Thursday, September 5, 2013

PARENT INFORMATION LETTER 2013-2014

Instructor: Miss Sandy Jacobson
Music Classes:
Introduction to Musical Instruments (Granada and Hillview)
Orchestra (Hillview)
Advanced Strings (Granada)
Beginning Strings (Granada)

I use Google Docs to share sheet music and mp3 accompaniments with students.
Extensions to my class lessons can be found on my Blog.


To the students; parents or guardians:

Music allows us to celebrate and preserve our cultural heritages and also to explore the realms of expression, imagination, and creation resulting in new knowledge. Therefore, every individual should be guaranteed the opportunity to learn music and to share in musical experiences.   The goal is to create not just music
consumers, but lifelong music participants.

The music learning experiences taught in my classes will consist of:
1.  Music theory
2.  Instrument playing techniques
3.  Music appreciation of different genres
4.  Performance practice and etiquette

Grading Guidelines:
Completing 100%-90% of the accumulated required points is an “A”
Completing 89%-80% of the accumulated required points is a “B”
Completing 79%-70% of the accumulated required points is a “C”
Completing 69%-60% of the accumulated required points is a “D”
Completing 59%- of the accumulated required points is an “F”

The music grade is divided into two segments; academic and scholarly.
ACADEMIC:
1.      Daily Teamwork Grade: One point per lesson. Students work together as a group. Each student begins the semester with an A. Deductions will be made by failing to follow rules and procedures which affect the success of the group activity. Students who are absent do not have to make-up these points.
2.      Daily Participation Grade: One point per lesson. Students participate and try their best at each activity. Each student begins the semester with an A. Deductions will be made by deliberate non-class participation or not having the proper required equipment in class.  Students who are absent do not have to make-up these points.
SCHOLARLY:
Class Work and Assignments: Points given for assignments.  Deductions made for not turning the work in, uncompleted or unreadable work, or work with too many errors.  All students may re-submit any work for re-grading at full credit status up until the week before the grading period ends.  If a student needs help to correct errors I will make myself available (please contact me so arrangements can be made). Students who are absent need to make up missed written class work.

General Classroom Rules
1. School rules and consequences will be followed at all times.
2. No one will prevent the teacher from teaching.
3. No one will prevent any student from learning.
4. The classroom will be a safe and orderly learning environment.

Materials Needed For Class:
1. Sheets of lined paper.
2. Sharpened pencils (at least two).
3. Any special instruments or materials loaned out to each individual student to be used in class
    instruction.
a.      INTRODUCTION TO MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS:
1.      SOPRANO RECORDERS WILL BE LOANED TO STUDENTS FOR THE SEMESTER FREE OF CHARGE AND THEY MAY BE TAKEN HOME TO PRACTICE
2.      THE RECORDERS WILL BE LABELED WITH EACH CHILD’S NAME AND MUST BE PLACED IN A SANITARY BAG (LIKE A “ZIP LOCK”) BAG WHEN NOT BEING USED
3.      STUDENTS MAY PROVIDE THEIR OWN SOPRANO RECORDERS IF THEY WISH (PLEASE ASK ME IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS)
b.      ORCHESTRA (HILLVIEW):
1.      INSTRUMENTS WILL BE LOANED TO STUDENTS FOR THE YEAR FREE OF CHARGE
2.      FOR USE OF A SCHOOL INSTRUMENT A LOAN FORM SUPPLIED BY THE SCHOOL WILL NEED TO BE FILLED OUT
3.      STUDENTS WILL NEED TO SUPPLY THEIR OWN ACCESSORIES SUCH AS REEDS, OIL, ETC.
4.      MUSIC IS PROVIDED IN CLASS; EXTRA COPIES CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM MY BLOG, GOOGLE DOCS, or ASK ME FOR COPIES
c.       STRING CLASSES (GRANADA):
1.      INSTRUMENTS WILL BE LOANED TO STUDENTS FOR THE YEAR FREE OF CHARGE 
2.      FOR USE OF A SCHOOL INSTRUMENT A LOAN FORM SUPPLIED BY THE SCHOOL WILL NEED TO BE FILLED OUT
3.      MUSIC IS PROVIDED IN CLASS; EXTRA COPIES CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM MY BLOG, GOOGLE DOCS, or ASK ME FOR COPIES

Classroom Expectations:
1. Treat everyone with kindness and respect.
2. Be prepared, on task, and on time for class each day.
3. Follow all school rules and procedures.
4. Use the music equipment only when instructed to do so following care and maintenance guidelines.
5. Keep the classroom clean by picking up and throwing out all trash in the garbage at the end of class.

Bathroom and Water Policy:
1.      No leaving seat to get water or use the bathroom during class unless permitted by the teacher,
doctor/nurse note, or parent signed excuse note.
2.      Excessive and continual asking to use the bathroom or getting water at each lesson indicates a medical problem in which case a parent will need to be informed and an excuse note needs to be obtained.

Classroom Silent Body Language Signals:
1.      Raise hand to ask questions (and wait to be called on).
2.      To ask for permission to use the bathroom raise hand with crossed fingers and wait for teacher acknowledgement (take hall pass to the bathroom and sign the bathroom sheet with time and date)
3.      To ask for permission to get water raise hand holding up 3 fingers and wait for teacher acknowledgement
4.      To ask for permission to get tissue make a “T” with the fingers and wait for teacher acknowledgement (hold on to the tissue and throw away at the end of class)


Important Dates For:
 Orchestra (Hillview)
Advanced Strings (Granada)
Beginning Strings (Granada)

Thursday, December 12th (6:00 PM) at Granada Middle School: WINTER CONCERT
Thursday, May 22nd (6:00 PM) at Hillview Middle School: SPRING CONCERT
(MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION WILL BE SENT HOME LATER)

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PLEASE FILL OUT THIS TEAR OFF HAVE YOUR CHILD RETURN IT IN MUSIC CLASS.

THANK YOU,

Sandy Jacobson

Your signatures below indicate that you have read and understand the policies stated above.




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