GUITAR DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT
Lorraine Tea, Guitar Teacher
Philosophy:
Learning music is more than just learning notes and
rhythms; it entails learning about the music and how to
perform it as a group. Since 90% of learning music in a
group situation is done in rehearsal/class, attendance
and participation are essential to the learning process.
The crowning achievement of the learning process is
performing the music: therefore, performances are
vital to the successful music program.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
BEGINNING GUITAR
The purposes of the guitar class are to develop basic guitar skills, good musicianship, appropriate behaviors for group and solo work, and perform. Students learn several songs, chord patterns, rhythms, note reading, tuning, and other musical skills. They practice the guitar at home and are tested on their progress. Also, they participate in concerts, recitals, and other performances.
ADVANCED GUITAR
The purpose of the Advanced Guitar are to increase musicianship and skills, practice
appropriate behaviors for group and solo work, and develop teaching skills. Students learn new songs, chord patterns, rhythms, advanced note reading and tuning skills, etc. They may have solo opportunities and may perform together as an advanced ensemble. They participate in concerts, assemblies, and other programs and are assigned a team of beginning students and assist them in learning to play the guitar.
MATERIALS
Students must have all materials in class every day. Always keep this Open Disclosure in the front of your guitar binder. You may get an extra copy to keep at home upon request.
BEGINNING/ADVANCED GUITAR
Bring these 3 items to class the next time we meet: If you can't bring an item on time bring a note from home when the item is due to be excused:
A writing utensil, a labeled, envelope style binder with 15 pieces of filler paper and a water bottle.
Bring these 6 other items by August 24, 2007
(1) guitar (labeled), (2) solid guitar case (labeled), (3) guitar strap, (4) complete extra set of guitar strings (six strings total), (5) two labeled guitar picks and (6) $10.00 for the book. $11.00 for the Advanced Students. Take the money to the financial office (Barbara Peterson) and she will give you a receipt which you will give to me. You will then receive your book.
You will begin learning to play on the second day of class, so have all the above items ready to go.
GRADING:
I. 40% on participation in class within the school day.
A. As the guitar class is an inherently participatory class, points will be awarded for a student's active, positive, and professional participation in and preparation for the class each day.
1. 10 out of 10 points will be awarded for being on time, prepared. And participating fully in class. A student must be in the room at his/her place when the bell rings in order to be on time.
2. 7 out of 10 points will be awarded for being up to 10 minutes tardy and full participation in and preparation for the remainder of the class.
3. 7 out of 10 points will be awarded for any gum, candy, soda, juice, food in the choir room.
4. Preparation for class includes instrument at chair with music and music folder
5. Standards of professionalism will be explained in class.
6. Since participation in class is so vital to the learning experience, each student is encouraged to limit any time out of class to an absolute minimum.
7. Excessive tardies or absences will seriously affect the students' status as a guitar student. Their citizenship will also be affected.
B. MAKE-UP WORK
1. Work within the class is very difficult to duplicate. Participation points will not be awarded when the student is not in class.
2. Makeup of Participation Points will not be allowed for any truancy absences.
3. Participation Points may be made-up to (3) absences that are not truancies.
4. Participation Points may be made up by attending any outside of class cultural event and filling out a Makeup/Extra Form. This form is to be submitted via the Make-up Work basket in the Choir room at least 3 days before the end of each quarter (or by the announced deadline). 1 hour of a cultural event will make up 10 points.
5. If the student desires to do Make-up work for more than the total of three (3)
Absences, a Make-up Work Petition must also be filled out completely that
Includes ALL absences for the quarter. It must be signed and turned in with all
Make-up work stapled to it.
6. Extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis.
C. EXTRA CREDIT will not be figured into the final grade until the end of the
Quarter
1. Other than bonus points on tests, projects, and assignments, extra credit is only available in the participation portion of the grade.
2. Extra Credit is limited to 30 points above the allotment for makeup work.
3. Attend another concert and write a Concert Review. 10 Pts.
4. Present a musical number in a public setting. This may be a vocal solo or duet. Complete a "Performance Evaluation Form".
5. Take private lessons (for at least 2/3 of the quarter).
Have your private instructor complete a "Private Teacher's Report Form". 30
6. Write a report or review on a topic assigned by the teacher.
7. Participate regularly (at least 2/3 of the quarter) in another (community, church, etc.). group. Have the director complete an "Outside Participation Form. 10 pts.
REWARD!!!!!
STUDENTS WHO HAVE NO ABSENCES (2 for school activities, 1 for sick) OR TARDIES AND HAVE NOT LOST PARTICIPATION POINTS FOR ANY REASON WILL BE AWARDED 50 PTS. TO BE ADDED TO HIS/HER GRADE FOR THE QUARTER.
II. 30% on rehearsals, performances, 2 outside concerts, (1 per term) and activities outside the school day.
A. There are required performances that must be attended by each student to receive credit for the course (all @ Lehi Junior High unless otherwise indicated).
1. See the enclosed list for required performances all @ Lehi Junior High.
B. Each student should consider all required performances, as well as additional performances and activities to which they are committed as prior commitments.
