Recorders!

I offer an optional recorder program for third, fourth, and fifth-graders. It's possible, though not very satisfying, to participate without purchasing a recorder, because each week I sanitize recorders and keep them in my classroom so that kids who haven't brought their recorders that day will still be able to play. But a soprano recorder (for third-graders) is only $5, and an alto (for fourth) only $15. (Tenors are another story).

I require the kids all to play on the same make of instrument, which helps with one of the biggest issues in recorder: tuning. So I collect money the first two weeks of school, then send it to Peripole in Salem, Oregon, and we begin recorder classes when the recorders arrive in early October.

Classes will be held during the children's lunch recess every Tuesday. Students who faithfully attend recorder classes may play in concerts in the spring, no matter what level of proficiency they have or have not achieved. Students who twice go to recess on Tuesday instead of attending recorder class may not play in concerts, but are still welcome to come to classes and play.

That's really the only rule I have: the second time you skip class, you're not in the concerts.

I hope LOTS of kids will decide to try recorder this year, and I'll try my hardest to make it so much fun that they won't want to go to recess instead. If your child wants to join us, s/he should bring the $5 or $15 in an envelope labeled with his or her name AND, please, the name of the classroom teacher. Envelopes may be given to classroom teachers, from whom I will collect them, or they may be put in my mailbox in the office.