Showing posts with label Class Information Sheet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Class Information Sheet. Show all posts

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)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.




__________________________________________________________
Parent Signature



__________________________________________________________
Student Signature



__________________________________________________________
Parent E-mail



__________________________________________________________
Parent Phone Contact





Saturday, August 25, 2012

STRING CLASS INFORMATION SHEET

PLEASE READ THESE RULES 
and 
HAVE YOUR CHILD BRING BACK THE SIGNED TEAR-OFF 
AS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 



IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CHILD TO BE LOANED AN INSTRUMENT 
TO USE FOR THE YEAR 
PLEASE FILL-OUT THE FOLLOWING FORM:  
(MODEL, MAKE, AND SERIAL NUMBER CAN BE FILLED-IN BY THE TEACHER IF WISHED.)


GENERAL MUSIC INFORMATION SHEET


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 Music
3.0 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
Understanding the Historical Contributions and Cultural Dimensions of Music
4.0 AESTHETIC VALUING
Responding to, Analyzing, and Making Judgments about Works of Music
5.0 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 _____________________

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

GENERAL MUSIC CLASS INFORMATION SHEET

GENERAL MUSIC CLASS INFORMATION SHEET
INSTRUCTOR: MISS JACOBSON
ROOM: 43

OVERVIEW OF CLASS
This year long class is designed as an introduction to music through the playing of instruments: piano, recorder, violin, guitar, and percussion.

OBJECTIVES
01. To learn about note/rhythm reading and other elements of music
02. To gain knowledge of the history of music
03. To be exposed to different genres: musical theatre, classical , folk, and popular music styles
04. To understand basic music terminology
05. To develop listening and focusing skills
06. To work and behave cooperatively in a structured group format
07. To be able to connect music to other subject disciplines such as history, literature, math, and science


BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
01. RULES:
a. No one stops a student from learning.
b. No one stops the teacher from teaching.
c. The classroom must be a safe and respectable learning environment.
d. School rules are to be followed at all times.

02. CONSEQUENCES:
a. Verbal warning
b. Parent contact
c. School discipline rules
03. ADDED WRITTEN WORK ASSIGNMENTS:

a. Use of these assignments will replace points lost by non-participation in the instrument playing activities
b. Maybe assigned to students who are unable to play instruments due to medical issues
c. Will be assigned to students with behavioral issues
d. Can be used to earn extra credit or make-up points toward the final grade


CLASS PROCEDURES
01. CLASSROOM SUPPLIES:
a. Pencils, pencil sharpeners, paper, and other instructional materials will be supplied for each student.
b. These materials are intended for proper classroom use and not to be used for any other purpose.

c. These supplies are to remain in class at all times and not taken out of the classroom without the teacher’s permission.
02. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS:
a. All instruments will be supplied for students to use for free.
b. These instruments to be used in class either belong to the school or are supplied at the teacher’s personal expense.
c. Rules and procedures for the use of the instruments will be taught and followed at all times.
d. Deliberate misuse of the instruments will not be tolerated.
e. All instruments are to remain in the classroom and never taken home with the exception of instruments loaned out with parent –signed permission forms.
f. Students will not be held accountable for the general maintenance of the instruments.
g. Personal Instruments:

01. No personal instruments are required to be supplied by parents.
02. Any personal instruments are brought to school at the student’s own risk.
03. These instruments should not be taken to school without parent permission.
04. Instruments should have proper identification on them.
05. Given allowable space, instruments may be stored in the music classroom during the school day and picked-up after school.

03. PERSONAL BELONGINGS:
a. All personal belongings (backpacks, books, etc.) will be placed at the back of the room upon entering class.
b. General classroom space will be taken up by the use of the instruments so personal belongings, possibly left in walk paths, could create accidents or cause breakage to the instruments.

04. BATHROOM, WATER, NURSE:
a. To keep the classroom a safe environment in which to work, there will be no unnecessary leaving of seats without permission during class instructional time.
b. Students with signed-parent permission notes will be exempt from this rule.
c. Students with emergency needs will be sent to the nurse with a note which will be returned (signed by the nurse) to the teacher upon returning to class.

d. Use of bathroom facilities follow procedures set down by the school (sign-out sheets posted by the door and bathroom pass are to be used).
05. CLASSROOM TEMPERATURE:
a. Due to wooden instruments that are affected by climate, the classroom temperature is kept deliberately on the cooler side.
b. Students need to dress for class accordingly.
c. If needed, any student may bring to class an old sweater, sweatshirt, etc. to store in class permanently to use.

