NEED TO KNOW
Green Turtles #1: THANK YOU for such a great beginning to Green Turtles! I loved having you and your students back in my home, and I hope you and they had as much fun as I did.
RED STICKER ON MIDDLE C: Put the RED PUFFY DOT STICKER on Middle C this week. Like we talked about in class, I use the foam stickers for the Middle C on my classroom keyboard, and put them up towards the top of the key so it doesn't interfere with playing the notes. This Middle C anchor point will stay on your keyboard through the entire 2nd year (and more if you'd like!). The adhesive comes off cleanly when you're done with the dot (if there is any residue, it's minimal and comes off easily). If you need guidance, click here to hear what Middle C should sound like. If you need a visual, here is where Middle C is on different sizes of keyboards.
AT-HOME PLAY: Here at the beginning, practice only needs to take 2 minutes! Develop the habit now to practice regularly so they'll be prepared when the practicing gets more involved. And celebrate connection! I'll be giving tips regularly about how to make piano time more enjoyable. After you're done with the assignment this week, allow your child to explore the keyboard. If you've ever taken lessons, play them something that you know. Show your joy of music and playing. And of course, if (when!) you make a mistake, model a good attitude about it.
ADDITIONAL EMAIL ADDRESSES: You aren't the only one who loves your kid! If there are other people (dads, grandmas, aunts, anybody... and especially anybody who will be working on homework or coming to class with your student) who would like to be getting the updates about class, please let me know! I can add emails addresses or text numbers to the existing groups. Just send me a text or email with the info!
CDs: I totally forgot to make them before class, but I will pass out CDs next week to those who requested one on your Parent Orientation sheet.
TUITION: Thanks for paying tuition! If you haven't paid yet, I'll be sending reminders and/or venmo requests. I also sent receipts for tuition payments. If you need one and didn't get one, let me know and I'll figure it out.
GOOD TO KNOW
KIT KAT KEYBOARD: The first verse of this song teaches how to see (and play and experience) the black keys in groups of 2 and 3. This builds "keyboard geography" and allows the brain to make sense of and understand the layout of the keys, like a map.
BUBBLE HANDS: The first verse of this song helps with proper positioning for piano playing. The second verse introduces the bubble to build finger strength and good form (I could NOT remember the words of the 2nd verse in the Tuesday class!! It does focus on holding the bubbles, so I was right about that at least!). Check out this link for an amazing overview (including pictures!) of the whys and hows of correct posture.
PARENTS: We love having parents participate in the LPM journey! Check out this post for some terrific ideas to make the best of your Let's Play Music experience both in the classroom and at home!
ONLINE CLASS SERIES: Let's Play Music has adapted their in-person curriculum to include an online option for families who don't live close to live teachers. One benefit we get from that is that every class has a professionally produced video that we can use as "makeup classes" when students miss class. Every class has a lot of overlap repetition to allow the concepts to solidify, so if your student misses a class here and there it will be fine. If they miss three classes in a row, it would be worth purchasing access to the class to make sure you're on track. I believe Second Year classes are $8 for access to a lesson for four weeks. But the first class in each semester is posted for free on YouTube! If you'd like to check out this week's class, click here!
FUN TO KNOW
PUPPET SHOWS: There are coloring pages of the puppet shows in the back of the songbooks! We won't be using those in class, so they are for your home enjoyment to use whenever and however you want! Here is a link for printable coloring pages (duplicates of the ones in your songbook) in case you want more of those! And here is a link to the printable mini puppets for our Spring Bees puppet show.
The Spring Bees puppet show music is Vivaldi's Spring from the Four Seasons concertos. It is a well-used and well-loved piece throughout the world. I love this arrangement of a bunch of Vivaldi works (including Spring) performed in a marimba band in South Africa.
