In this ongoing, invitation-only, learner-directed recorder class, learners will follow an instructional book called "Recorder Karate."  Each learner can enter or leave the class at any time, so each learner is on their own learning path.  Learners will take turns playing a song they are working on mastering.  They will receive immediate, kind feedback to help them improve their playing.  Learners will need a copy of the sheet music for each song.  These pages will be made available as printables posted in the Outschool classroom before the course begins.  Here's an idea of the structure of this class:

Week of June 1st:  
Topic:  Master Your First Recorder Song
Learn how to access the resources posted in our Outschool classroom.  Warm up by playing D-C-B-A-G-F#-E-D-C up and down on the recorder.  Talk about how to master a song.  Look at the digital rewards for mastering each song.  Ideas for optional DIY karate-themed rewards and recorder belts that may be purchased by parents will be sent to parents by Outschool messaging.  Each learner will take a turn to play "Hot Cross Buns."  Learners will continue to take turns and receive feedback until the class time is finished.  Homework:  Learners upload a video of themselves to the Outschool classroom playing the song to demonstrate independent mastery of the song with all appropriate techniques and musicality.  Learners have the option to record and upload an additional song they have mastered for teacher approval.  All videos submitted by the day before class will be reviewed by class time and feedback will be sent to affirm that the student has mastered the song or needs work in specific areas.

Week of June 7th:  
Topic:  Master Your Next Recorder Song
Review how to access the resources posted in our Outschool classroom.  Warm up by playing D-C-B-A-G-F#-E-D-C up and down on the recorder.  Talk about how to master a song.  Each learner will take a turn to play the song in the instructional book that follows the last song that received teacher approval as having been mastered.  Learners will continue to take turns playing and receive feedback until the class time is finished.  Homework:  Learners upload a video of themselves to the Outschool classroom playing the song that is next on their learning path to demonstrate independent mastery of the song with all appropriate techniques and musicality.  Learners have the option to record and upload an additional song they have mastered for teacher approval.  All videos submitted by the day before class will be reviewed by class time and feedback will be sent to affirm that the student has mastered the song or needs work in specific areas.

Week of June 14th:  
Topic:  Master Your Next Recorder Song
Review how to access the resources posted in our Outschool classroom.  Warm up by playing D-C-B-A-G-F#-E-D-C up and down on the recorder.  Talk about how to master a song.  Each learner will take a turn to play the song in the instructional book that follows the last song that received teacher approval as having been mastered.  Learners will continue to take turns playing and receive feedback until the class time is finished.  Homework:  Learners upload a video of themselves to the Outschool classroom playing the song that is next on their learning path to demonstrate independent mastery of the song with all appropriate techniques and musicality.  Learners have the option to record and upload an additional song they have mastered for teacher approval.  All videos submitted by the day before class will be reviewed by class time and feedback will be sent to affirm that the student has mastered the song or needs work in specific areas.

Week of June 21st and following weeks:  
Topic:  Master Your Next Recorder Song
Review how to access the resources posted in our Outschool classroom.  Warm up by playing D-C-B-A-G-F#-E-D-C up and down on the recorder.  Talk about how to master a song.  Each learner will take a turn to play the song in the instructional book that follows the last song that received teacher approval as having been mastered.  Learners will continue to take turns playing and receive feedback until the class time is finished.  Homework:  Learners upload a video of themselves to the Outschool classroom playing the song that is next on their learning path to demonstrate independent mastery of the song with all appropriate techniques and musicality.  Learners have the option to record and upload an additional song they have mastered for teacher approval.  All videos submitted by the day before class will be reviewed by class time and feedback will be sent to affirm that the student has mastered the song or needs work in specific areas.

Song List:  Hot Cross Buns, Gently Sleep, Merrily We Roll Along, It's Raining, Old MacDonald, Saints Go Marching, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Amazing Grace, Ode to Joy

This is a time-tested path to master playing the recorder.  Every student present in class will play a song and receive immediate, encouraging feedback to help them as they practice.  When a learner masters a song, they will receive approval to move on to the next song in the book.  Resources have been purchased and will be provided by the teacher, but parents have the option to purchase the student book for "Recorder Karate 1" rather than printing each page, as you wish.  When a student masters every song in the book, they will finish the class and be eligible for the next recorder class based on "Recorder Karate 2."  This class will be a lot of fun and very motivational for learners who have mastered the basics of recorder playing.  It will move very quickly for motivated learners who apply the feedback in their daily practice.  I will send invitations to enter this course to all students in the 101 recorder course as the learners in the first course master the basics of holding the recorder, covering the holes completely to get a good sound, first notes, articulation, blowing an appropriate amount of air, breathing/breath control, rhythm, and legato playing.  I can't wait to have more recorder fun with my sweet, dedicated learners!  See you soon!