ILMS 5th& 6thGrade Band Expectations

2015-2016

Attendance: Students must be in every class session when they are at school. Exceptions only apply with prior discussions with parents and teachers. Class schedules vary based on class development. Schedules will be posted outside the band room and given to classroom teachers. If you skip class I will not come looking for you, the principals will. Band is a year-long course.

Preparedness: You need to be ready to play the assignment that was given and have your instrument (with reeds, mouthpiece, valve oil, etc.) a pencil andyour book.

Concert Attendance: This is required. It is like the test you have in your math class. A concert is our way of having a test over what you have learned. If you miss your test you have to make it up. All concerts are at the ILHS Auditorium. Dress for the concerts is as follows:

Boys: dress shirt, TIE, dress pants, nice shoes

Girls: dress, skirt or pants with a nice top and nice shoes

Please avoid jeans and tennis shoes.

If you miss a concert you must play your concert music for me or you will not receive credit for the concert. Attendance is mandatory.

Concert Dates

Winter Concert (6-12)December 177:30pm

Spring Concert (5-12)May 127:30pm

Class Behavior and Participation: As in any class, you are expected to be on your best behavior and this especially important in band, so you know what is going on at all times. Band is all about participation, like a team sport, you must participate and in band this means by playing your music and/or doing any activity in class when you are asked.

Practice Journals: If you do these honestly, they will make you better at what you do! It is also a great way for you and I to see how hard you have been working. 60 minutes is required per week.Try daily chunks of 10-15 minutes! Journals are due every Monday. The due dates for Mid-Term and Final grades are marked on your journal each grading period.

Class Grade: Will be based on the following criteria per grading period:

  • Practice journals (20 points per week – 180 points total)
  • Class attendance, participation and behavior (100 points)
  • Playing Quizzes (25 points per quiz – based on performance rubric)
  • Concert Attendance (May only – 100 points)

Band Bucks: Students can earn “band bucks” to use toward prizes and incentives in the classroom. Each student will receive a band bucks “debit card” will be used as a sticker card to keep track of band bucks earned and punched as band bucks are redeemed. Students are responsible for their own card. There will be no replacements for lost cards.

For Practice Journals

5 BB – On Time (Monday of Each Week)

3 BB – By Friday of the Week Due

1 BB – Before the End of the Grading Period

Band Bucks will also be given periodically to students for the following:

  • Good posture
  • Being prepared for class (ready to play what has been assigned)
  • Demonstrating a performance technique for the class
  • Good behavior
  • Random Acts of Kindness

Smart Music: For purposes of documenting student growth and assessment, we will be using Smart Music in the classroom. It is also available for student use at home for a small annual subscription fee. I encourage you and your child to download the demo and give it a try!

  • Choose to play along with thousands of pieces in the SmartMusic library (including our book)
  • Learn how their part fits within the ensemble through accompaniment
  • SmartMusic listens as you play, giving you instant feedback on assessable files
  • Students move at your own pace by controlling the tempo and clicktrack with subdivisions
  • Isolate difficult phrases of any length with the loop tool
  • Record and play back your practice sessions for self-assessment
  • Send MP3 recordings to family members and friends
  • Solo repertoire accompaniment follows spontaneous tempo changes

Teacher/Band Website: The website is full of resources, updates about assignments, enrichment tools and what we are covering in class. A few things you will find:

  • Instructional videos
  • Video performances of master musicians
  • Class updates
  • Software and Printables
  • Games
  • Articles (Music and Science, Tips for Parents, etc.)

School Teacher Pages Morissa Sweeney

If your child needs extra help or enrichment activities, please let us know. We would be happy to get your child what he/she needs.

Thank you!

Mrs. 3, ext. 3303

Mr. 1, ext. 4409