Grade 6

In Grade 6, students are confident readers of melodic and rhtyhm sentences, and are ready for more challenging music and performing opportunities. Grade 6's continue to work on the recorder, progressing at their own pace through the Recorder Karate belts, and depending upon school population may have an opportunity to try a concert band wind instrument. At this point, we will not be playing our instruments in class, but I will leave the recorder karate belts up for students who would like to learn the skills through my online resources. I know many parents dread the sound of the recorder, but please help them find a quiet space at home to practice that will be the least of disturbance to everyone. They need to feel supported and safe to practice effectively. Playing the recorder requires students to use both sides of their brain simultaneously, to read, understand, interpret and perform musically what they are reading on the page and hearing themselves create. It is especially good to build dexterity in their fingers, preparing them for future wind instruments, improving their handwriting and fine motor skills. Students who form good practice habits, 10-15 min of focused playing, even if it is just mastering two bars, at least 3-5 times a week have proven to be incredibly successful. This year all belt tests will be assessed through video performance. (I will miss my recess line ups, and if I find out we are allowed to do those distanced we will!) Please submit your videos through google classroom.