K Jordan
Data based on 2 reviews.
What kind of test questions does this teacher use most often (choose one):
Multiple ChoiceIs the teacher available for extra help during study halls, lunchtime, before or after school, etc.?
Almost AlwaysThe teacher responds to emails promptly. Do you...
Strongly AgreeThe teacher posts in-class materials online for reference (slides, etc.):
Almost AlwaysThe teacher lets us know at the beginning of the course and along the way how much each part of the class (homework, papers, quizzes and tests) counts towards our total grade:
Strongly AgreeHow much homework does this teacher assign?
Way too muchThe amount of writing required in this class is:
Very HighThe teacher allows us to use technology in class (e.g. laptop, calculator, smart pen, etc.)
Almost AlwaysHow much memorization is required to do well in this teacher’s course?
Very HighWhat advice would you give yourself if you were just starting the class now?
Class of 2020
General music class: Make time to practice whenever you are free of classes; preferably by yourself. If you have a friend, make sure he/she doesn't disturb you. Practice with a metronome, you can download any on android/apple device as long as it ticks in a constant beat. Concert Band: Take time to practice what you don't know, especially when an upcoming video test comes. You will play a number of measures from a point in the song and to send the recording. If needed, get someone who plays the same instrument to help. And check that the video shows yourself, and that you can hear the metronome & the instrument. Jazz Ensemble: Usually takes place after 10th period. It will be more difficult than concert band, but if you still want to join, make sure you practice. Developing your ears will help you a lot for starters. You can do this by hearing original recordings of jazz musicians in order to develop your style of playing, but it’s a very slow process so start small. There are no grades, but how you improvise and how you feel about what you played will reflect your progress in class.
Additional Comments
Class of 0
I remember when I first had him in 2015 and my first class was Marching Band as I requested for a band class late in my first year in school. Though I barely got to speak for the first two years in school, I eventually got used to the band class and started to get along with the students in Band and saw the Arts Festivals presented annually. This got me to start talking to people and make friends later in high school and be more productive. My real experience with band started when I was in my Junior year. When I took AP Physics 1, my schedule conflicted and I couldn’t take either marching, concert, or junior band. So it was a pressure of time on whether I was going to try in this class. Despite I had no experience with concert band, I requested it and he let me straight to Jazz. Despite the difficulty in the start, it was worth trying jazz during my last 2 years in school, and it got more interesting as I was learning more of it in my second year of jazz (pace will vary for everyone). It was also fun to try concert band in my senior year, and doing marching in grades 9, 10, and 12. Each of the band classes were all funny and had given me different experiences to remember. Some personal advice he has given me to think about were valuable to me; some got me to think about what I really wanted to do in life. With these opportunities he gave to me from the very start of high school, I would thank him for being my music teacher for my entire high school years, sometimes leading me in the right direction in jazz, and for being one of the most reasonable teachers in Francis Lewis High School. -JL