age requirements
Julie Stauffer
I will throw this out and perhaps someone can show me a different way to look at it.
I teach a karate class that is full of homeschoolers. I started the class so I would have someone to play with :) I have taught karate for almost 10 years at a school in Houston I was attending. Kids started at 5 there, but in the entire time I taught there, I know of maybe 3 or 4 kids who started so young that didn't simply find the class frustrating. We would have additional "helpers" to assist the younger kids but it was simply very difficult for them to do what was being asked of them, balance-wise, attention-wise, strength-wise, etc..
When I started my little class after we moved away from my school, I said "ages 9 and up." I would be the only teacher, no assistants available. I would be starting with all beginners which takes a tremendous amount of time and energy in the best of circumstances. My style is a very hard style and I am not interested in watering it down (that's why I'm not attending the local schools).
Julie
"Give government the weapons to fight your enemy and it will use them against you"--Harry Browne
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"--Benjamin Franklin
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable"-- John F. Kennedy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I teach a karate class that is full of homeschoolers. I started the class so I would have someone to play with :) I have taught karate for almost 10 years at a school in Houston I was attending. Kids started at 5 there, but in the entire time I taught there, I know of maybe 3 or 4 kids who started so young that didn't simply find the class frustrating. We would have additional "helpers" to assist the younger kids but it was simply very difficult for them to do what was being asked of them, balance-wise, attention-wise, strength-wise, etc..
When I started my little class after we moved away from my school, I said "ages 9 and up." I would be the only teacher, no assistants available. I would be starting with all beginners which takes a tremendous amount of time and energy in the best of circumstances. My style is a very hard style and I am not interested in watering it down (that's why I'm not attending the local schools).
Julie
"Give government the weapons to fight your enemy and it will use them against you"--Harry Browne
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"--Benjamin Franklin
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable"-- John F. Kennedy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
Is there another school you respect enough to send those you don't think are
ready or serious enough for your own class?
If so, maybe you could have a try-out and if they have the stamina and
balance and attention span and understanding you want (whether they're eight
or ten) you could accept them, and if they don't (whether they're nine or
not) you could recommend that other school.
Some kids mature earlier than others. Saying "nine" won't necessarily get
you what you want, and will bar some talented eight-year-old, perhaps.
Kirby started when he was nine and was the oldest and biggest in the kids'
class he was in (for beginners, anyway). Of those he started with, only one
is still there after nearly five years. That boy was six or seven then and
is twelve now.
I don't know what's fair or if "fair" can be accomplished, but I see what
seems unfair.
I can understand states and federal governments not making exceptions for
drivers' licenses, employment, visas and passports, etc. (although they DO
make exceptions in some cases), but a small group advertised for
homeschoolers has extra reason to be flexible.
Sandra
ready or serious enough for your own class?
If so, maybe you could have a try-out and if they have the stamina and
balance and attention span and understanding you want (whether they're eight
or ten) you could accept them, and if they don't (whether they're nine or
not) you could recommend that other school.
Some kids mature earlier than others. Saying "nine" won't necessarily get
you what you want, and will bar some talented eight-year-old, perhaps.
Kirby started when he was nine and was the oldest and biggest in the kids'
class he was in (for beginners, anyway). Of those he started with, only one
is still there after nearly five years. That boy was six or seven then and
is twelve now.
I don't know what's fair or if "fair" can be accomplished, but I see what
seems unfair.
I can understand states and federal governments not making exceptions for
drivers' licenses, employment, visas and passports, etc. (although they DO
make exceptions in some cases), but a small group advertised for
homeschoolers has extra reason to be flexible.
Sandra
[email protected]
On Wed, 26 Sep 2001 13:29:37 -0500 "Julie Stauffer" <jnjstau@...>
writes:
old, or my 7 year old, was interested in the class, that my child was
more focused than most kids her age and had successfully particpated in a
number of physical activities with older children, and that I was willing
to hang out while she tried it on a trial basis to see if it was a good
fit. Or, conversely, what if you ended up with a 9 yr old who wasn't very
strong, had rotten balance, and got distracted easily?
