New Ulm Public School

Suzuki Spark - 6 Session Introductory Violin Course

Instructor: Paula Anderson & Jessie Sobania
Date: Wednesdays - February 25, March 4, 11, 25, April 1, 8
Time: 5:30–6:30 pm
Cost: $150.00 per child (6 week session)
For: Children Ages 4-8
Location: Oakwood Methodist Church (1630 Oakwood Avenue, New Ulm)

CLASS DESCRIPTION

• SUZUKI SPARK — 6‑Session Introductory Violin Course (Ages 4–8) 
  • Ignite your child’s musical journey with this playful, ear‑first course that teaches posture, bow hold, basic rhythms, and a first solo through listening, imitation, and short daily practice. Parents receive simple practice guides and listening playlists to support steady progress at home, while children build confidence, musical memory, and healthy practice habits in a joyful, supportive group setting.

COURSE PHILOSOPHY 

• Suzuki Method Foundation: Children learn music as they learn language — through listening, imitation, repetition, and loving encouragement. Parents are active partners in daily practice and in creating a listeningrich home environment. 
• Ear-First Learning: Emphasize listening to repertoire and teacher demonstrations before attempting new skills. Repetition and small, achievable goals build tone, intonation, and musical memory. 
• Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate effort and progress; use short, consistent practice sessions to build confidence. 
• Early Violin Habits: Introduce primary rhythms using rhythm instruments, posture, bow hold, violin hold, and parts of the instrument, and through playful, teacher-led modeling and parent-supported home practice. 
• Family Partnership: Provide reading materials, clear, simple home practice tasks and listening assignments so families can support steady progress. 

SESSION BY SESSION TEACHER GUIDE 

1. Session 1 Welcome to Listening and the Violin 
   • Focus: Listening, rhythm imitation, and parent orientation including concept of note taking during lesson 
   • In-class Activities:
     • Group listening: play Twinkle Variations from Suzuki Book 1 and invite children to move or breathe with the music.
     • Make Foot Charts with “Rest Position” and “Playing Position” Feet on one side and “Violin Hand” and “Bow Hand” on the opposite side. In addition the basic Twinkle Rhythms are written out on the foot chart.
     • Practice “growing” their trees using their bodies.
     • Learning the basic Twinkle Rhythms using song, rhythm sticks, and drums.
   • Home Practice: Daily listening to Suzuki recordings, parents practice clapping the 5 rhythm variations with child, and parents begin reading the assigned books.
   • Materials: Links to Suzuki Book 1 recordings, copies of “Nurtured by Love” and “Ability Development from Age Zero” by Dr. Suzuki, foot charts
2. Session 2 Posture, Bow Hold, and Listening Games 
   • Focus: Review of previous activities, posture, bow hold basics, continued listening. 
   • In-class Activities:
     • Review activities from last session.
     • Practice basic rhythms using “secret” handshake and “washing” arm.
     • Learn to make “bunny rabbit” shape for bow hold
     • Bow hold introduction using “stick bow” 
   • Home Practice: continue practicing rest position/playing position feet, basic rhythms, handshake and arm washing, bunny rabbit nose formation and bow hold exercises with parent support. Continue listening assignments and reading. 
   • Materials: Stick bows. 
3. Session 3 Review of previous exercises and additional bowing practice 
   • Focus: Development of flexible bow hand and reinforce rhythm exercises 
   • In-class Activities:
     • Review all previous exercises using drums, rhythm sticks, foot charts, stick bows, etc.
     • Continue developing bow skills by “playing” the rhythms on the shoulder
     • Introduce box violin and how to hold the instrument using song 
   • Home Practice: Continue reinforcing previous skills; e.g., rest position/playing position, clapping rhythms, making bunny rabbit noses, secret handshake, washing arm, bow hold, rhythms on shoulder, placing violin on shoulder, etc., continued listening and continued reading 
   • Materials: Box violins 
4. Session 4 Rhythm, Repetition, and Simple Repertoire 
   • Focus: Continued review and repetition of previous skills 
   • In-class Activities:
     • Review all previous activities.
     • Name parts of the violin and bow.
     • Play listening games (Go Tell Aunt Rhody pitch game, hide the frog, etc.)
     • Discuss with parents ideal practice routines. 
   • Home Practice: Reinforce all skills introduced so far and continued listening. Finish reading books. 
   • Materials: No new materials 
5. Session 5 Individual Turns and Group Repertoire 
   • Focus: Reinforce previous skills 
   • In-class Activities:
     • Review and reinforce all previous activities.
     • Introduce foam violin
     • Each child has a turn at performing a “solo” such as “Up Like a Rocket”. 
   • Home Practice: Review all skills introduced so far emphasizing importance of repetition and continued home listening 
   • Materials: No new materials 
6. Session 6 Sharing, Celebration, and Next Steps 
   • Focus: Culminating sharing, reinforcing home routine, and setting goals 
   • In-class Activities:
     • Review all previous skills.
     • Teacher-led demonstration of next Suzuki steps and what families can expect after the course.
     • Family reflection time: invite parents to share observations and ask questions about continuing Suzuki study.
     • Students get to open their box violins to reveal a “treat”. 
   • Home Practice: Continue daily listening and short practice routines; teacher provides a clear next-step practice plan. 
   • Materials: Violins, certificates, take-home practice plan, Suzuki Book 1 listening list. 

MATERIALS AND TEACHER PREPARATION 

• Teacher Supplies: Box violins and stick bows, child-sized foam violins in appropriate sizes, shoulder rests, Links to Suzuki Book 1 recordings, “Nurtured by Love” and “Ability Development from Age Zero” by Shinichi Suzuki, parent handouts, and practice journals. 
• Classroom Setup: Comfortable seating, clear demonstration area, quiet listening space, visible practice routine chart. 
• Parent Resources: One-page practice guides, listening playlists, demonstrations of posture and bow hold, contact info for follow-up questions. 

TEACHER INSTRUCTION STYLE 

• Model First: Demonstrate every skill slowly and clearly before asking children to imitate. 
• Use Ear-Based Language: Encourage listening first — “Listen, then try.” 
• Keep Practice Tiny and Frequent: Recommend 3–10 minutes daily, broken into very small goals. 
• Engage Parents as Partners: Give parents simple scripts and cues to use at home; coach them to be encouraging observers and practice partners. 
• Celebrate Effort: Focus praise on persistence, correct habits, and musical listening rather than perfection. 

HOME PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR FAMILIES 

• Daily Listening: Play assigned Suzuki recordings during routine times (meals, car rides) to build musical memory. 
• Short Practice Sessions: 3–10 minutes daily; split into posture/bow-hold warm-up and one focused musical task. 
• Mirror and Model: Parents mirror teacher demonstrations and use the same language and cues. 
• Practice Journal: Note what was practiced and one positive observation each day. 
• End on a High Note: Stop while the child is still engaged to keep practice joyful.