Sunset Middle School Band Syllabus
Instructor: Mr. Whisman
303-776-3963 (Sunset)
sunsetmsband.weebly.com
email is the most efficient way to communicate with me at
[email protected]
Units of Study
Band is broken into four basic units for our four concerts that we perform throughout the year. The band classes at all grades are taught on a repeating cycle that includes theory, performance, history/culture, and creativity, with each cycle getting more precise. In other words, eighth graders are still continuing to play and read notes that they learned in sixth grade, but to a much higher level of performance expectation and level of difficulty than sixth graders.
Homework/Assignments/Projects/Assessments
For all grades of band, there will be some assignment grades that will lead students into assessments. All grades will be doing theory assignments each quarter and will have a theory assessment at the end of each quarter. They will also be turning in practice cards twice each quarter leading into two playing assessments at the end of each quarter. Along with these assignments, we will be doing a theme concert unit for third quarter and all students will be required to do a major project on the subject of the chosen theme. This project will be done at home with more detailed information at the beginning of third quarter.
Grading
Assignments make up 30% of a student's grade. Those assignments will consist of theory work which should be able to be done in class, and practice card grades which is our "homework" for band. Assessments will make up 70% of the student's grade. There will be at least two playing assessments each quarter and one theory assessment. All after school rehearsals and concerts are also graded as assessments. Attendance for those after school rehearsals and concerts is mandatory for all students. It is very important that students turn in every assignment and assessment for band as there are not that many. Students that turn in all of their work usually get good grades for class.
Materials/Fees
It is expected that students have their instruments, their music, and a pencil every day in class. If they are not going to participate for some reason, it is expected that they have a note from home explaining why. While it is understandable that we all forget things every once in awhile, it is frustrating to have students sitting during rehearsal. I feel that if a student is in school, then they need to be participating in class. The district fee for music classes is $20.00 for the whole year. You do not have to pay double if you are in two music classes. I would like for everyone to get their fees paid by the end of first quarter. You can pay online or you can pay in the office with a check. Please take care of this responsibility quickly so that we can go ahead and make purchases for the school year. The money collected from fees goes to help us buy new music, new equipment, consumables, etc.
Classroom Expectations
All of the expectations in band are based on mutual respect. Be RESPONSIBLE by turning in all of your work and seeking help when you need it.
Be RESPONSIBLE by practicing and learning your music so that the band will sound as good as we can. Be RESPONSIBLE by having your materials each day and coming to class with a positive attitude, ready to learn. Be CARING by being kind to your fellow classmates and your teacher. Be CARING with what you say and how you behave. Be CARING by realizing that we are all different and learn in different ways. Be OPEN MINDED by stating your thoughts but also listening to other's thoughts and opinions. Be OPEN MINDED by trying to be better than you were the day before. Be OPEN MINDED by knowing that you don't have all the answers and trusting your teacher to help you through any problems that come up.
iPad/Phone Expectations
It is a privilege to be able to use our iPads to help us learn about the music that we are playing and how to read it. However, we will only use them on certain days and times. When we are not using them, I will expect that iPads and phones will be placed into the student's band lockers as soon as they enter the room. I don't want them on or in use anywhere in the room unless we are using them as a class. NO PHONES OR IPADS ARE TO BE IN OUR CLASS SETUP WITHOUT PERMISSION. THEY ARE TO BE PLACED IN LOCKERS AS SOON AS THEY ENTER THE ROOM. If students can't meet this expectation, the first time, I will just hold onto their iPad or phone for them for the rest of class. If I have to take it a second time I will need to have the student's parents come in and pick up their iPad or phone.
Instructor: Mr. Whisman
303-776-3963 (Sunset)
sunsetmsband.weebly.com
email is the most efficient way to communicate with me at
[email protected]
Units of Study
Band is broken into four basic units for our four concerts that we perform throughout the year. The band classes at all grades are taught on a repeating cycle that includes theory, performance, history/culture, and creativity, with each cycle getting more precise. In other words, eighth graders are still continuing to play and read notes that they learned in sixth grade, but to a much higher level of performance expectation and level of difficulty than sixth graders.
Homework/Assignments/Projects/Assessments
For all grades of band, there will be some assignment grades that will lead students into assessments. All grades will be doing theory assignments each quarter and will have a theory assessment at the end of each quarter. They will also be turning in practice cards twice each quarter leading into two playing assessments at the end of each quarter. Along with these assignments, we will be doing a theme concert unit for third quarter and all students will be required to do a major project on the subject of the chosen theme. This project will be done at home with more detailed information at the beginning of third quarter.
Grading
Assignments make up 30% of a student's grade. Those assignments will consist of theory work which should be able to be done in class, and practice card grades which is our "homework" for band. Assessments will make up 70% of the student's grade. There will be at least two playing assessments each quarter and one theory assessment. All after school rehearsals and concerts are also graded as assessments. Attendance for those after school rehearsals and concerts is mandatory for all students. It is very important that students turn in every assignment and assessment for band as there are not that many. Students that turn in all of their work usually get good grades for class.
Materials/Fees
It is expected that students have their instruments, their music, and a pencil every day in class. If they are not going to participate for some reason, it is expected that they have a note from home explaining why. While it is understandable that we all forget things every once in awhile, it is frustrating to have students sitting during rehearsal. I feel that if a student is in school, then they need to be participating in class. The district fee for music classes is $20.00 for the whole year. You do not have to pay double if you are in two music classes. I would like for everyone to get their fees paid by the end of first quarter. You can pay online or you can pay in the office with a check. Please take care of this responsibility quickly so that we can go ahead and make purchases for the school year. The money collected from fees goes to help us buy new music, new equipment, consumables, etc.
Classroom Expectations
All of the expectations in band are based on mutual respect. Be RESPONSIBLE by turning in all of your work and seeking help when you need it.
Be RESPONSIBLE by practicing and learning your music so that the band will sound as good as we can. Be RESPONSIBLE by having your materials each day and coming to class with a positive attitude, ready to learn. Be CARING by being kind to your fellow classmates and your teacher. Be CARING with what you say and how you behave. Be CARING by realizing that we are all different and learn in different ways. Be OPEN MINDED by stating your thoughts but also listening to other's thoughts and opinions. Be OPEN MINDED by trying to be better than you were the day before. Be OPEN MINDED by knowing that you don't have all the answers and trusting your teacher to help you through any problems that come up.
iPad/Phone Expectations
It is a privilege to be able to use our iPads to help us learn about the music that we are playing and how to read it. However, we will only use them on certain days and times. When we are not using them, I will expect that iPads and phones will be placed into the student's band lockers as soon as they enter the room. I don't want them on or in use anywhere in the room unless we are using them as a class. NO PHONES OR IPADS ARE TO BE IN OUR CLASS SETUP WITHOUT PERMISSION. THEY ARE TO BE PLACED IN LOCKERS AS SOON AS THEY ENTER THE ROOM. If students can't meet this expectation, the first time, I will just hold onto their iPad or phone for them for the rest of class. If I have to take it a second time I will need to have the student's parents come in and pick up their iPad or phone.