How to teach 4th and 5th graders?

[sunshine808]

Hi,
I need some new ideas of what to do at each lesson. How do I make it fun and educational at the same time? And what about repertoire?

Thanks!

[monluu]

Could you please be more specific?  Are you meaning private piano lessons or teaching 4th and 5th graders at school or?

[pizno]

I have all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.  The older they are, the easier they are, in my limited experience.  The 4th and 5th graders don't have a hard time sitting there for 45 minutes.  I keep them moving through a bunch of things, rhythm drills, flashcard drills, I time while they they play  all the notes ( all the Cs, Ds, As, etc... )going up and down the keyboard, then, say, all the C tetracords, all the D pentachords, etc...  For repertoire, this is tricky - I am constantly trying to find music for beginners that is not to babyish, is challenging enough, is not stuck in one position, etc...  I use the Jane Tan method mostly but also some Faber (though I don't love this), and some pianotown.  I look for music that they can't fake reading!  I try to keep them busy by having them sightread from time to time.

pizno

[Bob]

I think it depends a lot on the student.

Some will do whatever you say.
Some will have a ball with the method book.
And some will think any piece of music is extremely boring.  Regardless of whatever effort you put in.

I would watch out for the that last group.  They never enjoy music for long.  Because it's work too and they don't enjoy work, won't do it, and will get bored by their lack of progress eventually.  (or hopefully.  Some just keep taking lessons and never practice )  I would not bend too much or put too much effort in for that type of student.  I have and they dropped out -- It wouldn't have mattered how exciting I tried to make it.


For a typical beginner, I would use a method book (I know not everyone likes it).  Primer, extra pieces, theory.  Then supplement that more and more as they progress.  Add in piece for fun -- the show themes, pop music, etc.  I know Looney Tunes had a series out that was popular.

I'm sure there's more advice on the site somewhere.  I don't think the age restriction, 3-5th grades, matters a huge amount.  It's a matter of making it enjoyable for any age -- That info is on the site.

Praise a lot.  Smile.  Keep them playing a lot during the lesson.

I think at the beginning it's better to make them successful more often.  More easier pieces over difficult pieces.  Build up gradually.

It's probably not so much their making making music or their progress as it is their enjoyment of being at the lesson and being around you -- Make them feel good about themselves.