1. Any event involving the student that is currently scheduled and conflict with any of the scheduled guitar events on the enclosed list must be listed on the Disclosure Signature Form and turned in by Sept. 13, 2007. If there is a family Emergency that prevents the student from attending any concert, a VERY SUBSTANTIAL makeup assignment will be given.
C. Students are expected to behave and perform in a professional matter at all rehearsals and performances, including warm-up times, arrival, departure, etc. Standards will be explained in class. Failure to do this may result in a reduction of points awarded.
D. Points for rehearsals will be awarded as follows:
10 - Punctual with active participation for the entire rehearsal.
5 - Tardy up to 5 minutes or leaving early,
2 - More than 5 minutes late.
0-No show. Exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
E. Points for performance will be awarded as follows:
100-Punctual for call time and proper dress.
80 - Tardy for call time or improper dress
0 - No show, Exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
F. Any and all extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis
G. Each student will attend 1 Cultural Event each term and write a report on it.
A ticket stub, program, or parent signature should accompany the report
III. 30 % on quizzes, tests, assignments, and projects
A. Various quizzes and tests may be given at the teacher's discretion to test retention of Information "about the music".) A pencil is required.
B. Quizzes may be unannounced, but tests will be given ample notice. The student will Grade their own test with a pen.
C. Makeup work for this area will be handled along the following guidelines:
1. Excused absences
a) Tests, projects, and assignments missed must be made up within 4 school days of the student's return to school.
b) Quizzes may not be made up and may be excused at the teacher's discretion.
c) It is the student's responsibility to make the necessary arrangements with the Teacher for makeup work within 4 days of returning to school.
2. Make up for unexcused absences will be at the teacher's discretion.
3. No makeup or excusal will be allowed for truancy absences.
IV. Final Grade:
A. Grades will be updated on Power School by each Monday. Weeks for concerts, the Grades will be updated as soon as Mrs. Tea is able. They will always be up to date by Midterms and End of Quarter.
B. Extra Credit will not be figured into the final grade until the end of each quarter.
C. The final grades are based on the following scale:
A - 100-93 A- - 92-90 B+ - 89-86
B - 85-81 B- - 80-77 C+ - 76-72
C - 71-64 C- - 63-60 D+ - 59-55
D - 54-50 D- - 49-47 F - 46-0
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
I. Each student must be able to meet the financial responsibility of the class.
A. $10 for Beginning / $11 for Advanced Students for the book to be paid by the 2nd day of class.
UNIFORMS
I. The following uniform standards are to be followed for each performance.
A. Failure to do so may result in the student not being allowed to perform with the group B. Failure to do so will also result in a reduction in points awarded for the performance. Such action will reflect on the student's grade as per the above guidelines.
II. Students will need to provide the following on their own:
A. Men
1. Sunday DRESS pants with belt
2. SockS
3. Dress shoes (no sandals or tennis-shoes)
4. Collared shirt tucked in w/long tie (any color or style)
B. Women
1. SUp
2. Sunday Dress/Skirt/Blouse knee length (any color or style)
3. Closed toe Dress Shoes (no sandals/flip flops)
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
It is expected that all students will demonstrate honesty and academic integrity at all times. In this class, cheating or plagiarizing in any way will not be tolerated.
Cheating is defined as:
Looking at someone else's test or quiz
Looking at notes during a test or quiz
Talking to other people during a test or quiz
Copying from a book or form from an internet she without citing the source
Using a cell phone or any other electronic hand-held device in any way during a test or quiz
Plagiarizing any work in any form that is not your own.
The penalty for cheating will be a "Zero" on the assignment/test/quiz with no opportunity to make it up, and the loss of the privilege of doing extra credit for the quarter. Do your own a few points for a grade are not worth sacrificing honor and your personal integrity.
CHOIR/GUITAR/GENERAL MUSIC ROOM RULES
1. Have your guitar/choir/music folder with pencil/paper/planner to rehearsal everyday. The folder will be kept in the class with all handouts given to the student.
2 Do not talk out loud during rehearsals.
3 No gum, candy, soda, juice, or food in the choir room.
4 Water is great! Bring your own water bottle.
5 Don't touch anything on the piano or play the piano without permission.
6 Lots of people use this room every day, so don't be a slob!
7 Use the restroom BEFORE you come to class/rehearsal.
8 Take good care of your music. It's expensive!! Only use a pencil to mark it.
9 Be on time and ready to rehearse every day.
10 Turn off your cell phone before you come to class. If I see it or hear it, it's taken away. (Check your planner.)
DISICIPLINE
We will follow all of Lehi Jr. High policies as stated in the school PLANNER. Bring it to Class every day.
FORMS
The enclosed Disclosure Statement and Policies Agreement Form and all other included forms need to be read, filled out and signed by a parent and the student, and returned by September 1. Points towards the students' grade will be awarded in the "quizzes, tests, assignments, and projects" category for the completion and submission of this form by the assigned due date.
NOTES
It is easiest to contact me by leaving a message on my voice mail phone number 768-7010 ext 182 or by E-Mail. Addressed as Parent of: If you have a child with special needs, please contact me. These students are special and have a place in the music program.
I am looking forward to working with all the parents and students this year. I sincerely appreciate your friendship, assistance, and support. Please let me know how I can help you.
Lorraine Tea, Guitar/Choir/Handbell Teacher LJH
