I’m about to clear out my sticker drawer in my piano studio. For good. And I’m betting my students are not going to miss them one bit!
Saying ‘Goodbye’ to Piano Lesson Stickers
Stickers have been a part of my piano lessons since I was 4 years old. When I started teaching, one of the very first things I did was run out and find music-themed stickers. Stickers were to piano lessons as lemonade is to a picnic. You just gotta have some!
But I recently ran across this video below and little lightbulbs went off in my brain. Stickers are so one-dimensional. And now-a-days kids have hundreds at home anyway; they’ve lost their “specialness”. But… wouldn’t it be cool if the little graphics of encouragement I chose to place in their piano binders were personalized? Wouldn’t it be more meaningful to my students if the notes I made in their binders were unique and even witty? Wouldn’t it be a reason for my students to actually read what I wrote if they knew that tiny surprises were hidden in the margins of their assignment book?
Check out this video where acclaimed American classical pianist, Jeremy Denk, gives us a glimpse into his own piano lesson notebook.
Turn Gold Stars Into Good Habits
While his teacher certainly had a sarcastic approach (which, with my tendency towards positive piano teaching, I would never do) the idea of the “gold stars” taking on a personality and making commentary on the lessons really appealed to me.
I’m going to give it a try; I’m betting that my students will be flipping through their book as soon as they get home, eager to check out what my mini cartoons had to say about their most recent piano lesson. And, if they’re flipping through that book, they’re more likely to remember what it was I was wanting them to practice; and that’s already more than a sticker has done for me lately! Are you with me?! Just think of all of the sticker money you will save…
I give my students a ” merit” when they do well. It’s nothing physical but recorded in their notebook and in mine. When they achieve 5 merits, they receive a small gift – a musical pencil, eraser or sharpener or chocolate. It takes a bit of organising, but they love it. No merits if they forget books or practice, but it is possible to receive more than one merit for an exceptional week’s work!
Where is the video? Boo hoo.
ooops! Sorry. It didn’t show up on my iPad. Saw it on the computer. Thanks! Inspiring!
Question: How do you keep up with all you have assigned your students each week, as far as planning goes, when they always have the assignment book? I have used my iPad this year to type in assignments on a form sheet that I made. I email it to them or print it out if they ask. Then I have it on my iPad, too. I usually try to review their assignment sheet before their lesson and make notes ahead of time…..I’m not sure this is the best way, but it has worked out ok this year. I am always looking for new ideas.
Hi Kim – I have to admit I just have a really good memory! I do my planning for the next week’s lesson immediately after I finish each evening so I’m fresh and ready go to the following week. I hate not being prepared well in advance as I have kids and last-minute just doesn’t work 🙂 I did try to use a laptop, but I found that to be too distracting to little kids.
Wow! What an inspirational video. Thanks so much for sharing it. This is one idea that is easy to put into motion. Will begin this week to write more interestingly in students’ assignment books. Good time to test it as we begin the countdown to the spring recital coming up.
I loved the piano teacher’s drawings!!! Of course, I am hopelessly inept at anything artistic and have to rely on stickers. I do give my students a choice as to whether they want them or not. I do have a fond memory of one student who meticulously would search through my sticker stash to find just the right one to match the picture in her lesson book-if she couldn’t find a picture to match, she would look for the same color instead-she did this until she was a teenager! BTW, I use very few music themed stickers-animals are a big hit with my students.
The video won’t play. Do you have the youtube address so I can go there directly?
Hi Chris,
You can view the video at the following link: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2013/04/video-jeremy-denks-piano-lessons.html
I love this idea. I’m going to use it right away1
Kim Wright, I actually use carbon paper to keep track of what I’ve told the student–best investment I’ve made this decade! I didn’t know it still exist, but a (then) current pedagogy major told me her professor recommended it. Everything I write for them,I now have a copy of, and I skim it before each lesson.
Good idea to do something different that the students will like and remember.