Advanced String Methods

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Each student will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions corresponding to the following standards (and associated components) outlined by the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards Commission:

Standard I: Teachers demonstrate leadership

• Take responsibility for all students’ learning

• Establish a safe and orderly environment

• Collaborate with colleagues

Standard II: Teachers establish a respectful environment for a diverse population of students

• Encourage an environment that is inviting, respectful, supportive, inclusive, and flexible

• Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures

• Select materials and develop lessons that counteract stereotypes and incorporate contributions

Standard III: Teachers know the content they teach

• Know the content appropriate to orchestra instruction

• Align with both National (American String Teachers Association National Curriculum) and State Standards

• Incorporate life skills which include leadership, ethics, accountability, adaptability, personal productivity, personal responsibility, people skills, self-direction, and social responsibility

Standard IV: Teachers facilitate learning for their students

• Engage students in the learning process

• Respond to cultural diversity and the learning needs of students

• Integrate and utilize technology in their instruction

Standard V: Teachers reflect on their practice

• Analyze student learning

• Participate in continued, high-quality professional development

• Develop performance skills on a secondary string instrument.

• Gain further understanding of the current methodologies in string teaching.

• Apply the basic pedagogical principles of string teaching to group instruction using strategies outlined by string pedagogues.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Teaching Demonstrations/Episodes/Projects	20%
Playing Assessments	10%
Canvas Pedagogy Discussions and Assignments	20%
Internship Planning and Participation	20%
Attendance/Participation	30%

Percentage	Letter Grade
93%-100%	A
90%-92%	A-
87%-89%	B+
83%-86%	B
80%-82%	B-
77%-79%	C+
73%-76%	C
70%-72%	C-
67%-69%	D+
63%-66%	D
60%-62%	D-
59% or below	F

Attendance/Participation:

As a preservice music educator, musician, conductor, or composer, the importance of attendance and punctuality should be well understood. Daily attendance is required, for reasons of both professionalism and learning. This is a participatory class, where daily participation is vital for all members of the class. You are allowed three excused absences before your grade is affected.

• Absences will result in a loss of five (5) points from your daily participation grade. Tardies (15 minutes or less late) will result in a 3 point reduction of your participation grade.

• In order for an absence to be excused, it is essential that you notify the instructor in advance via email. Text messages or word-of-mouth will not be accepted.

• Excused absences can be made up with an alternate assignment or attendance at an office hour at the discretion of the instructor. Alternate assignments, if assigned, must be submitted within one week of the absence. Students will be allowed to make up a maximum of three (3) excused absences.

• Regardless of the reason for absence, students are responsible for all content, material, and announcements that are missed.

• All add, drop, or withdrawal requests must be made by the deadlines listed on the ASU Academic Calendar.

The following circumstances constitute excused absences; however, absent students remain responsible for all material covered and must submit any assignment due on the day of their absence:

Religious Holidays & Observances
It is expected that instructors will make reasonable accommodations for students who have conflicts due to religious obligations. Please make arrangements with the instructor in advance of any conflict. For more information on UNCG’s Religious Obligations policy, visit: UNCG's Religious Obligations Policy.

University-Sponsored Activities
The university recognizes the importance of certain extra-curricular and co-curricular activities (including travel days) that enhance student learning, personal development, and professional growth. Instructors will excuse absences of students for participation in university-sponsored events under the following conditions noted below. Students who expect to miss one or more class meetings due to participation in university-sponsored activities should:

• Notify the instructor(s) at least five class days in advance

• Arrange to complete all missed work in advance of the absence whenever practicable as judged by the instructor(s). When missed work cannot be completed in advance, the instructor(s) should provide students with the opportunity to make up the work. Students should be aware, however, that not all kinds of work can be made up. The instructor(s) have the discretion to deny make-up work if (i) alternative assignments place an unreasonable demand on the instructor, (ii) the original assignment is such that not completing it at the originally assigned time impedes student learning.

• Present relevant documentation of participation in a relevant university-sponsored activity to the instructor(s) upon request.

Students who expect to miss more than three class periods of any single course of any kind in a term or more than two consecutive meetings of a laboratory course in order to participate in university-sponsored activities should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. In the case that the faculty member cannot make reasonable accommodations for make-up work, the student may appropriately be advised to drop the course.

Unplanned Absences & Other Circumstances
Unplanned absences, including health and personal emergencies, as well as other circumstances (line-of-duty/military responsibilities) will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Teaching Strings in Today’s Classroom by Rebecca B. MacLeod

• This text may be found in the university bookstore or can be accessed online

Folder or One-Inch Binder

• A number of handouts and resources will be provided throughout the semester

• String method books/texts will be loaned to you during the semester; please be sure to keep these in good shape for use in future semesters