Grading Policy

Orchestra Grading Policy

Grade Distribution

      Daily Attendance/Participation– 50% 

         Playing Tests– 15%

         Concerts- 15% (pass/fail) 

         In-Class Assignments/ Homework/ Other– 5%

         Practice Sheets- 15%

DAILY ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION

Students start each day with 10 points and can lose them for failing to meet behavioral expectations.  Some standard participation penalties are:

         Forgot instrument -10 pts

         Asked to put instrument away or leave class on an office referral -10 pts

         Unexcused tardy -5 pts

         Music not in class -5 pts

         No pencil in class -5 pts

         Chewing gum in class -4 pts

         Playing someone else’s instrument without permission from the owner -4 points

         Cell phone not put away -5 point

                  General disruptive behavior- teacher discretion

Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds!  Most students earn full participation points every day by coming prepared and ready to work.     

 *new this year* - If a students is absent for half a school week, I will mark that week as "excused".  As a result tests, assignments, concerts, and home practice will become a greater proportion of the total grade. 

PLAYING TESTS

Playing tests can be on scales, music we are preparing for a concert, or on etudes from the method book.  They can be either videotaped or played in front of the class; more specific information will be provided at a later date. 

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS AND HOMEWORK 

There will be very few in-class or homework assignments in orchestra outside of an occasional theory worksheet.  Notebook/supply checks will occur about twice a month.

PRACTICE LOG

You are expected to practice regularly and record your progress on the practice log  kept in your binder. You must complete 90 minutes of practice each week.  You may count practice time with me, private lessons or JYS towards your practice requirement.

Seating, Late Work, Extra Credit and Makeup Work

Seating

Violins will be divided into two sections of approximately equal ability.  Each section will have 1st violin parts on half the pieces and 2nd violin parts on half the pieces.

Physical seating changes frequently in my orchestra classroom and is based on the characteristics of my students as players and as human beings.  I generally try not to group the strongest players at the front and the weakest at the back.  I have found that, in the middle school classroom, this causes the weak players to lag so far behind in their technical development that the orchestra as a whole is dramatically weakened. 

Makeup Work Policy:

The STUDENT is responsible for collecting any make-up work due to an absence.  Written makeup work is due one class period after you return.  Makeup work for  points lost due to absences is due at least one week before the end of the quarter.

If You Do Poorly on a Playing Test

       Students who wish to improve their grades on exams or playing tests are encouraged

to do so.  If you wish to retake an exam or playing test, you must schedule a time with me within one week of the initial exam or before the end of the quarter, whichever comes first.  Please be sure you make the retake worth the added effort on my part- PRACTICE so that things go better the second time.

Extra Credit

      Students who work before school or during lunch with me are eligible for

extra credit participation points.

Concert Attendance (A.K.A. The Really Important Stuff)

Concerts are mandatory.  Most are on the calendar before school starts; a current list is included with this packet, and copies are always available in the classroom.  For each missed concert the student’s current grade total grade will be lowered by fifteen percentage points.  CONCERTS MAY NOT BE MADE UP, except in the following instances:

1.  Extreme illness or injury (doctor’s note AND parent phone call to instructor must be provided). 

2.  Student is traveling out of state and the tickets have already been purchased; you have surgery scheduled (note from parent or guardian is required two weeks before the concert date).

3.  Family emergency (letter AND parent phone call to instructor must be provided).

4.  Out-of-school suspension                                                

Please note that not having a ride or appropriate clothing is NEVER an excuse for missing a concert.  If you notify Mr. O'Connor well ahead of time, he can (and will) arrange a ride or clothing for you.