Welcome to the HOMEWORK section of my web site. The only homework that
primary students (grades K-2) will ever bring home from music class will be
song lyrics to learn for planned performances. If this happens, parents will
be sent letters explaining the circumstances several weeks in advance.
All 3rd graders are required to own a soprano recorder (a small vertical
flute) to use in music class each week. They may purchase one at a music
store, or at the school ($6), or they can obtain one through a scholarship.
The children keep their recorders in their backpacks so they will always have
them on music lesson days. A third grader attending music class without the
recorder is a bit like attending math class without a pencil and paper. It
presents unnecessary challenges for the student.
Third graders are expected to practice at home regularly to earn their
stripes in music class. Please see the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
section of this web site for very specific information about recorder stripes.
Other assignments have to do with the music lessons as the year progresses.
In intermediate classes (Gr 3, 4, 5), it is sometimes required that written
work be completed at home for music lessons. Students are always given at
least a week in which to complete each assignment. Chorus students have
lyrics to memorize. Violin and Advanced Recorder Ensemble students have
practicing to do on a daily basis. Even if the child never intends to be a
professional musician (and most don't, of course!), the self discipline that
practicing music regularly provides is a very valuable side product of being
a part of a performing group.
Please see FAQ for more information and feel free to call, email or write a
note to Mrs. Johns if you have questions about your child's assignments. She
does have several hundred students to care for, but your child is just as
important to her as all of the others. Her goal is success for each and
every student as s/he thoroughly enjoys learning in her classroom.
Music Education grades are earned as follows.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ACADEMIC GRADES
SATISFACTORY:
Student listens appropriately and participates in class discussions
and activities when asked to by the teacher and is usually prepared
for class (brings recorder in 3rd gr)
Student sings at appropriate times in appropriate ways.
Student demonstrates average knowledge and understanding of the subject
matter.
Student turns in completed homework.
UNSATISFACTORY:
Student does not listen appropriately and does not participate in class
discussions and activities when asked to by the teacher and is
usually not prepared for class.
Student does not sing at appropriate times or in appropriate ways.
Student does not demonstrate average knowledge/understanding of subject
matter.
Student does not turn in completed homework.
OUTSTANDING:
Student listens appropriately and volunteers to participate in class
discussions/activities and is always prepared for class (i.e., brings
recorder in 3rd gr).
Student sings/plays at appropriate times in appropriate ways,
demonstrating age-appropriate musical techniques.
Student demonstrates a superior knowledge and understanding of the
subject matter.
Student turns in completed homework on time every time.
Student may share information or skills with the class that have not been
requested such as newspaper articles about musicians or music
activities in the community, descriptions of performances s/he has seen,
demonstrations of how to make/play a musical instrument, original
compositions, etc.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EFFORT GRADES
An effort grade is given according to how well the student follows the rules
and also the amount of effort s/he puts into the learning experiences. The
following are the rules of behavior in K-5 Music Education at Lakeview.
A student is expected to be:
W arm and friendly.
I n his or her own space.
N eat and responsible.
N ow on task.
E ager to try.
R aising her or his hand to speak.
SATISFACTORY: The student follows rules appropriately most of the time and
participates in class discussions and activities when requested to by the
teacher.
GOOD: The student almost always follows rules without reminders and also
volunteers to participate in class discussions and activities regularly.
EXCELLENT: The student puts forth exceptional effort to follow the rules
and adds to class discussions/activities willingly during nearly every
class of the grading period. Participation in advanced musical activities
such as Chorus does not automatically earn an OE, but it does demonstrate
extra effort and will be reflected in the effort grade.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: The student puts forth little to no effort to participate
appropriately and does not follow the rules during the majority of classes in
the grading period.
UNSATISFACTORY: The student consistently puts forth little to no effort to
participate in class discussions and activities and refuses to follow the
rules to the point that she or he is disrupting class on a regular basis and
interfering with other students' learning.
An "N" or a "U" is like a "D" or an "F" and indicates a consistent lack of
achievement throughout the grading period. Earning these grades will keep a
child from qualifying for Honor Roll.
Our music teacher works very hard to help every child achieve at his/her best
during every music lesson. Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher if
they have questions or concerns. Every Lakeview Lancer is capable of doing
his or her best, and it is our mission to help each one accomplish that!
karen_johns@sarasota.k12.fl.us
