Music Lesson's Express-Tallahassee, Florida

Reach for the Stars! .

A rewards program for the students of Music Lessons Express
printable Stars information

At Music Lessons Express, our goal is to provide excellent instruction and help our students become successful musicians. For any music student to play an instrument well, practice must take place on a regular basis. In order to motivate our students to practice, we implement a rewards program entitled “Reach for the Stars!” In this program, students earn “star” points at each weekly lesson in the categories described below. Each instructor keeps a master star sheet where the star points are recorded for each student. At the end of spring semester, the star points are tallied and awards are given according to the rules below. Awards will be presented by school at each recital that takes place in May. (A recital also takes place in December, but awards will not be presented at that time.) Students taking lessons in the home will compete with the students taking lessons in the school closest to the student’s home. If a student prefers to not participate in this program, please inform your instructor.

Star Categories

1. Bringing books – One star awarded when all books* are brought to the lesson.

(NOTE: This star category does NOT apply to group beginner students, as they are not required to bring books to the lesson.)

*Rule: The instructor will inform the students as to what books should be brought to
each lesson.

2. Returning assignment sheet from previous lesson to the instructor – one star
Note: The assignment sheet must be returned one week after it was distributed in order to achieve this star.

3. Parent signature on assignment sheet – one star

4. Practice Time - One star awarded for each day of practice recorded on assignment sheet

Rules: Students will receive a weekly assignment sheet that includes a list of the pages to be practiced or completed in each book. The assignment sheet also includes a practice time log section for the student to record the time spent practicing each day of the week. Practice time stars will be earned only if the student records the practice time on the log and brings the log to the instructor for review at the next lesson. The parent/guardian is also encouraged to review the log and sign it in the space provided. However, this is not required in order to receive the practice time star. Time spent working on a theory assignment in the home is also considered practice time. Students are expected to be truthful when recording the time practiced. In weeks with no lessons (due to holidays or a canceled lesson), stars may still be earned for each day of practice if the time is recorded. (Note: In the event that the instructor loses the master star sheet, the program will be started again with all students at zero stars, or the program will be canceled for that semester if necessary.)

5. Excellent Behavior - One star awarded when the student behaves in the following manner during lesson.

Shows respect for instructor, fellow students and instruments
Has a good attitude, pays attention during lesson and follows directions promptly

Rule: The instructor determines when a student earns the excellent behavior star.

Awards*

1. Galaxy Award – This award will be presented to the group class in each school who has acquired the highest percentage of stars during fall and spring semesters combined. All piano and guitar group classes will be competing for one prize per school. The members of the winning group will each be awarded a ribbon.

2. Gold Star Award – A star trophy will be presented to the individual student in both the group lessons category and private lessons category who has acquired the most stars during fall and spring semesters combined. Second and third place ribbons will also be awarded. In the event of a tie, each student will receive a ribbon.

3. Level Completion Award – This award is not based on earning stars, but given to students who complete a level book (ex: level 1A, 1B, 2A, etc.) during fall or spring semester. This award is presented at the spring recital and each student completing a level book will receive one ribbon per level book completed.

* As stated above, at the end of spring semester, the star points are tallied and awards are given according to the rules below. Awards will be presented by school at each recital that takes place in May. (A recital also takes place in December, but awards will not be presented at that time.)

We appreciate the role that the parent must play in helping to make this program a success. Please let us know if you have any questions, and we would also appreciate your input on the success of this program with your child. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to help your child “Reach for the Stars!”