Fulton County Grading Scale:
A: 90-100, B: 80-89, C: 70-79, F: any grade below a 70
Semester Grade Categories
- 50% Summative
Written Tests, Concert Performances, Playing Tests, Concert Reflection Activities
- 30% Class Assignments
Written and Performance Assignments, Projects
- 30% Formative
Evaluation of in-class, daily performance activities
- 20% Homework
Checkpoint assessments, individual, home or in-class, short performance assessments (can be unannounced)
Daily Performance Rubric
Instrument Performance Technique
MMSO.2.a. Demonstrate correct left hand position and finger placement, right hand position (bow hold) and bow placement, posture, instrument position and bow placement, while increasing the level of technical difficulty.
Sitting and Holding Posture during performance
MMSO.2.a. Demonstrate correct left hand position and finger placement, right hand position (bow hold) and bow placement, posture, instrument position and bow placement, while increasing the level of technical difficulty.
Bow/Pizz Technique
MMSO.2.c. Produce a characteristic sound using legato, staccato, slurs, detached slur, accent, spiccato, hooked bowing, and pizzicato.
Ensemble Performance
MMSO.2.e. Demonstrate awareness of individual and group roles within the ensemble relating to tone, tuning, balance, blend, dynamics, phrasing, and tempo.
Grading Policies
Major Performance Assessments Retake
Like any skill based curriculum, mastery learning and performance is essential for students to be successful in orchestra. Any student scoring a very low grade on any major assessment may retake major assessments for an improved grade. Some retakes may require students to turn a “Retake Worksheet” and there is a limit of retakes students may have for each major assessment.
Academic Recovery
A student who has a low (73 or below) or failing cumulative grade may ask the teacher for opportunities to improve his/her grade when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements, including attendance.
Assignment Makeup Policy
Upon returning to school following an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain make-up work. Make-up work must be completed by the student within the time specified by the teacher. The student will receive the actual grade on the make-up work if the absence was excused.
Help Sessions
Help Sessions are on Wednesdays, from 8:15-8:40AM. Students need to notify Mr. Liu a day in advance if they plan on attending the Wednesday help session. Extra help sessions may be scheduled on other days. Please schedule help sessions early as Mr. Liu limits the number of students per help session day in order to have the time to assist every student attending help sessions.
Academic Honesty
Academic integrity is an essential component of education. If a student is found to have violated the academic honesty policy at RTMS, he/she will be subject to a tiered system of consequences. A full description of the RTMS Academic Honesty policy can be found on p. 2 of the student agenda.
Instrument Repair
If a student’s instrument is in the shop for repair, the directors will not deduct points from the class daily performance grade. However, the student must bring a note from the parent stating that the instrument is in the shop for repairs to receive credit. The note must include the name of the store and date the instrument was dropped off for repair. This allows the directors to contact the repair shop if the directors feel the repair is taking too long. Students still need to complete the “Rehearsal Summary” form.