Music: 3rd – 8th Grades Mrs.

Jessica Tucksen
Third through eighth grade general music will focus on both choral singing and classroom
activity and discussion. Lessons for each grade are designed to teach musical concepts
appropriate to age and skill level. Throughout the year, concepts from previous lessons will be
reviewed, reinforced, and expanded upon. Lessons will focus on the National Standards of
Music listed below, and through the course of the year each standard will be addressed many
times.

National Standards of Music

1) Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

2) Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
3) Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments
4) Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
5) Reading and notating music
6) Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
7) Evaluating music and music performances
8) Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the
arts
9) Understanding music in relation to history and culture
10) Understanding music in relationship to spirituality, prayer, and Catholic values, customs,
and traditions

Different methods of instruction include:

 Singing and playing instruments to study rhythm, melody, and harmony

 Studying sheet music and visual representations of music and form
 Listening to different kinds of music and describing what is heard
 Moving and dancing to increase awareness of form and meter
 Working alone and in groups to arrange music under set guidelines

We will also continue in class to reinforce Boys Town Behavioral Skills. We discuss why these
skills are important, as well as how they apply specifically in the music classroom.

Grading

As so many of our lessons depend on group performance and effort, every student earns a daily
grade. 3rd-5th graders earn 4 points per day, and middle school students earn 10 points per day.
Daily grade points are earned by participating respectfully during all classroom activities.
Absent students are excused from that day’s participation grade.
Students will also receive grades for worksheets, group activities, and musical performances
completed in class, along with feedback on ways to improve. At the end of a unit, students will
either take a written or performance-based test over the skills taught in class. Most missed
work due to absence will be made up in class upon the student’s return, though students may
need to arrange to come in before or after school to makeup tests or finish projects.

Middle school students will receive more opportunities for expanded choral singing and
independent projects (History and Pop Music research, electronic music, rhythm and dance
work). Grades will be weighted 50% daily participation and 50% written and performance work
in order to better reflect the importance of these assignments. Time and resources will be
provided in class to complete projects, but students requiring additional time may come in any
day before school, or by appointment after school.

Concerts

Our most important performance assessments are our concerts – performance is graded and
attendance is mandatory, so mark the concerts in your calendar now! Students who miss one or
both concerts will be expected to complete a makeup assignment. Please note that if your
student misses a concert for a reason other than illness or family emergency, their concert
grade will be lowered by one full letter grade even with the makeup assignment. If your student
will be missing a concert for any reason, please contact me as soon as possible.

Concert dates: Middle School Music Program: Thursday, Jan. 24th @ 2pm and 6pm

3rd-5th Grade Music Program: Thursday, Apr. 4th @ 2pm and 6pm

My goal with each and every child is, above all, to instill a love of music and singing, especially
when that music is used to glorify God! I hope to enable students to sing and perform
confidently in groups, particularly during Mass. Each and every student has amazing musical
potential and I will work to help them realize that themselves! Please feel free to email, check
my website (link from the staff page of St. Stephen’s School) or log onto Sycamore for more
information regarding specific assignments, concert dates and attire, and extracurricular
opportunities. Thank you and God Bless!

Mrs. Jessica Tucksen j.tucksen@stephen.org