Playing the Recorder A Musical Rite of Passage

TASIS fourth grade students are learning to play the recorder! ES music teacher Melody Tibbits has been teaching these children the basics of the recorder, including fingering putting their music reading skills into practice. The 'Recorder Karate' curriculum is based on the martial art's system of 'belts', where students receive a new color once they've mastered a unit.

This method for recorders was created by Barb Philipak and uses different songs for the mastery of certain skills in music and recorder playing. Each song has a corresponding color, and once a student has successfully played the song, they receive a reward belt for their recorder. At the end of the program, if all belts are received, a student will have at least nine different belts for the recorder.

Around 34 fourth grade students are practicing, testing, and working in the lesson books. Ms. Melody's patience and joy at the students' success is evident and an important part of this successful music program.

Enjoy a few more photos from this very special class! For more information about the TASIS Elementary School visit the TASIS website.

For more information about The American School in Switzerland and its programs, please visit the School's website.

Created By
Kim Nelson
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Kim Nelson

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