6th Grade General Music News: August 26, 2014

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING IN MUSIC

CLASS?

.
We spent the first few weeks making sure the students
were able to read the treble staff and read, write, and play
three major scales on the keyboard. The average grade on the
written test was an A and they all scored an A on the key-
board playing test!
The students worked in collaborative learning teams as
they practiced their scales. Each student had a job: Facilitator,
Materials Manager, Sound Hound, Time Keeper, and Cheerleader.
Ask your child what job they had and to explain our teamwork sys-
tem.
Now that we have those tedious scales behind us we can
enjoy learning to play songs on the keyboard. The students
were able to choose the song or level they prefer and we are
working hard to learn a song by Thursday of this week, so we
can wrap up our Name That Tune unit, with the written test
next week (I posted a study guide on my web-site.)
We need donations of the following:
Candy for prizes (no gum, please)
Tissues (over 200 students a day rotate through my
class!)
Skittle and M&Ms for Bingo
Keep reading.


Questions and Answers
Q. Do the students receive grades in Related Arts Classes?
A. Yes, the students will receive a letter grade for each related arts
class rotation (Each rotation lasts six weeks. These include general
music, computer basics, digital communication, physical education,
wellness, and art.)
Music grades are based on: EFFORT, PARTICIPATION, AT-
TITUDE, and ASSESSMENTS (skills and written quizzes).
Skill tests are based on effort, participation, and attitude, NOT
talent.
All written assessments will be sent home, as well as posted on
Power School on-line, within one week of testing.
Each student will also perform songs on the mallet instruments
and keyboards for a grade. They will receive verbal feedback
after discussing the grading rubric. This grade will also be on-
line.

Q. Will the students perform?
A. General music is not a performance class. It is for exploration
and skill/interest development.

Q. Can students join choir or band?
A. 5th graders cannot due to scheduling with the band and choir
teachers. 6th graders may join band, if they pass ISTEP. The
6th Grade Choir class is full, but we will have opportunities after
school for singers in both 5th and 6th grade. Enrollment for 6th
grade band and choir takes place in the spring of the 5th grade
year. Mrs. Dolbeare is a Director for the Indianapolis Chil-
drens Choir and she has a Regional Choir that meets at Franklin
College on Tuesday evenings. Please contact her for more infor-
mation or visit their web-site at www.icchoir.org.
Discipline system: I generally give a warning to students who are not
being respectful of themselves, others, or the stuff. If a student
does not respond, then a time out, talking to in my office, parental
call home, or visit to the office for discipline with the administrators
such as in school suspension, etc. is the result.
Please call or e-mail if you have any more questions or need clarification.
Thanks!