2. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The objective of Keyboard 1 is proficiency. We approach the keyboard as a skill for the beginner and to focus the abilities of those players who have had some experience on the instrument. This course teaches basic piano skills, grand staff music reading, scales and standard chord progressions, lead sheet, basic transposition, basic sight reading, and ensemble playing. The course text is Alfred Adult All-in-one Course Level 1.
Music theory is the study of all the aspects of written music. It is also the analysis of music in both written and aural form. Students will learn to develop a further understanding of music by being able to write and hear all forms of music. This is achieved by learning to write and identify scales, chords, intervals, melodies and harmonies, transposing and arranging music, identifying forms and symbols, and all of the basic elements of music. Students will learn how to analyze music aurally and be able to transfer that to a written form of music through musical dictation. The course text is Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory Complete Workbook.

3. Required Materials
The student should have these supplies by the second week of school. It is essential to have them in every class (points will be deducted from your grade each time you come to class without required materials):
• Personal Headset -Please purchase an inexpensive stereo headset or ear buds that will be stored in the classroom in a locked cabinet. You need to have a set that remains at school.
• ¼- inch stereo adapter- this will be included in class materials fees, and remain with your headset in the cabinet.
• Notebook— Three-Ring Binder(preferable) or a folder, kept up-to-date with the following divisions
(use tabbed dividers that extend beyond the papers):
• Practice Plan & Assignments •Handouts & Class Notes •Graded Tests & Quizzes
• Music Theory • Music
• Materials Fee—Keyboard workbooks are not provided by DCPS. Each student will pay a class fee. $16 Fee was due by August 24. (We are also ordering Music Theory books, will be approx. $11)
• Staff Paper and pencil

4. Student Work Policy
Students are expected to practice and ask for help during class time and are encouraged to practice during after-school hours if possible. A piano or keyboard at home is not required, but would be extremely helpful. Students will be responsible for practicing several different assignments during each class. Assignments and due dates are posted daily on the board and on the website. Students are expected to check for updates on the class website. If a student doesn’t have an assignment prepared, or he/she cannot show significant progress on an assignment by the due date, he/she will complete a Missing/Unprepared Assignment slip and turn that in as a substitute. Students will have until the next class period to complete the assignment, and 10% will be deducted from that grade each class period, until the assignment is completed. Music Theory lessons happen each week. In-class work is given, and homework, for each unit. Check website regularly for updates. Quizzes for Music Theory are separate from Keyboard Quizzes.

5. MAKE-UP WORK
Two or more weeks advance notice is given on all assignments before any test is given. If students are absent on their testing day, they should expect to play on the day they return. They will have had sufficient time to be prepared before the absence occurred. Exceptions will be made for extended illness/absence as needed.
SAFETY NETS
Please don’t hesitate to ask questions. During class, time is given for individual questions and help. If necessary, extra help is available. Please see me to make an appointment. Students needing extra help may make an appointment for Lunch and Learn.

6. • Gum, candy, food, and drinks are not allowed in the classroom for the safety of the equipment.
• Always sanitize your hands before playing any keyboard instrument (this includes your piano at home). Avoid touching your face with your hands. If you must cough or sneeze, use your elbow, or sleeve, or turn your face to your shoulder. With over 150 students using these keyboards each week, good hygiene habits will greatly reduce the spread of germs and illness.

7. Daily Routine
Upon entering the classroom, students must sanitize hands and pick up their headphones and adapters from the class bin, located on the teacher’s desk. Cell Phones are not allowed for use in class. Cellphones are to be placed in the designated Wall Pocket Holder for the duration of the class. Students will take out their Piano Workbook and begin the technique warmup while the teacher enters the attendance. Then, the teacher will give group instruction on the Workbook unit, skills assignments, and solo and group assignments. The remainder of the class time is used for individual practice/work on assignments, asking for help as needed. Sometimes, the teacher will also assign partner practice time to encourage collaboration of skills and knowledge. 5 minutes prior to the end of class, the students will be directed to return their headphones to the class bin, and pick up their cellphones from the Wall Pocket Holder.

8. Student Evaluation
Each student’s individual level of proficiency will be taken into consideration, along with the following:
Playing Tests on the Workbook Units—20%
Performances in Class (Quarter Final Playing Exams)—15%
Written Quizzes —15%
Quarter Written Exam—10%
Weekly Grade—20%
Complete the given assignments; consistently follows daily classroom procedures; comes with materials each period. Graded weekly.
Skills Proficiency & Theory Classwork—20%
Demonstration of progress in fluent note-reading and proficiency in playing the following: Scales and chord progressions, Selected Technic Exercises, Sightreading, Transposition, Lead Sheet
Completion and accurate work in Music Theory Assignments

9. Teacher Information
CONFERENCE TIMES AVAILABLE: Please contact me by to arrange an appointment:
I can arrange to meet Power hour, before school on some days, or after school on Wednesday or Friday.
VOICE MAIL: , ext. 139, 181
TEACHER WEBSITE: er=16999
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: DA Website:
 To view student grades check “Focus”

10. You can help…
THE FOLLOWING DONATIONS GIVEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ARE EXTREMELY HELPFUL FOR MINIMIZING THE SPREAD OF GERMS:
Boxes of Tissues
Large pump bottles of hand sanitizer
Alcohol wipes