Robin Keehn
Outside reading projects
As your students get in the upper foundation levels, what reading projects do you like to give? Are there certain books that you found to be appropriate, or specific pieces? Just to get things started I use 60 Progressive Pieces You Love to Play (Hal…
Slow progress
I suspect that one of my students (9 years old) may have some learning disability as she is learning slower than I have every witnessed through she is really enjoying the process very much. Her family are refugees from Africa so I suspect some form…
Playlist review lessons
How often do you do a playlist check for all or most of a lesson? I remember somewhere in the training that Neil recommends these pretty often. I use the Popsicle stick idea. We do it 2-3 times a year, but I’m thinking Neil recommended…
Transitioning traditional students to SM
Brand new SM teacher here. I just completed my ITTM and I’m starting to work on strategy for implementing SM with my current roster of students. I have a lot of questions concerning this process (for teachers that come from traditional) so I wondered first…
When to introduce Jazz
I have noticed that The Mirron seems to be tough for students. Any advice on when to introduce this? Maybe Time for More Music should be mostly completed, I’m gathering. It looks like these Jazz pieces may unfold over an extended period of time. You’re…
Toddler sibling at lessons
A mom asked me if I would teach her son and daughter on Saturday instead of our weekday time because she does not have childcare for her 4-year-old, and he is somewhat disruptive during lessons. I do not want to teach on Saturday. I know…
Handling siblings during lessons
I have a parent who requested not attending the lesson with her 6th grade boy (who has been with me for 2 years) and I sent her a reply to explain why I needed parents to attend lessons. She also said the little sister of…
Writing extra notes for Arrangements
In the Arrangements 1 program, I have reviewed the material and it says that the content is not to be supplemented with written notes. Is this referring to the types of notes depicted in the reference section of the Foundation levels, or notes we write…
Help in confidently teaching Reading Rhythm
I need some help in teaching the Reading Rhythm course. I am beginning my second year with Simply Music and I love it. Now it’s time to start several students into RR. One student is an adult, played in the school band, and is familiar…
Group sizes
What’s the largest group size you’ve been comfortable teaching and what age group? I found 6 adults to be an easy group size to work with. Here’s my response to Corinne’s question: The Ideal Size and Age of Groups https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0uZulD7Ekk&list=PL3o0aF_9qHn4F2sy8QRuPb_jf_r4D9823&index=22 I’ve had as many as 10. It…
