Grading:
All students receive 10 participation points each time they attend class. Sometimes a class is worth more points, if we have a graded quiz or an in- class assignment.
On RARE occasion, a child can lose participation points for not doing classwork or by being very disruptive. If you see less than a 10 on any day, you may want to ask your child what happened. On Power Grade, you will see something other than an "A" for that day.
( I do not give letter grades. The computer calculates the grade based on the school point system)
When a child is absent, I enter a "0" for that day. When the make up work is completed and graded, I put points back in, based on the quality of the work. Usually students receive all 10 points back, if they show good effort.
A student cannot receive an "A" by just attending class, though regular attendance certainly helps! All grade levels have assessments (graded and non- graded) and tests, both written and performance- based. All grades have activities such as singing, playing instruments, making written responses, participating in discussions, and completing projects or demonstrating musical skills.
All unit tests are OPEN note. Keeping an organized and complete notes is your child's best assurance of being able to demonstrate understanding of the unit concepts. This applies to grades 5-8 especially, as their units become longer and more complex.
CLASS NOTES are to remain in the music room, never taken home. Individual papers needed for home practice (grades 5-8) will be given out separately. Recorders will go home in preparation for quizzes and tests. RECORDERS SHOULD REMAIN IN THE MUSIC ROOM OR BACKPACK, IN ITS CASE, WHEN NOT IN USE. This helps insure your child will have them on music day.
Homework: Most of the time, there will not be music homework. However, there are a few important exceptions:
1) When a student is absent, there will almost ALWAYS be make up work. It does not matter WHY your child was absent. Homework is given which reflects the missed content for that day. It will keep your child up to speed as to class information and activities, AND when the work is corrected and put back into their binder, it is THERE for the TEST which will be coming up.
2) When we are working on recorders, some students will want to take home their music and their recorders to practice.
3) Occasionally, we have homework research projects. Many times this will require internet- based work, either with a friend or alone. PLEASE SUPPORT your child as he applies computer and research skills. If your policy is to supervise internet usage, then that is great! You can learn along with your child!
When your child misses music class, THIS IS THE PROCEDURE:
Look for the assignment on his/her classroom desk. I make every effort to get it there BY THE END OF THE DAY. IT MIGHT BE ONE DAY LATE, BUT I TRY TO AVOID THAT.
UPPER LEVEL (GRADE 6-8) students that change rooms every class period will have to LOOK IN THEIR HOMEROOM, IN THE DESIGNATED MUSIC HOMEWORK FILE.
THE NEXT TIME THEY COME TO MUSIC THEY MAY NEED THAT ASSIGNMENT, AND IT MIGHT EVEN BE THE DAY OF THE TEST!
IF THEY HAVE A PLANNER AT HOME, IT MIGHT BE ADVISED THAT YOU ASK THEM TO WRITE A "NOTE TO SELF" TO GET THEIR MAKE UP WORK AS SOON AS THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL.