What is Recorder Karate? How does Recorder Karate work?
Recorder Karate is a curriculum which involves the playing of a recorder. The recorder is a Renaissance instrument, originally made out of wood, but for teaching purposes today is made out of plastic. In 3rd grade, students spend the 4th marking period learning proper tone, hand position, tonguing, and the notes BAG on the recorder. In 4th grade, we take the foundation of 3rd grade and add new notes, rhythms, and articulations so that the students are quite capable of playing a variety of pieces on their instrument.
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The students and I will work through the book together, song by song, learning the material in class. Every 3 or 4 weeks, I will have a "testing" day in class where students are able to play for me their songs and hopefully earn the "Belt" that goes along with the song we have been working on. If they don't earn the belt, then they can keep practicing during recess or even at home and try again another time. This curriculum allows for the music to go home with the students if need be so they can work at their own pace and get extra practice in! That means their recorder can also travel back and forth to school!
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Does every student have to earn every belt in the book? Do the students have to practice at home?
No. Our 4th grade curriculum states only asks that each student is able to achieve the first 4 belts in the book. That means there is plenty of time for that to happen within the school year! I work very hard with the students in class to make sure they are successful. Also, if a student is having lots of success then they can move on to other songs as well and challenge themselves to learn new material in class, during recess, or at home! The sky is the limit with this curriculum.
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No. That is something that you can talk about with your child. I encourage them to do so because it helps the curriculum run smoothly. It's also fun for them to show you what they have been working on in class. That means their recorder has to travel between home and school OR the opportunity to purchase a recorder is available to you so that you have one at home and one at school. It is a very affordable instrument that your child can have fun with for years! A form will be sent home with your child at the beginning of the school year OR here is a link to the Recorder Order Form from this site!
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Are the students graded on how many songs they learn?
No. As I said earlier the first 4 songs are as far as the curriculum asks the students to go. They will be graded on their ability to play the first 4 songs. This has to happen by the end of the 3rd marking period. Anything else that we get to either in class or on the students' on is for fun! When I "test" the students it's to make sure they are able to demonstrate the skills learned from that particular song before we move on to different skills and a new song. This is meant to be fun, not stressful and I can tell you that the students really do enjoy it!
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