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Powerschool
Powerschool is where grades are entered. Please log in and check your students grade weekly. If you have any questions, the student should be able to answer them for you.
Index of terms
Summative
Counted in final grade
Performance, Theory, Reflection, Quarter Lesson & Rehearsal Grade
Formative
Not counted in final grade
Weekly lesson & rehearsal grades
Collected
The assignment was submitted, or student was present for grading
Missing
The assignment is missing, or the student was absent for a lesson
Practice (homework)
Students are expected to be practicing their instrument outside of class. Students that practice do well in band and have fun, students who don't practice struggle, and don't enjoy class.
There isn't a magic number for minutes and days that a student should practice, but a general guideline is 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. That can be divided up however best fits schedules and attention span. It is recommended that practice time is split as evenly throughout the week as possible.1
Refer to the grade specific pages to see weekly practice assignments and other assessments for the year.
1. Gebrian, Molly. Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing. Oxford University Press, 2024.
Recurring Assignments & Grades
Rehearsal Grades
Rehearsal grades are given weekly, based on the standards that are expected of an ensemble or team member:
Materials: The musician must have all materials required for class
Pencil (not a pen, sharpie, marker, etc)
Binder (with AoA and Theory Books, and all concert music)
Instrument (with reeds, oils, swabs, etc.)
Expectations: The musician must follow the classroom expectations
When A teacher is on the podium:
Musicians are quiet and not talking
All ensemble members have correct posture
Musicians are looking at the director
Participation: Everyone must give their best effort
Playing their instrument
Asking questions
Taking notes in their music
Respect: Learning music is audible
In order to improve, all musicians must feel comfortable and safe to make mistakes, ask questions, and take risks. We do not expect that everyone will be best friends, but respect is a requirement in our classroom.
Lesson Grades
Like other classes have homework, Band requires work outside of the class to improve, we call our homework “practicing”. Unlike other homework, practicing is a skill that needs to be learned and practiced consistently in order to be effective. Our weekly lessons provide structure, guidance, and accountability to our practice expectations.
Lesson grades are a weekly formative grade, at the end of the quarter, the sheets will be entered as a single Summative Performance Grade. If students are practicing at home, they will most likely do well in the class!
In preparation for High School and College, students need to practice meeting deadlines, communicating, being detail oriented, and problem solving. To earn an "4" the student must do the following:
Attend their lesson
Demonstrate evidence of practice outside of the classroom
Give effort and apply feedback within the lesson
We encourage parents to look at the practice assignments, and have students play for you. Regardless of parental musical experience, it should sound and look like students know what they are doing. This is the best possible way to support growth both musically and developmentally!
Retake & Late Work Policy
Wisconsin Music Educators Association State Standards
Levels of Proficiency
WMEA Ensemble Strandard - Proficiency.pdfArtistic Processes
WMEA Ensemble Standards - Artistic.pdfPage updated
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