White House High School
Course Syllabus: Foundations of Music
Instructor: Ms. Stepleton [email protected]
Course Description
Welcome to Ms. Stepleton’s Foundations of Music class! This class will focus on basic music theory and music history. Through listening, lecture, class discussion, and individual/group projects, students will gain a greater appreciation for music as an art form.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be familiar with many genres and eras of music as well as the elements of music including rhythm, sound, melody, harmony, pitch, etc. They will be able to speak and write about music by analyzing and listening. The main purpose of this course is to create a respect for a variety of musical outlets that will result in lifelong patrons of the arts.
Materials
Students music have the following materials EVERY DAY in class:
Classroom Expectations
Mutual Respect:
Students have respect for self, students, teacher, and their property. Mutual respect creates an atmosphere conducive to learning, growing, and trying new things. Everyone is expected to be in his or her seat with all the required materials (binder, listening journal, writing utensil) ready to participate. Tardiness is disruptive to class and is not respectful of other students’ learning.
Participation:
Students are expected to be an active participant in class. This includes corporate discussion, small group work, group projects, and individual projects.
Atmosphere:
Water in a clear bottle is always welcome! Food and drink should only be consumed at the bistro table. Help us keep a clean room so we can create the best learning environment. Practice rooms are only to be used with permission.
Electronic Devices:
No electronic devices are allowed during lectures and classroom discussions. Occasionally, there will be times when electronic devices are allowed to advance our discussion. Ms. Stepleton will make it known when these times occur. Electronic devices should be kept securely in backpacks, or at the charging station. Phones that are out without permission are subject to confiscation.
Grading
40% Tests/Projects: Tests will be given at the end of each unit. Each unit will also have a paper or project.
30% Daily Grade: The daily grade includes attendance, classroom performance, classroom behavior, punctuality, participation, and preparation.
20% Journals and Quizzes: Journal assignments will be assigned twice a week. There will also be quizzes to assess knowledge and understanding of the material learned.
10% Homework and Classwork
Extra Credit
Concert Attendance:
You may attend music performances throughout the semester and receive extra credit. Performances must be attended outside of school hours to receive credit. Examples may include: band or choir concerts at the elementary or middle school, WHHS band concerts, church concerts, and symphony or theater performances. A ticket stub or printed program from the concert should accompany a one paragraph summary of the performance (5 sentence minimum) in order to receive credit.
Attending a performance is worth the equivalent of a regular assignment.
Course Syllabus: Foundations of Music
Instructor: Ms. Stepleton [email protected]
Course Description
Welcome to Ms. Stepleton’s Foundations of Music class! This class will focus on basic music theory and music history. Through listening, lecture, class discussion, and individual/group projects, students will gain a greater appreciation for music as an art form.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be familiar with many genres and eras of music as well as the elements of music including rhythm, sound, melody, harmony, pitch, etc. They will be able to speak and write about music by analyzing and listening. The main purpose of this course is to create a respect for a variety of musical outlets that will result in lifelong patrons of the arts.
Materials
Students music have the following materials EVERY DAY in class:
- 3 ring binder (there is no textbook, so handouts will be common)
- Spiral notebook for listening journal
- Pen and/or pencil
Classroom Expectations
Mutual Respect:
Students have respect for self, students, teacher, and their property. Mutual respect creates an atmosphere conducive to learning, growing, and trying new things. Everyone is expected to be in his or her seat with all the required materials (binder, listening journal, writing utensil) ready to participate. Tardiness is disruptive to class and is not respectful of other students’ learning.
Participation:
Students are expected to be an active participant in class. This includes corporate discussion, small group work, group projects, and individual projects.
Atmosphere:
Water in a clear bottle is always welcome! Food and drink should only be consumed at the bistro table. Help us keep a clean room so we can create the best learning environment. Practice rooms are only to be used with permission.
Electronic Devices:
No electronic devices are allowed during lectures and classroom discussions. Occasionally, there will be times when electronic devices are allowed to advance our discussion. Ms. Stepleton will make it known when these times occur. Electronic devices should be kept securely in backpacks, or at the charging station. Phones that are out without permission are subject to confiscation.
Grading
40% Tests/Projects: Tests will be given at the end of each unit. Each unit will also have a paper or project.
30% Daily Grade: The daily grade includes attendance, classroom performance, classroom behavior, punctuality, participation, and preparation.
20% Journals and Quizzes: Journal assignments will be assigned twice a week. There will also be quizzes to assess knowledge and understanding of the material learned.
10% Homework and Classwork
Extra Credit
Concert Attendance:
You may attend music performances throughout the semester and receive extra credit. Performances must be attended outside of school hours to receive credit. Examples may include: band or choir concerts at the elementary or middle school, WHHS band concerts, church concerts, and symphony or theater performances. A ticket stub or printed program from the concert should accompany a one paragraph summary of the performance (5 sentence minimum) in order to receive credit.
Attending a performance is worth the equivalent of a regular assignment.