The incentive program I am using this year, A Star is Born! has been very successful with my students.
They get very excited to see their progress around their own game board as well as the large studio game board where they can see how their progress matches up to everyone else! And as is typical, there are students who haven't missed a week of practicing and "lead the pack" and there are students, who come close, but don't always meet their practice requirements. This week as a way to encourage everyone and to show a little LOVE this Valentines Day (or week!), I implemented "Double Star Week".
If a student meets their normal weekly required practice time, they receive two stars instead of one! You would think I'm telling them they've won the lottery!! Last week when I told them about Double Star Week and reminded them to work hard this week, they really lit up and got excited. So far this week, every student has earned both stars! And, I'm seeing the results in their playing! I really love that part! It's February and for us here in Connecticut, it's about 3/4 of the way through our winter and given the Blizzard we just had, even the smallest of "treats" gets us excited.
Jen Fink blogged about some similar ideas on her blog, Pianimation. You can read about it here. Is there something small you can implement in your studio that will energize your students? I would love to hear your ideas!
3 comments:
Just found your blog last week and have had so much fun poring over all of your wonderful games and activities. I noticed your colorful set of handbells in one of your posts. I am considering purchasing a set for my studio but am trying to decide whether handbells or Boomwhackers would be the better investment. Do your students get really excited to play the bells and do you consider them a valuable learning tool in your studio? Thanks for any thoughts or input.
My students love both handbells and boomwhackers, but if I had to pick one or the other, I would pick the handbells (which is what they would choose as well!). The kids LOVE these! If I have a large group I usually pull out both to have enough instruments for everyone. I find them very well worth the expense. I use them often even for practicing steady beat...a whole lot more fun than rhythm sticks. I've also used them to work on composing (there is a blog entry about that). I will say, there are a bit LOUDER than boomwhackers and you need a bit more of a controlled environment, but you know your students!
I hope this helps! I would love to hear what you decide and how they work for you!
Thanks so much for taking the time to give me some input. You've definitely sold me on the handbells. It was the direction I was leaning in, so I'm going to go for it. :) Have been reading all the different ways you use them in your studio and am excited to try your ideas. Thanks again for your help!
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