I love opportunities to learn about my piano students. The more I get to know about their lives outside of the studio, the more I understand what makes them tick. So, when kids return from summer break, I jump on the opportunity to learn about their worlds.
Kids who are usually pretty tight-lipped will spill their guts when it comes to their summer vacations. After all, kids love summer!
So today I wanted to share with you a fun “Welcome Back” printable that will help you bond with your piano students while infusing that all important piano education.
How To Play “Sounds of Summer” With Your Piano Students
The first thing you are going to want to do is print and laminate the piano printable pack found here. This document contains three printables; one for your little ones, one for your eight and nine year olds and one for your ten, eleven, and twelve year olds.
Next, label five popsicle sticks, cards, or plastic bottle caps with the numbers 1 – 5 and place them into a bag.
With the printable on the piano, explain to your student that she will be using the piano to answer a few questions about her summer and then do the following:
- Ask your student to remove a numbered item from the bag and hand it to you.
- Read the question on the piano printable that corresponds to the number on the item removed from the bag.
- Instruct your student to answer the question by playing the piano according to the instructions at the top of the sheet (ie. play a major chord if the answer is YES or play a minor chord if the answer is NO).
- Have your piano student continue to remove items from the bag until none remain.
- For fun, switch roles with your piano student, so that you have a turn answering the questions too!
Personal Connections Make For Happy Studios
If your students feel connected to you through more than simply music, your piano teaching career can be infinitely more rewarding! Get started on the right foot with your very first piano lesson of the fall.
Check out our other great posts on teacher/student relationship-building:
The First 5 Minutes of a Lesson Can Make Or Break You… Here’s Why
5 Wonderful Ways to Welcome Your Students Without Wasting Time
How to Read Your Piano Students’ Mind And Avoid a Disastrous Lesson
Love this idea! Not only does it get them thinking about things they have learned and back into playing but it’s a great ice breaker for those quieter kids and to be honest controls those that would rather talk your ear off instead of diving into playing after not really spending some quality time practicing.
I used these ideas with my students this week and was very surprised that my 7-10 year olds could play the answers with very little reminding what a major/minor chord and the P4, P5 intervals were. They really enjoyed it and so did I! Thank you!
That’s super Linda! Glad it was well-used and enjoyed by all 🙂