FAQ- Curriculum

Where do I get my curriculum information?
You can select the link on the left of this website page that pertains to the semester for your class.
What are the semesters?
Soto's semesters run for 2 months and typically 8 weeks with the exception of instructors conventions and training. Week # 7 will be the evaluation week for ALL students and week 8 will be the graduation review and yellow tip awards for ALL students.
What is a karate binder?
This is a binder that not only you can take notes in, but insert your curriculum for reference of what is being taught. Please notify your instructor once you have this karate binder in your Soto's leadership duffel bag.
When is my graduation if I am a new BBT yellow belt?
The next graduation is most likley already set. Students will train 2 times a week to reach a total of 16 lesson credits [for 9.5 years old and up] or 32 lesson credits [for under 9.5 years old] and can make up classes if missed. If you know you are going to miss lessons, contact your instructor in advance to see what you can be scheduled for. Soto's will also offer some Saturday make up lessons to help during the academy's busy months. Saturday make up lesson schedule will be emailed and we ask that you register in advance to attend.
What are the semesters
There are a total of 6 semesters at SMAA. A semester equals 2 months/8 weeks. Graduation Months = Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec Black Belt Graduations = April & October
What is a class credit?
A class credit is one training class. It typically takes about 300 class credits for 9.5 year olds and older to achieve junior black belt or black belt. It will take under 7-9.5 year old students double the class credits.
How can I make up a class?
If you miss a class due to illness, vacation, oversleeping or laziness....contact your instructor for a make up suggestion class time. BBT and BBO students have an extra class choice weekly to get their 2 weekly class credits in. There are also Saturday BBT and BBO make ups emailed directly to you. BBT and BBO students will have 12 class choices monthly to get their required 8 lessons in.
What is BBT, BBO or BTM?
BTM refer to "Basic Training Members" in the basic class. These students wear the white basic uniform. BBT refers to "Black Belt Training" students who wear the black uniform and train in the BBT class curriculum. Typically these students are 9 years of age and older training in an intermediate curriculum towards junior or adult black belt. BBO refers to "Black Belts Only" and are all black belts in leadership training.
What is the leadership class offered monthly..I'm confused?
BBT and BBO can attend 2 curriculum classes weekly and these classes are currently Mondays 5pm, Tuesdays 6:15 pm and Thursdays 5:30 pm. There is a leadership class available to you monthly...however this DOES NOT count as a curriculum class, but your are welcome to attend [Register in advance] by email. You will receive an email for any Saturday makeup curriculum lessons...so you will want to consistently look at your email.
What is required from me for my advance yellow belt in BBT?
At yellow belt, you will be required to have a good working knowledge of the new curriculum in order to be promoted to the next belt rank of advance yellow. I realize you have just entered a brand new class, and there is no doubt the pace may be a bit quicker than your basic training class...however you still need to attend regularly and get the required number of class credits in [Juniors 32 class credits/teen & adults 16 class credits] to qualify for your new rank.
What is required from me for green belt in BBT?
For your green belt, you will have to memorize your new Kata and one step self defenses with names of attacks, demonstrate basics with the weapon of that semester, register for graduation on time, attend your evaluation week [see online calendar], attend yellow tip recommendation week, show up at your graduation and you will receive your green belt.
How long will it take me to achieve black belt if I'm under 9.5 years old?
Under 9.5 Years old: If your child enters BBT class at the beginning of a semester, it may take them a minimum of [32 class credits] 4 months to move to each belt..however with the added curriculum for them, they will no doubt be challenged in BBT class. Your child will need up to 96 class credits after red belt. (If you are attending 1 day weekly, we realize it will take longer for your child to achieve these class credits).
How long will it take me to achieve black belt if I'm over 9.5 years old?
If you or your child enters BBT class at the beginning of a semester, it will take a minimum of [16 class credits] 2 months to move to each belt...however with the added curriculum for this program, you will no doubt be challenged in BBT class. You will need up to 64 class credits after red belt. (If you are attending 1 day weekly, we realize it will take longer for your child to achieve these class credits).
How early do we need to be at the academy due to our busy schedule?
We ask that you only arrive to the academy with 5-10 minutes prior to class. Please do not arrive earlier than 5-10 minutes before your class unless you have scheduled an appointment. Please remember your instructor may be with academy business calls, private or introductory lessons. We have also found out that some people who are starting their 1st introductory lesson may feel uncomfortable or awkward with people watching. Please keep in mind for young children. the 30 minute class time is a long enough time for them to focus. By arriving too early on top of the 30 minutes class sometimes challenges their focus and behavior before class starts. We also ask that you not use the academy as a sitter, so we appreciate parents they dropping off and pick up their children promptly. Please realize that the instructors cannot be responsible for your children left unattended before and after classes. plus can make it difficult for conducting classes. If a child MUST unavoidably be left for extra time, always contact the instructor in advance to make arrangements.