I’m Going to Write Your Holiday Group Lesson Plan FOR You! (And tips on scheduling)

What’s the worst, most time consuming part of a giving a group lesson or a music class?

Yep. It’s the lesson planning.

Every time I spend hours planning my student’s group lesson, I ask myself if it’s worth it. Yet, after every group lesson, I always say, “Absolutely!”

So how would you like it if you didn’t have to do the planning? Would it be okay if I planned this year’s holiday party, music class, or group lesson for you?

I’d Like to Plan Your Holiday Party for You!

It thought you might like that idea.

Over the next 7 days, I’m going to be rolling out short little videos and/or blog post that explain the 4 parts of our holiday group lesson. The LAST video will contain the biggest, most exciting part of your party that will have all of your students, no matter what level, excited! I’m quite certain it will  be a smashing success! So, if you trust me, just sit back, relax, and I’ll unveil the super fun (and easy) holiday party lesson plan in the next 7 days!

Of course, if you don’t like something, just replace it with something else. But, I think this will be a winner.

All you have to do is decide on a date and time.

Here are tips on scheduling:

  • Don’t survey everyone. You’ll go crazy trying to schedule this way!
  • Pick a day or days that work for you. If you have a small studio and want to take a chance at crazy, then you could pick 2 days and send out an email finding out which day is best for most people. But only do this if you want a little headache.
  • Schedule however many lesson slots you need based on how many students you have. If you have a big studio, then you’ll want to think about how many kids you can fit in your home and then figure out how many times you’ll need to have a group lesson.
  • If you have a small studio, it’s fun to schedule them back to back and have them overlap so that you can all have snacks together. For example, schedule:
    4:00-5:15 – Group 1
    4:45-6:00 – Group 2
    These groups will overlap from 4:45-5:15 so that you can eat together!
  • Cancel private lessons for that week and inform parents that there will be no private lessons this week and that the group lesson on _______ day will take the place of the private lesson. Tell them to mark their calendar because they will NOT want to miss this party!

Okay, are you ready for the lesson plan?

I’m putting it together right now and we’re holding an emergency group lesson today to put the finishing touches on the BIG REVEAL next week.

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6 thoughts on “I’m Going to Write Your Holiday Group Lesson Plan FOR You! (And tips on scheduling)”

  1. My first year for a group lesson in December (We’ve usually been doing it during Thanksgiving week.) Am looking forward to adding your great ideas. We had fun with “Stinky Socks” last year, and that will be part of the plan again. THANK YOU.

  2. I LOVE this idea! Count me in! I do have one question. I have a couple of “interesting” parents who may respond with “We can’t make it on that Saturday so we’d really like to have our private lesson that week. We paid for it.” and/or “We didn’t pay for group lessons, so can we please have our normal private lesson that week?” How would you address these questions? Thanks Wendy! Can’t wait to hear more about the party!

  3. Hi Sally,

    Sorry for the delay in responding! Yes, I know what you mean, but you have to set up the expectation for this as the norm. It’s important to word it well the first time:
    “The week of December 17th, we will have group lessons at the following times…. There will be no private lessons this week. The group lesson will help students develop important skills of musicianship and ensemble playing and are an integral part of their music education. I’m looking forward to these lessons with students and I know they will be inspired and motivated through them.”

    Then, if someone says that they can’t come, you can just tell them that groups are the only option that week unfortunately because you put all your teaching time into preparation for a successful lesson. The first year may be difficult, but in the future, be sure to put in you policy, “One of the weeks of lessons in each semester will be a group lesson. This group lesson will take place of all private lessons during this week.”

    I hope that helps! You may find you have a transition year where you want to go ahead and allow for 1-2 private lessons as a “one-time exception.” But be sure to communicate that in the future, there will be no replacement lessons for these group lessons. And also be sure to schedule your group lesson date at the beginning of the semester so it can be on their calendar.

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