Dragon I - The Journey to Yellow Belt

The Dragons classes are custom designed to introduce children to basic Martial Arts. Each week, the student will be challenged physically and mentally as they gain all the benefits of martial arts and are taught Respect, Courtesy, Self Confidence, Physical Fitness, Goal Setting and so much more. All students learn the importance of Black Belt Excellence, a metaphor for developing strong character. Taekwondo challenges the entire body, developing coordination, balance, agility and poise — factors often neglected in many team sports.

Each class will begin with a traditional greeting, jumping jacks, stretching and core work. Stretches include butterfly stretches (during which the students will guide us on an imaginary journey and core work will consist of bicycles drills (where we will go on another imaginary journey). We will then review the previous lesson and dive into that day’s lesson. Each class will conclude with a 15 count – a series of positions and moves the students will become familiar with as we progress through the classes. 

Students are not only encouraged to replicate each move, but also accompany each move with a “kia,” count out loud and respond to instruction with a loud “yes, Ma’am.” During each class, we will count (1-10) in Korean. We encourage the students to repeat after the instructor so that they can commit the numbers to memory. 

Classes are live on video chat. 


Week 1: Respect (To treat others the way I want to be treated.)
•	Introduction to instructor.  
•	Discussion regarding the rules of Martial Arts
-	It is not okay to punch and kick others
-	When it is appropriate to practice the moves, we are learning
-	How martial artists conduct themselves in other aspects of their lives
•	How to make a proper fist using a 3 count (students will count with the instructor)
•	Balance 
•	Listening drills, which will enforce the three basic attention stances of Tae Kwon Do
•	15 count and a virtual high fives

Week 2: Concentration (To focus my mind.)
•	Traditional greeting, jumping jacks, stretching and core work
•	Review previous lesson.
•	Balance drills
•	Listening drills
•	Introduction of new moves. Each move will be given a unique, age appropriate name to help the students understand the mechanics behind the moves and keep students engaged.
-	Blocks: Upper block, inside block and outside block
-	Kicks: front snap kick
-	Stance: Horse stance 
•	15 count and a virtual high fives

Week 3: Confidence (To believe in myself.)
•	Traditional greeting, jumping jacks, stretching and core work
•	Review previous lessons. 
•	Practice different combinations to enforce moves learned in lesson one and two.
•	Review drills to gauge students’ progress
•	Introductions of new moves
-	Blocks: double block, down block
-	Strikes: palm strikes
-	Kicks: Round house kick
•	15 count and a virtual high fives

Week 4: Courage (To overcome my fears.)
•	Traditional greeting, jumping jacks, stretching and core work
•	Review lessons from weeks one.
•	Introductions of new moves
o	Stance: cat stance
o	Strikes: knife hand
o	Kicks: pop up kick
•	Review drills to gauge students’ progress and retention
•	15 count and a virtual high fives

Week 5: Perseverance (To never give up in-spite of obstacles.) 
•	Traditional greeting, jumping jacks, stretching and core work
•	Review previous lessons.
•	Introductions of new moves
o	Block: double knife hand block
o	Kicks: Axe kick
•	Review drills to gauge students’ progress and retention
•	15 count and a virtual high fives


Week 6: Excellence (To achieve the best of myself in all my endeavors.)
•	Traditional greeting, jumping jacks, stretching and core work
•	Review previous Lessons.
•	Review drills to gauge students’ progress and retention.
•	Discussion regarding students’ progress after six weeks of instruction
•	15 count and virtual high fives