Teaching Tactic #26, wow! That means we’ve made it through half a year bringing you a quick idea each Tuesday to incorporate into your teaching right away. Today’s idea is to mix up your routine. It easy and helpful to set-up routines in piano lessons. First we play our scales, then we look at lesson book pieces, then we play a theory game, etc. Students come to expect what will be next. Routines are good. But they can also create complacency.
Try mixing up the routine this week. Ask the student what their favorite piece was from the week and start with that. Or start with whatever they struggled with the most. Put the day’s activities into a jar and draw out what they will do next. Changing things up a bit will keep students on their toes and engaged in the lesson. Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Author: Spring
Spring Seals, NCTM, teaches 60 piano students ranging from age 3 to 70 in Fort Worth, Texas. She also serves as the Director of Certification for TMTA. She is passionate about helping teachers become more effective in their studios through professional development, new resources, and fresh ideas.