For Parents

Greetings, Parents!

Please email me anytime with questions about your students grade and progress in my class! I do recognize that 6th grade music is likely very different from music in K-5 and has definitely been an adjustment for many 6th graders to make this year. In our classroom, we play guitar, learn about the science of sound, pursue music composition, learn about the history and theory behind the music that we listen to on a day-to-day basis, explore popular music genres, and prepare for a variety of musical venues that your child may choose to pursue in their lives (church choir, electronic music composition on iPads, a garage band with friends, marching band, etc.). We do a great deal of actual paper work, projects, and graded music performance skills-- which reinforces not only music skills, but skill that 6th graders are developing in each of their courses at TSGA.

Standards/Curriculum:
Here are the National Standards in Music Education that we adhere by in the music classroom at TSGA. These standards truly determine my curriculum design and guide my daily instruction.

Resources:

• Parent Portal for Infinite Campus is truly the best resource as you can continuously check your student's grade in my class and check for missing assignments. 
• Edmodo.com-- Students submit MOST assignments, bellwork, and quizzes to this website and this can be checked from ANY computer browser (not just iPads).
• See the "Syllabus" tab at the top of the blog for my music philosophy, classroom expectations, and grading procedures.

Technology:

Please ask your child to teach you about the technology that we use in the music classroom! Typically, we use: 

- YouTube (for musical performance examples)

- Edmodo.com (for bellwork, tests, and quizzes)

- WebDav Navigator (where our files and music is located)

- PDF Expert (for saving study guides, worksheets, etc.)

- Notes App and Pages (for bellwork and Notes)

- Garageband (composition)

- Music Theory (study guide for tests and music skills)

Concerts: 

I am frequently asked about concerts at TSGA. Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities to hold a full music program concert at TSGA. Therefore, we will not have organized performances that your child MUST attend throughout the year. There will, however, be opportunities to perform for your child, should they choose to pursue such an interest. For example, students are encouraged to audition for the after school choir (Bulldog Beat) or the Talent Show in the spring. We will also have an optional caroling experience at Legends shopping center on December 14th. Any information about upcoming performances will be sent home with your child and in reminders on Edmodo.com.