It's October! The glow of the new semester has dulled somewhat, the crunch for holiday recitals has not yet begun, and everyone would rather think about cider and Halloween. The violins are still coming out, but they're coming out with a tiny bit less joy than they came out in September, and a tiny bit less urgency than they will come out in November, I predict. Still, Dr. Suzuki says we should only practice on the days that we eat!
Time for the first and only, spookeriffic, autumnimous Little Blue School Violin Practice Challenge!
First, print out the practice chart:
PDF Version Large JPG Version
Remember to choose "Landscape"
Choose "Shrink to Fit" when printing the JPG
Color in a pumpkin for every time you practice your instrument. If you've already played it fifteen times in October, then you're already ahead! Color fifteen pumpkins immediately and go to the front of the line!
At the end of the month, you can print out this certificate, get the appropriate name, number of practices, and signatures in place, and award it to the stellar violinist(s) in your family.
PDF Version Large JPG Version
Remember to choose "Landscape"
Choose "Shrink to Fit" when printing the JPG
Now for the exciting part (for me). If you're doing the challenge, please comment or email me to let me know that you will be completing it. I'll choose one name out of a hat, and send that child this special October edition of my violin practice award medallions:
I have several other medallions available in
my Etsy Shop, but this is one is different! It's orange and black, thus making it Octobermatic and extra-desirable. Plus, to the winner, it is free and I will ship it anywhere in the entire world.
Here's a side note: I am working on putting together a page linking to as many YouTube videos of Suzuki violin students as I can find. Sort of a virtual concert. Do you have one? Let me know! My email address is jackets at rpsd.com. Spread the word!
OK! We'll take the challenge! I can't print out the sheets, however, since we don't have a printer. I already keep track of our practicing on a chart anyway, though. My Suzuki kids are Abigail, John, and Paul. Thanks for inviting us!
ReplyDeleteYay! Our first victims! I mean our first participants! So, including mine, we have five little violinists, jumping on the bed. Give us a link to your blog so I can link you up! And, if you shoot me your address in an email, I can mail you some charts.
ReplyDeleteOK - my link is www.mariannedan.typepad.com/learning2love/
ReplyDeleteI will link up this practice challenge on my blog and I'll e-mail you my address. Thanks!
Oooooh, spooky and cool! We are all printed out and have one pumpkin coloured in -- it would have been two, but I'm too cheap to consider a lesson a "practice". LOL William loves the chart!!
ReplyDeleteOh, my son just prayed for a violin. This is such a great idea! I really like your medals.
ReplyDeleteHow about a piano contest? :)
Cute stuff! We're in a good zone with our practicing, considering the kids have only had one lesson since mid-July, so I think we'll pass on the challenge this time. But I did want to thank you for the link to your blog on MDC. I have four Suzuki kids, Erin, Noah, Sophie and Fiona, and we homeschool as well. I'll be checking back to read your blog regularly. Loved the fourteen-minute mile post. Gotta love a kid like that. :-D
ReplyDeleteWe're in!
ReplyDeleteI have one little violinist here, 7yog.
~Kris (from the denim jumper)
Hi! I'm new to your blog, but LOVE it! My daughter, Val, is a Suzuki violin student. I think she will really get into this! We use a practice candle that she can exchange for rewards when it burns to nothing, but I think she'll like this extra incentive.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for making it available.
Thanks for inviting me to join your challenge. I just found your comment today so I'm afraid I'm a little late to join the challenge. I am trying to print out the chart though. My daughter will love coloring the pumpkins as she practices. I definitely will be coming back to read your blog.
ReplyDeleteWe are coming in late but we will take your challenge. My son Ben is a Suzuki violinist.
ReplyDeleteI love the medalions at your Etsy shop! What a great idea.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
I wanted to thank you for this posting! It came just in time for my 4 year old pre-twinkle viola student. All was going well and then we had a birthday and the lure of new toys stole our joy from practice times. We've been using your chart for a week now and things seem to be improving. Thanks!
ReplyDelete