Download Chapter 10 - Croydon Music and Arts

Croydon Music Stars – Teachers Actions
(to be read in conjunction with the Croydon Music Stars handbook)
Croydon Music Stars are used with all primary pupils learning with CMA. Teachers may
use them for secondary age pupils as seems appropriate. For SoundStart pupils, the lead
teacher should keep an electronic record of pupils’ progress towards achieving their stars.
A hard copy of our classroom Croydon Music Star planner can also be displayed. For all
other pupils the record of their progress is kept in the Practice Booklet (for primary
beginners until they have completed their Music Stars) and in teachers’ lesson notes.
The criteria in the Practice Booklet are generic. Refer to the instrument specific criteria in
the Croydon Music Stars handbook for the range of notes or chords expected at each
level. Some may need adapting, for example harmonising using chords I and V for a
melodic instrument can be accomplished by the pupil working out when to play the tonic or
dominant of the key to accompany a melody played by the teacher or another pupil.
The criteria for the first three stars for performing, improvising (a pupil version of the
Improvising and Composing strand from the Music Mark Framework for Progression in
Musical Learning) and understanding music (a pupil version of the Aural and Theoretical
Knowledge strand) are shown. Write the date when the criteria have been met for the star
the pupil is working towards. This can be for each separate bullet or for all of them within
one level. For stars four and five refer to the handbook to determine whether a student is
at that level.
For the musical tasks, write the date when each task is completed. The performing solo
task needs to be a piece at the level of the star. Some tasks (e.g. performing in a school
assembly or concert) will require advance planning to be coordinated with the school.
Some tasks (e.g. play or create music to accompany a drama performance) provide
opportunities for working closely with the school to create greater authenticity to the
musical task.
Once all the criteria have been met and the tasks have been completed for the star, email
the pupil’s name, school, instrument and star level to CMA. Please use the CMA
spreadsheet, especially if you are notifying CMA of a significant number!
When the certificate has been returned ask the school if it can be presented at an
assembly.
Online Learning
The online learning section of the CMA website references pieces against the Croydon
Music Stars criteria so that pupils know which are appropriate to them.
Assessment on Registers
Please see the Completion of Registers page for the grade equivalent we are using for
Croydon Music Stars.
Pupil Progress and Reporting
Croydon Music Stars can be used in reporting to parents both as achievements and as
targets. A pupil who has achieved Star 5 and is a member of CYM automatically qualifies
for an M20 lesson.