General Music Syllabus K. Daniel, Instructor

Daniel Webster Middle School 11330 W. Graham Place Los Angeles, CA 90064

Contact Information Main office: 310 - 235 - 4600 Email: [email protected] Conference: Period 3 School website: http://webstermiddle.org

Greetings Musicians,

Welcome to General Music Class. I look forward to an exciting year exploring the music of many cultures, styles, time periods, and careers in music with you. Common Core? Yes. National and State Music Standards? Yes. Inter-disciplinary? Yes. Technology Connections? Yes. Ipad usage? Yes. Field trip? Yes. Guest Presenter (s)? Yes. Junior Achievement? Yes. Homework posted online via school website? Yes. Online content resources? Yes. Will you submit some assignments and projects digitally? Yes. Multiple opportunities to achieve mastery of learning? Yes! Is our learning goal mastery of skills? Yes.

Course Description

The textbook for the General Music standards based course is “Making Music” by Silver Burdett Ginn. Students will need headphones/earbuds and an adapter for use with synthesizer. The adapter costs $8 at the student store.

The major emphasis of General Music is to provide students with a variety of musical experiences and activities. The course develops the following skills: singing, dancing, listening, reading and writing music, and playing classroom instruments (synthesizer and piano, resonator bells, pitched and non-pitched percussion). Students grow in understanding the following big idea musical elements: rhythm, melody, form, tempo, dynamics, timbre or tone color, harmony, articulation, expression, and style. The course also develops discrimination and critical judgment in music that is heard or produced, and encourages interest in music from diverse cultures and historical periods. Lessons integrating technology also develop student musicianship. Students may attend after school rehearsals for tutoring and practice and may also serve the school by performing in select concerts. May repeat for credit. Grading Procedures:

Each assignment is of equal value on a scale of zero to one hundred and some assignments are rubric graded. A minimum of one grade per week is tallied to configure the final grade. Students are allowed ongoing opportunities to achieve mastery of skills. After School rehearsal is available on designated days for additional practice and assistance. Graded assignments include oral exams, performances, demonstration, written assessments (tests/quizzes), aural (listening) assessments, and special projects.

Some assignments are graded with the following scale.

A = 90 -100 % B = 79 - 89 % C = 68 - 78 % D = 50 - 67 % F = 0 - 49 %

Some assignments are graded with the following rubrics.

Instrument performance Assessment Rubric (i.e. rhythm instruments, resonator bells, synthesizer

4 = A (Excellent) 3 = B (Proficient) 2 = C (Partially Proficient) 1 = D (Needs Improvement)

Dance Rubric 4 = A (Excellent) 3 = B (Proficient) 2 = C (Competent/Partially Proficient) 1 = D (Developing/Needs improvement)

Vocal Assessment Rubric

3 = (Proficient) 2 = (Competent) 1 = (Needs Improvement)

For the keyboard/piano strand of the course, the John Thompson piano series is utilized. Students develop the skills necessary for playing piano literature and in reading music notation. Students study various composers and pianists (keyboardists), the history of keyboard instruments and develop discrimination and critical judgment in music that is heard or produced.

Work habits and Cooperation Behavior pact

1. Sit in assigned seat 2. Keep aisles clear of materials and body 3. Speak with permission 4. Listen with mouth closed. 5. Complete and submit class and homework on time 6. Be prompt. 4 or more unexcused tardies equal an unsatisfactory mark “U” Daily Classroom supplies each student needs

Colored pencils Highlighters (pink, yellow, green, red) Pocket dictionary Glue stick (s) Pencil sharpener with case for shavings No. 2 pencils Black or blue pens Erasers 2 ½- 3 inch ring binder Class dividers sheets/tabs with pockets College rule loose leaf paper

Donations, please: Printer paper and rewards for class goodie bag (pencils, pens, stickers, memo pads, bracelets, coupons, college rule paper, key chains, magnets, bracelets with positive sayings, etc.)

______Detach and return______

Ms. K. Daniel,

I and my scholar have read the General Music syllabus.

Date ______student name ______Period____

Parent name______Parent signature______

Parent email______Parent cell#______