503-399-2030 x408615
Welcome to
Mr. Wolff's Art Room
Welcome!
This platform is designed as a way to provide example lessons, showcase student artwork, and to communicate activities and events happening in our art room. I hope you enjoy! Let me know if you need anything or have any questions. Thank you for all you do!
-Joshua Wolff
Visual Arts & Digital Media Instructor | Straub Middle School
(O): 971-915-1705 | (Classroom) 503-399-2030 x408615
https://straub.salkeiz.k12.or.us/
Our Vision: All students graduate and are prepared for a successful life.
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Projects & Lessons
Critical thinking and problem-solving are alive and well in the art room!
Art is so important! Students develop skills in art that help them find success in many other areas of life. These skills help students well after the tests and schooling are done. Art students naturally develop 'Studio Habits of Mind' when engaging in art-making. These habits include the ability to: Develop Craft; Engage & Persist; Envision; Express; Observe; Reflect; Stretch & Explore; and to Understand Art Worlds. These habits transfer to many other areas of school and life.
Art is so important! Not just for creativity and self expression, but for building keen observational skills (that help in science), practicing our communication skills (which makes us better readers and writers), and giving context to the art (enriching our geography and history studies)!
Success in learning frequently depends on finding the right artistic 'Path to Discovery'; through experimentation, training, self-exploration, and uncovering a passion for something new, students explore many art processes and materials.
Here are some examples of projects we explore in our art room:
Classes
Each section of Art contains a different theme. So students can retake 'Art' class more than once and experience something new each time. Projects may include drawing, painting, collaging, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, digital imaging, or mixed media.
General Course Objectives:
Students will:
Create – Demonstrate willingness to experiment, innovate, and take risks to pursue ideas in the process of artmaking or designing.
Present – Analyze and evaluate methods for preparing and presenting art.
Respond – Develop and apply relevant criteria to evaluate a work of art.
Connect – Make art to reflect on positive aspects of group identity.
I offer a range of classes and courses for all levels and interests. I bring a wealth of experience to the classroom and enable students to gain a solid understanding in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. To find out more, check out the options below. Some possible themes for Art classes are:
Exploratory Art
6th grade students are introduced to many types of art and art-making processes, focusing on fun experimentation techniques!
Art Elements & Principles of Design
Students study and use Art Elements & Principles of Design to create their unique creative expressions!
Art Around the World
Students explore works of art from around the world while becoming familiar with various art styles and have the opportunity to appreciate diverse cultures!
Art Styles
Students investigate historical and modern art movements through a variety of fun and exciting hands-on projects!
Art Careers
7th and 8th grade students investigate various art-related jobs through a variety of exploratory projects designed to open students to real-world possibilities!
Mixed Media
Students become familiar with different art processes, techniques and art styles while developing personal creativity and experimentation methods!
Required Materials:
*Spiral notebook (6th grade),
*Spiral Sketchbook (grades 7 & 8),
*#2 wooden pencils,
*pens,
*markers & highlighters,
*colored pencils, erasers, sharpener, and
*change of clothes or apron (art gets messy!)
These materials are for each student to use on their own, and I encourage you to reuse materials you already have. There are cubbies in the classroom for each table group to store their materials and work.
Note to Students: As with any art class, you do not have to be 'good' at drawing or making art to pass this class with an 'A'. You are a very capable artist. Everyone has good and bad days making art. That’s okay. You learn how to improve from bad days, and learn what works on good days. You need BOTH kinds of days to become skilled at whatever you do! Work hard, enjoy creating, and your good days will outweigh your bad days! Everything takes practice! Even art.
JUST TRY YOUR BEST! 👍
If you have any questions or concerns please contact me as soon as possible:
About Mr. Wolff
Born in Colorado, raised in Michigan and Arizona, having traveled to other states and countries, and having lived in Alaska and now Oregon, I appreciate many landscapes and am inspired by multiple artists and designers. With a Bachelor's in Fine Arts and a Master's degree in Art Education from Northern Arizona University, I am an art enthusiast who values process over outcome. I want my students to explore artistic expression through experimentation... and to discover themselves along the way. I love what I do and it makes me happy to be able to share my passion with others.
I have taught fine art and digital art for 13 years, and this is my 10th year at Straub. I have also taught Reading and Writing classes at community collages. Aside from teaching, I have many interests and hobbies. I also like hiking, biking, rock climbing, basketball, racquetball, soccer, gaming, gardening, reading, writing, drawing, painting, photography, movies, and ...smoothies (just to name a few). I live in Northwest Salem with my wife and two kids (12 yo girl and 15 yo boy) and we have a Maltese-poodle and a tabby cat.
I look forward getting to know you and to learn what interests you have!