Some or our American teachers will be finishing school this week, but for many teachers you are into the home stretch and looking forward to the end of the school year. Report cards are not anyone's favorite job, but it's important to communicate how the students have progressed in music. If we don't assess, evaluate and report on what we've taught, it's possible that parents will look at music as a "frill" or "something extra" that we do if we have time, and not as a subject area that's really valuable to our students.
A teacher in the Musicplay Teacher's Group on Facebook asked for samples of report card comments, so I've gathered some samples for you to peruse. Every district (and sometimes every school) has a different reporting policy. Some allow and encourage lengthy comments, and some limit you to just 1-2 sentences. Here are some categorized comments:
Attitude
The student:
- is an enthusiastic learner who seems to enjoy music class.
- exhibits a positive outlook and attitude in the music classroom.
- is a positive influence on other students in music class.
- participates with enthusiasm when singing
- participates with enthusiasm when playing instruments
- shows enthusiasm for music classroom activities.
- volunteers ideas and suggestions in musical activities
- strives to always do their best in music class.
- is committed to doing their best in music class
- enjoys problem solving and challenges in music class.
- takes responsibility for their learning in music class.
Behavior
The student:
- cooperates with the teacher and other students.
- participates appropriately when playing musical games
- transitions easily between musical activities without distraction.
- is courteous and shows good manners in the classroom.
- follows music classroom rules.
- conducts themselves with maturity.
- responds appropriately when corrected.
- remains focused on the activity.
- resists the urge to be distracted by other students.
- is kind and helpful to everyone in the classroom.
- sets an example of excellence in behavior and cooperation.
- shows respect for teachers and peers.
- treats the instruments with care and respect.
Participation
The following comments are leveled
1 - Developing
- Beginning to participate appropriately and actively in music class. Requires frequent teacher reminders.
2 - Satisfactory
- Sometimes participates appropriately and actively in music class. Requires teacher reminders.
3 - Proficient
- Participates appropriately and actively in music class. Occasionally requires teacher prompts.
4 - Excellent
- Participates appropriately and actively in all music classes.
Skills
The following comments are leveled.
1 - Developing
- Beginning to perform some instrument and singing parts with teacher support
2 - Satisfactory
- Can perform some instrument and singing parts with teacher support.
3 - Proficient
- Can perform instrument and singing parts. Requires prompts from the teacher.
4 - Excellent
- Can perform all instrument and singing parts independently.
Concepts
The following comments are leveled.
1 - Developing
- With teacher support, beginning to read, write, and identify some grade level beat and rhythm concepts.
2 - Satisfactory
- With teacher support, reads, writes, and identifies some grade level beat and rhythm concepts.
3 - Proficient
- With teacher prompts, reads, writes, and identifies all grade level beat and rhythm concepts.
4 - Excellent
- Independently reads, writes, and identifies all grade level beat and rhythm concepts.
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