th grade students this year.
Regards,
Melinda Pimentel
JCJHS Visual Art Teacher
