Students in 3rd Grade have the privilege to attend music class twice a week: one 30-minute session solely for Recorder, and a second 30-minute session for General Music. 

Key concepts in 3rd Grade General Music:

• Learning/performing folk songs from around the world, playing musical circle games, and singing rounds. 

• Reading/identifying basic rhythms: quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes, 16th notes, whole notes, rests, etc.

• Learning how to read musical notation on the treble clef staff: line notes and space notes

• Musical compositions using written notation and xylophones, performing for the class 

• Learning about the Instruments of the Orchestra 

• Playing pieces with various percussion instruments

Key Concepts in 3rd Grade Recorder: 

In using The Recorder Karate Program, students work as a whole group, in partners, and independently at home to learn the songs. In order to achieve a belt, they must do the following:

• Learn how to assemble and hold the recorder

• Demonstrate rest position vs. ready position

• Play with a nice tone, tongue with a "du" tongue, and breathe through their mouth 

• Read musical notation, notate music notes, and play with correct fingerings

• Work in partners: one "teacher," one "student," providing helpful feedback to their peers

• Play with phrasing 

• Test for their recorder belts

Once students have completed The Recorder Karate Program, and have achieved all 9 belts, they receive a certificate! Then, they move onto more challenging music!