Guitar
2024-2025
Mr. Belliston – Room 137
Email: mbelliston@kimberly.edu
Phone: 208-423-4170 ext. 3137
Welcome to Guitar! In class we will create music and play along with old and new tunes while learning the basics of guitar. Students will need to provide their own guitar and will need to play and sing in class. There is no prerequisite. Guitarists of all skills levels are welcome to join this class. There will be opportunities for students to perform at the choir concerts, but they will not be required.
Materials:
- Pencil(s)
- Guitar Books (provided)
- Guitar (there are some school guitars available first come, first served basis)
- Tuner or tuning app
- One-to-one device
Grading (per semester): Please be flexible with the grading and the percentages here are approximate.
| Attendance and Participation | 50% |
| Song Pass Offs (5-8 per semester) | 20% |
| Written Assessments (4-6 per semester) | 15% |
| Performances (2 per semester) | 15% |
Attendance, Participation & Citizenship:
Students will earn up to 10 points (5 points per class) a week.
- 3 points for showing up on time and participating well.
- 2 points for each class they are prepared with materials.
Students will have 2 absences and 1 tardy per semester that will not count against them. Beyond the allowable absences (2) and tardy (1), make-up work for missed classes will only be given for emergency situations (i.e.: funeral, illness, hospitalization or other significant emergencies. Documentation will be required. Family vacation, lunch date with parent, doctor’s appointments, etc. will count as the two (2) allowable absences but will NOT count as emergency situations). After 6 absences, regardless of reason for absence, special determinations may need to be made since participation, attendance, and performances could be adversely affected by missing so many classes.
Students will arrive with a guitar, pencil, paper, and computer for every class. If a student comes to class unprepared, participation points will be docked.
Students may only use electronic devices with permission of the teacher. If a cell phone is used without permission, the teacher will ask the student to take it to the office and participation points will be docked. Laptops and other devices will be left on the teacher’s desk until the end of class.
Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to class. Other food or drink, including gum, is not allowed in class. Participation points may be docked if students make a mess of the music room or other spaces we may use to rehearse.
Students will engage in class and participate fully. Participation is the largest measure of success.
Students are expected to follow student handbook behavior and dress guidelines.
Students are expected to be honest, respectful, and kind to everyone, both in and out of class. Any disrespectful behavior (bullying, lack of participation, poor effort, etc.) can result in points deducted in participation and administrative discipline.
Song Pass Offs, Written Assessments & Performances:
Students will be expected to pass off 5-8 songs each semester that will demonstrate their knowledge of technique, chords, and music theory. Students will play alone or with the group while singing.
Written work will include quizzes on music theory and chords/notes on the guitar.
Students will perform alone or with a group two (2) pieces of music in class or posted on canvas. The piece must be approved by the teacher at least one (1) week in advance. All lyrics and themes should be appropriate or edited for an educational setting.