Friendswood Junior High Mustang Band!

Among our primary objectives when children begin learning to play a musical instrument is to help them feel a sense of accomplishment while still providing a challenge for them.  Some children seem to catch on to things right away with little trouble, while others need to work a bit harder to enjoy the same results.  Our homework assignments and grading practices so far have rewarded both procedural aspects of participating in band (having materials each class, following specific instructions for caring for their instruments, etc.) as well as performance skills.  As with any other academic endeavor, students who study at home are generally more successful than students who do not.  Despite what your band student may tell you, there really is homework in band every night!

Our expectation is that each student will spend a minimum of 3 hours (180 minutes) per seven-day week practicing homework material for band.  This is best achieved by setting a specific time each day (usually 30 minutes) when he/she can work on the day’s assignments.  As with any other subject, when parents show an interest in their children’s schoolwork, they are more likely to complete assignments and feel successful.  This works especially well in band when you ask to hear what your child is working on for the next class day. 

In order to reward the students for their daily practice, they will receive a grade each week based upon the number of minutes of practice they have accumulated over the previous seven days.  The grading scale works as follows:

Total Practice Time                              Numerical Grade         Letter Equivalent

210 + minutes (3 1/2 hours +)……………110………………….....A

180-209 minutes (3 to 3 1/2 hrs)………….100………………….…A

150-179 minutes (2-1/2 to 3 hrs)…………...85…………………….B

120-149 minutes (2 to 2 1/2 hrs)……………75……………………C

90-119 minutes (1-1/2 to 2 hrs)……………..70…………………....D

60-89 minutes (1 to 1 1/2 hrs)………………60…………………….F

Less than 60 minutes…………………………0…………………….F

The objective here is to help students get into a band study routine just as in any other class.  Please do not allow your child to attempt to practice for marathon sessions only once or twice a week.  This usually results in frustration and fatigue, and inhibits the daily progress expected in class.  We would not allow an athlete training for a track career to run a marathon on the first day. 

As your student’s practice habits become more routine, you will probably notice a change in your student’s other homework skills.  The self-discipline that music teaches tends to carry over into other areas of school and life.  Students will begin recording on their practice card beginning on September 3rd and the first practice cards are due for a grade beginning on September 10th. Every band has an IN-tray assigned to their band class.  It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the card is signed and turned in by the first band class of the week and to the appropriate IN-tray. We will be following the FJH Late Work Policy for any days after the due date.  The student must also pick up their card from the appropriate OUT-tray after it has been graded.  We will do our best to place the cards in the out tray by the next day of that week.  You can check on your son’s/daughter’s practice card for a director’s initials to make sure it was graded.  If the card is placed in the wrong tray, it will not be graded.  Replacement practice cards can be purchased for 25 cents.  A handwritten note will only be accepted once per 9 weeks. If your student is sick, the card will be accepted as long as it is within the 3-day period to turn it in. Please place a sticky note on the card stating the date your child was absent.  Please work with us in providing your child with the opportunity to succeed this year.