Coan Middle School Orchestra Syllabus for grades 6, 7, and 8th

Ms. Bridgette Yancy Room # 205 R Coan Middle School at East Lake 145 Fourth Avenue, SE Atlanta, GA 30317 (404) 802-6600 e-mail: byancy@atlanta.k12.ga.us Planning Period: 3:05 4:05 pm daily. My days that are open for parent conferences during my planning period are Mondays and Thursdays due to other meetings that might occur throughout the week. Parent Conference Policy: Please call the main office or e-mail me directly to setup a conference. Please schedule all conferences at least 24 hours ahead of time or more. Tutorial Schedule: The after-school orchestra tutorial schedule will begin at the same time that the After-School All-stars program begins so that students will have access to an after-school bus. My normal tutorial day will be Wednesdays from 4:30 5:30 pm in room 205R. The starting date will be announced later.

Course Description Orchestra is a year-round course which requires a commitment of at least one year of enrollment. The Georgia

Performance Standards for orchestra are designed to be used in heterogeneous string classes in grades four through twelve. The standards are based on the MENC National Standards for Music Education and are designed to provide a sequential and developmental framework for students from beginning through the mastery level. They are arranged in four major categories: Skills and Techniques/Performance, Creation, Critical Analysis/Investigate and Cultural and Historical Context. The standards are organized into the following levels: beginning orchestra, intermediate string orchestra, and advanced orchestra.
Coan Middle School is focusing on differentiated instruction to meet the varying needs of our students.

Units of Study

MMSBO.1 Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music a. Demonstrate the ability to match pitch and adjust intonation. b. Demonstrate an understanding of phrasing through singing simple melodies. c. Discuss the relationship between singing and quality tone production on a string instrument. MMSBO.2 Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music a. Demonstrate correct left hand position and finger placement, right hand position (bow hold), posture, instrument position and bow placement. b. Produce a characteristic sound using legato, staccato, slurs, detached slur, accent, and pizzicato. c. Utilize correct finger patterns in performing scales and repertoire in the keys of D, G, and C. d. Demonstrate awareness of individual and group roles within the ensemble relating to balance, blend, dynamics, phrasing, and tempo. MMSBO.3 Reading and notating music a. Identify notes in the staff and on ledger lines of respective clef. b. Read and notate notes within the following key signatures: D, G, and C. c. Read and notate rhythms containing whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, dotted half notes and their corresponding rests in the time signatures of 4/4, 3/4, and 2/4. d. Recognize basic symbols for dynamics, tempo, articulation, and expression as used in corresponding literature.

Grading Policy Classwork, Journals - 25% Unit Tests, Semester Exams - 15% Quizzes - 25% Projects, Portfolios, Labs - 25% Homework - 10% TOTAL 100%

Classroom Rules Respect yourself and others. Use appropriate language and volume at the right time. Listen to and follow all instructions. Excellence only: come prepared to learn. Stay seated unless you have permission to move around the room.

Coan Disciplinary Plan 1st Offense: Warning / Student Conference 2nd Offense: Parent Contact-Complete Reflection 3rd Offense: One (1) hour after-school detention 4th Offense: Two (2) hour after-school detention 5th Offense: Parent Conference and Counselor Referral SERIOUS OFFENSE: Administrative Referral

Parent Communication. Parent letters regarding concerts and after-school practice schedule will be sent monthly with each student. Phone calls will be made to parents as needed for discipline problems and failing grades. Deficiency notices will be sent home in the students agenda. Please allow up to 24 hours for phone calls and e-mails to be returned. Homework assignments will be recorded in the students agenda and grades are updated on infinite camp us on a weekly basis. Grading Scale A = 90 - 100 B = 80 - 89 C = 70 - 79 F = 0 - 69 Course Requirements The criterion for promotion to the next grade level is as follows: The student must pass four subjects each semester. Language Arts and Mathematics must be two of the subjects passed. Two nineweek connections classes are equivalent to a one-semester course. Students should aim to pass orchestra to gain the credit each semester so that they may have enough credits to be promoted. Students are expected to remain in orchestra for the entire year and to perform on all concerts. Students should ideally remain in orchestra from 6-8th grade and then participate with their High School Orchestra. Academic Goals

Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to play a string instrument of their choice: violin, viola, cello, or string bass. Students will learn how to read music, attain the correct posture and playing position for their instrument, and produce a quality sound on their instrument. The students will present concerts collectively as a group throughout the school year. In working towards this academic goal, the students will learn how to play at a steady beat individually and collectively as a group. By setting a firm foundation in music performance, the students will be able to continue on the high school level and beyond, which will lead to scholarship opportunities in college and career opportunities in the music industry.

Homework Policy All homework assignments must be turned in on the due date. Unexcused late homework assignments will be deducted by ten points for everyday they are late. There will be a homework assignment given every week that will be due at the end of the week on every A day.

Homework Philosophy The application of homework within almost every learning activity is a valuable means of reinforcement and evaluation. It is the teachers role to define such assignments and the responsibility of the students to complete them on time. Parents must also assume their responsibility in regard to student homework; therefore, proper communication between the home and the school are vital in establishing assignments, which can significantly contribute to the overall educational process.

Assignments All assignments must be submitted by the given due date and are due at the beginning of the class period. All homework is due the next day unless otherwise stated. Students may not leave class to retrieve homework, projects, or other assignments unless an emergency pass is used. Late Assignments/Missed Work Any assignments not received on or before the due date are considered late. In order to receive credit for any missed assignment, students must have an excusable absence, tardy, or early dismissal. It is the students responsibility to check with the teacher regarding any late/missed assignments and their due date. Late writing assignments, projects or other major assignments will begin at 75% with 25 points deducted every day after, pending teacher discretion. Cheating/Plagiarism Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic grade of zero. This includes copying homework, classwork, test answers, talking during a test or quiz, allowing someone to copy your work, and trying to pass off someone elses work as your own. Texts Used Essential Elements for Strings 2000, book one with CD and DVD published by Hal Leonard

Required Materials

Notebook, Pencil, School uniform, Instrument rental or purchase, Music stand, two-pocket folder, textbook, rosin, and extra strings for your instrument. If you are able to rent or buy your own instrument, that will be the most ideal method of learning and refining skills on your instrument.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the course syllabus for Orchestra

Student Signature

Date

Parent Signature

Date