Curriculum Pacing in a School Setting – Neil Moore
Found in: Playing-Based Methodology, Practicing & Playlists, Student Management
Felicity E., Australia
I’ve been teaching Simply Music in an R-13 school the last three years and my students don’t get anywhere near the progress expected from the SM program. Most are getting though around 2 levels a year. This is obviously falling very short of the 4 levels the SM “being a simply music student” booklet mentions. And reaching level 8 in two years with all the other special and supplemental programs seems almost impossible to me now. I understand every student moves at their own pace but it makes me doubt myself as a teacher and question the results of the program. I believe I teach it as I’m supposed to – so much time is spent keeping songs “alive” and no matter how many times I say it the students aren’t keen to use their home materials which would help.
What kind of progress are other teachers who teach in school (school terms) getting each year? All that said I can see my students love their lessons, and like me as their teacher and their parents acknowledge that their kids are happy or happier than before learning SM.
Francine V., Australia
I teach at a school too. The first 6 months I felt like you – I felt frustrated and felt like I wasn’t a very good teacher. I felt annoyed at the students for not progressing quickly enough and annoyed at the parents for not getting the students to practice at home. I even thought I was in the wrong job for a while. Then I came to realize it was only me who felt like this. The students and parents loved it, the school teachers and principal were so impressed that I had to change my attitude. Yes, it is a lot slower for most of the students at school, but that is their own pace.
Cate R., Australia
Most of my students, whether they are private or shared, manage 2-3 levels a year. There are always the exceptional students whose parents are on board and help their students to practice and some really motivated adults. I’m fine with that!
Neil Moore
Video response: https://www.facebook.com/ThePianoCoach/videos/10155087321111959/