Get connected to JMM:
Jennifer's Musical Moments
  • Home
  • About JMM
    • Jennifer Lorys Bio
  • Piano Studio
    • Teaching Philosophy
    • Education and Opportunites
    • Lesson Policy
    • Studio Calendar
    • Registration Form
    • Musical Moments in the Making
  • More Musical Moments...
    • Piano Accompanying
    • Testimonials
  • Contact JMM

I Want MORE Music!  The Ultimate Practice Incentive

10/21/2013

0 Comments

 
I am very blessed to have some very hard working students.  There are times, however, when students fall into a sticky-stucky, icky-yucky pit full of excuses as to why they just can't practice (it happens to the best of us.)  I've discovered a resolution that might blow your minds, but will certainly help your students blow you away!

Give your student MORE music!  That's right, I said it, and I do it, and it works.  This Ultimate Practice Incentive might surprise you.  It might even have you rolling your eyes, scratching your head, or saying things like, "Is this teacher CRAZY?!"  While the latter might be slightly true, this has proven to be a successful way to unstick my stuck students and give them a positive and educational practice incentive that parents, students, and teachers are happy about.

Here's what you have to do:

First, have your students create a practice log in a notebook.  Have them decorate it, give them stickers to put on it, just to make it fun!  This practice log should include the following:

Date |  Beginning Time | Ending Time | Total Practice Minutes | Total Minutes to Date
Here is an example of how your students practice log might look:

Date       |  Beginning Time | Ending Time | Total Practice Minutes | Total Minutes to Date

9/16/13           3:10                  3:35                       25                              25

9/18/13           4:45                  5:15                       30                              55

9/19/13           5:00                  5:30                       30                              85

Set a goal for your students, either weekly, monthly, or quarterly (whatever works for you).  Goals should be attainable.  Make sure each student has goals that work for them.  For example, one student might be able to do 400 minutes a month or more, while another might only be able to do 300 or less. Get into a routine of having them or their parents log their practice minutes  The practice log should be checked by the teacher on a weekly basis.  Give them sticker rewards for reaching a fair number of minutes per week.  After your students have gotten into a logging routine introduce the Ultimate Practice Incentive.

The Ultimate Practice Incentive
Offer musical prizes in the form of, you guessed it! MUSIC!  Make sure the music is fun and engaging. Themed music works well. Also, students love being creative so you can take this opportunity to compose a song as one of your musical prizes.

Here is an example of one of my UPI's:

120 minutes of practice = 1 new Halloween Song
130 minutes of practice = BONUS 2 new Halloween Songs
140 minutes of practice = DOUBLE BONUS 3 new Halloween Songs

You'll have your students out of that icky-yucky pit in no time!

So, give it and try and let me know what you think of this idea or if you have any other Ultimate Practice Incentive ideas.

Jennifer Lorys
Jennifer's Musical Moments

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Jennifer Lorys
    Jennifer's Musical Moments

    Picture
    I am a teacher, performer, and music transcriber. I am a novice blogger, sharing my thoughts for students, parents, and pretty much anyone who will read. I hope you enjoy!

    Archives

    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All
    Musical Moments
    Students
    Teachers

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.