One of the most popular posts on my blog is one from August of 2009 when I wrote about throwing out the practice log, just as I was starting a new term. Four years later, I wrote an update. I was sold on not requiring students to keep a log of the amount of time […]
No Practice Log Requirement Since 2009 Read More »
I always have a yearly theme in my studio. Over the years, it’s been space, dogs, detectives, and all sorts of things, but this year, it’s emojis! I was inspired by a sticker collection. My students consistently asked for one of the emoji stickers when they earned stickers in their books. Everybody loves emojis
Punchcards For Motivation Read More »
We piano teachers hold some negative feelings about things people say about piano lessons. One is when parents refer to lessons as “practice,” like soccer practice. At soccer practice, tennis practice, basketball practice, a lot of the time is spent in drills to reinforce movements and techniques. With piano lessons, since we meet only once
In my very small hometown, our local newspaper celebrated student achievements, even small ones, by publishing lots and lots of photos. Nice older folks in my community would clip those photos and articles and mail them to the students with congratulatory notes. These days, we do the same thing with social media and “likes.” This
Smart Sharing: Posting Student Media for Motivation and Marketing Read More »
This year, I’ll be awarding digital badges to students to celebrate and document their achievements. I’m using ForAll Rubrics, a website that allows teachers to create rubrics, checklists, and badges. They also have a mobile app called ForAllBadges that will run on your ipad, smartphone, chromebook, or tablet. Digital badges are little graphic images that
Motivating Students With Badges Read More »
The obvious answer to the question above is, “Of course!” But, I think it’s the wrong question. I like this question better: “Is learning its own reward?” I think the answer is “sometimes.” Usually, when I hear the question, I walk quickly away because I know the conversation is about to become heated as lines
Should Learning Be Its Own Reward? Read More »
Are you looking for something a little different to do with your piano students this summer? Are many of your students 10 years or older, and therefore, not as interested in the types of summer camp games and activities that excited them in previous years? I hope you’ll check out Piano Boot Camp: Special Ops!
Countdown to Piano Boot Camp: Special Ops! Read More »
Whether you call it a Piano Festival, Achievement Day, or something else, an evaluation event is a great way to motivate your students. There are lots of reasons why you might want to host one just for your studio. Maybe you live in a rural area without a local music teachers association. Or maybe the
Ten Steps To Hosting Your Own Piano Festival Read More »
Get Out Of Scales Free! Sometimes, you need a small reward for your students that isn’t junky dollar store stuff or candy. Here are two sets of reward cards that might be just what you need! These Get Out Of Scales Free cards and Extra Time With Piano Maestro cards can be printed on card
Reward Cards For Piano Students Read More »
Photo by Woodley Wonderworks via Wiki Commons I’ll bet that most piano teachers can relate to this: I wish I had a nickel for every parent who has said to me in an interview, “I’m not going to MAKE him/her practice.” After 20 years of experience, I’ve come to see this as a tip-off that,
Should Parents Make Their Child Practice? Read More »
