9-2-25
To: SHPA Music Class Parents/Guardians (4th and 5th Grade)
From: Ms. Brame – SHPA Burnsville 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 this week. 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 free set, they will need to purchase a replacement set to use in music class ($10.00). If your student struggles with organization and responsibility skills, you may want to secure a second set for home ($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 each time they have music class. Students will also be expected to do a weekly recorder unit assignment. This assignment will require your student to practice the recorder at home to reinforce music reading elements, concepts and playing skills. Twenty minutes a day is a good starting point. If your student is doing well and can play the weekly assignment, they can practice less time at home. If your student is struggling with music reading elements, concepts and playing skills, they should practice more at home.
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 music achievements, complete homework assignments and consistently 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 to help them meet these goals. In addition, an email will be sent home to parents of struggling students to seek additional student academic support systems.
Students will be given a homework assignment each week, either written and/or playing. Assignment details will be discussed and practiced in music class, emailed to each classroom teacher on a weekly basis to post in class plus include in student planners and electronic communications home to parents/guardians. When music class resumes a week later, students play all excerpts together as a class with Ms. Brame. Ms. Brame will listen to each student on an individual basis to assess progress on music reading elements, concepts and playing skills on the recorder. All daily supply expectations, written work, weekly recorder homework assignments, participation in class plus individual playing achievement belt tests will be a part of each student’s music grade each trimester.
Students will be awarded a colored belt for each successfully earned score on recorder playing achievement tests. This belt program is called and a part of Recorder Karate Books I and II. Recorder playing achievement tests will be given at the end of each trimester to allow students to show their progress plus earn a colored belt (nine belts total). 5th grade students will have an opportunity to earn four additional recorder playing achievement bands beyond the initial nine belts. 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 them back plus buy a replacement recorder to put them on. 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 and National Standards which includes dancing, singing, vocal development, music theory and literacy, music history (Western, World, Jazz, Black History), melodic and rhythmic development, Core Knowledge units (instruments, sections in an orchestra, famous composers, grade level literature) Boom Whackers, xylophones, ukuleles and the list goes on! 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 exciting endeavor both at home and in school!
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Please read, fill out and sign this important agreement and return it to Ms. Brame by September 30th, 2025.
Student Name ___________________________________________________ Grade _______________
Classroom Teacher ____________________________________________________________________
Parent Name _________________________________________________________________________