You all received Practice Planners a few weeks ago. I hope they are making your practice easier!
Just wanted to post a quick explanation of how to use them, in case you have any questions.
The bulk of the planner is a series of weekly pages. On the left-hand side is a place for me to record your practice tasks for the week. The page is divided into five categories of practice. Remember that each category does not have to be tackled each day, but they all need to be addressed each week.
Some of the tasks are meant to be done daily, and some are once-and-done types of tasks. For example, each student should be listening to their CD daily. Occasionally, I will write in extra listening assignments. These only need to be done once in the week.
The right-hand page is a journal section for you to record what has been worked on in each practice session. My recommendation is to try to find at least two small periods of time to practice, instead of one big one. Since review should be daily, you can go ahead a schedule ahead of time which sessions will be review times. The other tasks can be spread out over the week in the remaining sessions.
Feel free to use post-it notes, or tape in scraps of paper, if you have questions during your practice or schedule extra practice times. Use the books as a form of communication between your lesson and your practice time. Most of the work of learning a musical instrument happens between lessons. The planner is a tool for maximizing that time.