Group Rates and homeschooling networks

[green]

I charge 50 USD/h, just wondering how folks here manage group rates.

I have a couple of new students who are home-schooled, they have their own network of friends who often stop by the house when I am there. I am thinking of suggesting to the parents that if they would like to have their kids try out a lesson we could organize a little group demonstration. These parents have quite a different attitude towards education, any folks here have experience with teaching home-schooled students either privately or in groups?

There are three homeschooling Facebook groups for the area where I teach, I will be posting an ad there soon, expecting a lot of young learners, 3-5 years old. I have one 3 tear old, and two 4 year olds now, not my forte but I am finding it to be a fascinating age group to work with, the level of engagement is very high, in fact I would say they are the most engaged students I have. Very simple little tasks become worlds of imaginative creativity, very beautiful to see.

I am considering investing in the play-a-story https://musicopolis.com/ method, I think this would go over very well, but hesitating due to the initial cost and concern that there might be just as good strategies or other methods that might work just as well if not better. Any ideas or suggestions, links to material/sites to check out would be much appreciated.

What I like about the play-a-story, and that I think has an appeal for parents as well, is that you become a part of a larger community of learners from around the world, that is something that I see in the homeschooling network, a stronger sense of community, sharing, direct engagement with other people and real world experiences for the kids.

Thanks.

[keypeg]

I see that you still have no answers.

We homeschooled for 8 and 11 years respectively (one child joined high school in grade 9).  Homeschoolers generally divide into two groups: those who opt out for religious reasons, and those who opt out for idealistic reasons.  The "religious" part will often form a community, have "Christian curriculum" from a main source, etc.  We were in the other half.

A hallmark of homeschooling is that one-on-one teaching, individual programs, individual progress at the student's own (often faster) speed, and usually self-motivated independent learners.  Piano lessons tend to be one-on-one, homeschooling tends to be individualistic and one-on one 0 but you seem to be trying to find a group lesson scenario for homeschoolers.

[green]

Actually both. I prefer one on one, but perhaps there will be a situation where some parents want a group lesson, with a slightly cheaper rate. Hence the thread, if you charge 50/h for 1-1, how would folks manage a group rate? 2-1=35/h, 3-1=30/h, 4-1=25, something like that?

I teach all expat families, this is my first home schooled, but I expect to have more soon so would like to have those options in place. This one home school family works for the US embassy, they receive a stipend for sending the kids to an Int'l school, so they keep that money instead which no doubt is part of the motivation. They are always taking impromptu holidays, though, which is a bit annoying for maintaining a stable income. Anyways, the Int'l schools have about 4 months of holidays through out the year, so my income is like a roller-coaster...taking on home schoolers in the day should balance that out a bit though.

[arafelsings]

i hope you've had some luck with your goals! 

as for ideas for the play-a-story process, check out N. Jane Tan's compositions at the Well Prepared Pianist Institute website -- wppinstitute.com.  i love her method and her resources, and her "story" books are particularly fabulous with beginners. 

wishes for your continued success.