Sixth Grade Band Bulletin
The School-Has-Changed Edition
Remote Learning Update
The world has changed immeasurably in the last month. I hope that your family is doing the very best you can in all ways during this very challenging time. Like all other parts of our lives, the school has also changed drastically. Band is very different during these last 4 weeks then it was ever before.
Students have been doing a great job overall getting assignments turned in. I like to see the assignments in on time, but I am being really flexible during this time. Students, please get them done as soon as you can so that assignments in my class (or the others) do not pile up.
The toughest part (for me) of the new "education normal" is that I don't get to work hands-on with the students. The challenge comes from the fact that we can't communicate and interact like normal. I love watching the flipgrid videos because it allows me to see the students, hear them play their instruments, and tell me what's new. I make instructional videos so I can show them how the assignments are to be done and let them know what I have been up to.
What We Are Doing:
1. First, Sixth Grade Band is on a "B" day which are Tuesday's and Thursdays. Bulldog Days are Fridays. The assignments on Bulldog Days are more outside-the-box.
2. BPS Administrators are asking teachers to take attendance on Tuesdays and Fridays. This is a check-in to see which students are getting work completed consistently. If the student turns in most/all work in a given time-frame, I mark the student "Present." If the student has turned in only partial work, I mark the student "Tardy," and if the student is not turning in any work, the student is marked "Absent."
3. I have 4 areas of focus for our E-Learning
a)Reviewing and getting close to mastery on concepts that were started before this all started
b)Giving the students new challenges like a couple of new band pieces, optional solos/duets, new exercises in new keys, and new rhythms.
c)Giving students a chance to experience music in a different way than we could do in class (improvisation for example)
d)Working to make sure that the students' social-emotional needs are met--especially during this very challenging time.
Resources: All resources that students need are already available or I will include the resources in the assignment. We use sheet music (PDF files accessible in the Google Classroom), Sight-Reading Factory (checking rhythms mostly), Flipgrid (most common)-students video themselves performing, Flat (composing tool--look for this next week), and Google Classroom. I only use Google Classroom as a launchpad for assignments. Always check Powerschool to see that assignments are completed.
I also really enjoy doing Google Hangout Meets. I am happy to help any student who would like a 10-15 minute private lesson to go over how to do something. All students need to do is email me and I will send an invite.
We will do our Second All-Class Google Hangout on Tuesday, April 21
7th Period Band: 1:00-1:20 pm
8th Period Band: 1:25-1:45 pm
9th Period Band: 1:50-2:10 pm
Students will get a survey on what music they would like to play.
Virtual All-City Song Lean On Me Due Friday April 17
CLICK HERE for the Document for the Sixth Grade Students. Flipgrid videos are due Friday 4/17/2020.
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Mr. Buckley's Contact Info
Email: robert.buckley@bps101.net
Website: www.rotolomusic.com
Facebook: facebook.com/rotolomusic
Twitter: @MusicRotolo