Syllabus for Mrs. Adkins Waterloo Middle School

Transcription

1 Syllabus for Mrs. Adkins Waterloo Middle School The following class procedures and policies are in effect for all middle school band classes. Please read through carefully with your children. Waterloo Middle School Band GOALS and OBJECTIVES: Foster and develop a life-long appreciation, understanding and love for music as a means of self-expression, communication, hobby and/or career. Provide opportunities for students to become independent, instrumental musicmakers and thinkers, possessing the skills to expressively and creatively communicate musical ideas to listeners, as well as appreciate the music performed by others. In addition, I believe strongly in the National Standards for Music Education established by MENC: The National Association for Music Education, as skills no student should grow up without the ability to achieve. These 9 standards will be addressed in various assignments and activities and assessments will measure students progress towards achieving them. MENC National Standards for Music 1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments. 4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines. 5. Reading and notating music. 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. 7. Evaluating music and music performances. 8. Understanding relationships between music, the arts, and disciplines outside the arts. 9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture. About the music class: Tests will be based on material presented in class, and on assigned readings. Class will be supplemented with aural examples and other pertinent items. Questions and related discussion are encouraged; however, socializing and insubordination are unacceptable. Remember that we are a professional musical ensemble, and we must behave as such. Your growth as a musician depends upon how you apply yourself to learning and knowing. There are no shortcuts to learning music--especially in the development of technique, endurance, and aural skills. You must work at it every day. You must be able to recall and recognize key signatures, scales, rhythms, etc. instantly and automatically. These are the tools you need to continue to work at to succeed throughout the year.

2 Grading Policy Each quarter, students will be graded on the following criteria: Participation / rehearsal skills (40%) Students will be given a daily grade of 2 points each day they come to class and give 100% effort and follow expectations, for a weekly total of 10 points. This also includes correct marking of music, appropriate behavior, care and maintenance of instruments, care of the room, and punctuality to rehearsals. Points are deducted if a student forgets their instrument, music, or any other required materials. Students also lose points for not following the clear expectations of the class. Students should come to class with a positive attitude and be ready to try their best. Showing mutual respect and following directions will guarantee an A for effort. In Class Assignments (30%) We will have regular performance tests. The playing test will consist of either a scale or an excerpt of music determined by the director. These tests will occur on alternating Fridays throughout the year. Also included in this category is written assignments. These might be rhythm worksheets, fingering quizzes, vocabulary, and any other in class materials that enhance student learning. Performances (25%) Performances are worth 20 % of a student s quarter grade. All concerts are mandatory. Excused absences must have a note from a parent/guardian. Excused absences are family emergencies, illness, and other extenuating circumstances. If students are unable to practice at home, they make make an appointment to stay after school to practice. After school practice is available from 2:45-3:15pm M, W, F. Students must be picked up promptly at 3:15 outside door #7 (the band room doors). Please ask at least one day in advance to stay incase the teacher is unavailable. Music Notebook. (5%) This is a 1-1 1/2 three ring binder. This will keep student music, worksheets, progress reports, important notes to parents and other information. If you get the binder with a pocket on the inside, your band book and pencil will fit inside the pocket. This notebook and should contain ONLY items that apply to Band. (i.e. no materials from Science, Math, English, etc.) You will keep this notebook throughout middle school band and possibly high school. The Music Notebook will be evaluated and graded by Mrs. Adkins at least once every quarter, so be sure to keep it neat and organized. You should check your notebook periodically to be sure that it contains all of the required items.

3 ITEMS NEEDED FOR BAND Order forms are available on the teacher website, handed out in class, or you may purchase on your own. An instrument in excellent playing condition. All percussionists are required to supply their own snare sticks and practice pad. BOOKS: Technique and Musicianship by Bruce Pearson/Ryan Nowlin Kjos publisher (8th Grade) Essential Elements 2000 Book 2-Hal Leonard Publishing (7th Grade) Sound Innovations for Concert Band Book 1 (Alfred Publisher) Instrument maintenance equipment (oils/creams, cleaners, cloths, extra reeds). Band Tshirt and black bottoms. Black pants/skirt, black dress shoes. A three ring binder with clear plastic sheet protectors. The kind with pockets on the inside work best to keep all materials together. Pencil (Not Pen). Have several. Keep them in your instrument cage. Index cards for use as instrument fingering/note/vocabulary flashcards The Three B s of Band Class: Be quiet, be ready Be appropriate Be a good citizen Hopefully all classroom issues would be resolved by the three B s. I try to remain positive- since this is a fun environment- but we do have work to do. If more clarification is necessary beyond the 3 B s, see below. My goal is to develop productive citizens of our community by teaching students to always go above and beyond what is expected of them.

