Spirit Sticks

What is a Spirit Stick?

Spirit Sticks are fun awards that Lewis Music Studio students can earn by completing tasks related to their instrument!  The awards are shaped like a small “stick,” and they attach to a binder clip or key ring.  Students keep them on their music bag or on their instrument case!  The purpose of the Spirit Sticks are to motivate students to try new skills, practice, perform, challenge themselves, and set goals!

Why do we need to motivate?

There are two types of motivation- intrinsic, which is an internal motivation, and extrinsic, which is something external.  Our goal is always to grow students to having intrinsic motivation- they play because they want to play!  Most young students, however, need some extrinsic motivation to help them along!  Students with special needs might need even more extrinsic motivation than other students! Some examples of extrinsic motivation are positive praise, giving a small prize, practicing for a performance or a recital, and Spirit Sticks!  We want to provide the motivation that students need while we work on growing their own motivation to play for their own enjoyment!

 

How does my student earn a Spirit Stick?

Earning a Spirit Stick comes in many different ways! Here are the Spirit Sticks that we currently offer:

• Practice: Click here for a practice chart to print!  Color in a box each time you practice, and fill the chart to earn your Spirit Stick!
• Theory: Complete 20 theory or workbook pages.  Use this Theory Chart to help you keep track!
• Scales: A Spirit Stick is earned for each new scale learned!
• Challenge Piece: Complete a difficult piece of music!
• Memorize:  Set your own goal!  Spirit Sticks can be earned for memorizing three, seven, or ten pieces of music!  This Memorization Chart can help you to keep track!
• Compose:  Composing your own piece of earns a Spirit Stick, and piano students may be able to enter theirs in the Pittsburgh Piano Teacher’s Association Composition Competition as well!
• Perform: Sing and play, do a Zoom recital, show off your skills!
• Choose your own goal: The sky’s the limit!

How can my student set goals?

Students may choose Spirit Sticks that they would like to earn and keep them on a hook in the studio as a goal! In addition to being a fun thing for students to do, they also learn to set their own goals! This is a great step towards intrinsic motivation!

When does my student get their Spirit Sticks?

Right away!  Once the task at hand is complete, the Spirit Stick gets awarded! If you are not currently coming into the studio because of online lessons, we can drop yours in the mail!  Just let Becki or Amber know which ones to send! I can’t wait to see what everyone earns this year!