I think generalities are fine - "This class is generally best-suited to X
to Y year olds, because it requires skills A, B, and C." I think
generalities will apply to many kids, but not all of them. Cacie is in
two dramam classes now, one for 8-10 yr olds and one for 6-9 yr olds.
She's 8...and the 6-9 yr old class isn't a good fit, because most of the
kids are a lot less focused than she is, and she gets frustrated a lot
because of it. The 8-10 yr old class, though, is much better. I really
think she'd fit into the next class up from the 6-9 yr old one, which is
for 10-12 yr olds (this is singing-dance-acting, whereas the 8-10 one is
straight acting). Unfortunately, it meets on Saturday mornings (why do so
many things happen on Saturday mornings), and the soccer season has just
begun, with games every Saturday. But after soccer, I think I'll see if
she can try it...
Daron
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writes:
> When I started my little class after we moved away from my school, IBut what would you have done if I had come to you and said that my 8 year
> said "ages 9 and up." I would be the only teacher, no assistants
> available. I would be starting with all beginners which takes a
> tremendous amount of time and energy in the best of circumstances.
> My style is a very hard style and I am not interested in watering it
> down (that's why I'm not attending the local schools).
old, or my 7 year old, was interested in the class, that my child was
more focused than most kids her age and had successfully particpated in a
number of physical activities with older children, and that I was willing
to hang out while she tried it on a trial basis to see if it was a good
fit. Or, conversely, what if you ended up with a 9 yr old who wasn't very
strong, had rotten balance, and got distracted easily?
I think generalities are fine - "This class is generally best-suited to X
to Y year olds, because it requires skills A, B, and C." I think
generalities will apply to many kids, but not all of them. Cacie is in
two dramam classes now, one for 8-10 yr olds and one for 6-9 yr olds.
She's 8...and the 6-9 yr old class isn't a good fit, because most of the
kids are a lot less focused than she is, and she gets frustrated a lot
because of it. The 8-10 yr old class, though, is much better. I really
think she'd fit into the next class up from the 6-9 yr old one, which is
for 10-12 yr olds (this is singing-dance-acting, whereas the 8-10 one is
straight acting). Unfortunately, it meets on Saturday mornings (why do so
many things happen on Saturday mornings), and the soccer season has just
begun, with games every Saturday. But after soccer, I think I'll see if
she can try it...
Daron
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
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Sharon Rudd
Hi Julie. Sounds reasonable to me. If you are the
Sensei you can teach whomever you please. Lots of
teachers flat refuse to provide instruction to
children. It takes a mature teacher to know what they
can handle as far as class size, age, and skill level.
You can also refuse to provide instruction for
whatever reasons you choose, and you don't have to
tell anyone. It can be something as private as a bad
feeling or odor or whatever.
I was wondering what all the hulabaloo about ages was
related to!! Karate'. Who knew?
Sharon
--- Julie Stauffer <jnjstau@...> wrote:
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Sensei you can teach whomever you please. Lots of
teachers flat refuse to provide instruction to
children. It takes a mature teacher to know what they
can handle as far as class size, age, and skill level.
You can also refuse to provide instruction for
whatever reasons you choose, and you don't have to
tell anyone. It can be something as private as a bad
feeling or odor or whatever.
I was wondering what all the hulabaloo about ages was
related to!! Karate'. Who knew?
Sharon
--- Julie Stauffer <jnjstau@...> wrote:
> >we moved away
> I teach a karate class that is full of
> homeschoolers> When I started my little class after
> from my school, I said "ages 9 and up." I would be__________________________________________________
> the only teacher, no assistants available. I would
> be starting with all beginners which takes a
> tremendous amount of time and energy in the best of
> circumstances. My style is a very hard style and I
> am not interested in watering it down (that's why
> I'm not attending the local schools).
