Class Piano - Second Semester 2014/2015

Mrs. Jennifer CulverRoom 623330.926.3808, ext. 502083Cf_culver@cfalls.orghttp://www.cfalls.org/olc/teacher.aspx?s=552 (teacher website)@MrsCulver_music

ObjectiveThe purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to participate in an in depth study of the piano. This study will include materials specifically selected for each individual student, including music from a variety of sources, such as method books, etudes, technique exercises and solo pieces. Music theory skills will also be studied, including accurately interpreting musical notation, developing and enhancing knowledge of musical vocabulary and skills specific to the piano, including interpreting chord symbols and composing an accompaniment. Students may also expect to discuss a broad range of performance related topics, including, performance anxiety, performance practice, recordings, and musical interpretation of literature. Performance in class is required. Students who have previously completed the course will be accepted again if room is available.

Classroom Expectations Respect – give it, get it! The best of you and the best of me! Be prepared for excellence every single day!

Why Study PianoWhy do we study piano – or any other music? What can students expect to get out of this course?

We study music because it offers us an opportunity for self-expression and is part of basic human existence.

This course offers students the opportunity to engage in self-directed, independent and personalized learning.

This course allows students to reflect on their individual work ethics, organizational skills and motivation.

Required Materials A piano method book, Adult Piano Adventures, will be purchased through the

activities office. Three ring binder – this will become your practice journal for the course and will be

reviewed on a weekly basis. Additionally, all other organizational materials for the

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course (i.e. handouts, lesson schedules, practice tips, music, etc) can be stored there. Writing implement – PENCIL!!!!

Grading - 90/10 What does this mean?

o 90% of the grade will be based on mastery of the topics covered in this course.

o 10% of the grade will be based on practice and work habits. What does this look like?

o Instruction Practice Activity Review Assessment 10% 90%

Practice Log/Weekly Practice Quiz/Test Lesson ProjectClass Activity Performance Homework

o Some assignments may be counted in more than one area or receive more than one grade.

o Students will be well informed as to how their grade for each assignment will be determined.

o There are fewer assignments making up the greatest portion of the final grade. Students will need to take these assessments very seriously and adequately prepare for them.

What if a student doesn’t do well on an assignment and it will go into the 90%?o All students will be offered a “second chance assessment”. This means that

after completing an assignment that will be counted in the 90%, they will have a chance to redo the work for a higher grade. The following conditions must be met:

The student and teacher must agree to a reasonable timeline to complete the work.

No work will be made up during the final week of the grading period. There will be no zeros given for any assignment counted in the 90% for any reason.

Students MUST complete the work in order to earn credit for the course.

AssessmentsGenerally, students will earn a weekly grade for their classwork. This grade will be determined through the use of the practice log and is part of the 10%. Students will have approximately three individual lessons prior to a studio class performance. The lesson grades are also part of the 10% and the studio class performance is part of the 90%. There are approximately five to six formative assessments (practice work and lessons) prior to the summative assessment (studio class performance).

The following grading scale will be used to determine grades.

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Traditional Letter Grades

Percentage(Tests/Quizzes)

4 Point Scale (Rubric)

Definition of Grade

A 90 – 100 4 (=95%) Proficient, exceeds standardB 89 – 80 3 (=85%) Capable, meets standardC 79 - 70 2 (=75%) Adequate, making progressD 69 – 60 1 (=65%) Limited, unable to begin effectivelyF 59 – 0 (=55%) Poor, no attempt

Student work on projects/performances and individual lessons will be assessed using a rubric. Student achievement on tests/quizzes will be determined using a percentage. All grades will be entered into Progress Book using a percentage. (The correlation between these two methods is shown above.) I will make every attempt to update Progress Book on a weekly basis.

Curriculum ScheduleThe following outline will serve as our map for our semester together. Every effort will be made to adhere to this schedule, however adjustments may occur. Please be sure to check the class bulletin board or website for the most up to date information.

Our goal this semester is to amass a portfolio of six pieces you can perform proficiently on the piano. Additionally, all students will be working towards individual technique goals. These musical selections and technical exercises will become part of your final exam work at the conclusion of the semester.

Unit 1: Getting to Know You! (January 12 - 30) This unit will include an assessment of students’ individual skills, introduction to the piano keyboard and beginning work in the book.

o Course introductiono Organizational Paperworko Individual playing assessment and Goal Setting Activity (due January 16)o Weekly practice journals (due January 16, January 23, January 29)o Three lessons (to be assigned and posted)o Studio Class Performance (due January 29)o Goal Setting Activity – Review (due January 30)

Unit 2: The Classics (February 2 - 20)This unit will expose students to the music of the classical era, famous composers of this time and the development of the piano. It includes a project/presentation in addition to the preparation of a piece for studio class.

o Project introduction and music assignment (February 2)o Goal Setting Activity (due February 6)o Weekly practice journals (due February 6, February 13, February 20)o Two library work sessions (to be announced)o Three lessons (to be assigned and posted)o Studio Class Performance and Presentation (due February 20)

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o Goal Setting Activity – Review (due February 20) Unit 3: I Have a Theory . . . . . . (February 23 – March 19)

This unit will focus on reinforcing and refining students’ music theory skills, specifically as they relate to the piano.

o Project introduction and assignment (February 23)o Goal Setting Activity (due February 27)o Group theory class sessions (during block schedule class meetings). Specific

activities to be assigned and posted.o Weekly practice journals (due February 27, March 6, March 13 and March

19)o Three lessons (to be assigned and posted)o Theory Test (due March 13)o Studio Class Performance and Presentation (due March 19)o Goal Setting Activity – Review (due March 19)

Unit 4: Let’s Duet Together (March 30 – April 17)This unit will pair students up to introduce piano four-hand music.

o Project introduction and music assignment (March 30)o Weekly practice journals (due April 2, April 9, April 17)o Three lessons (to be assigned and posted)o Studio Class Performance (due April 17)

Unit 5: It’s Showtime! (April 20 – May 14)This unit will give students the opportunity to perform music from the stage and screen.

o Project introduction and music assignment (April 20)o Goal Setting Activity (due April 24)o Weekly practice journals (due April 24, May 1, May 8 and May 14)o Three lessons (to be assigned and posted)o Studio Class Performance (due May 14)o Goal Setting Activity – Review (due May 14)

Unit 6: Student Choice (May 15 – June 4)Students will have the opportunity to select the materials to perform in their final individual assessment that best demonstrates their growth and achievement of personal goals. This can be a piece they have previously performed or a new piece. Selection of materials is done in communication with Mrs. Culver.

o Project introduction and music assignment (May 18)o Goal Setting Activity (due May 22)o Weekly practice journals (due May 22 and May 29)o Three lessons (to be assigned and posted)o Reflecting on Goals and (due at final individual assessment)

Final Examo Week of June 1 – 5, 2015 (specifics TBA – includes final written exam)o Individual Performance Assessment (based on goals from the semester and

lesson work) and written final exam (due at exam time)

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