Art Reviews

Los Angeles Schools are seeing a steady increase in arts education as the dual result of a long-term program and recent state funding. The Arts for All program was initiated in 2002 as a 10-year plan to restore arts education to the 80 districts of Los Angeles Schools. The project focuses on bringing music, dance, drama and the visual arts to K-12 schools in the area. Nine schools have just signed up for the 2007-2008 school year, bringing the total number of Los Angeles Schools involved up to 27.

Two of the newest participants are the Lancaster and Palmdale districts of Los Angeles Schools. Both schools completely eliminated their elementary music programs in the last decade due to budget cuts and increased pressure to perform on state tests. Major cuts first began for Los Angeles Schools with Proposition 13 in 1978. This California mandate reduced property taxes and district funds, which required all Los Angeles Schools to reduce or eliminate arts and physical education classes.

Los Angeles Schools were pleased when the state announced funding of $500 million for art, music and physical education classes in the beginning of June. Los Angeles Schools will use much of these funds for the Arts for All Program. Arts for All is built on a five-step process which, while proven effective, costs money. The five steps involved are:

1.Allocating 5% of a district’s budget to arts education 2.Having a board adopted policy 3.Creating an implementation plan with a timeline 4.Assigning a district level arts coordinator 5.Maintaining a student to arts teacher ratio of 400:1

Los Angeles Schools will pay for a program expert to guide parents, staff and community members in the creation of their implementation plan. The Lancaster district has an additional grant of $260,000 for its art and music programs.

Los Angeles Schools welcome the increased funding as a long overdue measure. Many educators in the Los Angeles Schools have lamented the loss of the arts as harmful to student development. While many of the cuts to arts education result from diverting funds to cover academic subjects needed to pass state tests, teachers argue that art actually enhances learning, allows children to make connections between subjects, and provides a much needed balance to education.

Like the rest of the country’s urban districts Los Angeles Schools are trying to meet the 2014 No Child Left Behind requirement that mandates proficiency on state tests by all students regardless of developmental delays or language barriers. Diverting funding away from the arts has put Los Angeles Schools in a situation where children as young as third grade are losing recess, physical activity and a basic arts background in a frenzied scramble to meet rising national standards.

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Martial Art Belt Ranks

Where did they come from and what do they mean?

There are many theories why present day martial art schools use belts and sashes as a ranking system and where the concept of using belts came from. We will discuss two philosophies, one that is widely accepted by many practitioners and another that can be considered as a legend, or story that was passed down by your grandfather. Please keep in mind that the belt ranking system has only been around about 120 years. Throughout this article, keep in mind that not all Martial Arts are the same, your school may have a completely different ranking system than discussed here.

One of the most common arguments comes from the founder of modern day Judo, Dr. Jigoro Kano. An educator and sports enthusiast, Dr. Kano used a black belt to represent his dan (highest-ranking) students in his school, the Kodokan. However, he later realized his kyu (lower ranking) students needed an outward tangible object to acknowledge their accomplishments and encourage their efforts. So he implemented the different colors to signify the progress that his kyu made over time.

Eventually, other Japanese martial art styles such as Karate, Aikido, Kendo, etc. incorporated the Judo belt ranking system when Gichin Funakoshi, an Okinawan karate master and considered as the Father of Modern Karate demonstrated his martial art style, Shotokan, at the Kodokan.

The other theory, known as the belt getting dirty can be considered as a martial arts folklore. When new students started their training they were given the rank of white belt, signifying a birth or beginning. Students were not allowed to wash their belts, therefore the belt would get dirty the more they practiced. In time the belt would become black, signifying the amount of time the student spent practicing and typically their level of skill.

As a new student in a martial art, you will most likely be given a white belt at the beginning of your training and will progress through a color system on your way toward a black belt. However, contrary to popular belief, the black belt does not signify the end of your training, but rather the beginning. In most arts, once you earn your black belt you are no longer considered a kyu, you are now a dan.

Dan have their own ranking system known as degrees. You are a first degree black belt when you first attain it, over time you can test for your 2nd degree black belt (or 2nd dan) and so on. Most martial arts consider a 10th degree black belt to be the highest level of mastery.