4 Class Expectations: Students are on time to class. Students need to use the restroom outside of class time. (We are too far from the bathroom to leave in between- outside of emergencies.) Students are prepared with instrument, book, notebook, pencil and music. Students remain quiet while the director is talking or the group is playing/singing. Students demonstrate proper posture and playing position. Students put materials away at the end of class and keep the room clean. Students are respectful (to each other and to teacher). Students participate in class discussion and activities. Students do not chew gum. Consequences: Students will lose points as necessary. Sometimes it is productive to send a student to the hallway to calm down. (Students will be brought back in a few minutes. It is not my plan to have them miss any time making music.) Excessive disruption will result in a detention. Phone call/ home to parent. Visit to principal office if student behavior is uncontrollable. School instrument usage fee: Band Fees If you use a school instrument- any instrument that you borrow from Waterloo Middle School and not a music store- we ask that you pay a YEARLY maintenance fee to help defray the cost of repairs/replacement of that instrument. Percussion, tuba, euphonium, french horn, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, and any other instrument borrowed (trombone, trumpet, coronet, clarinet, flute) from the school is included. Fee: $40.00 Cash or Checks made to Waterloo Music Boosters. Please turn in to Mrs. Adkins in a marked envelope by Friday 10/30/15. (The end of the first quarter) Band Uniform Shirt An order form for band tshirts (to wear with black pants for our concert) is attatched. These will be $10. The shirt is burgundy with the band logo.

5 Supply orders through Mrs. Adkins All money must be turned in to Mrs. Adkins in an envelope clearly marked with name and purpose. Students may purchase reeds, books, or other supplies through the Music Boosters. We use a variety of music stores to fill our orders, mostly Pellegrino Music in Canton. A price list/order form can be picked up in the band room. Please include that in your envelope with payment. Teacher/ Parent Communication: I like technology, and trees. I will do everything possible to communicate without paper as much as possible. I know that I lose papers in the shuffle, but do not ignore an alert in my phone! Some people still prefer sticking something to the refrigerator. Please let me know in the first week of school which way you prefer to communicate. aadkins@viking.portage.k12.oh.us Phone: Facebook: Waterloobands Lesson plans are online and updated weekly. We will also be using an online grading program in our district this year. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

6 Student Info Form Please return this form to Mrs. Adkins by September 4, Student Name: Grade Bday By returning this form I agree that we have read the information included in the syllabus. Please send me electronic information Please send me paper copies Sometimes we will do activities that will be photographed or videotaped to show our progress and school spirt. I would like to know if I may use the students photos on our school website/band Facebook (without their names listed, groups of 3+ students). Yes my student s photo may be used on the school website/band facebook. Please do not use my student s photo on the school website/band facebook. Parent Parent Name Parent phone Mailing Address I Can Help MUSIC BOOSTERS with: Meetings on 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm HS MEDIA CENTER Uniform Committee (check out, alteration, organization) Cookies for band students (home football games) JV Football Game Concessions (Saturday morning) 7/8 Football Game Concession (Wednesday afternoon) Boys Soccer Concession Girls Soccer Concession Collect/organize fundraisers Sell Tshirts/cd/raffle tickets etc. at concerts Cookies for concert receptions End of year Awards Banquet Music Booster Officer

7 Name: Grade: MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND UNIFORM T SHIRT: Burgandy t shirt with this design on center of chest. Please indicate size of shirt. If any parents or family members would also like to order shirts/hooded sweatshirt, feel free to add those sizes in on this order. YS YM YL AS AM AL AXL A2XL (+$3) Checks payable to Waterloo Music Boosters Tshirt $10.00 Hoodie $25.00 Number and Size of shirts: Total Enclosed: Order 1 due 9/7/15 Order 2 due 10/5/15