Classroom Music

Student Expectations

Classroom Rules - Grades K-3

1. Follow directions quickly

- With only 40 minutes blocks of instructional time, it is important that students not waste time completing tasks or procedures. Also, it is respectful to comply with teacher with a cheerful, immediate response.

2. Raise your hand for permission to speak

- All student questions and contributions are important in our class. With as many as 30 students together, though, it is necessary to maintain a quiet order so that no one's thoughts or personal expressions are interrupted.

3. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat

- It is important that the teacher knows where all students are at all times. Also, it distracts students away from the lesson when someone chooses to leave his or her seat unannounced.

4. Make smart choices

- A "smart" choice is one that helps your own learning or the learning of others. At all times, students should be able to say that their behavior is encouraging learning in our classroom. Additionally, safe behavioral choices are also "smart" choices.

5. Keep Mr. B happy!

- No one likes to be grumpy, especially Mr. B! I am a much better at teaching when I am in a good mood (just like students are better at learning when they are in a good mood). The best way to "Keep Mr. B happy" is to follow Rules #1-4!

Classroom Expectations - Grades 4-8

If it's not respectful or necessary, it's not allowed.

- Students should be able to say with honesty that their words and actions at all times are respectful to the learning of everyone in our classroom and encourages everyone to be involved. Also, students should be able to say with honesty that their actions or behavior in class are necessary for their own learning and the learning of others.

Homework

We typically do not assign homework in Music Class, as much of our learning is collaborative and relies heavily on classroom interactions. There are occasions, however, where students are working on complex projects and may choose to put in additional time outside of the school day. For some projects, students sometimes choose to collaborate with team members at home.

Current Units of Study

Kindergarten

Students explore their own voices and a variety of classroom instruments as they begin to identify and apply rudimentary Music skills. Students also receive small group instruction using our Music Centers. There are two, whole-grade performances during the school year: a Winter Celebration, and end-of-year Kindergarten Promotion.

1st Grade

Students continue to explore their voices and a variety of classroom instruments at a more advanced level while connecting to classroom learning with a variety of themes. Students also continue to receive small group instruction using our Music Centers. The whole grade level also performs the annual 1st Grade Musical Play in May.

2nd Grade

Students participate in the culmination of the previous two years as they hone their performance skills in Music aligned to classroom learning. Students are also introduced to the combined elements of the Symphony Orchestra in detailed unit on instrument families and their components.

3rd Grade

Students will explore Music Notation and Theory in great detail to where they show and apply understanding of the symbols and language of Music. Students will begin to apply this knowledge using classroom musical instruments.

4th Grade

This is the year for Beginning Band....Recorders! Students will receive instrumental performance instruction as they begin to apply their knowledge of Music Theory in a more formal setting. In the spring we will transition to Ukuleles!

5th Grade

In elective classes, students will have the choice to explore the significant connection between Music and feelings/emotions, and the science of sound and how that knowledge is applied in a performance setting through digital music and sound design in 21st century careers. Another elective option is a Musical Theatre course exploring all elements of theatrical production through supporting our school-wide show for the year. Students also have the choice of joining the Choir elective for vocal training and performance or the Ukelele elective for instrumental training.

6th Grade

In elective classes, students will have to choice to explore American Music's earliest art form (Jazz) and how it has progressed from its beginning to present day, or participate in personalized, project-based Music activities. Another elective option is a two-quarter Musical Theatre course exploring all elements of theatrical production through supporting our school-wide show for the year. Students also have the choice of joining the Choir elective for vocal training and performance.

7th Grade

In elective classes, students will have the choice to explore historical music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic Eras and how it relates directly to today's popular music through the use of classroom technology. Students may also select to engage in Music Journalism through the creation of personal websites/blogs with the purpose of critically evaluating today's music based on artistic and technical criteria. Another elective option is a two-quarter Musical Theatre course exploring all elements of theatrical production through supporting our school-wide show for the year. Students also have the choice of joining the Choir elective for vocal training and performance.

8th Grade

In elective classes, students will have the choice to explore the history of American Popular Music to discover how we got to where we are today (musically). Also, students may select the Musical Theatre Survey course for an in-depth look at this art form through observation, analysis, discussion, and participation of all its elements. Another elective option is a two-quarter Musical Theatre course exploring all elements of theatrical production through supporting our school-wide show for the year. Students also have the choice of joining the Choir elective for vocal training and performance.

Grading Policies & Procedures

Grades K-4

Students receive a total of 3 points for each class attended for demonstrating appropriate Practice Skills for Music. These include demonstrating focus and engagement in learning, development of Music-related skils, and proper use of Music materials and instruments. Students receive all of their points at the beginning of each semester, and are deducted if the expectations for learning are not met.

Grades 5-8

Elective courses are each graded related to their respective course content. Performing Electives are not graded on performance proficiency, but attention to Preparation, Technique, and participation in Performance. Non-performing Electives are graded based on the quality of the completed assigned work/projects (measured either for correctness or against a rubric). Student work is typically graded weekly or bi-weekly, depending on content. Students have the opportunity to submit late work through the end of the quarter for full credit at the teacher's discretion, and in accordance with district grading policies. Late work is typically graded within a week or over the weekend, though this depends on the teacher's availability to do so, and in the order in which it was received. Note: Requests for immediate grading (for sports/activity-related grade checks) are not typically honored; all students, especially student leaders, should be timely with submitting their work in order to ensure they remain eligible.

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