Music Grades

Music grades are determined primarily by participation. 

Informal assessments (observation and questions) are made every music class.

Students are observed to see if they participated and understood the topics and concepts of the lesson.

Formal assessments (written) are made depending on the topic covered and time constraints.

Grades are averaged and given based on each student's participation and performance in the music classroom.

Kindergarten and 1st grade students receive a P (consistently performs) or an O (needs improvement) for the following objectives:

Shows interest and participates

Displays appropriate behavior

Understands and applies concepts

 

2nd grade students receive

E = Excellent  

S = Satisfactory 

N = Needs Improvement

U = Unsatisfactory

 

3rd, 4th and 5th grade students receive:

A = 90 - 100

B = 80 - 89

C = 74 - 79

D = 70 - 73

F = Below 70

 

Does behavior affect grades? That is a good question.  Grades are not given based on behavior.  They are given based on participation and performance.  But, does behavior affect participation? Well, if a student is hitting others, is he/she participating?  If a student is talking and "playing around", is he/she participating and learning?  If a student is sliding around on the floor instead of playing the music game, is he/she participating?  If a student is keeping others from learning and is moved to time out, is he/she participating?  When I make my observations of learning, can I assess if he/she is understands the concepts?  The only observation I can make is that the student is not participating and cannot or will not show me that he/she understands the concepts.