It’s Black Friday and time to share all the great gadgets that will make your piano teaching loads of fun! I’ve found some new items this year that I hope I receive (but who’s kidding whom…I’ll buy them if I don’t get them) and I’ll include those things that I’ve bought in the past that have really energized my studio!
2013 Christmas Wish List for Piano Teachers
Voting Box
One of the things that we need to do more as teachers is get student feedback! Students love to share their opinion, but how many times do we really get their opinion? And if we do ask them a question, sometimes they are afraid to respond honestly in our presence. But, how much more fun would it be to have a voting box?! Â Imagine being able to ask a new question every week in that little slot:
- What was your favorite part about the spring recital?
- What has been your favorite piece in the last month? (Gives you an idea of what they like)
- What do you NOT like about piano lessons? (This will help you know what you need to do differently)
- What do you like the most about piano lessons?
- What do you like the least about piano lesson?
Eggspert Quizzing System
Of course, there are 2 items that have been hugely popular or widely used in my studio that I would highly recommend for any piano teacher. The Eggspert quizzing system is so much fun in group lessons and students absolutely love using them. After I blogged about it a few years ago, it seems like every piano teacher purchased it, but I know some of you might still be wondering if it’s worth it…and it is! Use it to quiz your students to prepare them for upcoming examinations or just do an end of the year quiz using Stinky Sox cards (and now Stinky Stockings cards). Well worth the investment!
Blue Snowball Mic
If you are looking for a mic to use with your iPad or computer, then look no further! This Blue Snowball mic (it comes in all kinds of cool colors) gives high quality sound and I daresay that you won’t find another mic of this quality at this price. I ordered this last month and absolutely love it!
The iPad Piano Studio
If you have an iPad or have asked for one for Christmas, you MUST get this book! There are thousands of apps to choose from and Leila Viss makes finding the best ones for piano teachers very, very easy! The iPad Piano Studio is really a must-have for any teacher with an iPad.
Magnetic Spinners
These spinners make games easy to set up. Sheryl from the Notable Music Studio blogged about these and you really must read how she uses them. I’m so excited about her ideas. You can see a picture of how she uses them below:
Barnyard Answer Buzzers
If you don’t want to spring for the Eggspert quizzing system, you might be interested in the cheaper barnyard answer buzzers. You could tell easily who is answer a question because they all have different animal sounds. Of course, this is more suitable for younger students and the Eggspert is better for all ages, but it’s a great item to mix things up!
Laminator
If you don’t have one of these laminators in your home, I’d say run to the store or Amazon and get one right away. I don’t know why laminating is so fun, but watch out, your likely to start laminating your shopping list if your note careful! I love my laminator and use it frequently to laminate things like Stinky Stockings.
Tul Mechanical Pencils
I am an office supply junkie and I think I have tested almost every mechanical pencil that exists. So, I can without reservation recommend these as the best in the industry! The barrel has a nice rubber grip to it and it writes more smoothly than a pen! Let me say that again: It writes more smoothly than a pen. In addition, what you write actually LOOKS like a pen wrote it. My students used to ask me if I was writing in their music with a pen, it is so easy to use. It is just a beautiful tool (tul) to use! I recommend these without reservation.
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Frixion Erasable Gel Pens
These are my all time favorite teaching tool that I use every teaching day. They actually erase cleanly and it’s so nice to be able to make marks in student’s music that they notice! Â My students even like to make marks in their own music.
Stinky Stockings and Stinky Sox
These flew off the shelf as soon as I published them, and of course I already have these, but I’m guessing a few of you might not yet have them. Stinky Stockings is the Christmas version of the popular Stinky Sox hot potato like game that asks students to act, play, sing, and a variety of other skills. I’m going to go ahead and put in the order information directly below so it’s easy to order if you are interested. Click on the picture to see lots of samples:
image from christmasstockimages.com
Be sure to like the “ComposeCreate” Facebook page where I’ll post about any amazing deals for teachers that I see on Black Friday or any day after.
What kinds of things are on your teacher wish list this year?
Great ideas, Wendy! I would add a 24-pack of Dr. Pepper to the list! I need to get my Stinky Socks for next year!
Great list! I also have the Snowball microphone and absolutely love it! I’ll have to get me some of those spinners- fun!