Teaching 9-10 year olds

[kelly_kelly]

The elementary school orchestra conductor wants to start a program where some of the 4th and 5th grade students who are learning string instruments in a school program can go to advanced high school students for lessons. The lessons would serve to reinforce things learned in school, and are intended for the slower students in particular.

My conductor asked me if I would be interested in participating in this program, and I said I would. So if it works out, I would like to know a few things. How should I make things interesting for the kids? If I just repeat what they were taught before, won't they get bored? I'm afraid to go too far, but I also want to be the best teacher I can be. I would like to get them truly interested in music, if I can. There is also the matter of rates... I thought it was purely a volunteer thing, until my conductor mentioned that we would get paid. I might do it for free anyway, but how much do you think would be appropriate to charge?

And yes, I know this isn't piano-related, but I think my questions are fairly general ones that piano teachers would be able to help me with.

Thanks,
Kelly

[Bob]

Call around.  Find out what the going rate for lessons is.  Just call and ask.

If it's part of a system, through the school, ask whoever is in charge.  If you just review, you've got it pretty easy then.  Good way to start.  During lessons, you can just keep them playing and encourage them. 

With school lessons like that, it's not like piano.  They don't learn all the theory.  There is a big limit on the time you have with them.  And if it's the mill and they're beginners a lot probably aren't going to practice.  Just sitting down and having them play through something is doing a lot for them.