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WELCOME Welcome! I am looking forward to a great year for the Music Technology program at Central Park Elementary School. The activities of this program can be very educational and entertaining to not only the student but to the entire family. I am sure that you might have questions about the Music Technology program, so I have prepared a brief handbook that will assist you throughout this year.
The Music Technology program is designed to give students an opportunity to experience learning music through the use of keyboards and computers. The students will learn about music theory, composition, performance of music, and music history. We are currently using computer software from Harmonic Vision (Music Ace), Passport Designs / G-Vox (Music Time Deluxe), Sibelius, and piano music from Alfred Publishing. We also have various music software programs from other music companies.
The parents of Music Technology students should encourage their child to participate at all times in order to successfully complete the class work and homework assignments given throughout the year on the computers and electronic piano keyboards. I will be able to schedule each student in the Music Technology program at Central Park for a 45 minute lesson per week. This lesson will consist of a group piano lesson and individual projects using the computers in the Keyboard Lab. I expect full cooperation from each student at all times because of our limited time for class.
INSTRUMENTS
Students will learn to play on an electronic piano keyboard (Casio CTK501). These keyboards, cords, and cables are very expensive and should be treated with extreme care. Students’ hands should be clean, and no food or drink is permitted near the keyboards.
Once the students have progressed through the computer programs learning to read piano notes, they will learn how to begin playing the keyboard. We will be using the Alfred Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1A and the Alfred Group Piano Course Level 1, along with many theory and history workbooks from Alfred Publishing. Any student having a piano or electronic keyboard to practice at home should be encouraged to practice so they might progress through the music programs more quickly.
COMPUTERS The computers, like the keyboards, must be handled with extreme care at all times. We will be using Gateway, Dell and Compaq computers (Windows 98) in the Keyboard Lab. No food or drink will be permitted near the computers. Students may not pull on headphones or computer mouse cords. They may not “punch” the keys on the computers or keyboards. The volume on the speakers will be changed only by the teacher. No student will be allowed to bring their own computer disks or CD’s from home, unless they are new and in good condition. Students may only work on the program that the teacher assigns to them. As a rule, the teacher always starts the programs for each student. ANY damage to a computer, computer program, or a keyboard by the student will be documented immediately and the parents will be responsible for repair or replacement charges. If the students cooperate by following instructions and using only the assigned program, there should be no problems.
ASSIGNMENTS The students will complete lessons on the keyboard and computer in class each week. In the Keyboard Lab, students will complete worksheets pertaining to reading music notes and rhythms, music history and theory, and learning to write simple music melodies. All of these activities relate directly to the music projects on the computers. Students will complete a “Record of Computer Music Exercises” sheet each week to turn in to the teacher. This is a record of each exercise score. Sometimes there will not be a score for an exercise, but credit is given for participation and completing each program. Worksheets and Computer Exercise Records will be sent home periodically for the parents to review, sign and return to the teacher. An electronic portfolio is also prepared with student work and compositions.
CONDUCT Students in the Music Technology program must have excellent conduct at all times. If a student disrupts the class by talking, getting out of their seat without permission, and interrupting the class to leave for non-emergencies, the class will fall behind. At this time, each class session is for 45 minutes per week. Time is very limited to learn about music and to perform well. We would like to learn as much as possible in music this year. The student must follow directions willingly at all times in the computer program. If a student constantly interrupts class, he/she will be sent back to their regular class for that session, and also given extra written homework assignments.
SUPPLIES
I will provide folders and pencils as needed for each student. I am requesting a donation of $3.00 per student, if possible, to assist with the purchase of headphones and piano books this year. We currently only have 20 piano books for 130 students. Students must ‘check out’ a piano book, like a library book, to take home to practice. All worksheets and assignments must be kept in the students’ folder and will be sent home periodically. All students must keep up with the classroom and computer lab assignments. Some of our work will be posted on the school website. Students do not have to have a keyboard or computer at home to participate in this class.
GRADES/ATTENDANCE Students will receive a numerical grade on their report card each nine weeks for Music Technology Class. This grade is very important, as I will determine admittance to the band program through music and academic grades and conduct from the 3rd and 4th grades.
My policy for grading music students includes the following: attendance, participation, bringing supplies, computer lab records, worksheets / homework assignments, and quizzes. The student will receive a satisfactory grade for completing all of these requirements. It is expected that the music student will attend EVERY class session. Missing sessions will cause a student to fall far behind. WE ARE A TEAM working together to learn more about music, and we need everyone to participate willingly at all times!
SCHEDULE My schedule is very difficult to change because of the number of students for which I am responsible. I do not change the schedule unless I have a band performance or meeting to attend at one of the schools, or because of school programs and testing that change student schedules.
CLOSING I know that this is quite a bit of information to give you at one time, but I hope that it will answer some of the questions you might have about the Music Technology program. I am very excited about working with you and your child this year. I hope that you will encourage and support your child to practice every day and to work hard in music and in academic work also. If you need to get in touch with me, please leave messages in my mailbox at school (or email me through the school websites) and I will call you (or email you) on the day that I receive the message. I know that this year is going to be a wonderful year and that your child will learn a lot about music and have a great time learning more about keyboards and computers.
Sincerely,
Ms. Garrett
Music Technology / Band Director / Webmaster
Simple Procedures / Rules for the Music Technology Students
- TAKE CARE OF THE EQUIPMENT IN THE MUSIC TECH LAB!! –Students will come in to class quickly, quietly, and get materials ready to begin working.
–Students may not touch or play any instrument (keyboard or computer) except your own.
–Students can only work on the computer program assigned and started by the teacher.
–Students will treat all materials (computers and keyboards) with care and will abide by all computer lab procedures.
–Students will not bring any food, drink, or candy into the Music Tech Lab (keyboard or computers).
–Students will not talk or get out of their seat without permission. (The more disruptions in class, the less we get to practice.) –Students will complete all computer lab records, homework and class work assignments to help them understand more about the music.
–Students will work TOGETHER in order for the class to perform to the best of our abilities and to LEARN about music.
Please SIGN, DATE and RETURN this page of the Handbook stating that you and your child have read and understand the Music Technology HANDBOOK and PROCEDURES for Central Park School. Please return only this page to Ms. Garrett this week. Keep the other pages for your reference.
INSTRUMENT – Music Technology SCHOOL - Central Park Elementary
CLASS - Ms. Garrett - Music Technology
CURRENT HOMEROOM TEACHER __________________________
GRADE ____
DATE __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
EMAIL (Please Print Clearly)
Please include your name, your child’s name and class when sending email to me. Thank you.
Confidential Survey
—This will help me to determine what equipment is available for students to complete assignments at home. Also, it will help me to create CD’s or Floppy disks of student work to bring home for parents to review. This information will not be shared with anyone else.
Do you have a computer at home with CD drive? (circle)? NO or YES
Do you have Internet access at home (circle)? NO or YES
Do you have a piano or electronic keyboard at home for your child to practice music (circle)? No / Piano / Keyboard
Do you have a CD player at home (plays regular audio CD’s)? NO or YES
Has your child had any instruction in Keyboard or Piano lessons before now (circle)? NO or YES
