Ms. Kowalkoski
Sixth Grade String Ensemble
Course Syllabus
|
Course Description:
Welcome to Sixth-Grade String Ensemble! This year, String Ensemble will be meeting on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during G Period. Not only is this course dedicated to the performance of music, but also to the history, theory and composition practices that made the music possible. Music will be chosen with careful consideration to the various playing levels present within String Ensemble in order to provide each and every student the opportunity to develop strong playing skills, note reading comprehension, and musicianship. String students are required to furnish their own instrument. Secure storage will be provided.
Class Expectations:
Attendance/Participation: String Ensemble is a performance-based course, and is dependant on the attendance and active participation of all students. Students will receive grade points each day String Ensemble meets. Points will be lost due to being tardy, not having an instrument, disruption of the class, and/or not participating.
Practicing: Practicing is required and graded. Students must practice a minimum of 120 minutes each week, and keep a log of their minutes that a parent/guardian signs before credit is given. These logs are due every Tuesday. I would recommend practicing 20 minutes, 6 days a week. If a student has forgotten his or her instrument, he or she must complete an additional 50 minutes of practice in order to make up for the time missed during rehearsal. Failure to complete the additional practice time will result in a lowered practice grade for that week.
Things that can help students be successful:
- A regular, scheduled practice time. Practicing should become a predictable daily habit.
- Proper environment for good practice. Avoid distractions like TV and siblings. Ensure the music stand and space allow for good playing posture.
- Supportive parents. Show that you enjoy what they are learning. Ask for home performances.
- Proper equipment. Provide an instrument that has quality sound and ensure quality maintenance. For violinist and violist, invest in a good shoulder rest that fits the student well.
Playing Tests: Students will be assigned periodic playing tests in order to check student progress. Specific pieces and measures will be tested, which I will provide to students before the test date. Playing tests will be given during Tutorial.
Homework: Students will periodically assigned homework in the form of short compositions and worksheets on music history and basic theory. Homework is due the Tuesday after it was assigned.
Written Quizzes: Students will receive one written quiz per quarter in order to test the knowledge they have gained from their homework assignments.
Concerts: Concerts are a vital part of the String Ensemble curriculum. Attendance at school concerts is mandatory. Excused absences will be granted only for family emergency or student's illness. An unexcused absence will lower the student's quarter grade by two full number grades. Concert attire is "Concert Black", meaning black shirt, shoes, socks, pants, and skirts. No jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts, athletic socks or athletic shoes will be allowed. Behavioral expectations at concerts include arriving on time for warm-ups, having all needed materials, and maintaining a positive and respectful attitude.
Grading:
Late Work Policy: I expect homework and practice logs to be turned in on time. Students will be allowed one late assignment per quarter without consequence. After that, with the exception of an absence, assignments turned in late will be given partial credit (25% reduction of score for each class meeting late). Homework will not be accepted more than one week late, and will receive a zero.
Final grades are broken down as following:
|
| Attendance/Participation: | 30% |
| Practice Time: | 30% |
| Playing Tests: | 10% |
| Compositions: | 10% |
| Worksheets: | 10% |
Written Quizzes:
| 10%
|
We look forward to a great year in strings. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions.
Kate Kowalkoski
Orchestra Director
(952)-988-3638
kkowalkoski@blakeschool.org
|
|
