American Karate and Martial Science: June 2013

SUMMER HOURS
Summer hours are now in affect from now until August 31st for the adult karate classes.

MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
6:30- 7:30 Youth Intermediate M&W Ages 6-12
7:30- 8:30 Adult Novice Monday Only Ages 13 - Over
5:30- 6:15 Youth Novice T&Th Ages 6-12
6:30- 8:00 Adult Open Class T&Th 13 - Over

SPIRIT WEEK
June 24th – 28th

Spirit week is upon us. This year we look forward to a great time in the martial arts. This is the time of year when Mr. Williams exposes you to how the martial arts were when he started. Classes were tough but not as brutal as they were in the late 50’s and 60’s. This is the week where everyone is in class together for 1-1/2 to 2 hours Monday through Thursday evening starting at 6:00 pm. Black belts go through a special training and shakedown on Friday evening. It is important that you stay well hydrated during the day and bring water for class. You need to know when to bow out, take a short break and come back in. On Saturday the 29th at Rice Park is the annual karate school picnic. All AKMS students and immediate family are invited. Families are requested to bring a side dish. A sign-up sheet will be out soon.

MARTIAL ARTS MATH RELATED CONNECTIONS
Another school year has ended, but teachers and students alike know that “learning” does not come to an end. We also know that learning a particular subject is not done in isolation. Learning is cross-curricular. For example: Many math problems can be found in good literature; science problems are often solved with basic mathematics; history and a good novel go hand-in-hand; music has strong connections with math and social studies. For example: Many math problems can be found in good literature; science problems are often solved with basic mathematics; history and a good novel go hand-in-hand; music has strong connections with math and social studies. Practices within the martial arts world also have 21st century math-related connections. In today’s Common Core guidelines for success in math, eight (8) Mathematical Practices have been identified and are currently taught in schools throughout the nation. Consider the following four (4) Practices and how they align with the teachings of Mr. Williams:

Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. When we are in class, we frequently ask, “What might you do in this situation?” “What would happen if…..?” “Would it work if I …?” We are then encouraged to try, and try again, until we find meaning in a new skill, drill, kata, etc.
Use appropriate tools strategically. Mr. Williams often refers to the punches, kicks, blocks, strikes, etc. as “tools.” As we progress as students, one of our tasks is to choose the right “tool” for the right situation.
Attend to precision. As martial artists, it is essential that we develop accuracy and efficiency with the tools we have been given. This is an on-going challenge. “The path to EXCELLENCE starts here.”
Look for and make use of structure. There is method to the curriculum taught by Mr. Williams. We begin with basics. We move to step-sparring, and kata, and self-defense. The more (seemingly) complicated tasks are often times composed of simpler skills, but the structure remains.

Perhaps the greatest reward of learning is the fact that it never ends.

Respectfully submitted,
Jean Gaeddert, AKMS Black Belt

BULLYING
Bullying can be verbal, physical, or via the Internet. It can severely affect an individual’s self-image, social interactions, and school performance which can often lead to insecurity, lack of self-esteem, and depression in adulthood. School dropout rates and absences among victims of bullying are much higher than among other students. Studies have shown that children who have been identified as a bully by age eight are six times more likely to have a criminal conviction by age 24. Children who are bullies may continue to be bullies as adults, and are more prone to becoming child and spouse abusers.

Martial arts can help kids who are being bullied. Bullies thrive on attacking people that they view as weak. Youth who are bullied often have low confidence levels, inability to concentrate on school work, lack of focus and high stress levels which make them look even weaker. One of the biggest misconceptions about enrolling children and teenagers in martial arts is that the kids become aggressive and, therefore, are likely to bully others. The fact is that martial arts do just the opposite. Bullies often have a sense of superiority over others and their environments and lack impulse control. Often time, bullies don't know how to manage their anger so they take it out on people they deem weaker than themselves.

Many times, bullies are being, or have been, bullied at some point in their lives as well. Martial arts can assist in solving these problems in many children. Much of this depends on the house rules parents have, if any and how consistent those rules are applied.

Tommy Williams, Instructor

TOURNAMENTS
SAM’S SUMMER KICK OFF
Saturday, June 15th
Kansas Army National Guard
1111 North Severance St.
Hutchinson, Kansas
CONTACT: Sam or Jessica Price 620-669-9051 hutchkarate@sbcglobal.net

GREAT PLAINS KARATE CHALLENGE
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Salvation Army
1137 North Sante Fe
Salina, Kansas
CONTACT: Roy Miller 785-493-0257

KANSAS STATE GAMES
Saturday, July 13th, 2013
Christ the King Church
25th and Wanamaker
Topeka, Kansas
CONTACT: Tony Mielenz 785-554-4220

Saturday, June 22, 2013

GREAT PLAINS KARATE CHALLENGE

Saturday, June 15, 2013

SAM’S SUMMER KICK OFF

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Promotions

Saturday, June 1, 2013

June 2013 Newsletter