Woodside School District

6th GRADE BAND 

This class is a required part of the 6th grade students' schedule. This class meets on Tuesday and Friday (either 6th or 7th period).

OBJECTIVES

• Music instruction is important to all students’ education.  Through musical experiences and performance students will learn to discover, think, feel, listen, and create. 
• Students will continue to develop their performance skills – demonstrating an understanding written and aural information. 
• Students will develop discipline in and commitment to music.
• Students will learn to listen to each other and work with others as members of the same team – each individual is equally important. 
• Students will develop an appreciation for music that will follow them throughout their lives.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

• Instrument and supplies
• Music (in a folder)
• Pencil (with an eraser)

These materials are important for active participation.  Regularly forgetting materials will affect a student’s grade.

Students will have one “free” opportunity to forget his/her instrument. After that, a student will begin to lose points toward their citizenship grade.

CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION

• Demonstrate active listening skills, patience, and respect.
• Be ready to play quickly and quietly. Have all materials you may need with you at your seat.
• Be focused! Every minute is valuable to our goal: working as a team toward a good performance.
• Keep the music room clean and class materials in their proper places.
• Practice rooms are for practicing.
• No food and no gum in the classroom.

CONCERTS/PERFORMANCES

Performing is one of the highlights of being a musician and the best way for students to show friends and family what they are learning.  There is a tentative performance schedule in this packet and on the website. You will be notified immediately if anything is added or changed.

Students are REQUIRED to attend ALL of their group’s performances scheduled throughout the school year!  Missing a performance will dramatically lower a student’s grade.  Performances missed because of a valid reason will require make-up work agreed upon by the director and the student.

ASSIGNMENTS & TESTS

Practice Charts:  Though it is best for musicians to practice EVERY day, students, in the required 6^th grade music class and the MS elective band are required to practice 45 minutes per week outside of class. A good breakdown for this recommended time is 3,15-minute sessions.  They may practice technical exercises, scales, ensemble music, solo music, or anything else they may have at home.  Practice charts will be turned in with a parent/guardian signature. Practice charts and due dates will be given when the class has gotten organized and we are in a nice routine. IF STUDENTS ARE DEDICATED TO IMPROVING, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS EXCEED THE 45 MINUTE REQUIREMENT.

Other possible assignments will include scale tests, skill tests (on music or technique), theory packets, and performance reflections.  These will be given based on the skills, needs, and schedules of each class.

GRADING

• Class Participation: If students participate actively (good behavior, focus, prepared with all materials) they will receive 10 class participation points for each class meeting. Points will be removed for not fulfilling all requirements. For example, 5 points will be removed for not bringing an instrument to class. Participation is the most important part of the grade and will also be reflected in the citizenship grade.
• Practice Charts: Students will not be able to achieve an “A” grade if he/she fails to turn in practice charts. Missing 1 or 2 will not be detrimental to the grade. Extra credit is possible with practice charts.
• Skill tests: It is important that students improve throughout the year, so there will be 2-3 skill tests each trimester. Students will be given one week or more to prepare for each skill test.