Syllabus 4th-8th Grade

4th and 5th Grade Music- 2012-13

Miss Robideau

It is my goal in music to engage the students in reading, writing and performing music.  Music will be performed both vocally and on the recorder.  Music for liturgies will also be incorporated into the music curriculum.  

Required Materials:  Music folder with 3 pronged insert and pockets. Recorder and recorder book to be brought to class each week.  Music folder must have loose leaf paper inserted in the prongs.

Music class schedule:  4th grade            5th grade- Thursday’s

4-101 Tuesday: 9:35-10:15                   5-203- 10:30-11:10

4-201 Thursday: 8:05-8:45                   5-202- 11:10-11:50

In 4th and 5th grade the music curriculum will center on learning music reading skills, music writing skills, theory and performance.  Performance will include playing as a group and individually in class.  Singing will be part of each music class as students prepare the music for each liturgy at St. James.  

• It is very important that students come prepared each week to music class with their music folders, recorders and recorder books.  This will be an essential part of the grade they receive each quarter on their report card.
• Homework- Students will be given homework each week on their recorders.  They will practice the assigned song and will be given an individual playing test in class.  There will also be worksheets which will include the music theory learned in class as it relates to the songs in the recorder books. 
• Homework assignments will be written in the music folder each week.  Please check your child’s folder for their homework.  I will also post homework assignments on my website, as well as other important information.    Please check the website weekly.  
• Absence from school &music homework- If a student is absent from school on their scheduled music class day, they are still responsible for all homework assigned.  All homework is posted on my website. If further information or help is needed please email me and I will follow up with you and your child.

Assessments- Written tests will be given in music class.  I will always review information for upcoming tests in class the week before.  Only the information I give them in the review will be on the test.  As stated above, there will also be individual playing tests on the recorder.  These will be frequent.

Grading- Students will be given a letter grade in music on their report card each quarter.  The grade will be based on the following:

• Coming prepared to class with music folder, recorder and recorder book.
• Being prepared for each playing test
• Grades received on playing tests and written assessements

6th Grade Music Syllabus 2012-13
Miss Robideau

Music is in our lives every day.  We listen to it in the car, on our iPods, iPads, TV and movies.  Music can change our mood and can add to our worship and prayer life.  It is my goal to engage my students in music and help them understand how music is written and performed.  The students in 6th grade will have the opportunity to write, read and perform in drum circle, percussion ensemble and on recorders.   I look forward to sharing my love, knowledge and passion for music with the 6th grade students at St. James.

Required Course Materials:  Music folder with 3 prong insert and 2 pockets.  Lined writing paper must be inserted into the pronged insert.  This folder must be brought to music class each week.

Class schedule:  6th grade Music – Tuesday’s

204- 10:30-11:10

105- 11:10-11:50

Curriculum:  

• Rhythm writing, reading and performing- Students will be taught a variety of rhythms which they will use to compose their own rhythm patterns.  They will be able to read rhythms using syllables and transfer them to various percussion instruments.  Students will perform individually and in groups on a variety of pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments.
• Music Vocabulary- Students will be taught a variety of musical terms which they will define and use in relation to the musical compositions they are writing and performing.
• Identifying pitches on musical staff- Students will continue reading and performing music written on the musical staff.  
• Prepare Music for Mass- Attending Mass and participating in the liturgy with songs, prayers and scripture is central to St. James Catholic Education and will be part of the music curriculum.

Absence from school & music homework:

• If a student is absent from school on their scheduled music class day, they are still responsible for all homework assigned.  All homework is posted on my website. If further information or help is needed please email me and I will follow up with you and your child.

Grading:
Letter Grades- The grade in music will be determined in the following way:  

• Attending Class with the required course material listed above.  Student’s music folders will be graded on content which will include notes, vocabulary and written class assignments.
• Active participation in class performance and discussion
• Written Assessments
• Performance Assessments

Conduct - Students conduct mark will be based on the St. James standards for expected behavior in the classroom.  Respect, Honesty, Trust and Acceptance of Others is essential not only at St. James but throughout life.  

7^th Grade Music Syllabus 2012-13

Miss Robideau

Music is in our lives every day.  We listen to it in the car, on our iPods, iPads, TV and movies.  Music can change our mood and can add to our worship and prayer life.  It is my goal to engage my students in studying a wide range of musicians, composers and musical styles.  I will present different musical artists and musical styles in class.  I will also incorporate the music for school liturgies.  I look forward to sharing my love, knowledge and passion for music with the 7^th grade students at St. James.

