Submitted by Ardith Roddy, Littleton, North Carolina
Idea posted October 9, 2002
Most of my students who were unsuccessful didn't care or even try. I had a couple of struggling students that a group of more able players tutored during the 15 minutes I gave them during class to practice in small groups and help each other while I tested. It was amazing the support they gave those kids and the cheers that went up when one of them passed the test. I know some of the kids realized the criteria was lower for those kids, but that didn't matter. Everyone who wanted to be was successful. The belts were so motivating to most of the kids.
Use your better students as coaches and allow slower students to play from rote, write note names in their music, whatever they need to be able to play.