Highlights from The Prelude newsletters!  There is more to come... From the February, 2007 Edition, I found this helpful little article from a membership representative, Carrie Winkler.  A Medley of Thoughts Band lesson schedule: This year I am trying something new with my 7^th grade band. I have two days each week designated as lesson days for them. I put the students into groups each week based on what will be covered in lessons. The groups then sign up for one of the available times based on their class schedule for the day. Right now I have the students grouped based on Solo & Ensemble entries. Lesson attendance has improved a great deal as the students are picking times that work for them based on a lesson by lesson basis. Beginning Band Sign-up: I like to seat my students strong-weak-strong etc. so that the stronger students can help the weaker students. It is amazing how much sooner the weaker ones come along. I like to mix up the seating each quarter after our performance so that the students have a chance to sit next to someone new or maybe even get a chance to sit on the end of the row! Percussion Section Policies: A number of years ago, I had my 8^th Grade Band Percussion section create a Percussion Section Policies document. It includes care of equipment, storage locations for all the instruments when not in use, and expectations for handling of music. This document is posted in the percussion section. I have my percussion students revise the policies on a yearly basis. We have not had problems with instrument care or a students being able to find instruments during a rehearsal since this policy was created. The students take a great deal of pride in their space. Piano Keyboard: I had a group of Art students paint a piano keyboard on the back wall in the band room. We use it on a daily basis to figure out transpositions for warm-ups, etc. Quarterly Assessments: This year I am assessing my 7^th Grade Band students on a quarterly basis. I asses them on designated scales, a prepared exercise(s), and sight-reading. After they perform, we immediately compare scores from the past quarter’s assessment to see if they maintained or improved their scores. A majority of the students have shown improvement in all areas. All of assess students at every lesson and rehearsal, but it is truly amazing the growth that occurs when doing formal assessments on a regular basis. Fingering Charts: All of my beginning band students have a copy of their fingering chart. I pick a fun color of paper that they can easily find in their band folder. They are expected to have this sheet on their stands at lessons for quick reference. It is amazing how quickly they learn to use a fingering chart and how soon they memorize those fingerings! Rehearsal Warm-up: I like to use one exercise from Accent on Achievement at the beginning of each rehearsal. We analyze the rhythm, notes, articulation, dynamics, and tempo for the exercise before we perform it. I also incorporate a Listening Exercise and/or a History Worksheet if one is included for that exercise. We are able to cover the entire book – one exercise a rehearsal – by the end of the school year. Home Practice Records: This year I have experienced a greater turn-in rate for Home Practice Records. We have a weekly drawing and if your name is picked and you turned in your HPR on time you win a prize. I also award a Quarter Prize to all students who turn in their HPR on time each week for the entire quarter. At the end of the year, I will award a Year Prize to all students who turned in their HPRs on time for the entire school year! Teaching for me has been a continual process of growing! Each year I try some new approach or idea to better meet the needs of my students. Trying new things keeps me excited about teaching. I hope that some of these ideas might spark something for you to try with your students. Happy Teaching!