Recorders with Ms. Arends

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 (in my dishwasher) 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 three weeks of school, then send it to Peripole in Salem, Oregon, and we begin recorder classes when the recorders arrive in 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 learn 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 do my best to make it so much fun that they won't want to go to recess instead.

I'll send home details on buying a recorder
--for third -graders: Monday, Sept. 13
--for fourth-graders: Wednesday or Thursday, Sept. 15 or 16
--for fifth-graders: Tuesday, Sept. 14