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 coloured "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 outcomes from the Alberta Curriculum that will be met throughout this
program include:
Listening
o Identify and compare sounds (musical and non-musical): high-low,
loud-soft, short-long, slow-fast, up-down
o Distinguish among the sounds of common musical instruments
o Detect the contour (shape) of melody
o Identify differences in tempo, timbre, and dynamics
o Identify the difference in sound between songs in major and minor
keys
o Identify repetition and contrast
Playing Instruments
o Play simple rhythm patterns (the beat and divisions of the beat)
o Follow simple rhythm scores
o Recorder learn to play with good tone, develop ability to read
music
Reading and Writing
o Recognize whole, half, quarter, eighth notes and the whole, half,
quarter, eighth rests
o Recognize 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures
o Recognize the musical staff and treble clef sign
o Recognize like and unlike phrases
o Recognize the dotted half note, the concept of the dot, and fermata
o Recognize the symbol for a phrase
Resource Requirements
Throughout this course, students will be utilizing the following resources:
- A soprano recorder (owned to take home or borrowed in the classroom)
- The Recorder Karate method book (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
Introduction to The Book
The Recorder Karate book will include each song necessary to complete the
program as well as all 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 can 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
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 @ 40 points each = 360 total
points
Exit Slips: 12 Daily Reflections @ 50 points each = 600 points
Test, Poster, Chart, Wordle, Final Reflection: 5 @ 100 points each = 500
points
TOTAL POINT TOTAL: 2360 POSSIBLE POINTS
With a scale of:
Not Yet Basic Proficient Exceeding
90% or above 80%-89% 60%-79% 59% or below
2124-2360 pts 1888-2123 pts 1416-1887 pts 1415 pts or less
You are expected to complete the program all the way to your Black Belt.
This will give you opportunities to earn all possible points. Failure to progress
through the levels means you lose the ability to earn points on performance
assessments and note name quizzes for each level.
Earning Belts
Students receiving 30 or 40 points will earn a belt.
1 (10 pts) 2 (20 pts) 3 (30 pts) 4 (40 pts)
Student plays Student plays Student plays Student plays
with very few with frequent with an with virtually no
accurate pitches and/or repeated occasional mistakes.
and/or rhythms. errors in pitch mistake in pitch
and/or rhythm. and/or rhythm,
but the error
does not take
away from the
overall
performance.
Student uses Student uses Student uses Student also
incorrect hand correct hand correct hand displays good
position (R hand position (L hand position (L hand tone (no over
on top) and/or on top) but on top) but one blowing), uses
misses most several notes are or two notes are correct hand
notes due to not missed because played with holes position (L hand
completely holes are not not completely on top) and
covering holes. completely covered. covers all holes
covered. completely when
performing.
Student stops Student stops Student stops Student also
and restarts and restarts two and restarts one plays from
three or more times. time. beginning to end
times. without stopping.
Course Outline
Lesson One: Rhythms/Note names review
Lesson Two: Basic recorder fundamentals (test)
Lesson Three: The first three notes
Lesson Four: White Belt Fundamentals (sight-reading tips poster, note
name quiz)
Lesson Five: Yellow Belt Fundamentals (note name quiz)
Lesson Six: Orange Belt Fundamentals (note name quiz)
Lesson Seven: Green Belt Fundamentals (note name quiz)
Lesson Eight: Purple Belt Fundamentals (fingering chart, note name quiz)
Lesson Nine: Blue Belt Fundamentals (note name quiz)
Lesson Ten: Red Belt Fundamentals (Wordle, note name quiz)
Lesson Eleven: Brown Belt Fundamentals (note name quiz)
Lesson Twelve: Black Belt Fundamentals (reflection, note name quiz)
Mrs. Orrs Program Sequence
One Month Before:
o Copy class lists and prepare a folder to check off
student progress
Two Weeks Before:
o Gather the recorders/books/belts
o Clean the recorders
o Create the progress posters for each class
One Week Before:
o Make the copies for each class (Care of Recorder sheets, Quizzes,
etc.) with exit slips inside
o Make sure that the songs are ready to show on the SmartBoard
o Sort out the belts/recorders/books
The program itself:
o Work as rapidly as possible while checking for student
understanding
Recorder Karate Student and Teacher Responsibilities
Student Responsibilities Teacher Responsibilities
1. Students will follow all the 1. Students are encouraged to
school policies and music ask questions in class and outside
classroom rules. of class.
2. You will be responsible for 2. The instructions for the lessons
bringing all the required and each week will be clear and easy
necessary resources to class to understand in a step-by-step
(recorder, book, and pencil). format.
3. Students will read all the
3. Mrs. Orr will manage the
directions carefully before
schedule and workload so that
beginning each lesson.
students will be able to complete
the program during the school
4. If you miss music class, you will
year.
be expected to make up the work
from the week so that you will not
4. Lessons will be tailored to meet
fall behind in performing on the
the requirements set forth by the
recorder.
Alberta Curriculum.
5. Students will be able to use
5. There will be additional
their resources to complete all
activities provided for accelerated
assessments and assignments
learners to earn more Recorder
throughout this course.
Karate Belts.
6. Students will be aware of their
progress throughout the course. If
a student is ever in question
about
their grade in the class, Mrs. Orr
will be happy to provide feedback
as quickly as possible.
The 5 Steps to Recorder Karate Sight-Reading Success
Step #1: Say the rhythms while patting a steady beat
Step #2: Say the names of the notes in rhythm while patting a steady beat
Step #3: Place your fingers on the notes while you say the names of the
notes
Step #4: Play the notes in rhythm
Step #5: Sing the song!
Name the notes on the staff activity:
[Link]
Name the notes on the staff game:
[Link]
