Music Content Area Literacy

MUSI 3351

 

Instructor:  Dr. Vicky V. Johnson

Office:  Fine Arts Center 105B

Phone: Ext. 9245

Email:  vjohnson@tarleton.edu

 

 

SYLLABUS

For week by week description of requirements, assignments, and exams, refer to the Course Outline at the following link:

http://www.vickyjohnson.altervista.org/MCAL.htm

 

Course Description

This course presents essential literacy skills and examines ways in which they may be developed in K-12 music classrooms. A variety of instructional strategies for reading, writing, listening, and critical thinking will be presented to help future music educators guide K-12 students to understand and express their musical experiences.

 

Required Materials

Textbook:  The Music and Literacy Connection, 2nd Edition by Dee Hansen, Elaine Bernstorf, and Gayle M. Stuber 

Note: A student of this institution is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from a university-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Mometrix Test Preparation, TExES Music EC-12 (177) Study Guide.

Flashcards

 

Course Objectives

 

Knowledge Outcomes:  Students will be able to:

  1. consider music reading as its own literacy

  2. make connections between music and other disciplines to reinforce reading and writing skills in the music classroom and rehearsal hall

  3. approach music disciplinary literacy metacognitively, to produce students who can read and think critically

  4. associate music content literacy (reading music) to complementary literacy skills

Skill Outcomes:  Students will be able to:

  1. use strategies that support literacy in the context of music

  2. provide a learning environment where the development of habits of arts-centered inquiry leads to more deeply connected learning

  3. embed appropriate literacy strategies within music instruction to provide opportunities for students to become more involved in the learning process

  4. develop activities to include associated reading comprehension and effective written communication in music support areas of study

Value Outcomes:  Students will:

  1. appreciate cultural differences in musical content, in both reading and expression

  2. recognize the value of technology in promoting literacy in the context of music education

 

What students will be expected to learn or be able to do

Course Outcome: Student will . . .

What we are trying to accomplish

Purpose

Why this is important

How the outcome will be developed

What you will do to get there

How the outcome will be assessed

How we will know if you have learned it or can do it

Know music content to the TExES competency level

To be able to teach music content to your students

Make flashcards

Practice flashcards with partners

Attend 4 Review sessions

Attend lectures

 

TExES test

Embedded questions in midterm and final exam

Examine the connection between language and music

To provide opportunities to strengthen both by using both in the music classroom/ensemble

Read textbook

Attend lectures

Flashcards

Weekly discussion posts

Recognize reading disabilities in k-12 students

To provide early intervention

To advocate for music as a learning tool

Read textbook

Attend lectures

 

Embedded questions in final exam

Create opportunities for language and music content learning in K-12 classrooms

To give your students the vocabulary and meaning to keep learning

Improve teaching style and modality

Short lessons provide a strategy to include content

 

Prepare 2-minute applications

Watch classmates' videos and critique

Teaching assessed via rubric, peer and instructor feedback

 

Course Work

In-class lectures, discussions and analyses

Weekly assignments

 

TExES reviews

Final project/paper

 

Grading Will Be Based On

Assignments 50%

Exams 40%

Class participation 10%

Grading scale:

A = 90 - 100

B = 80 - 89

C = 70 - 79

D = 60 - 69

F = below 60

Standard rounding will apply. For example, 79.4 = C; 79.5 = B

Note: As per the Music Major Handbook, a grade of C or above is required for this course to apply to a music degree.

Tarleton differentiates between a failed grade in a class because a student never attended (F0 grade), stopped attending at some point in the semester (FX grade), or because the student did not pass the course (F) but attended the entire semester. These grades will be noted on the official transcript. Stopping or never attending class can result in the student having to return aid monies received.  For more information see the Tarleton Financial Aid website.

 

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required. Absences will only be excused with proper written documentation. This includes a note from a healthcare provider in case of illness or notification from a sponsor (presented in advance) in the case of a University sanctioned activity. Attendance at funerals and court appearances will also be excused with proper documentation and advance notice. As future teachers, show responsibility by emailing me before class if you need to be absent.

Class will begin on time and absences marked in Canvas. If you are late and have already been marked absent, it is your responsibility to check in at the end of class to have the absence corrected to a tardy.

A student's absences will not change any deadline or assignment requirements. You are always responsible for any material you miss, so check the Course Outline and/or a fellow classmate for announcements, assignments, and requirements.

 

Classroom Policy

No food in the classroom. Drinks in hard-sided containers with lids are permitted.

Turn off your cell phones and put them out of sight - mine and yours.  Text messaging is prohibited in the classroom.  Please see me if you have a special emergency situation requiring this type of communication.

Attention will be given to the lesson at hand, or you will be excused from the classroom.  (In other words, no working on other homework, personal business, sleeping, etc.)

Keep your backpacks and other personal belongings out of the aisles for the sake of convenience and safety.

Do not leave the room during class except for an emergency as this disruption is almost always (except for an emergency) avoidable.  Although it may not be disruptive to slip out, coming back in is always distracting.

If your conduct for any reason is unacceptable, you will be asked to leave.  Do not return to class until you have made an appointment to see me and the situation has been resolved.

 

Assignments

All homework assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date specified in the Course Outline. Specific instructions for assignments will often be listed in the Course Outline which will be updated on the course web page.  It is important to refer to this page often.  Any modifications to the schedule will be announced in class.

Late assignments will only be accepted with prior approval and then at a penalty of ten points per calendar day.

 

Communication

Students may reach me as follows:

  • In my office (105B): if the door is open, come on in. If the door is closed or if I am meeting with someone, please make an appointment with the administrative assistant in 105A.
  • By email (vjohnson@tarleton.edu)  Expect a reply within 24 hours under normal circumstances. If you have not heard from me in 24 hours, please call my office during business hours at 254.968-9245. If you still can't reach me, you may text.
  • Text me at 254.968.1519  Please text me only if you have already tried to email and call.

 

Academic Honesty

Tarleton State University expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Students guilty of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. The faculty member is responsible for initiating action for each case of academic dishonesty that occurs in his or her class.

Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a grade of "F" for the class.  You will be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and further disciplinary action may also be taken beyond the Department of Performing Arts.  Cheating is serious business and the penalties for engaging in this sort of activity will be severe.  Consult the following link for further information on academic conduct as specified in the TSU catalog.  http://catalog.tarleton.edu/undergrad/academicinformation/

 

Students with Disabilities Policy

Tarleton State University is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (www.ada.gov) and other applicable laws. If you are a student with a disability seeking an accommodation for this course, please contact Disability Resources at 254.968.9400, disability@tarleton.edu or visit https://www.tarleton.edu/drt

 

Health and Wellness Policy

It is the Department of Fine Arts' policy to provide and maintain a safe and healthy work environment for students, faculty, and staff, and to accept responsibility for the health and safety of others, including visitors, who may be affected by our activities.  This policy applies to all activities and areas of the department, including performance spaces, classrooms, studios, practice rooms, faculty and staff offices, and communal areas. 

 

COVID Policy

Anyone feeling ill or exhibiting any symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19 is encouraged to stay home and monitor said symptoms and/or consult a physician. Commonly associated symptoms may be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

 

University Core Value Statements

https://www.tarleton.edu/tarletonforward/#mission

 

University Policy

Students are responsible for knowing and abiding by the policies and information regarding the Student Code of Conduct and Student Rights and Responsibilities

 

Note:  Please see the Course Outline for specific topics, schedule, requirements, and deadlines.

 

 

 

  

Created and maintained by Vicky V. Johnson