- What do my kids do in Music class?
- What about Behavior?
- How do you 'grade' students in Music?
- When can my child participate in Chorus?
- When can my child learn to play an instrument?
- What if I need to contact the Music Teacher?
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What do my kids do in Music class?
The students at Orange Avenue participate in a variety of activities during Music.
Aside from singing, students do movement and play a variety of Classroom
instruments. We also do writing assignments to help students express what they hear
musically. Students are evaluated on their singing skills, movement and instrumental
performance skills.
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What about Behavior?
Behavior is alway important...no matter where you are. The role of Music has changed
a lot over the years. At one point Music class was considered "down time" for students.
That isn't the case anymore. In order to do what I love ( and hope your children will
love it, too!) I must have a healthy atmosphere during our Music time.
That means that children show RESPECT for one another, especially since we are all
so different.
Students need to be super LISTENERS! Not only to follow directions, but for their own
individual performance in class. Music is listening! In order to be good (if not GREAT)
singers, instrumentalists, dancers we must be willing to stop and listen to what we are
doing. I will contact parents, if the need arises, concerning individual student behavior!
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How do you 'grade' students in Music?
It differs a little bit depending on what grade your child is in.
GRADE 1 & 2 use a non-graded system. P (Progress) is an indication of how your
child grasping musical concepts (singing in tune, moving to the beat, following
directions) C is an indication of conduct (behavior) in class (how they behave, getting
along with classmates, etc.)
Grades 3, 4 &5 work on a graded system. They have 3 parts to their grade each
marking period. Their Conduct Grade reflects their behavior during class and how
they treat materials, classmates and teacher. Their Effort Grade reflects how hard they
try to work and do their best. Behavior will have an effect on Effort. Their letter grade:
A,B,C,D or F will reflect the quality of their work in class (refer to grades 1 &2 progress):
how accurate is their performance, do they demonstrate a clear understanding of the
concepts being taught?
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When can my child participate in Chorus?
Students participate in chorus when they are in fourth and fifth grade. In 2006-2007
Grade Four students will be performing for the Spring Concert in May and Grade Five
students will perform for the Holiday concert in December.
Fifth Grade students also have the option of auditioning for "ALL-CITY" chorus. This is
a select group of singers chosen to represent Orange Avenue in the annual
Cel-ARTS-bration held at Parson's Complex.
Rehearsals are held in school beginning in January to prepare for a March
performance. The students will continue to rehearse and will perform in the annual
Spring Concert in May.
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When can my child learn to play an instrument?
Students learn to play RECORDER in grade 3. This classroom instrument is a great
way to initiate children into the world of performance. We use the exact same music
reading skills that will be necessary to learn when they are in grade four and able to
enroll in the instrumental music program.
They may participate in the instrumental program in grades four and five. The Band
Director is Mr. Lazdauskas and the Strings Teacher is Mr. McDonald. Students may
sign up to play a 'band' instrument or a 'string' instrument. They may not do both.
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What if I need to contact the Music Teacher?
First make sure your child is one of my students (because Orange Avenue is so big,
there are two Music Teachers who work here). I am here full time and see most of the
students in the school. Ms. D'Aiuto is the other Music teacher in the building, she sees
the classes that I am unable to accomdate in my schedule.
Regardless of who your child has for Music , you have a couple of options:
please feel free to call the main office and leave a message (783-3537).
OR
Feel free to email me: jkovacs@milforded.org
Email Ms. D'Aiuto: mdaiuto@milforded.odrg
I will get back to you as soon as possible....promise!!!
