Band
MEET YOUR TEACHER!!!
Hello. My name is Shawna Grimes and I am the middle school band teacher at ASFG. I am originally from Denver, Colorado, although my family lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia. This is my first year at ASFG. Prior to coming to ASFG, I taught for six years in Pinellas County, Florida, and for six years at an international school in Hong Kong. I have a degree in Music Education from Florida State University, and am working to complete my Masters in Music Education, also from Florida State University.
Grading in band is a combination of a few different important aspects of the classroom. Students are graded on being active participants in band, remembering their materials, being a positive member of the band and also on their playing ability. Students all learn instruments at different speeds and encounter different obstacles. I try my best to be available to help at all times and offer one on one support whenever necessary. As long as students are trying their best, being responsible and working as a contributing part of the band community they will be successful in my class and continually improve on their instruments.
BAND THIS YEAR!!!
I have been asking myself the question, "what is music?" for years and have come to an exciting answer. I strongly believe that music, including band, is where you join math, science, technology, social studies and all other subjects together. When playing music you are doing all of these things without realizing it which is why us "band geeks" are usually performing better in math as well as other subjects. In band we get to learn all of these things through learning to make music on shiny instruments!! I think having an instrument can make even the most unpopular subject fun to the average student. On top of this initiative I believe that real music happens outside of the classroom and although we may learn the basics in the classroom I will be trying to push us outside to apply what we're learning. We may even end up in the middle school office on occasion to serenade Mr. Markman.
What will we learn in a nutshell?
Basics of your instrument as well as others
How to make Music/noise on that instrument that other people would love to hear
How to read and write music
How does music relate to other subjects?
How to play solo and ensemble music.
Music history (Who made this music and how did it come to this?)
Music vocabulary (What is a penultimate?)
Music theory
...and much much more.
STUDENT LINKS!!!!
Room Number - Behind the auditorium, next to the Language Institute
Email - shawna.grimes@asfg.edu.mx
Office Hours/Intervention Schedule - Just email me and we will find a time to meet. I will make time for you.