As a school, we have shifted towards a Standards-Based grading system. This means that students are evaluated on their ability to meet a specific standard either established by the state of Wisconsin, or a national standard established at a Federal Level. While music can be extremely fun and rewarding, we acknowledge that it can be very difficult at times. It is fully normal to be at the stage of Developing the Standard (2) for a long period of time before reaching a level of Meeting the Standard (3). The level of Exceeding the Standard (4) is most often reserved for students who have gone above and beyond by being able to take the skills that they were meant to demonstrate and showing more than what was taught or expected. Students receiving a 3 by the end of the year should know that they are right where we expect them to be, that they have worked hard and that they have learned new skills that will carry with them through the rest of their lives!
Band and Choir are not only graded on musical skills that they have learned, but they are also graded on necessary preparedness and participation - skills that will also be expected as they enter any job they choose in the future.
The following standards are graded in Music class:
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade:
*Note - Standard expectations increase with each grade and the Standard letters/numbers correspond to the national or state standards.
Explores the creation of short pieces using standard and/or alternative notation (Standard MG1e)
Expresses musical ideas through appropriate movements (Standard MG3)
Identify proper concert/audience etiquette (Standard MG3.R.4.e)
Demonstrate and discuss personal interest in, knowledge about, and/or purpose of varied musical selections including how the music relates to self and others (Standard MG4.Cn2.E)
Demonstrates knowledgeable control of their voice (Standard MP1)
Express musical ideas through knowledgeable use of instruments (Standard MP2)
3rd Grade - 5th Grade:
*Note - Standard expectations increase with each grade and the Standard letters/numbers correspond to the national or state standards.
Explores the creation of short pieces using standard and/or alternative notation to document personal musical ideas (Standard MG1i)
Expresses musical ideas through appropriate movements (Standard MG3)
Identify and demonstrate proper concert/audience etiquette within proper context (Standard MG3.R.8i)
Demonstrate and explain how a selection of music is related to and influenced by self, others, knowledge, global content, and/or technical skills (Standard MG4.Cn.6.i)
Demonstrates knowledgeable control of their voice (Standard MP1)
Express musical ideas through knowledgeable use of instruments (Standard MP2)
Band/Choir
Student has their Music and a Pencil.
Practice… the more time you spend with your chosen instrument (including voice), the easier playing the instrument becomes.
Attend scheduled choir sectionals and/or Band lessons.
Sitting in assigned seat, talking quietly and ready start class.
"When it comes to Band and learning an instrument, I’ll be the first to say it is not easy. I had to learn to play and pass proficiency on all Instruments in College. Learning to play an instrument takes times… lots of time, patience and lots of practicing. Having said that… to say to me you quit/give up without putting forth the effort to learn your chosen instrument makes no sense to me… but for those students who have legitimately tried and struggled, good for you! Let’s figure something else out. It’s all about commitment and conviction." - Mrs. Hernandez