Recorders!
Why do we use recorders in music?The recorder in an invaluable instrument in my 3rd, 4th and 5th grade music classes. From learning how to hold and play the recorder, to earning "Recorder Karate" belts, to accompanying singers and composing their own music, the students are engaged in the learning. After years of learning the "technical stuff" (rhythm, note reading, symbols, staff markings), things suddenly click when put into action on the recorder!
Grade 3 on Recorder
The 3rd grade students begin recorder work in January. They usually take home their recorders in February to begin practicing at home. The recorder is a fun instrument! Students should practice 10-15 minutes a day for 3-4 days a week (as time allows!) Student musicians should be encouraged to practice assigned exercises from their recorder books as well as be encouraged to make up their own melodies and experiement with the instrument!
As a change this year, the third graders will be taking part in Recorder Karate Book 1. I have seen great strides in the Thorpe Musicians over the last 3 years and I'm so thrilled to start these students a year earlier in Recorder Karate than usual!
Grade 4 on Recorder
The 4th grade students begin recorder in October, diving straight into Recorder Karate, a methodology developed by Barb Philipak. Students earn belts for their recorders based on a progressive repertoire of music that is in their recorder book. Students are assigned a belt to work on and given a certain amount of time to prepare the piece for performance (1-2 weeks, depending on difficulty). This year, the grade 4 recorder karate pieces are: Hot Cross Buns, Gently Sleep, Merrily We Roll Along, It's Raining, Old MacDonald Had A Farm, When the Saints Go Marching In, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Amazing Grace and Ode to Joy.
Ask your students to play for you!
With no surprise, this year's 4th graders are ahead of the game! They actually had the opportunity to earn their first 3 recorder karate belts in June of 3rd grade! They will be moving straight on to GREEN belt in October! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!
Grade 5 on Recorder
The 5th grade students continue their recorder studies through a similar Recorder Karate program as the 4th grade students. I have selected the pieces for this book as well as several challange pieces along the way. The grade 5 recorder karate pieces are: Long, Legged Sailor, Hokey Pokey, Music for a Snake Charmer, Circle Left, My Pole music, Taffy, America, Simple Gifts and La Cucaracha. By the end of the 5th grade, students will be proficient on recorder with the abilty to play a C Major scale. They will also add Bb and F# to their repertoire of notes. Many of the grade 5 recorder pieces are songs we have song in class and so the students practice playing an instrument to accompany singers and dancers as well.
bravenet.com