Course Materials Required:  Music folder with 3 prong insert and 2 pockets.  Lined writing paper must be inserted into the pronged insert.  This folder must be brought to music class each week.

Class schedule:  7^th grade Music – Thursday’s

7 Blue- 12:25-1:05

7 Red- 1:05- 1:45

Curriculum: 

·         Presentation of Musicians and their History- Study one musician each week in music class.  Students will be given information on each musician, composer or artist. There will be class discussion and musical examples to listen to.  Students will be responsible for knowing information on each presentation. Homework assignments will be given which relate to the material presented in class.

·         Musical Styles- Students will relate the information on each musician to the musical style they most represent.  For instance:  composition, jazz, blues, Dixieland, Motown, and Broadway.  

·         History of Rock & Roll-Class Presentation- Students will do additional research for homework on a musician or group which will be chosen from a list given to the students.  They will present their presentation to the class.

·         Prepare Music for Mass- Attending Mass and participating in the liturgy with songs, prayers and scripture is central to St. James Catholic Education and will be part of the music curriculum.  Students in 7^th grade will be invited to join the St. James Liturgical Song Leaders group. 

Absence from school &music homework:

·         If a student is absent from school on their scheduled music class day, they are still responsible for all homework assigned.  All homework is posted on my website. If further information or help is needed please email me and I will follow up with you and your child.

Grading:

• Letter Grades- The grade in music will be determined in the following way:      
• Attending Class with the required course material listed above.  Student’s music folders will be graded on content which will include notes, vocabulary and written class assignments
• Active participation in class discussion
• Written Assessments
• Individual Presentations 

• Conduct - Students conduct mark will be based on the St. James standards for expected behavior in the classroom.  Respect, Honesty, Trust and Acceptance of Others is essential not only at St. James but throughout life. 

8^th Grade Music Syllabus 2012-13

Miss Robideau

Music is in our lives every day.  We listen to it in the car, on our iPods, iPads, TV and movies. Music can change our mood.  Music and can add to our worship and prayer life.  It is my goal to engage my students in studying music as it relates to scenes in movies and History of American Roots Music. Students will also learn about film composers and how they compose music for various films. The 8th grade will also incorporate songs from Living Stations into a school mass.  I look forward to sharing my love, knowledge and passion for music with the 8th grade students at St. James.

Course Materials Required:  Music folder with 3 prong insert and 2 pockets.  Lined writing paper must be inserted into the pronged insert.  This folder must be brought to music class each week.

Class schedule:  8^th grade Music – Tuesday’s

8 Red- 12:25-1:05

8 Blue- 1:05- 1:45

Curriculum: 

·    Music Makes the Scene- The impact of music on the movies and on you.  Students will watch a movie scene with no music and again with 3 different styles of music.  Students will analyze how each affects the scene.  They will follow a guideline which will be given out in class.  They will also be given homework assignments which relate to the material presented in class. 

·     Lights, Action, Music- creating music for movies-Composers and directors share their stories and craft, taking you on a journey that shows the vital importance of music in films. Academy Award winners Julie Taymor, Francis Ford Coppola, Ang Lee, Spike Lee, John Barry, David Shire, and Rachel Portman, plus interviews with music and film technicians, shed light in this fascinating documentary by Dan Lieberstein.

·     Music Vocabulary- There will be musical terms associated with the analysis of the music for each movie scene.  The vocabulary and definitions will be written in the student’s music folder and/or given has handouts and will be part of a written assessment.

·    American Roots Music- Students will be presented with facts and musical examples of a variety of musicians and musical styles that are part of our American heritage.  There will be class discussion and homework assignments related to the information presented in class.

·    Music in School Masses- Attending Mass and participating in the liturgy with songs, prayers and scripture is central to St. James Catholic Education and will be part of the music curriculum. 

·    PowerPoint Presentation- During the last quarter students will prepare a PowerPoint Presentation on a musical artist or group.  The details for this assignment will be given to students approximately one month before it is due.

Absence from school & music homework:

·    If a student is absent from school on their scheduled music class day, they are still responsible for all homework assigned.  All homework is posted on my website. If further information or help is needed please email me and I will follow up with you and your child.

Grading:  Letter Grades- The grade in music will be determined in the following way: 

•  Attending Class with the required course material listed above.  Student’s music folders will be graded on content which will include notes, vocabulary and written class assignments.
•  Active participation in class discussion
•  Written Assessments
•  Individual Presentations 

Conduct - Students conduct mark will be based on the St. James standards for expected behavior in the classroom.  Respect, Honesty, Trust and Acceptance of Others is essential not only at St. James but throughout life.