Dear Parents/Guardians of Instrumental Music Students,
Instrumental music is a full year graded course that will appear on your child’s quarterly grade report. In order to better understand the grade that your child receives, students are graded as follows:
1. Assessment 30%
a. Tests
b. Quizzes
c. Playing tests
d. Written assignments
2. Homework 10%
a. Forms/Assignments returned on time
b. Written assignments
c. Practice journals
3. Participation, Effort, and Cooperation 60%
a. Promptness
b. Accuracy
c. Prepared for class
d. Agenda book/materials check
e. Demonstration of appropriate behavior
f. Following of class rules
g. Concert attendance
If you have any questions regarding the grading policy, please view the detailed grading policy and email me at amber.simmerer@pgcps.org Please remember, instrumental music is a full year course. Students will receive a grade in instrumental music for the entire school year. Students that stop coming to class will receive an "incomplete" on their grade report.
The Grading policy (detailed version)
30% Assessment
Tests and quizzes will consist of written material, announced playing tests, or unannounced playing tests. Playing tests may be retaken for a higher grade once the grade sheet is returned with a parent/guardian signature by the deadline notated on the graded test paper.
10% Assignment Preparation (homework)
Students are expected to practice at least five days a week. Assignments will be given to the students to complete at home. All assignments will be posted on the “Homework” link on the Instrumental Music Website. Some homework assignments will require a parent or guardian signature. Forged signatures on assignments will result in a grade of “0” and parents/guardians will be contacted.
60% Participation, Effort, and Cooperation
This includes having your instrument, music, and necessary equipment in the class, as well as classroom behavior and conduct.
Each student automatically receives 10 points per day, and points are deducted for the following infractions listed below. The categories listed below are a guideline, and the amount of points deducted will be based on the severity of the infraction. The student will always know when points have been deducted. If a student feels they have been treated unfairly, they may appeal my decision outside of class at a later time.
No instrument -2 points
No music book/textbook -1 points
Missing materials -1 point for each item
(slide oil, reeds, pencil, etc – anything that you must have to play)
Unexcused tardy (-1 pt for each 5 minutes late, ex 10 minutes late = -2 points) -1 point
Rarely used behavior deductions - Reserved for severe incidents:
Class disruption -1 point for each occurrence
(unnecessary talking, eating, fooling around)
Inappropriate behavior/attitude problem -1 point for each occurrence
Disrespect toward any person -1 point for each occurrence
(words or actions)
PS-74 -5 points
(fighting, continued disrespect, intentionally damaging another instrument and/or school property)
If a student just stops attending scheduled classes during the school year, he/she will receive a “0” (zero) which translates to a letter grade “E”. This grade will appear on the report card. It is every student’s responsibility to attend the scheduled classes that he/she agreed to attend when their parent/guardian signed them up for the instrumental music classes.
Concert Attendance
An unexcused concert absence will result in a full letter grade reduction of the final quarter grade.
Information about each concert will be sent home with students, posted on the Instrumental Music Website, and emails sent to parents that provided their email addresses.