Sixth Grade Music

 Sixth grade music is a 13 week course in which students will be learning about rhythm, melody, and tone color.

By the end of the course the student will...

1. Define music, noise, beat, rhythm, time signature, meter, melody, pitch, frequency, and other pertinent terms to our learning units.

 2. Read, compose, and perform rhythms in four-four time, three-four time, two-four time, and six-eight time using given notes and rests.

3. Read, compose, and perform melodies in the treble clef on xylophones and pianos.

4. Determine methods of sound production on various band and orchestra instruments.

5. Group band and orchestra instruments into correct families and tell why each instrument belongs in that family.

6. Listen to music of various styles and write two sentences about each musical excerpt  describing something about the music or giving a personal reaction to the music.

Grading Policy: Class participation: 20%

                            Projects: 40%

                            Tests/Quizzes: 40%

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

§         Projects are a significant part of music class. These will mainly be worked on inside of class time although students are encouraged to put more time into them outside of class.

§         Homework may be given periodically to reinforce concepts and give students practice. It should not ever take more than ten minutes.

§         Tests will be given at the end of each unit. Quizzes may be given periodically to check for understanding. Students may or may not know that a quiz is being given. Quizzes may or may not be graded.

Make-up Policy: When they return to school students have 3 school days to make up any class work or homework they missed. They should check the make-up folder outside my door to find the work they missed. Tests and some in class performances will be made up, however quizzes will not. Tests must be made up within a week of return to school. Students that are absent on project work days will need to make up those work days by either coming in during lunch or during detention period.

Daily Expectations and Procedures:

1.      Students must arrive on time with a pencil with an eraser, agenda, loose leaf paper, and any work due that day.

2.      Directions for bell work and assignments will be posted on the board when students arrive. Students are responsible for writing these down and doing whatever is asked on the board.

3.      Each student will need a folder in which to keep his or her work and notes. This will stay in a bin in my room. Students may ask permission to take folders home. They are expected to take good care of folders.

4.      Students’ folders are expected to remain organized. 

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

6.      Students are expected to treat music materials with respect. They should be played as directed and never placed on the floor.

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 closeable container.

Discipline Policy:

1. If students arrive without needed materials they will owe Mrs. Burnett minutes of their lunch period or detention period time.

a.      Missing pencil = 1 minute

b.      Missing agenda= 5 minutes

c.       Missing paper= 1 minute

d.      Missing work= 40 minutes

2.      Students that arrive late without a late pass will be required to serve the designated 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.

3.      Students will first be given a verbal reminder when found to be breaking rules or expectations.

4.      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 be decided depending on severity of misbehavior.

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

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

7.       I will contact a parent or guardian whenever I feel is necessary.

Thank you for your support! I look forward to a fun class exploring music!