by Peter Boonshaft | Mar 2, 2021 | Boonshaft's Blog
No matter what teaching environment we find ourselves in now, I think we can all be well-served to remember the current research that tells us that people are like parking meters. It turns out we have one minute to “hook” a person: sixty seconds to do or say something...
by Peter Boonshaft | Feb 23, 2021 | Boonshaft's Blog
In that so much of our students’ playing time will be done practicing at home, we can augment what they are doing to challenge them, enhance their growth, provide variety, and motivate them to practice more and better. In addition to assignments in their lesson books...
by Peter Boonshaft | Feb 16, 2021 | Boonshaft's Blog
Now, maybe more than ever these words of Deepak Chopra seem to describe what we as music teachers need to do every day: “Instead of thinking outside the box; get rid of the box.” Take a moment to reflect upon how influential a message that is for us to share with our...
by Peter Boonshaft | Feb 9, 2021 | Boonshaft's Blog
Keeping every student engaged in a virtual lesson or rehearsal when they are playing “one at a time” is daunting to say the least. Wandering minds, blank stares, and dazed looks often appear from those not playing until it is their turn. I suggest having an...
by Peter Boonshaft | Feb 2, 2021 | Boonshaft's Blog
Whether we are teaching completely remotely or in a hybrid model of some kind, “screen fatigue” is an ever-present concern. The best way to ward off this silent problem is to engage students – almost constantly – by asking them questions. But we all know the...