As you train in a martial art, don’t get discouraged if you are stuck on a certain belt for a long period of time. It usually takes many years to progress through the belts and this is actually one of the lessons that participating in Martial Arts will teach you. Progressing through the belts requires a great deal of time, dedication, self-confidence, patience and self-discipline. The skills you learn in your martial arts training will apply to almost every aspect of your life and will help you succeed in areas where you never thought Martial Arts would help.

If you would like to learn more about Martial Arts or are interested in finding a school in your area, go to http://www.experiencemartialarts.com.

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Enrolling your child in kids karate and childrens martial arts classes in Phoenix AZ can benefit your child in numerous ways. Your child will develop coordination, balance, confidence, discipline, and technique. Aside from that your child will have the ability to gain self-respect. While having your child attend kids karate and childrens martial arts classes in Phoenix you will notice a variety of changes in the way your child is acting. He/She will be a strong individual with a positive attitude. They will be more focused and will have gained leadership and confidence. Kids karate and childrens martial arts classes in Scottsdale gives children an amazing opportunity to change their entire outlook and aspects on that specific kind of training.

Respect, esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability. Martial arts begins and ends with respect. Kids karate and childrens martial arts classes in Phoenix AZ fully believe in self-respect. To have self-respect is one of the most important things in a childs life. Kids karate and childrens martial arts classes in Scottsdale can help a child gain this. A childs awareness is developed with three primary areas; respect, discipline, and self-control. These are three of the most important terms a child will come familiar with while taking such classes like kids karate and childrens martial arts in Phoenix.

During these classes there is a great deal of encouragement from teachers to their students, students to fellow students, etc. Children become aware of their surroundings and familiar with everyone and everything around them. Children taking kids karate and childrens martial arts classes in Phoenix, AZ work harder and harder each day to achieve the goals they are signed up for. They build up confidence and stamina and focus entirely on the class itself.

The respect that is built from taking a kids karate class and childrens martial arts class in Phoenix is remarkable. Children learn from their teachers and the teachers at these classes are amazing role models that will by all means make sure your child is not only learning karate and martial arts, but learning how to be a coordinated, confident, respectful, and disciplined young individual.

The health craze is back again. People are wanting to work on their physical appearance and improve their health. By targeting these individuals with advertising it can be how martial arts school owners can attract new adult students. Many school owners can focus on this fitness movement and improve their attendance numbers.

The health benefits of the martial arts is widely known. People are aware that it is not only a way to defend yourself but also a very healthy lifestyle. Some schools could focus on this type of class to bring those that are interested in developing muscle tone or losing weight into the dojo.

Focus on the family. People want to spend time with their families again. Marital arts is an excellent way to bond with family members. Consider offering discounts for families they join together. Even offering classes that are geared towards families can increase the numbers at your school. People are tired of sitting at home and watching the T. V. They want physical activity and the payoff for them joining would be family time and a personal home security force of trained kids.

There is a lot of frustrated people right now. Many are mad because of the economy. Some may be frustrated because they can’t get that promotion now and have been asked to be patient another year. By offering classes to reduce anger and frustration using discipline and activity people can release this frustration in a healthy manner. This is also a great service to the community because it lowers the chances for domestic violence occurring. If the advertising is done right, then it should bring in a lot of adults that are very willing to learn whatever they can to make their lives happier.

Traffic is also a key factor in anger and frustration. Road rage numbers are going off the chart. It is almost your civic duty to suggest that people get off of the highway and come learn a martial art. That way they can drive home after class and after the traffic is gone. This will be a big idea that will help a lot of people.

Self defense classes should be offered at local college campuses. Many students will appreciate this and may be able suggest it to other students as well. Giving a demonstration on campus can be very impressive and a great source of free advertising.

Other ways to bring in adults, especially single adults, is to have people consider moving away from online dating and making connections at classes. Having a singles night would improve attendance and bring in fresh faces every week. Many women will feel safer meeting potential dating partners in a public setting like a dojo.

There are a few ways on how martial arts school owners can attract new adult students. Focus the advertising on problems that martial arts can solve. This way, people will feel instantly connected and will remember your school in conversations with friends and family. By utilizing some of these community helping ideas, your school numbers should go up with loyal students.