Music of Today

Class Syllabus:

Ms. Cassie Palfey

Office: Band Room

Phone: (570) 674-7260

Email: cpalfey@dsdhs.com

Objective:

To develop skills in listening to, analyzing, and describing music; evaluating music and music performances; understanding relationships between music and other arts; and understanding music in relation to history and culture.

Requirements:

• Folder containing handouts, assignments, assessments, and blank notebook paper
• Pencil
• Access to a computer, and/or local or national newspaper, and/or magazines, and various music listening sources (cd's, ipods, or MP3 players).

Evaluation:

Assignments, Quality of participation, Preparation for class, Tests/quizzes, Notebook

Make-up/Absentee:

Multiple absences will affect the student's grade through participation and loss of instruction. It is very important to be in class and actively participate.It is the responsibility of the student to obtain all work which has been missed due to absence from class for any reason. Make up work must be completed within two days of returning to school.

Policies:

1. There will be absolutely NO cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, cameras, or other electronic devices allowed in the class at any time. These items will be confiscated and will remain in the possession of school officials until claimed by the parent or guardian or until the final day of school. Any student who fails to comply with the teacher's request to turn in such a device will be subject to the insubordination provision of the school's discipline policy. Having any of these items will also negatively affect your participation grade.
2. NO food, gum, or drinks are permitted in the classroom.
3. Each student is expected to be in his/her seat with the required materials and ready to start immediately after the bell rings. Assignments must be turned in immediately upon entering the classroom for full credit.
4. Students will contribute to a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to learning by treating everyone and everything with respect. Teasing, taunting, or bullying of any kind will not be tolerated. No foul language. Students will demonstrate positive behavior and attitude.

Regular Assignments:

Music Articles (Bi-weekly) :

Articles with summaries will equal 50% of your total grade. Summaries are to be written or typed in paragraph form, with a minimum of five complete sentences. The requirement is 2 articles per week at 9 weeks = 18 articles. A student cannot make up for forgotten articles. Additional articles handed in will be counted as extra credit.

One extra credit article with a summary may be handed in per week. It is possible to accumulate 9 points on your average by the end of the quarter.

Articles can come from a current newspaper, magazines, the internet, periodicals, or a video/DVD from a recent TV program or news source. A radio or television interview may be used as well.

Two Articles with summaries will be handed in per week as follows:

• 1 on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday
• 1 on Thursday or Friday

Articles with summaries must be turned in immediately upon entering the classroom for full credit.

Music Journal (Daily):

Every class will begin with a journal activity. As soon as you get to your seat read the prompt on the board and respond to it in the section of your class folder reserved for journaling. Discussion will follow and you are expected to participate by sharing your thoughts with the class.

Requirements

• Each entry must have the date on it.
• Each entry must include the prompt.
• Responses must be at least one paragraph consisting of a minimum of five thoughtful sentences.

Journal responses will count as a major part of the notebook grade and will be checked throughout the quarter.