What do you think of this homework??

[lvs_eeyore]

My son's minor in elementary school is band. This is the homework the teacher gave out today.

Draw out two staffs, change the cadence of the piece of music from 3/4 to 4/4 drawing in all of the musical notes, the lines, the treble clef etc... They were given ONE night to do this.

I think this is MUCH too MUCH to expect from an eight year old child. My son is having fits over here and crying because he just cant get it. My son also has a fine motor skill problem and drawing is not easy for him nor is writing. Even if he didnt have these problems I think this is much to much to expect from kids this young.

 

[jsmith]

I understand that it is very difficult for your son because of his fine motor skills and one night may be a bit short however if a child is to play and instrument they must be able to read and understand music -this seems like a reasonable assigment for a beginning band student-8 does seem a bit young-most band programs usually begin in 4th grade around 10. string programs however frequently begin earlier and I can recall both of my sons having similar assignments in third grade. Give him a hug and maybe a glass of milk-and maybe have him work on something less frustrating for a while-then come back to this when he is more relaxed

 

[CRB#33]

I'm shocked they have majors and minors in elementary school??? Is it a private school?

Treble clefs are difficult for an adult to draw. I'm not sure how he is to change the cadence, but maybe this will help. He can add one quarter note (somehow keeping true to the cadence) to each measure. I'm thinking he should add either one more note or one more beat to a note already in the measure.

For example...if the e/4 measure is made up of 6 8th notes, he should add two more 8th notes to make a like 4/4 measure. This would keep the candence continuous.

Good Luck!

 

[Saffron]

Minor in Elementary school!

I don't mean to get off track and honestly, I'm not being flip, I'm fascinated with the idea that students minor in something in elementary school. Do they have a major? What are the other options to minor in? Do all of the kids have to have a minor? Do they have to have a major? I find this fascinating since I'm an Elementary Education student.

I'm sorry, you don't have to answer me, I know you're asking a totally different question. I was wondering if when you get a chance though, can you fill me in sometime? I would love to hear about your son's program.

And sorry, I know nothing about music, so I don't know how to answer your question. I'm sorry to hear he's so upset though.
{{{Hugs}}}} to him.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

He is in a performing arts magnet school. It was the school for our area. Performing arts is good for him right now because he needs work with bringing himself out a bit and with fine motor skills. Once he gets to middle school we will probably switch him to a more math, science related magnet school since thats where his real talent lies.

He minors in band and his major is Strings. He is learning the Viola.

I know he needs to learn to read and write music but I think the teacher should have given more than one night to do this project or given the younger ones more time to do it. There are three grades represented in one class, third, fourth, and fifth. My son is in third and this is their first exposure to all of this.

BTW his treble clefs came out BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I am SO proud of him!!!! He finally did calm and get it done.

 

[nativetxn]

My ds was 9 (he studied string bass) before they asked him to do an assignment like this. I hope your son gets over his upset quickly.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Saffron I dont mind answering your questions at all.

Yes they do have to have a major and a minor by third grade. K-2 they are exposed to all areas where they can major and minor. At the end of 2nd they have to choose what they want to go into. Their choices are Band, Strings, Art, Dance, Acting, Choir, Keyboard, Tech. They may not get their first choices and a lot of it also depends on the childs test scores for the SAT's. WHY???? Im not sure.

If they TOTALLY hate what they are in they can pettition to change after six months. They at least have to give it that much time.

I am concerned because they put my guy in two classes that require major fine motor skills. Right now we are seeing how he does as it does not affect his GPA.

My son goes to school for an hour longer than a regular school because these classes are considered extra and they must have all the normal classes every other school has.

 

[honeywolf7]

I definitely think it's a little hard for an 8 year old....However, look at how proud he'll be when he does finish it

 

[Saffron]

Thank you lvs_eeyore for getting back to me so quickly!

I see where you're coming from now. As part of my teaching program, last semester I had to "teach" in a private academy. The school contained all grades, K - 12. All of the students had to "specailize" in one of the preformance arts. They had the choice of orchestra, choir, dance or theater. They started in first grade and kept the same "specialization" through 12th grade. They too could petition to have their "specialization" changed. It was amazing to hear the elementary orchestra students preform! I thought I was listening to my old high school orchestra!

Best wishes to your son! It sounds as if he has a wonderful opportunity to learn some skills that some of us wish we had.

PS -- glad he was able to finish the assignment. Extra {{{Hugs}}} to him.