  ELCOMEE
To Ms. Quitno's Musical Notes!!!
I look forward to another year of adventure,
leading children into new connections in our musical world!
Supplies
It is especially important for my students to have a snap-ring notebook filled with lined notebook paper.*
RECORDERS, which are simple musical instruments, will also be needed. We use recorders so that all students have opportunities to read real music, notes and symbols on musical staves, making music with each other. Most of my students have these instruments from elementary school years. If your child doesn't have one, then I will be sending home a memo about how to buy or borrow a recorder.
AGENDAS are to be used daily by your child, in school, at home, AND in my class, too. It is our best way to communicate between teachers and parents. It will also be helpful so that your child will become more organized with their assignments and other activities.
*Throughout the semester, your child will be learning about many different topics connected with music. If students get into the practice of writing down class notes from most lessons that we share, then at the end of the semester, they will find they have quite a nice portfolio of information. Fifth graders will be working to improve their note taking skills in my class. Sixth grade students will discover that these class notes are their key for success!!! Why? All my quizzes for 6th graders are "open notes." Students who have been attentive and have written down basic points of interest from our lessons, will find they have most of the answers right there in their notebook!
Rules for My Classes
I call my rules "The Three R's"! Quite simply, this means...
RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY REASON!
RESPECT: for each other, for our time together, for new ideas, and for our subject of music
RESPONSIBILITY: to always have necessary supplies ready to use; to be in school and in the classroom except for illness or some other very good excuse; to pay attention and put in effort, trying to learn new things and use new skills
REASON: being reasonable will always be acceptable!
Topics and Activities
We will use many different approaches as we learn more about music: singing, playing our recorders, listening to many different styles of music, watching videos of some of the greatest performances of orchestras and Broadway musicals, plus biographies of composers and performers, studying music history, learning the basics of music theory, and more! I especially enjoy connecting music to ideas, like to ideas of history and society.
Every other year, we switch from modern topics to historical topics. One year, we will primarily study the great classics of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, and also (as time allows) take a brief look at ballet, and youth symphonies, etc.
Then for alternating years, we will again concentrate on the more "modern" topics of jazz and blues, history of American show biz and Broadway musicals, and, (as time allows,) the earliest history of rock 'n' roll.
My goal is to offer your child, within their 2 semesters of General Music at the Middle School, (one semester in the 5th grade and one semester in the 6th grade,) a broad spectrum of musical experiences and information. We are going to expand our cultural horizons through our studies.
Also, and because I teach almost every child attending Agawam Middle School, I try to incorporate some basic educational skills. We do try to improve our note taking skills, to learn ways to be more organized as students, to remember to be careful with good English language, whether spoken or written, to write neatly when taking a quiz, etc. I consider these to be universal skills that, though taught in other classes, will be effectively reinforced if repeated in my class.
Let Us Work Together for Success
We work hard in Middle School and
Learning is Hard Work!
Every year I have at least a few students who apparently are so sleepy, they can barely stay awake during class! See what I mean?!
With TV and computers in several rooms at home, we sometimes may not know just how late our youngsters stay awake on school nights. If a student feels rested and ready, he or she will find that school activities are much easier.
As for homework....GOOD NEWS!
There are rarely any homework assignments for General Music.
However, for those subjects that do require daily assignments, (for example, math or reading, etc.) students need a quiet place to study, with excellent light, a table and a supply of pens and pencils. It's almost impossible for children at this age to wisely choose priorities if TV and computer games are competing for their attention.
Our Communications
Please, share your concerns with me by notes written in your child's agenda, by phone (through the school office), OR email me at.......Mquitno@agawamteachers.org. I will respond a.s.a.p.!
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