Practice Grade Information
SCMS Practice Requirements
For information on what we are working on in class, see Mrs. Czarnecki's website:
[email protected] or log in to CANVAS
- Playing an instrument requires time to practice skills and create the muscle memory that allows musicians to grow. The more a student practices, the more fun they will have playing.
- Students are expected to practice a minimum of 5 practice sessions each week but the focus should be on achieving 2 or 3 goals such as perfecting a section of their songs for play testing, working on a solo, scales, etc. Time will vary but should be at least 20 to 30 minutes.
- Daily practice is best. Do not skip more than one day between sessions.
- The time spent practicing usually takes care of itself when the focus is on a goal.
- All students should have a thin notebook with their music to track practice sessions. Any notebook will work. They should keep the notebook with their music. This helps the student know what they have worked on and shows them their progress.
- Practice books are not graded but encouraged. Extra Credit is a possibility for those who keep a book.
- An Entry consists of the following:
- Entry has a date
- They have 3 or more goals listed - Goals should be very specific
- They have responded to how their practice went.
- Some questions to consider when responding to a goal: - Did you make your goal? What are you having trouble with? Do you have any questions. What is going well? What is your next step. What other parts of your playing would you like to work on? etc.
- When I evaluate their responses, I will give them a point for each element.
- Example / Sample:
- Sep. 8th 2020 (1 point)
- Goals: 1) Know all the fingerings and be able to play them in the C scale. (1 pt)
- 2) Be able to play all of the line and dynamics from rehearsal B to C in our piece. (1 pt)
- 3) Learn the melody line to Star Wars (1 pt)
- Responses: Goal 1 -((Tell me what happened)) I played the C scale many times and looked up all of the fingerings. Today I was able to remember all the fingerings but I had trouble remembering them well enough to get through the scale without a mistake. ((What will you do?)) I am going to break the scale down into smaller pieces and work on two sections at a time until I get it. This response would earn 4 points because it is very detailed - again. . . very specific
- Goal 2 - etc.
- Each entry is worth 10 points Date - 1 point
- 3 Specific Goals 3 points total
- at least 2 Responses to each goal - 6 points total
- Detailed answers earn extra credit up to 20 points total
For information on what we are working on in class, see Mrs. Czarnecki's website:
[email protected] or log in to CANVAS
- – Parent or Guardian, please check in with your student and have them show you their notebook every so often. You should be able to see what they have been working on.