Guitar

Guitar 1

Materials:                  Guitar (this will need to be approved by me)

                                    Folder

                                    Pencil with an eraser

                                    Extra set of guitar strings (if desired)

Learning Goals:         1. Guitar care, maintenance, and playing techniques.

2. Playing chords and various strumming patterns

3. Playing melodies

4. Learning basic music theory rules

Grading Policy:          Class participation/Practice Logs: 50%

                                    Tests/Quizzes: 50%

Class participation includes in class work, individual and group, promptness in completing tasks and following directions, and contributing to whole group activities and discussions. Students will receive a class participation grade each  six day cycle.

Tests/Quizzes will be given periodically to document student progress. There will be written and playing tests. Quizzes may or may not be counted in the student’s grade.        

Make-up Policy: Student must make up missed work within three school days of returning to school. This may require extra practice time to catch up. Anything they miss will be placed in the make up folder. All tests and quizzes will be made up as soon as possible and definitely within 5 school days.

Daily Expectations and Procedures:

1.      Students must arrive on time with their materials. (guitar, folder, pencil and textbooks)

2.      Bell ringer assignment will be posted on the board. Students are expected to begin bell work as soon as their guitar is tuned.

3.      Students should be ready to play any assigned material to the point that nerves will not hinder their playing.

4.      Each student is expected to give his/her best effort.

Practice Log:   To keep track of progress and goals each student will keep a practice log.

Each day a short practice assignment will be given to the class or a different assignment will be given to each student depending on their needs. Students should spend at least 15 minutes practicing each school day. A parent/guardian or another adult in the household must then sign indicating that your child practiced for at least 15 minutes. This can be broken up into 5 minute mini practice sessions. Shorter sessions that are focused are better than long sessions which can be full of frustration and down time.

Students should follow this practice schedule as a guideline for a 15 minute practice session.

First 5 minutes- Play something you know that you enjoy

Middle of practice session- Work on your assignment(s). If you get frustrated stop and take a break but come back and try again!

Last 5 minutes- Play something else that is enjoyable.

**Practice logs will be due Monday morning at the beginning of class. Ten points will be lost for each day the practice log is late. Practice logs may not be turned in more than one week late. At that point they lose their purpose.**

Classroom rules:

                        1. Be respectful, polite and cooperative (follow directions).

2. Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself.

3. Be on time and prepared.

4. Use good language.

5. Enter with an open mind and a positive attitude.

6. Begin tasks immediately and work diligently.

7. No food or drink except water in a closed bottle. (no gum)

Discipline Policy:

1. Students will first be given a verbal reminder when found to be breaking rules

    or expectations.

2.      If behavior does not stop after reminder, the student will be required to serve some time during lunch or detention period. The amount of time will depend on severity of misbehavior.

3. If students arrive without needed materials they will owe Mrs. Burnett minutes

     of their lunch period or detention period time (Mrs. Burnett’s choice). Please

     note that each student will be granted one pardon and not one pardon per item.

     I understand that we all have our moments of forgetfulness.

a.      Missing pencil = 1 minute

b.      Missing folder = 10 minutes

c.       Missing guitar= 20 minutes

4. Students that arrive late without a late pass and a legitimate reason will be

   required to serve detention time. They will owe me double the amount of

   minutes that they were late. Excessive tardiness will result in a trip to the office.

5. Students that talk excessively during class will also be required to serve a full

     period of detention.

6. Use of foul language or violence will result in an immediate trip to the office.

7.      If none of these steps ends the problem I will contact a parent or guardian.

*Two text books will be provided by the school. If they are lost or returned in bad shape the student will be charged for replacement.