>
> Julie
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[email protected]
In a message dated 9/26/01 3:52:31 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
bearspawprint@... writes:
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
bearspawprint@... writes:
> I was wondering what all the hulabaloo about ages wasNo, it was related to children and their differing abilities.
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
Hi Julie,
I realize you may have resolved this but I wanted to tell you about my
son's karate class.
There is one instructor for a small class, about twenty students. The
students range in age from 6 to 52. ( no age requirements ) Usually one
or two of the higher ranking students help, either leading the exercise
while the instructor gives someone personal attention, or giving that
personal attention themselves. ( Highest rank is green belt ) There are
some times when the little kids would rather roll around on the floor and
the instructor just over looks it. He tries to grab their attention, but
if he can't, he just reminds them to be quiet if they become disruptive.
Typically one of the other students will engage the little ones in some
activity (often another beginner, but older )
like practicing counting in Japanese, or break falls or something and
after a little while they're usually interested in joining the class
again. Everyone just sort of understands this is how it is, and the
older people really love these little kids.
Kids who really aren't interested in being there don't last that long,
parents tend to catch on that their kids could be rolling around at home
for free.
You said your style is hard and you are faithful to it, so maybe this
approach wouldn't work for you. It may sound like this isn't a very
disciplined class, but really it is. There is just a kind of freedom
within it for students to help each other.
I personally think this works beautifully. Older students who are
struggling with some new technique can look at the little kids having fun
and say, "Ok, I don't need to stress about this, if he/she can do it so
can I." And little kids can see an adult struggling with the same thing
and realize it's hard for everyone, not just kids, and it builds
confidence.
An added bonus is everyone really loves this teacher and he gets lots of
birthday and Christmas presents. = ) (I know you're not trying to win
a popularity contest, just my lame attempt at humor)
Maybe with your students, class size or style this wouldn't work, but it
works here and everyone seems to be happy with it.
I think it's wonderful that you share what you know and love with these
kids. I can't tell you how much it means to us that we found a class in
our little town, someone willing to give their knowledge and time to the
kids here.
Deb L
I realize you may have resolved this but I wanted to tell you about my
son's karate class.
There is one instructor for a small class, about twenty students. The
students range in age from 6 to 52. ( no age requirements ) Usually one
or two of the higher ranking students help, either leading the exercise
while the instructor gives someone personal attention, or giving that
personal attention themselves. ( Highest rank is green belt ) There are
some times when the little kids would rather roll around on the floor and
the instructor just over looks it. He tries to grab their attention, but
if he can't, he just reminds them to be quiet if they become disruptive.
Typically one of the other students will engage the little ones in some
activity (often another beginner, but older )
like practicing counting in Japanese, or break falls or something and
after a little while they're usually interested in joining the class
again. Everyone just sort of understands this is how it is, and the
older people really love these little kids.
Kids who really aren't interested in being there don't last that long,
parents tend to catch on that their kids could be rolling around at home
for free.
You said your style is hard and you are faithful to it, so maybe this
approach wouldn't work for you. It may sound like this isn't a very
disciplined class, but really it is. There is just a kind of freedom
within it for students to help each other.
I personally think this works beautifully. Older students who are
struggling with some new technique can look at the little kids having fun
and say, "Ok, I don't need to stress about this, if he/she can do it so
can I." And little kids can see an adult struggling with the same thing
and realize it's hard for everyone, not just kids, and it builds
confidence.
An added bonus is everyone really loves this teacher and he gets lots of
birthday and Christmas presents. = ) (I know you're not trying to win
a popularity contest, just my lame attempt at humor)
Maybe with your students, class size or style this wouldn't work, but it
works here and everyone seems to be happy with it.
I think it's wonderful that you share what you know and love with these
kids. I can't tell you how much it means to us that we found a class in
our little town, someone willing to give their knowledge and time to the
kids here.
Deb L