PLEASE READ THESE RULES
and
HAVE YOUR CHILD BRING BACK THE SIGNED TEAR-OFF
AS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
GENERAL MUSIC CLASS INFORMATION SHEET
SCHOOL: Granada Middle School
SUBJECT: General Music
PERIODS: 1, 2, 3
ROOM: 43
GRADES: 6, 7, 8
TEACHER: Sandra Jacobson
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a one semester course designed to introduce students to the basic elements of music through the application of instruments and the study of different musical genres. The class is designed for students who do not have to have any music background. We will explore different styles of music including classical, folk, and pop and also study aspects of musical theatre. I will be teaching basic music theory which will be reinforced by note reading and the playing of instruments using songs in a leveled, graded order. My students will learn the necessary highly structured discipline it takes to play together as a musical group using the same procedures expected of an orchestra (Examples: following a conductor, sitting with good posture, displaying team work, listening to each other, and using focusing skills).
PROCEDURES and REQUIRED MATERIALS:
01. Students will be instructed not to bring their backpacks to their chairs. They will be leaving them in a designated place upon entering inside the room.
02. All students will be asked to bring with them to their seats are 2 pencils. Getting out of seats during class to sharpen pencils is not allowed that is why students need extra pencils with them. In emergencies I have extra pencils in class to loan out. Use of pen is not practical for music and I would prefer pencil only.
03. All instruments, music, and paper will be supplied.
04. Students will be given a clipboard to write on (as we have no desks) and a folder to keep their classroom work in. These folders will remain in my room stored in a file area located by the door.
05. Every student will be loaned a soprano recorder (a type of flute) for them to use for the semester and will be allowed to take home to practice. They have been sanitized using proper chemicals as directed by the health department. We will be using them for instructional purposes. Specific directions will be given out on how to use them and store them to keep them sanitary. If someone would rather purchase one for their child instead of using the one we are loaning, that would not be a problem. They are rather inexpensive. If there are any questions in that regard please feel free to contact me.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
I have prepared the curriculum of this course to meet the basic California Performing Arts Standards:
1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION
Processing, Analyzing, and Responding to Sensory Information through the Language and Skills Unique to Music
2.0 CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Creating, Performing, and Participating in Music3.0 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
Understanding the Historical Contributions and Cultural Dimensions of Music4.0 AESTHETIC VALUING
Responding to, Analyzing, and Making Judgments about Works of Music5.0 CONNECTIONS, RELATIONSHIPS, APPLICATIONS
Connecting and Applying What Is Learned in Music to Learning in Other Art Forms and Subject Areas and to Careers
EVALUATION:
General Information:
01. Grading is by a point system:
100%-90% = “A”
89%-80% = “B”
79%-70% = “C”
69%-60% = “D”
59%- = “F”
02. Any points missed can be made up by arranging time with me after class to get make-up or alternative assignments.
03. Points missed by excused absences do not need to be made up unless otherwise specified for the Academic grade but must be made up for the Work Habits grade.
04. Much of the written work will be posted on my Blog to help students who need it.
05. I am available most every day after school except on Tuesday’s to help students.
If a student wishes to come at that time for help please make sure there is a parent signed note granting permission.
Please try to have the student check with me in advance to make sure I will be available and also so I will know that he/she is coming so I can wait for him/her.
Academic Grade:
Evaluation in this section of my music course is basically determined by the knowledge gained by observing/listening to the skills directly.
Students will not be graded on how well they demonstrate technical/musical skill on an instrument but by how hard they try and by improvement made.
No student’s grade is determined by comparison to others. Everyone has their own ability level and I expect to see progress within their personal level to determine their grade.
A major part of a music organization is participation and we learn in this class by doing not just by observing.
No music organization can function without teamwork. Teamwork is impossible without proper classroom behavior.
01. Daily Class Participation: 1 Point
02. Technical Performance: Points to be determined per activity
03. Daily Behavior/Team Work: 1 Point
Work Habits Grade:
This is the seat work done in class.
01. Daily Pre-Lesson Activity: 1 Point
02. Worksheets: 1 Point per page unless otherwise specified
03. Composer Reports: 4 Points
04. Musical Reports: 4 Points
05. Film Notes: Points to be determined per activity
CLASS ROOM BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS:
No person will stop other students from learning.
No person will stop the teacher from teaching.
The classroom must be a safe learning environment.
Consequences:
All school directives will be followed.
All serious offenses will be immediate referrals without warning.
Serious offenses are behaviors which are unsafe, discriminatory, or foul.
01. Teacher issues a warning.
02. Teacher moves student to another place with an assignment
03. Teacher makes contact with parent
04. Last resort, student sent to ALC on referral
BATHROOM/WATER/TISSUE DIRECTIONS
Students will be asked to remain in their seats at all times unless otherwise directed.
Students will be given a silent hand signal to use in order to ask the teacher for permission to leave their seat for bathroom use, water, or tissues without disrupting the lesson.
Students who have been ill and bring in a signed note will be allowed to take care of their needs without this procedure.
If leaving seats to get water, etc. becomes a disruption to the learning environment I will send students to the nurse (one at a time) to take care of their needs bringing back a signed note so I can keep a record.
If any student has too many of these notes a parent will be contacted because the student may be ill and need to see a doctor, or may have some other issues that the parent needs to know about.
REMEMBER: STUDENTS ARE NOT TO LEAVE THE CLASSROOM (EVEN WITH PERMISSION) WITHOUT A BATHROOM PASS or A NOTE.
TURN-BACK SLIP OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Please fill-out this slip and have your child return it to me as soon as possible.
Thanks,
Miss Jacobson
STUDENT’S NAME: _______________________________________
GRADE: ________
PARENT/GUARDIAN CONTACT NAME: _______________________________________
CONTACT PHONE/CELL NUMBER: _______________________________________
INTERNET ADDRESS: _______________________________________
PARENT SIGNATURE _______________________________________ DATE _____________________