Here’s How It Works
Home Practice and Completing Music Theory Assignments
The main way students earn progress points is by practicing at home and writing down their practice minutes on their assignment sheet. They must also complete any assigned music theory homework. A point is awarded for each week that the student meets his or her practice goal AND completes any assigned music theory homework. For example, if a student meets her individualized practice goal for one week (let’s say 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week) AND completes her theory homework, she receives 1 progress point.
Progress points are not awarded if the music theory assignment is not completed. A point is still awarded even if the theory assignment has errors. Any errors can be addressed during lesson time but it is important for the student to try to do their theory work at home. Practice minutes must be written down in order to receive a point and I may check in with the parents to see if they can verify their child’s practice time. Younger students will need help remembering to practice as well as writing down their practice minutes.
Metronome Challenges
If a student completes a metronome challenge, she receives 1 or 2 progress points depending on the difficulty of the challenge. Metronome challenges are assigned as needed when a student has difficulty with the rhythms in their music.
Scales and Chord Exercises
Completing sets of scales or chord exercises are worth 3-5 points. Scales and chord exercises are assigned as is appropriate for the student’s age and level.
Why?
“…hope (substitute self-efficacy, confidence, agency, or empowerment) happens when:
- We have the ability to set realistic goals (I know where I want to go).
- We are able to figure out how to achieve those goals, including the ability to stay flexible and develop alternative routes (I know how to get there, I’m persistent, and I can tolerate disappointment and try again).
- We believe in ourselves (I can do this!).”
Setting and meeting goals teaches students to feel that their efforts make a difference and that they can be part of a process to make positive change that affects their lives. This can benefit them in every aspect of their lives as children and as they grow into adulthood.