Blog post by Heather Harris
It’s November! We are so excited to kick off our first ever FSA November Practice-a-thon this month. If you didn’t get a chance to pick up your calendar or pledge form, you can download them here.
And don’t forget, whoever raises the most donations will win a FUN PRIZE!
Since November is also the month where we turn our hearts to family, Thanksgiving, and gratitude, here are some fun Thanksgiving-themed practice ideas to help your student stay focused and motivated this month:
5 Kernels of Corn:
One of my most memorable Thanksgiving traditions was the practice of starting every Thanksgiving feast with just 5 kernels of corn on our plate. It was a reminder of the first Thanksgiving where the legend goes that by winter’s end, the Pilgrims were surviving on just 5 kernels of corn a day! No wonder they were thankful when, with the help of their First Nations neighbors, they were able to reap an abundant harvest the following Fall.
Activities: You will need 5 kernels of corn. Popcorn or any hard, dried corn works well for this.
(For younger students, using colored beads to represent corn and adding them to a cumulative strand or necklace over the course of the month can be very motivating as well!)
1. Repetition Games:
Place 5 kernels of corn on your child’s music stand or another flat surface. Each time they perform a repetition, move the kernel to the right until all the kernels have been moved.
Ways to use:
- Repetition of a practice point from your child’s lesson
- Repetition of a Collabra assignment from your teacher
- Can you do 5 in a row?
- Each time your child executes a teaching point or skill without a mistake, move a kernel of corn to their pile.
- If they fumble, move a kernel of corn to your pile. (For older/more advanced students, move ALL the kernels to your pile and start over at zero)
- Once they have all 5 kernels in their pile, they “win.”
2. Review games:
Each practice session, let your child choose 5 different review pieces to play. (For Pre-twinkles and early book 1, each Twinkle variation can count as a different piece). With each song, add a kernel of corn to their pile.
If your child is advanced make a list of all their review pieces and check off as they play so you cycle through all their review pieces on a regular basis.
How Many Feathers Does Your Turkey Have?:
Print the following Template to create your “Practice Turkey.”
Print and cut out feathers (Use colored paper for more fun!)
Write a skill, piece, activity on each feather and place in a jar or grab bag. Make a game out of adding feathers to your turkey each day. We’ve included a list of suggestions you can use HERE.
Be Thankful!
Finally, in keeping with Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy of nurturing by love, take opportunity to intentionally cultivate gratitude each day! You can start or end each practice session by helping your child identify something they are grateful for that day. As an added activity, you can start a collection by writing each day’s reflection on one of these Thanksgiving Leaves, [LINK: https://onelittleproject.com/leaf-template/] and have your child color it in order to include in your Thanksgiving Day celebration decor.
