Are You Teaching a Busy Bee?
While every student is unique, you'll notice after a while that many tend to fall into familiar categories.
Today, I'd like to introduce: The Busy Bee. 🐝
This is the student who seems to have something scheduled every single day of the week.
Soccer. Dance. Swimming. Tutoring. Church. Summer camp.
And somehow, piano lessons are squeezed in between all of it.
One of the biggest mistakes we can make as teachers is assuming every Busy Bee struggles because they're over-scheduled.
In reality, there are often two types.
The first busy bee needs challenge and structure. These students are often highly motivated and may even practice before school or between activities because they enjoy achieving goals.
The second busy bee uses their schedule as an excuse.
"I didn't have time."
"I forgot."
"I'm just really busy."
Both students have full calendars, but each responds differently.
The solution is quite simple since I've noticed most Busy Bees respond well to:
Specific goals and strategies
Organized lesson materials
Appropriate challenges mixed with a sense of achievement
Giving this student choices is also important. Present two or three repertoire options and allow them to decide. When students feel ownership over their learning, motivation often increases dramatically.
Speaking of organization, practice logs can be especially helpful for Busy Bees!
SUMMER PRACTICE LOGS FOR BETTER ORGANIZATION
Now, of course, you can save ink and paper by continuing what you've always done, which is to use a notebook, sticky note, assignment book, staff paper or even scrap paper to write lesson notes.
But the truth is that students like cool things.
Just think about it for a moment. Imagine you've spent years receiving assignments in the same composition notebook every week.
Then one day your teacher pulls out a practice log covered in yellow pineapples, bright beach balls, or ocean themes and hands you your lesson assignment.
Would it change your life?
A vibrantly designed practice log for the summer time that helps students stay inspired, organized and most importantly, keep track of their practice consistency! This practice log come in 2 different color palettes.
This practice log allows students, parents and teachers to stay on track with weekly assignments all in one place.
Students are encouraged to check mark or color each box for the day they practice.
Teachers may like to add an incentive for checking off a certain number of days per week or month.
These practice logs usually last a month in my studio per student.
These practice logs work well as an insert in a folder, or even better as a binder cover, to ensure it is easy to keep track of.
Personal Use Suggestion: Use and reuse on your tablet, which saves a ton of ink and paper.
4 Pages
Probably not.
Would it make piano lessons feel a little more special?
Absolutely.
And with busy bees, providing a cool experience even in small ways matters. When students already have so many obligations competing for their attention, little details can help piano remain something they look forward to rather than another item on a checklist.
It's worth noting that goals are often easier to pursue when they're attractive. A seasonal practice log may seem like a small thing, but presentation can make a surprising difference in student engagement.
And if adding a little color, creativity, and personality to your studio helps students feel more excited about learning, it's a worthwhile investment.
Next time, we'll discuss another familiar student personality: The Strong Personality. 👑
Happy teaching,
Keturah Music Teacher Spark ☀️🎹.
