Renee has a booklet for sale with lab lesson plans utilizing various software programs and organized by rotating weekly themes (see more under Leveled/Topical Approach in this post). For my friend who has a large studio this has been a great asset. I chose to come up with my own curriculum instead so that I could more flexibly implement other online resources, avoid the cost of new software and cater to my students specific needs.
I have a durable plastic colored folder for each of my students that includes their Piano Lab Assignment Tracking Sheet. Following is a small sample of my Level 1 Activities. To the right of the activity there is a column for "Date Assigned," "Score,"(recorded by student) and "Done"(checked off by teacher). By color-coding the activities (Green-online, Black-lab binder w/ dry erase markers, Red-Music Ace, etc.) I can more easily prep for lessons. Before or after lessons it only takes me a minute or two to scan each students checklist, check progress & move the highlighter tape to the activities I'd like them to complete next. If they have mastered a concept (like white key names) before completing all the activities, I skip to the next concept. It is helpful for me to have them all listed for students who need the extra reinforcement
Concept | Activity |
LH/RH & Finger Numbers | SP Colorful Fingers worksheet |
| Tonic Tutor Blue Finger Puppets |
High/Low | Midisaurus Sounds Around Us |
| Midisaurus High and Low |
| Ear Training Exped.P1 Level 1-Unit 1 |
| Music Ace Lesson 2 Intro to Keyboard |
| Music Ace Game 2 |
Same/Diff. Melodies | MLC Smiley & Friends play 2x |
Going Up/Down | MLC Storm Chasers play 2x |
| Ear Training Exped P1 Level 1 Unit 2 |
Note Names QH | MLC Meteor Match play 2x |
Note Names QHW | Happy Note Space |
Rhythm QHWqr | WPS Note Value Worksheet |
Draw qr 4/4 measure | Theory pg 10-14 (draw rests, measures) |
Adagio Allegro | Midisaurus Fast and Slow |
Rhythm Steady Beat | Music Ace Lesson 3 Beat and Tempo |
| Music Ace Game 3 |
White Key Names | Midisaurus Music Alphabet |
| MLC Letter Fly CDE |
| MLC Letter Fly FGAB |
| Tonic Tutor Piano Keys |
| Alfred Name That Key |
| SP Hide the Pumpkin Worksheet |
| WPS White Key Notes Worksheet |
| Emusictheory.com Piano Keys Quiz |
| Music Ace Lesson 5 ABC’s of Keyboard |
| Music Ace Game 5 |
| Music Ace Lesson 7 More Piano ABC’s |
| Music Ace Lesson 7 |
Piano/forte | Midisaurus Loud and Soft |
| Theory pgs 22-25 f/p complete measure |
I also typically have them start lab by listening to the weekly Classics for Kids program (about 5 min).
Sometimes if a student is making fast progress, I allow them to choose their own activities from the link list on my blog, beat their own high scores or just create their own songs on the Music Ace Doodle Pad.
After they are familiar with the analysis process I also assign them listening & analysis tasks specific to the song they are learning, but I don't track this on their assignment sheet.
Thanks for sharing these resources! I checked out Tonic Tutor and it's so neat! =)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, Heidi! You're always so creative, and I'm glad you are willing to share so much with us!
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