​Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy​​​​​
Martial Arts               

Students and teachers must be able to readily switch to online lessons at any point in the semester in order to register for classes.

A project is required for each class on the student's schedule.

Additional registration at location is required.

Register with your studio asap in order to complete and ensure your registration for the class.  
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All students must complete a project for this class. Ask your mentor for details.
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Choose your type of martial arts: TaeKwonDo, Karate, etc.  Weekly lessons and belt testing fees are covered along with annual membership fee for the student, if applicable, up to $350 per student for the semester.  Fees above $350 are the responsibility of the family. Uniforms, belts (if charged separately), and other club fees such as Black Belt Club, are not covered.  
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Here is a list of area martial arts dojos/dojangs that have been approved by the Partnership and background checked. 

Benton Harbor: 
                                       
                                    R.E.A.D.Y. Taekwondo               Fall 2020

                                    Grandmaster Al Smith
                                    1968 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
                                     Contact: 269-325-2930
                                     email: grandmasteralsmith@yahoo.com
                                     www.readytaekwondo.org

                                     Ready Taekwondo is a non-profit organization run by Grandmaster Al Smith, 8th degree black belt. Not
                                     only will you learn excellent martial arts skills, but the school focuses on training the whole person by
                                     focusing on discipline, respect for authority, and overall mental well being. Ready Taekwondo teaches all
                                     ages and levels, and is proud of its support of students from all ethnic and social backgrounds.

                                     Taekwondo and especially R.E.A.D.Y. has shown the following benefits in student’s lives:
                                             1. Self Defense         5.School Grade Improvement
                                             2. Mentoring              6. Bully Prevention
                                             3. Weight Control      7. Respect for Authority
                                             4. Discipline               8. Obedience to Parents and Teachers

                                     Classes are currently being held at an outdoor location, with the capacity to switch to virtual format when
                                     needed. Class times:
                                              Tuesday and Thursday:               6:00-6:55 Ages 4-12                    7:00-7:55 Ages 12 and up
                                         
                                           ​

Bridgman:  Blue Knight Taekwondo - chartered branch of the United States Chung Do Kwan Association    Fall 2020
                         Owner: Grandmaster Candidate Darwin J. Eisenhart, 7th Degree Black Belt (42 years teaching in Berrien County, MI)
                         (Former U.S. Army Field Artillery; Former Police Officer, S.J.P.D.; Former Director of Indian Education, Benton Harbor Public Schools)
                         Sr. Instructor: Mrs. LuAnn Eisenhart, 3rd Degree Black Belt
                         Instructor: Justin M. Eisenhart, 1st Degree Black Belt
                         Phone: (269) 465-9880
                         Website: http://www.blueknighttkd.com/partnership.html
                         Email: blueknighttkd@hotmail.com 

                         
                         Wednesdays from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM (1 hour class).
                         * Alternate class times and make up days are available, upon request, on Tuesdays and Thursdays during regular Taekwondo class times.  
                         Registration signed by parents, and Class #1 is available on any Wednesday in January 2020 after New Years Day.
    

                         A parent must attend the first visit to Blue Knight Taekwondo, 9880 Maple St. in Bridgman, MI, to sign registration form.

                         Once registered, students may participate in any, or all of the Wednesday classes in January.


                         Class # 2 will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.  
                         The entire course will run every Wednesday from January 8th, through June 11, 2020.
                         (Closed the last 2 weeks in March for Blue Knight Taekwondo Spring Break)
                         Note:  If Bridgman Public Schools close due to severe weather & travel conditions, we will be closed.  
                         Check WNDU website, & TV station, Blue Knight Taekwondo website for cancelled classes during the Winter weather.
                         The full 2020 Spring Semester schedule can be viewed on our website:  http://www.blueknighttkd.com/partnership.html


​Niles:        Niles-Buchanan YMCA - NOT OFFERING Taekwondo for the FALL 2020 semester   
                                   Saturday's (Times Vary) Contact steve.lage@yahoo.com and/or       Ages 5+

                           
St. Joseph:  Benton Harbor/St. Joseph YMCA:     Fall 2020  
                             
                             Karate                      Contact steve.lage@yahoo.com and/or cadams@ymcagm.org   Ages 7+
                             Classes begin September 14th!   First week will be online, second week in person!
                             Ages 12 and up =  Tuesdays    Beginners 7:15-8:15   Advanced 7:15-9:15
                             Ages 7-12 = "LIttle Dragons"  Thursdays   Beginners 6:15-7:15   Advanced 7:15-8:15

                             Course Description:
                             Adult/Young Adult Karate Develop self-confidence, self-discipline, goal-setting, and respect for others, all while learning how to defend yourself through                                 studying a traditional Okinawan Martial Art, Isshinryu Karate. This ongoing course covers the complete system, beginning with basic blocks and strikes                                 and effective self-defense techniques, advancing with kata (forms), kumite (sparring), and advanced street- oriented self-defense techniques, giving you                               the confidence needed to stay safe.

                             Youth (Little Dragons) Karate COURSE OBJECTIVE - Through the discipline of Isshinryu Karate, students develop confidence, goal-setting, patience,                                   good manners, and respect for others while also learning easy self-defense techniques to help keep them safe. Drills develop good listening skills, gross                               and fine motor skills, focus, balance, coordination, and self-control. This ongoing course builds good character as they begin with the basic blocks and                                   strikes, advancing with kata (forms), kumite (sparring), and advanced self-defense techniques, giving them the confidence needed to stay safe.                                             *Students may purchase their gi (uniform), but it is not required.
                              Syllabus

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​*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.

Syllabus 
​Teacher of Record: Sara Smothers