Grading Policies

Grading Policies for Orchestra Classes

All grades in Orchestra will be based on our Learning Standards, known as the National Core Arts Standards. Grades are assigned with the intent to help your child improve as a musician and work toward mastery of standards. I want your child to ENJOY what they are doing and continue in our program for many years! All assignments, homework and class activities can be found on each orchestra's Google Classroom Page, with a weekly planner and due dates found on the orchestra website. Below is a sample of typical assignments orchestra students will complete while in orchestra.

1st Quarter Orchestra Curricular Goals: Create lessons and assessments for each of the Four National Core Arts Standards: Creating, Performing, Responding and Connecting, that target mastery of the Novice category, in all levels of Orchestra, working toward mastery of the Intermediate category in the Advanced Orchestra.

Novice Level Standards: Beginning or equivalent to up to two years of study in an ensemble, plus general music. Target grades: 6th and 7th.

Intermediate Level Standards: Middle level or equivalent of four years of study in an ensemble, plus general music. Target grade: 8th.

Click here for a detailed description of the 1st Quarter Curriculum Standards

Practice (20% of overall Grade)

Student preparation for class: The majority of this grade comes from class participation: Does the student come to class prepared for the class activities? Do they show a willingness to improve and seek out help when they need it? Because the success of the whole orchestra depends on the cooperation of all its individuals, point deductions may be taken if a student disrupts class repeatedly or is continuously off-task during class.

Weekly Practice Logs/Practice Journal: Daily practice is expected of all students in orchestra. The more time you spend with your instrument outside of class, the faster you will improve. On Google Classroom, Students will fill out a Google Form each week with a goal for their practice, and a plan to achieve that goal and a reflection at the end of the week. These logs will be due the first day of the following week and will be given a grade based on the thoroughness of the plan and the thoughtfulness of the reflection. The practice logs are located under the class tab for your child's orchestra. A practice journal is recommended for students to keep track of their weekly progress.

Practice Spots: I will post practice spots for our musical assignments on Google Classroom for students to practice. The purpose is for students to become more responsible in their at home practice and to help with their preparations for class. These spots will guide the students’ weekly practice logs and are a part of that weekly grade.

Mastery (80% of overall grade):

APPLICATION (40%): The orchestra student applies the knowledge he or she has learned in the classroom. I feel that student performance is the best indicator of skill application. If performances are not an option, we will use the application category for other musical assessments, such as music theory, music history, music composition and musical skill-based projects.

EVALUATION (40%): The orchestra student is evaluated on skills that demonstrate standards mastery.

Playing tests: Students will be given playing assignments on a regular basis to test their skill knowledge. These can be completed in all three forms of instruction. All playing tests will be submitted electronically through Google Classroom. Typical playing tests are on scales or small sections of music.

Chair Auditions (when applicable): Students will prepare sections of their music and audition for their seating placement in orchestra. Typical chair tests involve playing a scale and small sections (excerpts) of their music. Tests will be tallied up in point order to determine seating, but students will be given 100% as a grade for their effort in preparing for the chair test. Students will have the opportunity to re-audition for chairs at the start of each new concert cycle.

Musical Projects: Students will complete projects and reports on subjects that interest them on a variety of topics in music.

Written Reflections and Assessments: Students answer questions reflecting on their performance in our concert, or on an assessment.