Back-to-School means Back-to-Schedule

Alright then. It's time to organize yourselves, parents. And I mean - now. (I'm chanting this like the girls on "Annie")

I speak not only to you as a seasoned teacher, but as a parent who is trying super hard to convince herself that summer has to end and that there are many positive sides to this. First of all, we can actually mop our kitchen floors because they will stay clean for a few hours now that the muddy children will be mudding up the school hallways instead of ours. Second, we can spend a bit of time putting together our children's music binder so that practicing comes back to a rhythm. A nice, organized rhythm. Read on.

The music binder is important for many reasons. When I first began taking organized lessons, my teacher had me put a picture of myself with my flute in it on the front cover. I always thought this was dull until about 10 years later when I looked back at it, and had to laugh at my big poofy ratted up bangs, tightly tucked in shirt and perfectly pegged pants. (this photo is not available to the public) But........ I LOVE IT. It reminds me of so many things. First of all, the picture was taken in my teacher's yard, with my OLD flute. (more memories) I also remember how excited I was to go to lessons, and how my instructor seemed to care about my musical well-being. (it's nice to be cared about) I have pages of music assignments and notes taken and thoughts I wrote down about each performance I did. Priceless.

Your assignment for this month is to carefully organize your child's notebook. You know, the one you bring to lessons each week. It's the hard-shelled 3 ringed binder with pockets. It's usually decorated by the child in whatever fashion suits them. It is full of blank paper and tabs to help separate the notes from the copies and theory sheets. It's a good notebook. Your child will love to look on it later as if looking through their grandmother's journal. It's that neat. Really.