Remember to place the yellow stickers on your keyboard! (You can see exactly where to put them in the Play at Home videos as well as in the reference section in the back of your child's homework booklet.) Now that your child can play the yellow chord, there are more songs they are able to learn! Practice time will increase up to 5-10 mins. Adding this chord can be tricky for most students. If you find your child struggling, continue doing the Bubble Hand Exercise to strengthen those little muscles. 

REMINDER: I will be out of town this coming Thursday. I texted each of you last night asking about whether you wanted to purchase the online video or have your child attend an in-person class on Wednesday. I've heard from most of you. If you chose the online class, I will send you instructions for purchasing it (and getting refunded) on Wednesday before I leave and if you chose to have your child attend the in-person class, I'll contact you about the exact time we'll be meeting later today. Thanks for being flexible!

Here's a fun pic of suggestions when kids are not feeling motivated to practice - -  

Chords in Pieces

Chords in Pieces are simply each block red, yellow or blue chord BROKEN into 3 separate pieces or notes. The 3 notes of each chord can be in any order and they remain the same color chord, just rearranged in different patterns. For example the red chord can be rearranged in pieces of Do-Mi-Sol, Mi-Sol-Do, OR Sol-Do-Mi! All of these arrangements are still the red chord. This is the same for the blue and yellow.

Row, Row, Row

As you’re ROWING along this week, keep a slow and steady beat to really SINK in the Yellow Chord! To prepare to play the Yellow Chord, remind your child aurally and visually that only the thumb (#1) slides over to the next key. All other fingers (2, 3, 4, 5) stay put, lightly resting on the keys. As long as those fingers stay put, the hand has an anchor and the child knows where he is on the keyboard, even without looking. Our goal is to keep all of the fingers in contact with the keys, so they will be ready for quick transitions. 

We had a NEW puppet show this week! Print out the fun coloring pages (click here to download) and turn on "Hoedown" while they color. They could also make their own mini puppets! 

I value open and honest communication so please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.

Thank you!