Updated 10/27/25 by Mrs. Austin

Course Objective:

Our advanced music classes are designed to develop a student’s appreciation of the art of Music. Music literacy, theory, and history are built on and developed to prepare students for musical experiences in middle school, high school, and beyond. While we are distance learning, we will be focusing on making each student the best that they can be at the elements and fundamentals of Music, Music Recording, and Individual/Ensemble Skills. As a department, the students will showcase their mastery skills in a culminating virtual concert.

Grading Policy

0-4 Grading Scale

Our new grading rubric will be more attuned to show our students and families how well students are mastering the learning targets and standards for each assignment.

Work Habits and Cooperation

E (Excellent)

I always do my best to complete and submit quality work in a timely manner; I work on making academic progress in class, every day.

I always work independently and/or support my group by following team roles, school and classroom rules in a virtual setting.

S (Satisfactory)

I mostly do my best to complete and submit quality work on time; I work on making academic progress in class, most of the time.

I usually work independently and/or support my group by following team roles, school and classroom rules in a virtual setting.

U (Unsatisfactory)

I seldom attempt to complete and/or submit any work; I make little or no attempt to progress academically in class.

I struggle to work independently and/or have a difficult time with my group role, school and classroom rules in a virtual setting.

Common Core Priority Literacy Standards:

C.6-8.SL.1 Comprehension and Collaboration:

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6-8 topics, texts, and expressing their own clearly.

CC.6-8.R.ST.9 Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:

Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.

Elective Standards for Music:

Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.

Enduring Understanding: The creative ideas, concepts, and feelings that influence musicians’ work emerge from a variety of sources.

6-8.MU:Cr 1

a. Generate rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrases and harmonic accompaniments within expanded forms (including introductions, transitions, and codas) that convey expressive intent.

Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

Enduring Understanding: Musicians’ creative choices are influenced by their expertise, context, and expressive intent.

6-8.MU:Cr2

b. Use standard and/or iconic notation and/or audio/ video recording to document personal rhythmic phrases, melodic phrases, and harmonic sequences.

Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.

Enduring Understanding: Musicians judge performance based on criteria that vary across time, place, and cultures. The context and how a work is presented influence audience response.

6-8.MU:Pr6

a. Perform the music, alone or with others with technical accuracy, stylistic expression, and culturally authentic practices in music to convey the creator’s intent.

Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work

Enduring Understanding: Response to music is informed by analyzing context (social, cultural, and historical) and how creators and performers manipulate the elements of music.

6-8.MU:Re7.2

a. Compare how the elements of music and expressive qualities relate to the structure within programs of music.

Anchor Standard 9: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work

Enduring Understanding: The personal evaluation of musical work(s) and performance(s) is informed by analysis, interpretation, and established criteria.

6-8.MU:Re9

Apply appropriate personally developed criteria to evaluate musical works or performances.

Anchor Standard 11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.

Enduring Understanding: Musicians connect societal, cultural, and historical contexts when creating, performing, and responding.

6-8.MU:Cn11

Examine and demonstrate connections between music and societal, cultural and historical contexts when creating, performing, and responding.

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