this is the first post for 'at job'. basically it's to record the progress of my students in learning violin, and therefore to improve my teaching skills. it's also to record whatever happened at work with all the wonderful teachers.
- 9/10, it's the second lesson for Ziqi, my new student. The skul is out of Strictly Strings which is more suitable for her use in this more matured age of 9. So, I let her use this new green book, I haven't use this book for any other student yet so it's kind of experimenting with a new book. Ziqi is a quiet girl, but she was very curious when she saw a lizard's broken tail. Her mom requested to talk to me about her progress, how was she doing. I told her mom, she's good and can carry order's well. She can learn quite fast because of her basic in piano.
-Secondly, it's Nick and Chew Ming's lesson. Nick's as hyper as usual and Chew Ming's late again. I thought them more on theory this week. At the end of the class, I tried to rush them to do some practical, but I can't control them. Finally I can't get anything out of it and send them out. I told Amy Nick needs to have a violin to practice at home now she says ok. Nick's finishing his theory at home.
-I let Zhe Xin do theory this week too, while I put on fingering stickers on her violin. She's good in getting all theory done and understanding them. She's finishing her theory at home.
- Christ learns practical. I was teaching him the first song in his new book. He made some progress today, to play slowly and patiently. He was frustrated when i keep asking him to play in tune and play slowly. He does these body movement when he plays a song so I ask him too to not dance when he plays. When he's able to play in tune, then he can dance.
-Ruvisha started her lesson late because I was having KFC for lunch. Thanks to Karen, the bday teacher for buying everyone KFC. We also had Secret Recipe that day too, so nice! Anyway, Ruvisha learned practical too. She had problem playing in tune and shifting fingers between A string and D string. I told her mom I've cancel her out of the practical exam next year.
-Sao Chyi still so quiet and she smiles timidly as if to hide the fact that she's smiling. I haven't seen her playing with her playing with her ballet friends too. She's doing well with the scales but still played 2 Gs in the D major scale. I let her play the scales book I've photostat for her. Don't want her to get crazy while keep practicing the exam pieces. Taught her something new this week, the harmonic. I asked her to bring along her old books and pay me rm3.30 for photostat book next week.
-Xue Ying was thought a little bit about her theory. She's finishing her first book with the exams. She got the bass clef notes wrong. Her practical is still not strong. She played in wrong timing and had trouble clicking notes like Yu Hang.
- Yu Hang had some progress. He speaks more than usual today. I think he feels more familiar now with me and he's happy today. He's slow as usual but I give him time. His handkerchief kept falling down and puts them back very slowly. He played a complete song today. He laughed so hard when he hears weird sound. Although not smooth but he really did finish the whole song with the 'gliss'.
-I finally find something challenging to teach Yee Yen. She's starting grade 2 today. She's following my path and Suzuki book 1 is her first grade 2 book. She did Trinkle variation for bowing techniques. And learn harmonic today. Mom says she'll rarely have time to take lessons from me later. By the way, she still have an awkward position while playing the violin.
-I love this job with great people and great environment to work in. I had fun talking and eating with the teachers and Christine. Penny promise to bring her viola to let me have a look next week, looking forward to see the real viola.
Think i have to keep track of when am I teaching practical and when am I teaching theory. Have to balance them to make sure my students are learning both in the same pace.
