Atlantic High School
Guitar I and Guitar I/II Course Outline and Syllabus
Mr. Adam Lippold
atlippol@volusia.k12.fl.us
Office: 9-002
Office Hours: After school and CSI. Please see me.
Planning: 4th period
Course Description
Guitar I and Guitar I/II is offered as an elective course to all grade levels and serves as a
performing arts credit towards graduation. This course is designed to teach the basic skills and
knowledge required to play the guitar, as well as basic music reading ability and music theory.
Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be
required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances out the school day to
support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. The student will be required to rent a
classical guitar from the teacher or bring in his or her own acoustic guitar, which will be played
in a classical and “regular” manner. When and if an electric guitar is played, an amp and cables
will be provided but the student may bring in their own if they wish. Guitar picks will not be
provided to the student; they will need to acquire their own.
Course Objective
Students with little or no experience will develop the basic skills and knowledge, including
simple and full-strum chords, bass lines and lead sheets, barre and power chords, foundational
music literacy and theory, major scales, simple finger-picking patterns, and ensemble skills for a
variety of music. Beginning guitarists explore the careers and music of significant performers in
a variety of styles.
Grade Categories
Written tests and quizzes (Summative-80%)
Performance tests and quizzes (Summative-80%)
Daily Participation (Formative-20%)
Written work, if applicable (Formative-20%)
Guitar recital-end of first semester (first semester final exam), if applicable (Summative-80%)
Guitar recital-end of second semester (second semester final exam), if applicable (Summative80%)
Textbook/ Required Materials
H.O.T. (Hands-on Training) Guitar Method book and CD-Provided
Various handouts and work sheets-Provided as necessary
Pencils, paper
Student Expectations
1. Students are expected to have paper and a pencil to do written class work when
necessary.
2. Students do not need to have a binder specifically for this class, but they should have
some place safe to store written class work that is in progress or has been completed and
returned to them. Please do not throw away materials, as you may never know when you
may need them again!
3. Be on time to class and be prepared to work until the teacher dismisses the class.
4. Be quiet and attentive when the teacher is working with individual students. You never
know when the teacher may ask you about what the other student was doing well or
wrong. There is not enough time in the class to make the same mistakes more than
necessary.
5. No gum, food, drinks, candy, hats or sunglasses in the classroom.
6. When practice time is given, this time shall be used for on task work, not talking or doing
other activities.
7. Students are responsible for the proper use and care instruments, books, and music. If
you damage any item, you will be forced to pay for it.
8. The teacher dismisses the students, not the bell. Wait until the instructor dismisses you.
Daily Procedures
Students are to follow the procedures below in order for learning to take place. These
procedures will be in place for the remainder of the year.
1. Enter the classroom on time.
2. Get your guitar, book, chair, and stand to your place after you enter the classroom.
3. Complete the daily review question posted, if applicable.
4. Time in class time will be used for group instruction for the guitar method book. If
individual practice time is given, use it wisely.
5. At the end of class, students will need to put their books and guitars away in their proper
place. The teacher will tell the students if they need to put away their chairs and stands
or not.
Nine Weeks Special Topics?
Students may be introduced to a special topic during the course of each nine weeks. With each
topic, students will investigate the essential elements or key points associated with that topic.
Students will prepare and present projects at the end of the nine weeks or when the topic is over.
Rubrics will be given at the time that projects are assigned.
1-4. Music history and classical music in relation to the guitar
2. Jazz/blues
3. Rock music
4. Famous guitarists, musicians, songs of the present
State Standards Involved in This Class
Some of the important state standards involved this class is:

Apply listening strategies to promote appreciation and understanding of unfamiliar
musical works

Evaluate and make appropriate adjustments to personal performance in solo and
ensembles

Make critical evaluations, based on exemplary models, of the quality and effectiveness of
performances and apply the criteria to personal development in music

Learn to manage, master, and refine, simple and complex skills and techniques

Understand the organizational principles and conventions of musical works and how they
effect structure

Interpret and perform expressive elements indicated in music

Learn about and honor other cultures and their music

Learn and understand how the skills learned in music can be applied to other areas (math,
science, reading, etc.)