Recorder Karate Syllabus
Description Of The Course
The Recorder Karate program is a curriculum that is designed to teach students how to play the recorder. This method is a positive reward system in which students receive colored "karate belts" to hang from their recorders for each progressively more difficult tune they learn to play. The students in this program will be using this online resource in conjunction with guidance and performance assessments in the musical classroom.
- The National Standards For Music Education that will be met throughout this program include:
1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
5. Reading and notating music.
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
Resource Requirements
Throughout this course, students will be utilizing the following resources:
- A computer with internet access in order to visit this course site and complete summative assessments (in the classroom and used at home if possible)
- A soprano recorder (owned to take home or borrowed in the classroom)
- The Recorder Karate method book (owned to take home or borrowed in the classroom)
- A music stand (borrowed in the classroom)
- The accomplishment belts to attach to the recorder as students progress through the program (owned to take home or borrowed in the classroom)
- A computer with internet access in order to visit this course site and complete summative assessments (in the classroom and used at home if possible)
- A soprano recorder (owned to take home or borrowed in the classroom)
- The Recorder Karate method book (owned to take home or borrowed in the classroom)
- A music stand (borrowed in the classroom)
- The accomplishment belts to attach to the recorder as students progress through the program (owned to take home or borrowed in the classroom)
Introduction To The Book
The Recorder Karate book will include each song necessary to complete the program as well as all of the musical theory concepts for students to learn along the way (note names, fingerings, rhythms, time signatures, key signatures, etc.). It is very helpful if students are able to practice these concepts at home as well as in the musical classroom. Here is an example from the Recorder Karate book:
White Belt Song #1: Hot Cross Buns
White Belt Song #1: Hot Cross Buns
Student Learner Responsibilities And Expectations
1. Follow the school rules, the musical classroom expectations and online ettiquette standards while being respectful to others, responsible and safe
2. Be Prepared – Have your instrument, book, belts and music stand/chair ready at the very beginning of music class. Also, have your computer ready as soon as possible when the virtual classroom is being used
3. Make up your missed work – You will need to follow the weekly lesson online if you miss class on music day. If you have computer access at home, you may make up the work outside of school, otherwise, plans will need to be made to make up the work with Mrs. Danielak during the week
4. Practice at home if you own your recorder- you will not believe how much better you will be in a short period of time if you practice on your own!
5. Always do your very best!
2. Be Prepared – Have your instrument, book, belts and music stand/chair ready at the very beginning of music class. Also, have your computer ready as soon as possible when the virtual classroom is being used
3. Make up your missed work – You will need to follow the weekly lesson online if you miss class on music day. If you have computer access at home, you may make up the work outside of school, otherwise, plans will need to be made to make up the work with Mrs. Danielak during the week
4. Practice at home if you own your recorder- you will not believe how much better you will be in a short period of time if you practice on your own!
5. Always do your very best!
Instructor Information
I am very excited to teach the Recorder Karate program again this year! My name is Mrs. Danielak and I have been a music teacher for Farwell Area Schools for five years. The areas that I have taught include elementary general music, elementary drama, beginning band, various middle school choirs, middle school music technology and high school choir. I have been playing various instruments for a very long time and enjoy watching students apply all of the musical elements they have learned about in their elementary musical career towards performing on the recorder. The joy that students recieve when they are able to play their first pitched instrument in front of their peers is amazing! I recieved my undergraduate degree in music education from Saginaw Valley State University and am currently pursuing my Masters degree in educational technology from Central Michigan University. I have many demands on my schedule and understand the idea of limited practice time, but to achieve success in life, one must make time to practice acquired skills. Embrace this program and you will be amazed at the enjoyment and fullfillment you will feel while playing your first musical instrument.
Office Hours
Mrs. Danielak's Contact Information:
Elementary Music Room: (989) 588-9916 Ext. 4346
Choir Room: (989) 588-9917 Ext. 4146
Elementary Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30-5:00; By appointment
Choir Room Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-5:00; By appointment
Elementary Music Room: (989) 588-9916 Ext. 4346
Choir Room: (989) 588-9917 Ext. 4146
Elementary Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30-5:00; By appointment
Choir Room Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-5:00; By appointment
Grading Policy And Scale
The Recorder Karate Program will be graded as follows:
Musical Note Name Quizzes: 9 Tests @ 100 points each = 900 total points
Performance Assessments: 9 Assessments @ 50 points each = 450 total points
Reflective Assignments: 9 Assignments @ 50 points each = 450 points
Midterm and end-of-course polls: 2 surveys @ 100 points each = 200 points
TOTAL POINT TOTAL: 2000 POSSIBLE POINTS
With a scale of:
A= 90% or above (1800-2000 points)
B= 80% - 89% (1600-1799 points)
C= 70% - 79% ( 1400-1599 points)
D= 60% - 69% ( 1200-1399 points)
Failing - 59% or below ( 1180 points or less)
Musical Note Name Quizzes: 9 Tests @ 100 points each = 900 total points
Performance Assessments: 9 Assessments @ 50 points each = 450 total points
Reflective Assignments: 9 Assignments @ 50 points each = 450 points
Midterm and end-of-course polls: 2 surveys @ 100 points each = 200 points
TOTAL POINT TOTAL: 2000 POSSIBLE POINTS
With a scale of:
A= 90% or above (1800-2000 points)
B= 80% - 89% (1600-1799 points)
C= 70% - 79% ( 1400-1599 points)
D= 60% - 69% ( 1200-1399 points)
Failing - 59% or below ( 1180 points or less)
Course Outline
Lesson One: Rhythms/Note names review
Lesson Two: Basic recorder logistics
Lesson Three: The first three notes
Lesson Four: White Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Five: Yellow Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Six: Orange Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Seven: Green Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Eight: Purple Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Nine: Blue Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Ten: Red Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Eleven: Brown Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Twelve: Black Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Two: Basic recorder logistics
Lesson Three: The first three notes
Lesson Four: White Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Five: Yellow Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Six: Orange Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Seven: Green Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Eight: Purple Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Nine: Blue Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Ten: Red Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Eleven: Brown Belt Fundamentals
Lesson Twelve: Black Belt Fundamentals
Attendance Requirements
Students must attend music class in order to keep up with the performance standards of this course. If students are not able to participate in class during the week, they must find a time to meet with Mrs. Danielak to make up the work or they may follow the online lesson on this website for the lesson they missed. There are no excuses for students that do not find a way to make up the work. Absent work will result in zero points for the lesson and will effect the student's grade. Students will have one week to make up any missed work.