Each day I must recreate my studio to meet the needs of each class. Because I also teach piano lessons I have to move furniture. So I finally got my act together and this year I booked all my non piano classes on all day Monday and Tuesday morning. This way I only have to put up my digital pianos early Tuesday afternoon and then break them down after Thursday evening.
Here is my schedule for preparing my classes on Tuesday.
Check my calendar. My calendar is displayed with all my classes and lessons in the kitchen so I can double check my day. I have already dressed, exercised, and completed my morning routine so my brain is clear and ready for work.
I enter my studio and it is already set for the day. I learned that leaving my studio a mess the night before is not good for a positive, high energy attitude the next day. I have my pianos open and ready for me to practice for an hour and my computer is ready for any business (accounting for any monies received or checking attendance. I also make a note as to who I need to call if they did not attend class and didn't call me.
I pull out my lesson suggestions for the day and recheck my lesson books to make sure they are in order. I make any notes on separate cards if I wish to add any ideas. I add these ideas with post-its although if it is a stroke of genius it goes on the card in ink....
I post my lesson suggestion sheet on the wall and check that I have the track numbers clearly written on the sheet. I check my CDs to make sure they are in order and I PLAY the tracks I expect to use. Nothing like a scratched disk to slow down my class pace.
Next I sit quietly and go through the lesson. This morning I began with a baby class but I knew ahead of time that one mother would be bringing a two year old with her baby. I don't recommend this combination for a babies class. I can manage it but I know it is not ideal. Next week the 2 year old will be in preschool. I make a note to remind the mom that she can preview my Monday toddler class next week. I also write a reminder to let the families know I am going to book a one hour parent education meeting. (during class I announced this and one mother said she has no babysitter for this event. I said I would tape the orientation for her to watch. This is a project i have been planning anyway)
Today's toddler class is a preview. It was supposed to begin last week but I had only one toddler enrolled. Then I go call for two more so I created this preview. Then two more called. Five families. Two of the families have attended the babies program but I know there is a transition from the babies to toddler and I need to work on that. I make a note to SLOW down my pacing and say one or two sentences to the parents to follow me and do what I do. I want to be clear from the beginning that I am running the class and I know what I am doing.I also state my expectation that the parents are doing this class with me.
I check my floor and vacumn. I look around to make sure the room is toddler proofed.
Time to play the piano. Two minutes before the class arrives I cover the piano and put up the gate.
The parents have arrived and I note they are parked all over the place. You would think the direction "park in the driveway so that everyone can fit" would be obvious, yet they have all parked at the end of the driveway so that no one else can park. I run out and re-direct.
As parents enter with the children I greet them and show them where to place shoes. The children are excited.
I open the studio door and we all walk in together. We sit down and start. I like to wait with the parents and toddlers in the waiting room until everyone has arrived for a first class so there is no waiting in the studio.
We sing the opening song and everything is fine. Then we move to Humpty Dumpty and on the word FALLLLL, we all fall to the floor. Toddlers are giggling and squealing with glee. Great.
Ella is crying..... uh oh.... Ella is freaked out. She takes the rest of the class to get over it. Too bad! the rest want to do it over and over again. go figure. We go through the week one lesson suggestion of play with me and I keep adding calming songs to slow Ella's sobs and to follow Pax's movements. I bring out instruments and the focus in the class changes. But I keep it brief. The drum is a definite winner. Lauren is transfixed. Pax is the only boy and he decides that bumping into the other parents is fun. By 25 minutes he is pulling all the mom's hairs....hmmmm..... fortunately Pax's mom is a veteran with three children and she simply stops Pax with a resounding "NO". We ended quickly. Stickers Then I did a NO NO. I made adult talk at the end of class. Chaos ensued at the child level. But all enrolled and all paid.
Time to order equipment.
Lunch, Bank and change over room for MMK book 1 and post MG group piano class. I have already copied out the home assignment sheets and reset the studio.
Will I have time to play another hour at the piano?
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