My name is Ida Bentley.  I am thrilled to be the band director at Las Brisas Elementary School.  This is my 25th year of teaching. Though I am originally from Fresno, California, I have lived in Arizona since 1986.  I have a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Music Degree from Arizona State University.  I received Level 1 Orff Certification from Arizona State University.  I have taught general music, choir, and band.  I also have taught a beginning choir at my local church and private piano, clarinet and trombone lessons.  I love spending time with my family.  My hobbies are: music, hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, arts/crafts, reading, and spending time up north at our cabin with family.   

Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University

Bachelor of Music Degree from Arizona State University

I also hold Structured English Immersion Endorsements, and Orff Level 1 Certification.

Instrumental Music Delivery Model (4th Grade General Music)

In 4th grade, students in DVUSD will receive 9 week units of Brass, Woodwinds, Percussion, and Vocal Music Theory in their General Music course.  The purpose of the model is to expose all students to band instruments prior to the year they can select an instrument of focus.

4th Grade MDM Information

Be A Part of the Band

Instrument Demonstration for Beginning Band

US Army Series Instrumental Fundamentals

Be Safe 

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

• Enter and Leave Quietly

  • Each class should enter and leave the music room quietly. Failure to do so will result in loss of a letter* and another attempt at entering the classroom.

• Give the Teacher your Attention

  • Students should give their attention to the teacher. Visually, this looks like eyes on me, mouths closed, and hands to yourself.

• Follow Directions

  • Students should follow all directions in class. This helps retain focus in the classroom, avoids damaging instruments, and contributes to a successful learning environment.

• Participate in Activities

  • Students should participate in our class activities. Students are not graded on their participation, but on their ability to complete the musical task. However, I cannot grade accurately if a student is not participating.

• No Teasing or Put-Downs

  • Students should treat themselves and others with respect, and should act only in ways that they wish to be treated themselves. Music can be incredibly vulnerable, and students must feel safe in order to engage with the classroom material.

• Hands, Feet, and Objects to Yourself

  • Students should keep their hands, feet, and objects to themselves. As your student has been made aware in class, using your voice to disrupt and distract is a way of using your voice as an object. Shouting out and interrupting others are examples of this.

• Don't Move Chairs or Sit-Spots

  • It can be dangerous for students to move chairs, whether leaning back in them or unnecessarily moving them. Most of the time, we will be seated on the floor. Students should not move their Sit-Spots either, as they are necessary for classroom organization.

Consequences

• The First Behavior will result in a warning. This will be a verbal warning delivered in class. Students will be reminded what rule they broke, and the warning will be delivered directly to the student.
• The Second Behavior will result in students filling out a reflection sheet/think sheet. They might fill it out in my classroom, or they may be directed to go to either Ms. Hardy (art) or Mrs. Bentley (band) to fill out the sheet. When a student fills out a reflection sheet, the behavior will be documented with the school, and I will send an email home to parents/guardians with an explanation of the incident from my perspective. I will do my best to include a scanned copy of the student's reflection sheet for you to review.
• The Third Behavior will result in a phone call home. I will work with the classroom teacher to determine appropriate consequences (most likely in-class detention). Any further behaviors will result in an office referral.

* The word "Music" is written on the whiteboard at the front of the music classroom. If students are having trouble following behavior expectations as a whole class, I will erase a letter of the word. Once I erase 3 letters, I will have a conversation with the classroom teacher about the behaviors. If 4 or 5 letters are erased, I will have a significant discussion with the classroom teacher about the behavior expectations. Parents and Guardians will be notified if it reaches that point.