Mr. Epps Classroom

SYLLABUS

Northwest Middle School Guitar Class

Mr. Epps

Office: 864-355-6948

Course Description

The beginning guitar class will be learning the basics of playing acoustic guitar. This class is designed for students with little or no guitar experience. Students will learn fundamentals of music reading as well as basic chords, strumming, and finger patterns. Students will also study and perform various styles of music including folk and popular songs.

Units of Study for this course are as follows (In no specific order):

Students will be learning the fundamentals of introductory guitar playing including: guitar anatomy, playing position, playing technique: both individual note and chord playing, reading and playing guitar tablature, reading and playing chords, playing alone, in small groups, and as a whole class ensemble, beginning levels of classical guitar study, and more!

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to demonstrate proper guitar playing technique including finger picking and strumming chords.

Students will be able to perform their music on guitar and with correct rhythms.

Students will be able to perform and identify music from world cultures.

Necessary Materials (1-2 provided by Northwest Middle)

1. Guitar - PROVIDED BY SCHOOL (Students may bring guitars from home if they wish)

2. Chromebook to access Sheet Music - PROVIDED BY SCHOOL

3. Willingness to play guitar every day

4. Positive Attitude

Your student is NOT required to supply their own guitar, however they are welcome to bring their personal guitar from home to class for practice.

Grading Scale

A 90-100, B 80-89, C 70-79, D 60-69, F 0-59

Grading Policy – this follows the district assessment guidelines

Major Assessments – 50%

These assessments might include: Written and performance based tests, projects, and playing tests.

Minor Assessments – 50%

These assessments might include: In-class assignments, class participation, theory work, and practice.

Grades will be entered into Power School, a web-based grading and attendance program. Progress reports and report cards will be given.

Late Work / Missed Work / Make-up policy

**Below is our NWMS School makeup policy, however all of the work students complete in Guitar class is in-person, playing on the guitar, so make up assignments must be completed with Mr. Epps. If a student is absent, they will have 5 days from the time the grade was put in to complete the missing guitar playing assignment. Mr. Epps will help them learn whatever we are playing and the student can complete the playing test with him.

Northwest Middle- Missing and/or Make-up Assignments & Take Two Major Assessment Policy

Missing Work and/or Make-up Work due to absence Policy:

NHI (Not Handed In) is marked in PowerSchool (this weighs at a 0).

This code indicates the student is missing the work:

For not turning it in OR from an absence.
Either way, the student has 5 school days to turn in the missing assignment from the date the work was put in the gradebook or from the student's return date from the absence.
Upon completion of the NHI, students must immediately send the teacher an email to notify them of the completed work.
If work is not completed within the 5 days, teachers may convert the NHI to a zero
If work is completed within the 5 days, teachers may convert NHI to reflect the earned grade.

NHI = missing = 0

Exception: Teacher discretion upon admin approval for extenuating circumstances

MAJORAssessment Take Two Policy:

Students may retake MAJOR assessments regardless of the score.

Test retakes are allowed for ANY MAJOR assessments, and the highest grade will be recorded for both middle and high school credit courses.

Student retakes are NOT required; however, if the student wishes to retake the MAJOR assessment, they must to follow these steps:

Students and/or parents must initiate the request within five (5) school days of the grade being posted by completing the teacher's Google Form, located in the teacher’s google classroom.
All minor assignments for the instructional unit must have been turned in
Students must complete teacher-directed remediation or relearning activities before reassessment.
The teacher and student will coordinate the reassessment during an agreed-upon intervention time (e.g., before school, advisory, lunch, or after school).
An alternate assessment or revised learning task may be used to demonstrate mastery as determined by the teacher.
The highest score earned will be recorded in the gradebook.
Only 1 retake for any Major Assessment

***NO retakes on MINOR assessments for both middle and high school credit classes.

HS Courses

These courses earn high school credit and must maintain alignment with high school grading practices; the same take-two procedures apply to all Major Assessments for High School Credit Classes.

Class Rules and Expectations

In the music classroom, I will encourage students to be doing several things to ensure success and great music making.

These “Be” Attitudes will create an environment of creativity and avenue for passionate musicianship.

- Be Engaged

- Be Prepared

- Be Respectful

- Be Listening

- Be Musical

What happens if student chooses not to Be these things:

1. Non-verbal warning

2. Verbal warning

3. Student/teacher conference

4. Lunch Detention

5. After School Detention

6. Referral to Administration

After number 3, a parent or guardian will be called to be notified of the behavior issue and to allow Mr. Epps to seek out a way to improve the student’s behavior and performance in rehearsal.

**Students who show a pattern of disruptive behavior resulting in destruction of school owned guitars will be in jeopardy of losing the privilege of using a school owned guitar.

**Any student that reaches level 6 (referral) may be disallowed on special activities and trips.

The teacher will monitor and adjust classroom procedures and schedules as needed. For specific course objectives and standards, please visit the South Carolina Department of Education at www.ed.sc.gov.

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