8t h Grade Exploring Music Mr. Boniello, Mr. Brewster and Mrs. Cuk
Welcome to 8t h Grade Exploring Music!
For your inal year of Exploring Music at the Middle School, we’ve planned many different units that will enable you to experience music through composing/arranging, playing keyboard and percussion instruments, and examining the development of song.
Here is a breakdown of the coming year:
1. Piano Unit ● Improvise and compose original works ● Review notation ● Develop keyboard skills ● Perform original works and works of others
2. Orff Ensembles and Drumming ● Learn to perform as an ensemble utilizing Orff and other percussion instruments ● Continue the journey through the World Music Drumming curriculum
3. History of Song ● Travel through history and trace the development of song as we know it today ● Activities will include composing a 12-bar blues piece and researching an in luential artist.
4. Film Scoring ● By listening to and watching various ilm clips, students will discover how ilm scoring has advanced from its beginnings to present day. ● Students will create original scores for short ilm clips.
Essential Questions:
● How can technology interact with our musical experiences? ● Why is musical notation important? How has musical notation developed throughout history? ● What skills are needed to play a musical instrument (electric guitar, piano, percussion), and how can we practice and perfect them? ● How has the development of song been influenced by changes in culture? ● What qualities must a musician possess in order to be considered influential? ● How does music portray meaning, emotion, themes, and ideas? ● How can we create music to reflect themes, ideas, passions, concepts, and styles? ● How is music related to other arts and subject areas?
Supplies
Students must bring the following supplies to class daily.
● Pencil and Pen (Students w ill be given a folder in class, and, we would recommend bringing in and keeping a few pens and pencils in this Exploring Music folder.)
Social Courtesies
● Arrive on time for class. Arriving late is disruptive, and you will miss pertinent class information. ● Respect each other by demonstrating polite and courteous behavior at all times, including during group and cooperative learning and instrument use. ● Come to class prepared with all supplies and materials. ● Do not chew gum in class or bring any liquid or food near the technology.
Exploring Music Quarterly Rubric
Rarely Sometimes Usually Always Grading Components
Class Preparation ● Arrives on time for class ● Exhibits a readiness for learning ● Follows beginning-of-class procedures as
appropriate to the current unit of study ● Prepares for class with pen and pencil, folder/envelope, additional class materials as necessary, and homework when assigned
1-5 6-10 11-14 15
Projects/Class Activities ● Completes all class projects/activities with a high attention to detail ● Demonstrates commitment to quality in all work ● Reflects on, assesses, and revises work in progress
25-29 30-34 35-39 40
Class Participation ● Engages actively in class by working well in groups and with various classmates ● Takes responsibility for the success of personal and group learning ● Treats instruments and equipment with respect and care, including appropriate clean up
31-34 35-39 40-44 45
Total: ______/100