06. ASKING QUESTIONS:
a. Classroom/Topic Related
01. Students are to raise hands and wait to be called upon to ask questions.
02. Questions should be related to the topic being discussed.
03. “What-if” type questions used deliberately to waste time in class should be avoided.
04. The teacher will be available most lunch periods and after school hours to meet with students who want further explanations or extra instruction.

b. Personal
01. Personal questions are those related to a student’s personal grade, missing class work, etc.
02. Personal questions should be asked during non-instructional time, preferably after class hours.

GRADING
01. Point Percentage Grading for Both Academics and Work Habits:

100%-90% “A”
89%-80% “B”
79%-70% “C”
69%-60% “D”
59%- “F”

02. All points need to be made up if absent except “Participation” points

03. Ask teacher after class hours for missed and/or make-up work


04. Daily Participation: 1 point
a. Student participates in the group activity cooperatively
b. Student tries to follow proper procedures as taught by the teacher
c. Point taken away as a poor choice behavior consequence
d. This point does not need to made up if absent


05. Daily Quote (starting activity): 1 point
a. Students copy quote and write their own interpretation of the meaning
b. Short classroom discussion to help formulate answer
c. This activity done while listening to classical music of different composers

06. Composer Reports: points to be announced
a. 1 point for each completed page, 2 points for the personal reflection
b. Reports done in class with teacher guidance
c. Report based on a classical composer’s music listened in class during the quote activity


07. Tests and/or Quizzes: points to be announced

08. Theory Worksheets: 1 point per page (unless otherwise specified)
a. Theory work consists of note reading, rhythmic counting, musical form analysis, terminology, etc.
b. All worksheets to be discussed and worked on together in class


09. Musical Theatre (Opera) Notes/Reports/Quizzes: points to be announced.
a. Notes taken in class with teacher guidance
b. Students introduced to a famous musical (or opera)
c. Students watch, take notes, and discuss sections of the musical each week
d. Report and/or quiz at conclusion

10. Other assignments (instructional documentaries, demonstrations, etc.) to be announced.

SPECIAL NOTE ON GRADING
EVERY STUDENT SHOULD RECEIVE THE GRADE THEY WANT BECAUSE ALL POINTS CAN BE MADE UP.


EXAMPLES OF HOW TO MAKE UP MISSING POINTS:
01. RETAKING OR REDOING QUIZZES, TESTS, AND/OR ASSIGNMENTS UNTIL THE DESIRED POINTS RESULT
02. DOING MISSING ASSIGNMENTS
03. FINISHING INCOMPLETE WORK
04. USING MUTUALLY AGREED UPON (ARRANGED WITH THE TEACHER) REPLACEMENT ASSIGNMENTS
05. EXTRA CREDIT ARRANGED WITH THE TEACHER

(UP UNTIL ONE WEEK BEFORE EACH FORMAL GRADING PERIOD ANY MISSING POINTS CAN BE MADE UP)

SCHEDULES

WEEKLY SCHEDULE
01. This class will be taught in sections
02. There will be different days for different activities
03. Schedules may be altered as to specific instructional needs or holiday interruptions

IMPORTANT*****
ADDED INFORMATION ON RECORDERS
01. RECORDERS WILL BE SUPPLIED BY THE SCHOOL
02. EACH STUDENT WILL BE GIVEN A SOPRANO RECORDER.
03. SOME RECORDERS ARE NEW, OTHERS USED BUT CLEAN AND SANITIZED.
04. NO STUDENT WILL EVER SHARE RECORDERS WITH ANYONE ELSE.
05. STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUPPLY A LARGE ZIP-LOCK TYPE PLASTIC BAG TO KEEP THEIR RECORDER STORED IN WHEN NOT IN USE. THIS BAG IS TO BE REPLACED IF IT GETS TORN OR DIRTY.
06. RECORDERS WILL HAVE IDENTIFICATION LABELS PLACED AND KEPT ON THEM AT ALL TIMES
07. SCHOOL RECORDERS WILL REMAIN IN CLASS FOR SAFE STORAGE
08. ANYONE WHO WISHES TO HAVE THEIR OWN SOPRANO RECORDER INSTEAD OF USING THE ONE SUPPLIED BY THE SCHOOL WILL BE ALLOWED TO AS LONG AS THE RECORDER IS SIMILAR (IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THE EXACT BRAND) TO THE INSTRUMENT WE ARE USING IN CLASS AND HAS A STUDENT IDENTIFICATION LABEL ON IT.


Please have the following tear-off signed and returned to the teacher acknowledging that this document has been read and understood. I am looking forward to having a wonderful year!

Thank-You,
Miss Jacobson.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I have read over this music information with my child and understand its content.

Student Name: ___________________________________________________

Date: ________________________

Parent Signature: __________________________________________________

Parent Contact Information: ______________________________

Any questions?