Recorder grade

[nafmeadmin]

Am I justified in giving a third grade student a grade of 2 (below grade level expectations, making progress) on her report card? The student likes music, but thats about it. She doesn’t practice, and admits this. She doesn’t fool around in class. She can not play any of the song we are doing in the concert in a few weeks. She can play G up to D, but cannot play FED or C. I have GLEs and she is below that. If we are giving students grades to record how much they love music, or to encourage them in music, I really don’t see the point in grades. Sorry, I’m venting a little. Thoughts?

[nafmeadmin]

I don’t know what your report card says, but in my district we have skills/benchmarks listed and give marks separately for each one. It certainly sounds like the student you described should receive the 2. I would probably make a comment to explain that so the parents and student would know. I would probably also include a “prescription” for how to improve: “So and so is having difficulty playing all of the notes we have studied on the recorder. It would help if she/he would practice at home.” That is probably a more helpful comment earlier in the year, but I try to state the concern along with a suggestion for how to improve.

[nafmeadmin]

My report card uses words like “works toward” and “shows improvement”. It’s not about the end result but about the process. For recorders I also have practice charts that are on the report card which seems like where your student would lose a lot of points.

But in general, I HATE giving grades for instruments. It goes against every musical bone in my body. But its required. ugh.

[Author]

Posts