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

Students and teachers must be able to readily switch to online instruction 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 school 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 group 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. 

Berrien Springs: 
                                       
                                    Hyde's Lifestyle Taekwondo               Fall 2021
                                      
                                     102 N Mechanic (Life Rx Fitness) 
                                      Instructor: James Austin Hyde - 3rd Degree Black Belt
                                      Contact: 269-210-1214
                                      Email:  hydejames376@gmail.com

                                      Grades K - 12th.  Mondays and Thursdays
                                      Ages 5-9 (4:30pm), ages 10-16 (5:30pm), ages 16+ (6:30pm)
                                      Twice a week.

                                      Course Description:   Taekwondo is a great program for our students to take. The program teaches our students how to be disciplined in all areas                                          of their life. We teach our students how to have self-control, stay courteous, keep a strong perseverance, and most importantly how to have a                                                indomitable spirit. We focus strictly on our tenants of taekwondo because in doing so we bring out the best in our students.
                                      Syllabus                                    


Benton Harbor: 
                                       
                                    R.E.A.D.Y. Taekwondo               Fall 2021

                                     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 Alvin Smith, 9th 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, self defense, 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 will be held virtually at home if we are prevented from meeting in person at the school. 
                                              Monday 5:30 - Open Gym
                                                            6:15 - All Ranks, Ages 4-12
                                                            7:00 - Adults and Ages 13+
                                              Tuesday 5:30 - White Belts
                                                             6:15 - Youth Color Belts
                                                             7:00 - Adults and Ages 13+
                                              Wednesday 5:30 - Open Gym
                                                             6:15 - All Ranks, Ages 4-12
                                                             7:00 - Adults and Ages 13+
                                             Thursday 5:30 - White Belts
                                                             6:15 - Youth Color Belts
                                                             7:00 - Adults and Ages 13+


Bridgman:                                          ​

                                     BLUE KNIGHT TAEKWONDO            Fall 2021
                
                                       More information available on our website: PARTNERSHIP (blueknighttkd.com)
                                       Each semester lasts 11 weeks. Closed Federal Holidays.
                                                  * Closed Monday, 10/11/21 for Columbus Day Holiday
                                                  * Closed Thursday, 11/11/21 for Veterans Day Holiday
                                                  * Closed Thursday, 11/25/21 for Thanksgiving Holiday
                                       Weeks 1 through 8 are for instruction during the regular class times.
                                                 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Ages 5 to 10 Mondays & Wednesdays
                                                 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM Ages 11 & up Mondays & Wednesdays
                                       Week 9: Pretests – No Classes during Pretest week. Open 4:30 PM, Start 5:00 PM, End 7:00 PM
                                       Week 10: Review at regular class times with registration for 2021 Winter Semester
                                       Week 11: Final Exams – No Classes during Exam week. Open 4:30 PM, Start 5:00 PM, End 7:00 PM
                                                 * Belt Presentation Ceremony & Christmas Party Saturday 12/18/21 5:00 – 8:00 PM
                                                 * Closed Monday, 12/20/21 thru 1/3/22 – Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

                                      SEPTEMBER
                                      Registration & Class # 1-A Wednesday 9/8 (MUST REGISTER & TAKE FIRST CLASS HERE...)
                                      Final Registration & Class # 1-B Thursday 9/30 (...OR LAST CHANCE REGISTRATION & CLASS HERE.)
                                      Note: Partnership students should attend 1 hr., on both Mondays & Wednesdays in weeks 1 - 8,
                                      or request an alternate 2-hr. class on one day per week.
                                      OCTOBER
                                      Week 1: Monday 10/4                                              Wednesday 10/6
                                      Week 2: Monday 10/11 – Closed: Columbus Day Wednesday 10/13
                                      Week 3: Monday 10/18                                            Wednesday 10/20
                                      Week 4: Monday 10/25                                            Wednesday 10/27

                                      NOVEMBER
                                      Week 5: Monday 11/1                                               Wednesday 11/3
                                      Week 6: Monday 11/8                                               Wednesday 11/10
                                      Week 7: Monday 11/15                                             Wednesday 11/17
                                      Week 8: Monday 11/22                                             Wednesday 11/24
                                      Week 9: Monday 11/29 – Closed     Tuesday 11/30 - Pretest # 1 (White, Yellow, Gold Belts)

                                      DECEMBER
                                      Week 9: continued                                                  Wednesday 12/1
                                      Pretest # 2
                                      (Orange, Green, Purple Belts)
                                      Week 10: Monday 12/6                                             Wednesday 11/8
                                      Review Class Review Class
                                      Week 11: Monday 12/13 – Closed  
                                      Tuesday 12/14 - Exam # 1 (White, Yellow, Gold)
                                      Wednesday 12/15 - Exam # 2 (Orange, Green, Purple)
                                      Saturday 12/18 Belt and Certificate Presentation Ceremony & Christmas Party
                                      ~ Closed for Christmas Break December 19, 2021 through January 3, 2022 ~



​Niles:        Niles-Buchanan YMCA - NOT OFFERING Taekwondo for the Fall 2021 semester   
                                        Ages 5+

                           
St. Joseph:  Benton Harbor/St. Joseph YMCA:     Fall 2021  
                             
                             Karate                      Contact: Allison Kiggins  akiggins@ymcagm.org   269-683-1552   Instructor: Steve Lage  
                             Classes begin the week of Sept. 5- Dec. 18
                             Ages 12 and up =  Tuesdays   Beginners 5 - 6pm   Advanced 6 - 7:30pm
                             Ages 7-12 = "Little Dragons"  Thursdays   Beginners 5 - 6pm   Advanced 6 - 7:30pm


                             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