GRADING
Participation in band
should be a positive experience and it should include flexibility.
Therefore, the grading policy reflects this approach.
Daily Participation
1/3%
Practice Record 1/3%
Playing Grade 1/3%
+Extra-Curricular Credit
Daily Participation
Each student who comes to band and participates in class and has all
necessary equipment (instrument, music book/binder, at least four good
reeds for reed players, sticks and mallets, pencil, etc.) and is being
cooperative in attempting techniques as instructed by director will
receive a 100 for the day. Each item that they are missing is 3 points
off for that day’s participation grade. Good learning occurs when
students are on task and focused during rehearsals.
Practice Records
Students will write their practice assignment in their music book at the
beginning of the week. The practice times should be filled in each day.
Practice Records will be checked for completion and parent signature on
Mondays for Green Band, Tuesdays for Blue Band, or Wednesdays for Red
Band. This is the first day of the week that they meet). Students may
earn exemptions from turning in their Practice Record at various times
throughout the year as a reward for their accomplishments (i.e. Region
Band Try-Out, Division I Solo/Ensemble, etc)
The weekly practice
grade is determined by the total minutes practiced each week. One point
will be earned for each minute practiced outside of band class. (90
minutes practiced results in a grade of 90 that week). Each student
should aim to practice 100 minutes/week for a total of 900/minutes for
the nine weeks. This policy works very well for students who need
flexibility. (Example: if a student can only practice 30 minutes one
week but is available to practice more the next week, this helps them
accomplish the requirements with them controlling when the minutes are
completed.) They must however have completed 900 minutes by the end of
the nine week period to maintain a 100 for the practice grade).
Extra practice does
improve the practice grade. It is cumulative for the nine weeks.
Playing Grade
Consists of weekly assigned material in which students are tested in
class, and includes all public performances (i.e. Christmas Concert,
Spring Concert, Contest performances, etc.) The weekly playing tests are
recorded in the back of each student’s music book. These are assigned a
week in advance and played for the director on Mondays for Green Band,
Tuesday for Blue Band and Wednesday for Red Band. They will know at any
time which exercises will be tested and what skills will be graded. Nine
weeks with no performance will only have weekly playing tests averaged.
Nine weeks that include a performance will be averaged with weekly
playing tests and the performance(s) will count as three playing grades.
*Performances are
culminating events to weeks and months of classroom preparation and are
dependant upon the entire ensemble’s attendance.
Extra Credit
Musicianship is strengthened when outside opportunities are included.
Participation in church or community orchestras, attendance at music
concerts (i.e. symphony, drum and bugle corps, other school football
games) helps give valuable musical examples and experiences. Fill out an
Extra-Curricular Activity Form when you attend a function and turn it in
to Mrs. Berlin to be counted. Each event during a nine weeks grading
period adds 1 point to the total grade.
Each student is in control of their own grade at all times. If a
students needs to bring up a grade, these points may be added as needed:
30 minutes helping
file or copy music = 1 point
5 push-ups = 1 point
Set up/tear down before and after performances = 2 points
Other points may be
added to this list at the director's discretion.
