Recorder Karate Idea Bank

Before Recorder Karate was published, I developed my own program. I use eight songs, mostly from Music K-8:

"BAG-O-Saurus" from Music K-8, Vol. 6, No. 1
"Rockin' Around The Hound Dog's Blue Suede Shoe BAG" from Music K-8, Vol. 7, No. 1
"Sandpiper" from Music K-8, Vol. 5, No. 5
"E's E Jammin'" from Music K-8, Vol. 3, No. 3
"Ode To Joy'" from Music K-8, Vol. 6, No. 2
"Da Da Da Da Da Bomp!" from Music K-8, Vol. 8, No. 5
"Amazing Grace" from Music K-8, Vol. 11, No. 2
Irish Washerwoman

In third grade I make sure that everyone gets their white belt. After that, the students work more independently. I figure eight songs does not make a recorder player, so we do all sorts of different songs in class. Sometimes, I'll hit a belt song just to get them motivated again. They can get their black belt in a week, (only one or two have done this) or take until the end of fifth grade. I have some kids who are very enthusiastic, so I have eight degrees of black belt and then eight belts on the alto. I have days before school when they can test. Sometimes I'll test a student at an odd moment (i.e., right after class or in recorder club, etc.). Right now I have 25 black belts in two grades.