Submitted by Judy Kelley, Bradenton, Florida

Idea posted October 15, 2003

I added an Olympic silver and gold bead to the Recorder Karate program. Students sight-read a piece of music to earn a silver bead. The gold bead is earned by writing an original composition. When a student is ready for this last step, I give his or her a piece of music manuscript paper and a handout with the step-by-step process to follow. I am pleased with the results.

It has given students who excel at recorder playing a chance to expand their musicianship.