General Music 8 Course Outline Mrs. Vallas
10 Week Course- Meets everyday
FOCUS: Use active participation to achieve desires goals.
“Talking about music is like dancing about architecture.” -Elvis Costello
GOALS: • Students will identify the treble and Bass clef signs and the pitch names of the lines and spaces of both. • Students will read, practice and perform simple melodies on the piano. • Students will write original melodies and perform them on the piano. • Students will create a musical composition using all of the music elements in the Mixcraft music software program. • Students will identify the elements of musical theatre and compare and contrast a musical and the literary work that inspired it.
UNITS of STUDY
Basic Music Theory Review rhythm symbols from Grade 7 Notes of the Treble and Bass clef
Keyboarding (Piano) Learn the note names of the keys on the keyboard Learn to play melodies on the keyboard Compose a melody and play it on the keyboard
Mixcraft Software Review and learn advanced features of the Mixcraft software Create original compositions with given criteria.
American Musical Theatre Learn a brief history and the elements of Musical Theatre Compare and contrast literary works and the musicals they inspired.
World Music Drumming Continue learning from seventh grade. STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: Show Respect. - Students will demonstrate appropriate respect toward music and others. - No rude comments about other students, the teacher, or the music. - Thou shall not interfere with another student’s education. - Students will come to class prepared with materials and an open mind. Work Hard. - Students will give efort and try their best at all activities presented. - Students will participate in all music making activities.
CONSEQUENCES: To help students adjust negative behaviors I will follow a step warning process. • Verbal warning and write student name on board • Add a check mark if behavior continues • After two check marks I will contact the parent • If this approach does not change the negative behaviors displayed in class other disciplinary measures will be taken. ex. Teacher Detention, Lunch Detention, or Principal’s Detention.
MATERIALS NEEDED: A folder a few pieces of lined notebook paper and something to write with. Bring to class everyday!
GRADING:
• Active participation in class. • Composition assessments. • Final assessments on units presented. • Student and teacher driven Rubric assessments on performances.
MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: • All students can learn. • Music is all around us in our everyday lives. As members of this rich musical culture we should be able to understand the basics of music so that we can be well educated music consumers and audience members.