This is a four-week-long series designed to teach young learners about how the piano keyboard is laid out, learn simple songs, and provide a foundation for further instruction. In each lesson students will learn about and revisit the following topics: low and high on the piano; good posture at the piano; how to position their hands and arms when playing; and finger numbers. All of these concepts will be wrapped into a song each lesson. 

Week one: introduction to the piano. 
Learn about low and high notes
Play groups of two black keys
Play groups of three black keys
Learn to sing Hot Cross Buns
Learn the finger numbers for piano
Learn the finger numbers for Hot Cross Buns
Practice time for Hot Cross Buns 
Play game if time

Week two: 
Review low and high notes
Play groups of two black keys
Play groups of three black keys
Review singing, then playing Hot Cross Buns
Ask if anyone wants to share what they practiced
Review finger numbers
Sing Mary Had a Little Lamb
Learn finger numbers for song
Start playing song on piano
Practice time for Mary Had a Little Lamb
Play game if time

Week three: 
Review low and high notes
Play groups of two and three black keys from low to high
Ask if anyone wants to share Hot Cross Buns or Mary Had a Little Lamb
Sing Old MacDonald
Learn finger numbers for Old MacDonald
Practice time for Old MacDonald
Play game if time

Week four:
Review low and high notes
Play groups of two and three black keys from high to low
Sharing time for Hot Cross Buns, Mary Had a Little Lamb, or Old MacDonald
Students echo simple patterns that I play for them
Think about how we can create our own patterns
Students take turns leading the "echo" game
Individual work time to create their own song, combining four of the patterns we made as a class
Share our creations


Songs will be taught using visual aids, singing, and spoken repetition. The songs will be learned on black keys so students do not have to read music yet. My goal is for my students to be able to focus on their posture, hand position, and finger numbers, and most importantly to feel successful in their beginning piano experiences. 

There will be time for students to practice individually during the lesson and for me to listen to each student on their own so I can monitor progress and suggest improvements. 

Each class period will end with students sharing (if they want) what they learned during our time together. I make it my goal to foster a friendly learning environment where students feel comfortable sharing their successes, big or small but also feel comfortable choosing not to share. Depending on the amount of time at the end of class, we will end class with a listening game.