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In these opening few weeks of the 1st quarter, students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades have been introduced to a growth mindset attitude regarding music class. So far, the specific attitudes have included I will Focus, I will Listen, I will Work Hard, and I will learn. In addition, the classes are playing boomwhackers in 8 beat patterns that sometimes they even write themselves. They are making connections that the music symbols translate into the sounds we produce in small groups and in whole class activities.
We also take time to prepare for the singing at the monthly school Masses -- praying in community and singing in thanksgiving to God.
Music grades for students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 are based primarily on attendance and participation. In addition, some evaluations will be included periodically. The Christmas and Spring Concerts are mandatory events/evaluations because they are primary to our school culture. (dates are on school calendar)
Two grades will be entered into the grade book after every class. One is always for participation (A, B, C, D or F), and the other will be determined by the "I Can" statement of the day.
Participation grades:
A - Student is attentive and cooperative. Student is helpful to the teacher and other students as necessary.
B - Student is cooperative and mostly attentive. Student needs occasional redirection to focus on task at hand.
C - Student is present in the room, but student is not always following class procedure, prohibiting others from doing their work, and/or not fully participating with the other students.
D - Student is uncooperative and disrespectful of the class procedures. Student is misusing music room supplies or prohibiting others from doing their work.
F - Student is not participating in class, i.e. sleeping or engaged in other activity.
Student work will not need to be made up for classroom absences, but any absence means that the other grades end up being worth more in the final grade calculation.