Recorder Information

9-5-23 

To: SHPA Music Class Parents/Guardians (4th and 5th Grade)

 From: Ms. Brame – SHPA Bloomington Campus K-5 Music Specialist

 Re: Important Recorder Information and Signature Form

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     As a part of the SHPA music curriculum, we will be learning to play the soprano recorder in music class.  4th Grade students will be given a new recorder and recorder book.  5th Grade students, if they turned these items in last spring, will be given their recorder and recorder book back in music class during the first two weeks of September.  If your 5th grade student is new to SHPA, a new recorder book and recorder will be given to your student.  

     If your student misplaces the first set, they will need to purchase a replacement set to use in music class.  If your student struggles with organization and responsibility, you may want to secure a set for school (free) and a set for home or replacement set ($10.00).       

     At SHPA, students will be expected to be present and on time to class plus bring all required materials (FAB FIVE…folder, notebook, pencil, recorder and recorder book) to class.  Students will also be expected to do weekly assignments and practice at home to reinforce music concepts and playing skills.  Twenty minutes a day is a good starting point.  If your student is doing well and can play the weekly assignments, they can practice less time at home.  If your student is struggling with concepts and playing skills, they should practice more at home.  I also offer individual lessons to students who need more help.  

     The 4th and 5th grade classroom teachers and I will continue to give out eagle bucks, class points, and VIP awards to students and classes who consistently demonstrate achievement, complete homework assignments and bring all required music supplies to class.  We will also continue to meet with students who do not have all the needed materials and completed homework in class on a regular basis and email home for additional support systems.

     Students will be given one page of recorder homework to complete each week, either written and/or playing.  Assignment details will be discussed and played in music class, emailed to each classroom teacher on a weekly basis to post in class and include in student planners plus electronic communications home to parents/guardians.  When music class resumes, the class plays all excerpts together.  Ms. Brame will also listen to each student on an individual basis to assess progress on music concepts and playing skills on the recorder.  All supply expectations, assignments, homework, playing in class, achievement belt tests, and the recorder portion of the music concert will be a part of each student’s music grade each trimester. 

     Students will be given trimester recorder achievement tests in class to encourage completion and practice of recorder assignments at home.  Students will be awarded a colored belt for each successfully earned score on achievement tests.  This belt program is called and a part of Recorder Karate Books I and II.  Recorder achievement tests will be given at the end of each trimester to allow students to show their progress and earn a colored belt (nine belts total).  5th grade students will have an opportunity to earn additional achievement belts beyond the initial nine.  Once a belt is awarded, it will be tied onto the bell of the student’s soprano recorder.  Earned belts translate into trimester assignment points that determine a student’s grade for completed recorder units in music class.  If a student loses their recorder and the belts that are on it, they will need to replay the songs to earn back each belt.  In addition, they will need to buy a replacement recorder.  Cost for each set is $10.00, cash or a check made out to SHPA.  Please put all cash and checks in a labeled envelope and send it with your student to give to me in music class.  I will then hand out new recorder supplies to your student.

     In addition to studying the recorder this year, students will continue to study music concepts found in the MN State Standards plus singing, vocal development, music theory and literacy, music history (Western, World, Jazz, Black History), melodic and rhythmic development, trimester assessments, Core Knowledge units (instruments, composers, grade level literature) Boom Whackers and concert literature.  Please visit my website to view a year at a glance for the entire K-5 music curriculum.

If you have any questions, please contact me by email sbrame@shpamn.org.

Thank you for your help and support with this endeavor both at home and in school!

Sincerely,

Sheryl Brame – SHPA Bloomington Campus Music Specialist (K-5)