General Music Syllabus, 2017-18

Course Name / General Music / Course Code / 53.001001 (KK); 53.002001 (Gr. 1); 53.003001 (Gr. 2); 53.004001 (Gr. 3); 53.005001 (Gr. 4); 53.006001 (Gr. 5)
School Name / Pine Ridge Elementary / Teacher Name / Kristin Markiton
School Phone Number / 678-676-3402 (Main Office)
678-676-1729 (Mrs. Markiton’s Voice mail) / Teacher Email /
School Website / / Teacher Website / (Yes - Kristen with an “e” is not the correct spelling of my first name, but it DOES work.) Thanks!

Course Description

General Music is an introduction to music in which the students will receive differentiated instruction for the following Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-5 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 other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
  9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

Curriculum Overview

The following academic concepts will be covered. THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Unit 1 – Exploring Musical Elements (9 weeks)
Unit 2 – Building Musical Skills (9 weeks)
Unit 3 – Discovering Musical Horizons (9 weeks)
Unit 4 – Making Music Our Own (9 weeks)

BOARD-APPROVED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Title / Silver Burdett Making Music, grades K-5, 2008 edition
ISBN / 9-780382-365720
Replacement Cost / N/A – Textbooks will never be sent home with students
Online book and/or resources / N/A
Online student access code (school specific) / N/A

GRADING SYSTEM: The DeKalb County School District believes that the most important assessment of student learning shall be conducted by the teachers as they observe and evaluate students in the context of ongoing classroom instruction. A variety of approaches, methodologies, and resources shall be used to deliver educational services and to maximize each student’s opportunity to succeed. Teachers shall evaluate student progress, report grades that represent the student’s academic achievement, and communicate official academic progress to students and parents in a timely manner through the electronic grading portal. See Board Policy IHA.

GRADING CATEGORIES / *GRADE PROTOCOL
Pre-Assessments Prior to Learning (Formative Assessments) - 0%
Assessments During Learning – 25%
Guided, Independent, or Group Practice – 45%
Summative Assessments or Assessments of Learning– 30% / A90 – 100 ~P (pass)
B80 – 89 ~F (fail)
C71 – 79
D70
FBelow 70

Notes:

*English Learners (ELs) must not receive numerical or letter grades for the core content areas in elementary and middle school during their first year of language development. A grade of CS or CU must be assigned. This rule may be extended beyond the first year with approval from the EL Studies Program. English Learners must receive a grade for ESOL courses.

~Elementary schools will utilize P (pass) and F (fail) in Health/Physical Education, Music, World Languages, Visual Arts and Performing Arts.

DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS
STUDENT PROGRESS / Semester progress reports shall be issued four and a half, nine and thirteen and a half weeks into each semester. The progress of students shall be evaluated frequently and plans shall be generated to remediate deficiencies as they are discovered. Plans shall include appropriate interventions designed to meet the needs of the students. See Board Policy IH.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY / Students will not engage in an act of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating, providing false information, falsifying school records, forging signatures, or using an unauthorized computer user ID or password. See the Code of Student Conduct - Student Rights and Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook.
HOMEWORK / Homework assignments should be meaningful and should be an application or adaptation of a classroom experience. Homework is at all times an extension of the teaching/learning experience. It should be considered the possession of the student and should be collected, evaluated and returned to the students. See Board Policy IHB.
MAKE-UP WORK
DUE TO ABSENCES / When a student is absent because of a legal reason as defined by Georgia law or when the absence is apparently beyond the control of the student, the student shall be given an opportunity to earn grade(s) for those days absent. Make-up work must be completed within the designated time allotted. See Board Policy IHEA.
SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS / Students are expected to adhere to the Pine Ridge Elementary School Wide Discipline Plan. Classroom expectations and consequences are posted, and include the following:
  1. Follow directions the first time given.
  2. Wear school uniform daily.
  3. Keep hands, feet, and unkind words to yourself.
  4. Bring your materials to class daily.
  5. Stay seated unless you have permission to get up.
  6. Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged to speak.
  7. No electronic devices allowed except cell phones.
(Cell phones must be turned off and are to be kept in backpack unless your teacher gives permission for use.)
Consequences:
 First Offense  Verbal Warning
 Second Offense  Time out in Class (10 min.)
 Third Offense  Time out in Another Class (10 min.), Call to Parent, Reflective Writing Piece
 Fourth Offense  Detention with Teacher (before/after school, or during lunch)
 Fifth Offense  Referral to Administrator
CLASSROOM MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
CLASSROOM SUPPLY DONATIONS / Students are expected to bring their agenda to music class each time they come. All other materials and supplies for music class will be provided.
Donations are welcome and will be gladly accepted for the following classroom supplies used regularly by students:
 Tissue (Kleenex)
 Hand sanitizer
 Bags of single-serving candies, such as Starburst (no peanut products please)
EXTRA HELP / If your child is struggling with any of the concepts they will be assessed on for General Music, you may email Mrs. Markiton to schedule a time to meet for a group or one-on-one tutorial session.
PARENTS AS PARTNERS / Please check your child’s agenda planner on a daily basis to remain informed of assignments and/or academic or behavioral concerns. Also look through your child’s Take Home Tuesday Folder thoroughly, as this is how Music assignments will be sent home. Mrs. Markiton uses Class Dojo to track positive and negative classroom behaviors. If you are interested in joining Mrs. Markiton’s Class Dojo class, please send me an email requesting the secret passcode assigned to your child’s name.

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS PAGE AND RETURN TO MRS. MARKITON FOR EXTRA CREDIT

I have read the syllabus.

Student Signature______

Parent/Guardian Signature______

Date______

Additional information to support continued contact:

Information / Parent/Guardian
Day Time Phone Number
Cellular Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Email Address
Willing to Volunteer for Music Programs? Y N / If yes, please indicate your preferences for the type of volunteer service you could provide: (Check all circles that apply)
  • Volunteer Coordinator
  • Supervision during rehearsals
  • Supervision before a show
  • Clean-up after a show
  • Bring food, drinks, water on or before show day
  • Set Design/Painting/Construction
  • Costumes
  • Choreography
  • Photos/Video
  • Other:______