THIS is why we teach!!!

I just had to share!

I'm doing this program with the third graders- Recorder Karate. It's a great way to keep them motivated (although the interested has dropped off a bit since the beginning). So basically, they perform a song and if they master it, they get a belt.

Well I had one boy come in the last few days, in such a rush to get his last few belts (red, brown and black). He got red yesterday. Came in today to get brown. Part of me thought, I can't do this - gotta give a chance for the other kids to catch up. But I let him do it- this kid is amazing. Such a natural musician.

Well then he asks when we can start black belt and he says 'I'm ready!!!' I knew he was. So I let him do it. You can't even IMAGINE the joy on this kid's face!! He was so thrilled. I've never seen a kid so excited and so proud. When he earned his black belt, I had him move his name over to the 'black belt' section of the bulletin board. This kid was walking on a cloud when he left!!! It was the most precious thing I've ever seen!!!

OMG I can't even IMAGINE the reaction these kids are gonna have when they see someone already got their black belt! I'm not gonna be able to keep them away over the next few days now!

Thanks for letting me share!

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Posted by Marchbride07

Aw! That sounds so cute! its great to see you have kids so motivated!

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And now I know why the motivation kinda died...I was keeping it at a slower pace, wanting everyone to at least know the notes before we started to test. But some kids really wanna keep moving! If I let it just go that way, then the other kids woulda been in more of a rush to catch up! I just feel bad for the kids who are lost...then again a big part of it is laziness. I've been giving belts to kids who shouldn't get them just to keep it rolling. But I'm telling you- the reaction is gonna be HUGE tomorrow. I'm gonna see loads of kids after school again like I did in the fall!!!