Practice Journals

I've always been a planner. I plan everything from what my family will eat on a weekly basis to what my ensembles will be doing every minute of rehearsal. I like to utilize every second I have with my students, because I don't see them every day.

In the lessons that I teach, I keep a journal for the students. It's a simple document that tracks what the student accomplished in lesson, what standard (if any) the student mastered, and what is assigned for their next lesson. This journal is stapled to the inside of the students lesson book. I do keep a copy for myself that just tells me what was assigned for next lesson.

I have had mild success with this "practice log". Students, if they are going to practice, at least know what my expectations are for the next lesson. But this log doesn't tell me when, how long and what was accomplished. Students who are highly motivated to practice often need help with the what and how of producing a great practice session. This is where a Practice Journal comes in.

This Practice Journal has the student log very specific information about everything in their session from warm-ups, scales and performance materials. Students can write during their practice session or log everything after they are finished.

Practice journals can be online in Google Drive, or "old fashioned" paper and pencil logs. (I prefer paper and pencil, as writing something down seems to commit it to memory more so than typing on a computer.)

Happy practicing!