Instrumental Music Grading Policy

Students in instrumental music will learn many aspects of music as outlined in the Essential Learner Outcomes for Maryland and the voluntary state music curriculum. These detailed objectives are based on the nine National Standards for Music Education listed in this handbook.

The instrumental music grading policy is based on the Wood Middle School grading policy for 2006 - 2007. Grades are an evaluation of an individual students overall achievement. Students will receive a final grade of A, B, C, D, or E. Final grade will be calculated as follows:

Achievement grade 90% (40% Formative / 50% Summative)

The achievement grade reflects academic performance only. Grades will be calculated by dividing points earned by total points possible. Students will receive multiple opportunities to demonstrate achievement through a variety of assessments. This grade will be 40 % Formative Assessments and 50 % Summative Assessments.

Formative Assessments – 40 %

1. Performance during the daily classroom rehearsals

a. Students will need to demonstrate the following on a daily basis:

- Proper position / posture

- Correct notes

- Characteristic tone quality

- Good intonation

- Correct rhythm

- Correct articulation

- Instrument Care

- Demonstration of proper rehearsal techniques

b. Students will need to evaluate how their part fits will the rest of the ensemble and demonstrate good balance and blend.

c. This will be recorded in the grade book as a weekly performance grade.

2. Performance Quizzes – students will perform short solo selections from the method books and concert music as well as memorized scales.

3. Reading and writing assignments

Summative Assessments – 50 %

• Performance Tests

• Concerts / Performances (see the section on Concerts)

• Written Tests

Assignment completion grade. 10%

Assignment completion is a report of the extent to which a student completes home and class assignments in a given period of time. Students will be expected to turn in a monthly practice calendar indicating evidence of productive home practice. If a students fails to turn in a practice calendar this will effect their assignment completion grade.

Grading Scale: A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

D 60-69

E 50-59

Learning skills:

1. Will be divided into two categories:

A. Participation-asking questions, giving ideas, using feedback, performing, and engaging in learning.

B. Assignment completion-completing homework and class work.

2. Will appear on the student progress report as C (consistently), O (often), S (sometimes), R (rarely), and NI (not enough information).

Late and missing work:

1. Each assignment, playing quiz, or test will have a due date. This is the date by which you are expected to submit the assignment. Grades will drop one letter grade if it is not turned in by the due date.

2. The deadline is the last day an assignment will be accepted for a grade. In some cases, the due date and the deadline may be the same. Work not turned in by the deadline will not earn credit. (0%)

Reassessment of student work:

1. Assessments may be reassessed one time, as may be reassessed partially, entirely, or in a different format.

2. Reassessment grade replaces the original grade.

3. Reassessment opportunities are identified by the teacher prior to the original assessment.

4. Exams, final playing tests and concerts may not be reassessed.