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 Info
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Grading Procedures
Classroom Conduct & Operating Procedures
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Handbook
Grading Procedures
A student’s quarter grade will be determined by a combination of points that they have earned during the nine-week grading period. Points will be given in the following four areas. Please not that each area is weighted differently. Chorus may require homework or written assignments as in other classes. Grade evaluation in the AMMS Choral Program is determined by many factors other than just musical ability. You earn your grade by participating and being a responsible member of an ensemble. ATTITUDE, MATURITY, and PERSONAL GROWTH are major considerations in determining grades.
Grade Categories:
- Daily participation, Behavior & Assignments (45%)
- Test / Quizzes (25%)
- Projects / Performances (20%)
- AR (10%)
A. Daily Participation, Behavior & Assignments (45%): Students earn 10 points per day. In order to earn these points, students must behave according to the classroom behavior guidelines, come to class fully prepared, and participate with the class in the assigned activity. Each time you enter this room and follow classroom procedures, you will receive 10 points (50 points per week). All you need to do to keep your 10 points is to do YOUR BEST each day!
1. Participation – If a student is absent for any reason, they will be responsible for making up their participation points (10 total points per day) for the day(s) missed. Students will have the same number of days to make up their participation points as the number of days plus one they were absent (i.e.: if a student is absent 2 days, he/she has 3 from the day of their return to submit a make-up assignment/project for their missed participation).
2. Behavior – A student’s classroom behavior has a direct impact on their daily participation grade. Students will lose participation points for any of the following reasons: Talking out of turn, singing out of turn, disrupting class, eating, drinking anything but water, and chewing gum.
3. Materials – All necessary materials (planners, choral music folders, pencils) must be present daily. Students will not earn their daily points if they are not prepared to participate in classroom activities/rehearsals.
4. Assignments – Assignments may be given during the course of the year. These may include puzzles, written music theory, composition, or a very a simple task – returning permission slips.
5. Injuries/Medical - If a student has an injury/medical reason that prevents them from participating in class, please have a note from a doctor or parent stating how long the student will be unable to participate. If the injury occurs at school, the student should get a note from the nurse’s office.
B. Tests / Quizzes (25%):
1. Singing Tests – Students will sing for a grade several times each semester. These tests will help me determine if students are learning the music in class. Singing test will be graded with points given in different categories (correct pitches, rhythm, breath support, diction/pronunciation, intonation, proper posture, musical style, etc.) Singing test will always be given with time for students to prepare. Due to the numbers of students in an ensemble, this is the most efficient way for me to assess the students and give them one-on-one assistance with areas that may need improvement. I recognize that this setting may be uncomfortable for the students, at first, but please be assured that my goal is to encourage each student. As Chorus is a performance-based class, this is a grate way to ensure that students have experience performing, if even just for me, before being asked to sing a in a concert for a larger audience. Singing tests that are missed due to absence must be made up within the time allotted for outstanding work.
2. Written tests – There will be written tests/quizzes given to cover musical knowledge, concert etiquette, and other topics covered in class. Tests that are missed must be made up within the time allotted for outstanding work.
C. Projects / Performances (20%) – It is expected that by being in a musical organization, a student must give up some non-school time (usually after school just before a performance) to participate in various musical programs. Since every member of a musical organization is a key performer, the success of he entire organization depends on everyone attending each and every performance. Therefore, ALL students will be expected to attend ALL concerts and performances unless cleared by the parents/guardians, at least TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE, and constitutes an emergency. Concerts and music festivals are an important part of the musical experience. Many hours of rehearsing and practice go into each performance. The excitement and thrill of being on-stage and singing for an audience is a unique experience and is impossible to duplicate. Attend the rehearsals but missing the concert is like showing up to baseball practice but missing the game.
1. All performances are REQUIRED! Students will receive a grade based on their participation, concert etiquette, proper attire, and performance. The events calendar is available from the beginning of the school year for students and parents to use to make plans or schedule changes. If there is a transportation problem, please contact the director well in advance. Car-pooling is always a wonderful idea!
2. Students will be excused for only the following reason: MAJOR illnesses or emergencies. Students must bring a DOCTORS note stating the reason for missing a performance. Forgetting to come, not having a uniform, not having a ride, playing a baseball game (or any other sporting event), other concerts (church or community), or baby-sitting are not acceptable excuses! Please plan ahead!
3. The director will determine whether the absence is excused or not. Due to the nature of concerts and performances, they cannot be made up if you are absent. There is no way a director can duplicate a performance for a student who is absent. There is no way to make up the unique thrill of performance, the impact of the audience, the excitement of knowing if something is right or wrong. Therefore, if the absence is excused, a maximum of 80% of the points for the performance grade may be made up. A zero grade will be given for unexcused absences.
** To make-up a grade for missing a concert, students will need to pick a classical composer from a list of composers that is available from Mr. Ross. The report should contain a minimum of the following:
- The composer’s complete name
- The dates of birth and death
- The composer’s childhood and early musical training
- The kind of music the composer is famous for
- Examples (titles) of music the composer wrote
- Personal facts about the composers
The report must be at least 3 pages typed (using 12 point font, double spaced) or 5 pages if handwritten. If a student decides to hand-write their report, it must be neat and legible. Students will be graded on the following: content/accuracy, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and neatness.
Important: Do not plagiarize (copy someone else’s work and call it your own). Plagiarism includes copying directly from books, magazines, encyclopedias, dictionaries, CD-ROMs, the internet, etc. The report should be in the student’s own words!! If a report contains plagiarism, it will be returned with a zero grade. Also, be sure to list all of the sources (the books, encyclopedias, web address, etc.) used for the report in a bibliography page at the end of the report. Failure to had in a make-up report by the last regular school day of the quarter in which the concert was held (not an exam day) will result in a zero grade.
D. Make-Up Work / Extra Credit Work
1. Students can fill out a composer fact sheet.
2. Students may submit a report for work completed in www.MusicTheory.net
3. Students may sight read from selected materials.
4. Students may sing portions of their classroom literature for Mr. Ross.
5. Students may compose a 4 measure rhythm and perform it for Mr. Ross.
6. Students may attend an orchestra, band, or choir concert and write a short report (one page typed using 12 point font or 2 pages handwritten) on what they observed. The concert program or ticket stub should b included with the report. Sorry, no rap or rock concerts.
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