Courses

Course Description:

In fifth and sixth grade, all students in Hingham are required to be a part of one of our three performing ensembles choices: band, strings, or chorus.

Fifth grade band meets during the school day for forty minutes twice out of every six days of the cycle. Students will establish fundamental playing and rehearsal habits, learn how to produce a quality sound on their instrument, and begin learning how to read instrumental music.

On one of the days of the cycle, students receive small group instruction in class sizes of less than 35, and on the other day, all band students in the entire school meet together for "full band," in class sizes generally between 25-50 students.

Schedule:

East School

• Day 4: 5Cu/5O

• Day 5 (full band): all classes meet

• Day 6: 5J/5Co

Plymouth River School

• Day 3 (full band): all classes meet

• Day 5: 5V

• Day 6: 5K/5H

South School

• Day 1: 5T/5M

• Day 2: 5S/5H

• Day 3 (full band): all classes meet

Foster School

• Day 1: 5C/5M

• Day 2: 5K/5H

• Day 4 (full band): all classes meet

Grading Expectations:

Each term, students will receive a standards-based score between 1-4 in musical skill, conduct, and effort. This score will communicate student progress toward grade level standard over the course of the year, and student progress shall be be determined through a combination of formal and informal assessments of music skill and participation in class.

Student Expectations:

Establishing good rehearsal habits is crucial to the success of any elementary school band. Students are expected to come to band with a positive and focused attitude, their instrument, and any other required materials for class. Class participation, home practice, and instrument attendance are the biggest determining factors of student success at this level.

Course Description:

In sixth grade, students are required to participate in one of the three ensemble choices: band, strings, or chorus. In band, students will continue to learn new notes and rhythms and will expand upon their note reading skills, tone production, dynamic ranges, and general phrasing and musicality.

Sixth grade band students meet every other day for forty-five minutes, and band students are divided into four different classes based on random scheduling (not ability). Of these four classes, two classes are combined for performances to make up the "C Block" Band and two of these classes are combined for performances to make up the "D Block" Band.

Grading Policy:

Daily Participation - 40%

Playing Tests - 30%

Quizzes/Classwork - 20%

Folder Check - 10%

Daily Participation (40%):

Establishing good rehearsal habits is crucial to the success of any middle school band. Students are expected to come to band with a positive and focused attitude, their instrument, and any other required materials for class. Every day, a student has an opportunity to earn ten points for demonstrating their best effort and engagement in class. This is the MOST important thing that a band student can do to be successful. Students who are not participating to the best of their ability and/or who are missing supplies may not receive full credit for the day. For example, a student who forgets their instrument will receive no higher than a 7/10 for the day because they are unable to participate fully with the rest of the group.

Playing Tests (30%):

Once per term, I will assign students an exercise or a section of their band music to perform for a grade. Students will record themselves individually using Chromebooks, or record during class, and will be graded based on an assigned rubric that will be handed out in advance.

Quizzes and Classwork (20%):

Students may have several short in-class quizzes per term. These quizzes will be announced and may be either performance-based or in written form. Quizzes are designed to help assess rhythm, technique, note accuracy, and overall musical achievement and improvement over the course of the year. At times, students may also be asked to do written work in class to help support their learning. For example, students may be asked to fill out a rhythm counting worksheet, a concert review, or a note reading worksheet. Any graded written work that is done during class will also fall under this category.

Folder Check (10%):

In order to help establish good rehearsal habits, I will check students' band folders at the end of each term. Students will be expected to write in reminders on their music when we discuss certain musical topics in class. Students will also be expected to maintain their music and keep it in legible condition.