Miss McAlister, PreK-8 General Music and Library Teacher
Contact: [email protected],
School Phone: (716) 824-0726
Welcome to the start of a great school year! This year, 6th-8th grade General Music classes will have an array of music learning experiences, from ukulele techniques to improvisation - and everything in between. Each unit will have a multi-faceted focus on music literacy (reading notation), musicianship (instrument skills), and learning about music (history and terminology). With these target areas in mind, students will have the opportunity to develop as independent, creative, knowledgeable musicians, whether they plan to pursue music in high school or to simply enjoy class this year.
Instruments we will develop skills for this year include:
- Ukulele
- Malleted Instruments (xylophones, metallophones, and glockenspiels)
- Unpitched percussion
- Voice
Expectations of the Students
Students are asked to abide by the Middle School Policies, held throughout Notre Dame Academy. In General Music, students are also asked to respect the following three expectations, which are posted in the classroom:
- Please participate with your best effort!
- Please show respect to the teacher, your classmates, and class time.
- Please listen when the teacher is speaking or if there is music playing.
The General Music action plan is also posted in the classroom and is as follows:
- Receive a verbal warning, specifically stating why.
- Receive a final verbal warning. The teacher may ask the student to take a minute to think about how to improve actions in class. The student may also ask permission to do so.
- Receive a write-up and/or a call home.
Homework Policy
Please observe the Middle School Policy regarding homework. Additionally, homework turned in late will receive a 10% dock for each day after the due date. Of course, special circumstances happen from time to time, but these will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will be limited to times of serious illness or a family tragedy.
Grading
The breakdown for grading is as follows:
Participation with best effort in each class - 40%
Concert participation - 40%
Homework - 20%
Additional Notes
Please remember the following important date:
December 14th, 6:30 pm is the Living Nativity (6th-8th grades)