Band Karate for Making Music Matter Book 1
What is Band Karate?
Band Karate is a band curriculum based off of Recorder Karate, which is used in our Groton Elementary General Music classroom. Students participate in the Recorder Karate system in third grade when learning recorders. Band Karate uses the same ideas and is an extension of that system that begins in fourth grade.
How does Band Karate work?
Students are given a list of Learning Targets that they need to achieve in order to earn a "belt." Students start by earning their white belt by demonstrating basic knowledge on their instruments and throughout the year, they work their way up to the black belt, the most advanced level. Belts are symbolized through ribbons that students can tie onto the handles of their instrument cases.
How does a student show mastery of a learning target?
I will ask at each lesson if any students would like to demonstrate their ability to complete any of the Learning Targets within the belt they are currently working on. There is no specific requirement on when a student must show mastery of certain learning targets. Students are encouraged to progress at their own pace. However, students will be expected to have completed everything up to and including Lesson 5 (Orange Belt) in order to be invited to after-school band rehearsals.
Why use Band Karate?
There are several reasons I have chosen to implement this curriculum. The first of which is the fact that this curriculum is a direct extension of the curriculum students complete when learning recorder in General Music class the year before. Students are already familiar with the process and are able to draw further connections between what is learned in General Music class and band lessons. The second reason I believe in this curriculum is because it shows the student where they have been and where they are going in terms of progress. This builds confidence and ownership in and of their own learning. Finally, this curriculum allows me to better prepare my students because it helps me to better monitor their own individual progress.
What does Band Karate look like?
Below are the packets that are given to students at the beginning of the year. The goal is to finish the first packet by the end of their first year of band instruction, and the second packet by the end of their second year of band instruction.
Band Karate is a band curriculum based off of Recorder Karate, which is used in our Groton Elementary General Music classroom. Students participate in the Recorder Karate system in third grade when learning recorders. Band Karate uses the same ideas and is an extension of that system that begins in fourth grade.
How does Band Karate work?
Students are given a list of Learning Targets that they need to achieve in order to earn a "belt." Students start by earning their white belt by demonstrating basic knowledge on their instruments and throughout the year, they work their way up to the black belt, the most advanced level. Belts are symbolized through ribbons that students can tie onto the handles of their instrument cases.
How does a student show mastery of a learning target?
I will ask at each lesson if any students would like to demonstrate their ability to complete any of the Learning Targets within the belt they are currently working on. There is no specific requirement on when a student must show mastery of certain learning targets. Students are encouraged to progress at their own pace. However, students will be expected to have completed everything up to and including Lesson 5 (Orange Belt) in order to be invited to after-school band rehearsals.
Why use Band Karate?
There are several reasons I have chosen to implement this curriculum. The first of which is the fact that this curriculum is a direct extension of the curriculum students complete when learning recorder in General Music class the year before. Students are already familiar with the process and are able to draw further connections between what is learned in General Music class and band lessons. The second reason I believe in this curriculum is because it shows the student where they have been and where they are going in terms of progress. This builds confidence and ownership in and of their own learning. Finally, this curriculum allows me to better prepare my students because it helps me to better monitor their own individual progress.
What does Band Karate look like?
Below are the packets that are given to students at the beginning of the year. The goal is to finish the first packet by the end of their first year of band instruction, and the second packet by the end of their second year of band instruction.
My Band Karate Progress - Year 1 |
My Band Karate Progress - Year 2 |