Recorder Karate Idea Bank

This is the third year I have used Recorder Karate with my students, and they can't get enough of it. I have fourth- through sixth-grade students. The teacher who has third grade starts her third graders at "Recorder Karate Level 1" using Recorder Karate. When they become fourth graders, the level of difficulty increases as they begin Recorder Karate Level 2 (after Christmas). I use The Complete Recorder Resource Kit, Vol. 1 for "Recorder Karate Level 2." The students work their way through belts in this order: Light Green, Hot Pink, Lavender, Pink, Baby Blue, Silver, and finally Gold. For their Baby Blue belt, the student must compose their own song with certain requirements that I give them, and then they must play it correctly. When they get to fifth and sixth grade, the students are given Music K-8 recorder selections to play. I like to keep them on their toes. They never know from one class period to the next if they will be getting a new piece. This spontaneity keeps them coming back for more. And WOW! those Music K-8 recorder pieces are priceless gems to use and hold on to!