Unit 1Introduction to Piano: Pre-Note Reading
5 lessons5 Weeks
Introduction to Piano: Pre-Note Reading
 Week 1
Lesson 1
Posture, Hand Position, Finger Numbers, White Key Names, Low + High Sounds
Welcome to your child's first piano lesson! During this first lesson, the overall goal is to get your learner oriented with the piano and proper playing pedagogy. During this lesson your child will learn about how to sit with proper playing posture, hand positioning and finger numbers. Learners will also study the names of the white keys of the piano and learn to distinguish between low and high sounds.

Homework: Practice 'Low & High Sounds' on page 7
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Quarter Notes, Half Notes, Bar Lines and Double Bar Lines
Lesson two will introduce fundamental rhythm concepts and help learners recognize that notes can have different values (lengths of sound). During this lesson, learners will learn to identify quarter notes and half notes and perform those note values accurately in the melody 'First March' on page 8.

Homework: Practice 'The Balloon Man' on page 9
 Week 3
Lesson 3
Whole Notes and Repeat Signs
Lesson three expands into a new longer note value - the whole note. Learners will get to practice identifying, clapping and playing melodies containing the whole note in 'Three Little Pigs' and 'Lamb At School' on pages 10-11. They'll also be introduced to the repat sign which means to play the song again from the beginning.

Homework: Practice 'Old MacDonald' on pages 12-13
 Week 4
Lesson 4
The Music Alphabet + Playing Legato
During the first three lessons, your learner has primarily played melodies on the black keys of the piano. During lesson four we will review the names of the white keys and introduce the music alphabet. Learners will practice playing their first white key melody with the song 'Stepping Up and Down' on page 16. Legato piano playing will also be demonstrated and introduced to learners during this lesson.

Homework: Practice 'The Caterpillar Crawl' on page 17
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Time Signatures + Dotted Half Notes
Your learner has learned about note values that equal four beats, two beats and one beat. Do you notice something is missing? It's time to introduce the dotted half note with a total of three beats! Learners will practice playing melodies in C position using the dotted half note on page 20. Learners will also be introduced to the concept of time signatures and examine how they help provide structure and organization to music.

Homework: Practice 'Bike Ride' on page 21
Unit 2Playing the Piano: Reading Notation
5 lessons5 Weeks
Playing the Piano: Reading Notation
 Week 6
Lesson 6
Treble Clef Melodies
Congratulations! Your piano learner has reached Unit 2! In this unit, they will begin learning to read notes on the staff. Remember to stay patient and encouraging, as mastering notation takes time. In lesson six, learners will be introduced to the musical staff, treble and bass clefs, identify line and space notes, and start working on their first melodies on the treble staff.

Homework: Practice 'Go Tell Aunt Rhodie' on page 27
 Week 7
Lesson 7
Bass Clef Melodies
During lesson seven, your learner will practice identifying the notes C, D, E, F and G in the bass clef and practice playing melodies on pages 28-29

Homework: Practice 'Ode to Joy' on page 29
 Week 8
Lesson 8
Playing on the Grand Staff + Dynamics
During lesson eight your learner will be introduced the concept of the grand piano staff (connected by a brace) as well as the concept of piano and forte dynamics which help add new contrast and color to your learner's playing technique.

Homework: Practice 'Shouts and Whispers' on page 31
 Week 9
Lesson 9
Understanding Intervals
Understanding intervals is key to recognizing musical and melodic patterns as well as improving notation reading skills. During lesson 9 learners will identify 2nds, 3rds, 4ths and 5ths on pages 32-38.

Homework: Practice ' Five Hunting Hounds' on page 38.
 Week 10
Lesson 10
Final Cumulative Review
Congratulations on completing your level 1 piano lessons! To wrap up these ten weeks of classes, learners will participate in an open book virtual scavenger hunt using Google Forms. Don't forget to sign up for level 2 classes to keep learning piano!