Chris Foley has posted an interesting collection of ideas and thoughts from teachers on how they write lesson notes for their students. As much as I love and try to utilize technology in my studio, I just can’t seem to break away from the handwritten weekly assignments. Part of this, I think, is because I love designing customized assignment books for my students each year, and it is always closely integrated with our practice incentive theme. But reading some of these inventive ideas sure does make me think more outside the box and contemplate the possibilities!
I’d be curious to know how you all handle weekly assignments. Do you use computer-based notes? Do you have any creative ideas that have proved especially effective?
Group lessons: I have the assignment written on the white board out in the waiting room. Students copy onto their assignment sheets (one I designed with categories already on & will hold 12 lessons front and back) before class starts.
Private lessons: Usually the parent attends and it is her/his job to write the notes and assignment so I don’t have to stop the flow of the lesson. If not then I do. I have a master outline of how to write the notes on the wall by parent chair.
Hi Natalie,
Like you, I like writing assignment notes using an assignment book and pencil. Sometimes I write musical example, rhythmic patterns or some simple notations. Not having to fire up Finale just to do this is wonderful. Not to mention the similies I put in sometimes. I think certain form would help. I used to use Leila Fletcher Assignment record book which has a form on one side and staff paper on the other. It’s just big enough to hold comfortably in my hand. I do NOT like to write using a binder, so 8 1/2 x 11 doesn’t work for me. Unfortunately, there is no store near us that carries it though I requested them. No one online sells it but Leila Fletcher online store. No one is going to pay a hefty shipping charge just to get them. I don’t want to get into business of selling music to my student, so we have just been using regular note book ranging from 3×5 to 8×10!
Each student has a spiral notebook, like many teachers use. I write assignments ect. for the younger students but I have my older or advanced students take notes. Say we work on a Chopin nocturne for 20 minutes. Before moving onto the next piece I hand the student their notebook and pen and have them list what things we worked on, how we fixed problems, terms they need to look up, ect. It keeps them listening and helps me make sure they really got what we were doing. Also helps them start to build note-taking skills for later.
It’s just big enough to hold comfortably in my hand. I do NOT like to write using a binder, so 62/1 x 11 doesn’t work for me.I have a master outline of how to write the notes on the wall by parent chair.
Sarong