I wanted to let everyone know about something new that I am starting this year. Obviously, the earning of a new belt is rewarding and serves as an incentive to work hard. This year though, I wanted to add the option of earning stripes to go on the belts. This will be well thought out - not just random, meaningless objectives. The first two stripes that will be available to earn will be:
Uniform Stripe: To earn the uniform stripe the student must do 3 things - 1) Remember to BRING his/her uniform, including the belt. 2) Must be able to go to the designated area, change out of clothes, and put on uniform top and bottom (his/her uniform top and bottom!). There is an adult to assist at this time. I am not pushing the belt because that is hard to learn and will take time. 3) The student must take ALL of his/her clothes, shoes, socks, etc. and put them IN the backpack with the socks inside the shoes and next to the backpack. The student must be able to demonstrate these requirements for 4 consecutive classes. This means, if a student forgets his/her uniform or any of the 3 steps, say after doing it for two classes, they must start counting at one again. I will keep up with how they do each class in my attendance book. This might be hard for my parents as well as the students trying to remember to have their uniform ready to go!
Tie Belt: This is not really intended for my brand new white belts although they are very welcome to work towards this one as well. This one is really intended for my color belts. To earn the belt stripe the student must learn how and demonstrate to me that he/she knows the CORRECT way to tie his/her belt. I will be going over this briefly in classes but I have a printed demonstration so the parent can help him/her as well. I will have these with the sign out sheet for a while.
Uniform/Equipment(2nd class): This stripe is earned by bringing his/her uniform-including belt, and ALL of his/her equipment (sparring gear, weapons, etc.) to class for 8 consecutive classes. This is going to be much tougher than you might think....but it is SO important to have everything we might use in class. Hopefully, it will become a habit after the 8 classes! I will keep up with this in my attendance book.
Leadership(2nd class): The student will be able to earn this stripe that is only available to 1st kyu brown belts and black belts by demonstrating leadership skills. I know this sounds "open ended" but I really don't know how to put into words what I am thinking on this one. I will be talking to the students and giving and leading by example. There is no time requirement on this one....when I see what I am looking for, I will add the stripe to his/her belt.
I will be announcing new stripes to be earned as the weeks and months go along. I will try to keep the number of stripes to be earned low so as to keep them "something special"
