August, 2007

Dear Parents of Fourth  and Fifth Grade Students,

            In fourth and fifth grade, we will be learning to play the recorder, a flute like instrument pictured on the left. All fourth and fifth graders will be learning to play the recorder in their general music class. Your child has the wonderful opportunity to purchase his/her own recorder, and I highly recommend that they do so. The cost is $3.00. It comes in a case with a plastic cleaner and fingering chart. Recorders will be ordered on Wednesday, September 19. If your child would like to purchase their own recorder, please send the exact amount ($3.00 per recorder) in an envelope with the child’s name and homeroom teacher no later than Tuesday, September 18. I will not delay the order of the recorders for students who forget their money. The marked envelope is very important since there are about 400 students in fourth and fifth grade. The envelopes help me document who has turned in money. I will not accept loose money. When I receive the money, I will write a receipt and return it to the student. If you do not receive a receipt within two days of sending the money, please contact me. If your child already has a recorder from a sibling or another school, they are welcome to use it. Recorders may also be purchased at most toy stores and music stores. Once the recorders are ordered it will take about one month for them to come in. I do not have the recorders in stock at the school. Students will be able to take the recorders home along with the music I provide. The recorder will need to come back to school for the next music class. In the past, I have had students purchase more than one recorder, one for home and one for school. That is fine; please write “two recorders” on the envelope so I will know.  If a student does not purchase their own recorder, they may not take one home. There is a class set of recorders that students may borrow from. These recorders are used and washed everyday in the campus dishwasher.

            For many, this will be your child’s first musical instrument. The regular playing of a musical instrument will not only aid their musicianship and expression, but also their math skills. Counting, division, and spatial reasoning are reinforced with regular practicing of a musical instrument.

            If you have any questions or concerns, please call me (393-5325 ext.2703). My conference period is 1:45-2:30.

Thank you,

Katherine Johns

Music Teacher

Floresville Elementary School