Hello my friends. I’ve largely been absent from the blog for the last year. I never intended to neglect the blog so long, and I’m so excited to be re-committing to writing and learning more about teaching. If you’re interested, over the last year, I…
- began teaching Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes
- became totally overwhelmed during my husband’s last year of his doctorate degree
- started violin lessons with my (at the time) 4.5 year old
- homeschooled preschool for my two boys
- moved twice
- found out I’m pregnant!
- was horribly sick for months and months at the beginning of this pregnancy
- decided to let go of almost all of my students due to morning sickness
- took my 5 year old to his first Suzuki institute (So. Much. Fun.)
- took over managing our rental property
- bought a fixer-upper
- and more…
I’m finally feeling like myself again, after 27 weeks of morning sickness, and I decided it’s time to return to the Plucky Violin Teacher blog. Even though I’m not teaching as many violin students, I’m practicing with my children and throwing myself into my Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes.
I’d like to invite you to join me in a journey of personal and professional development through books! You can join the Facebook group here to discuss what we’re reading and connect with other dedicated Suzuki teachers and parents.
2018-2019 Plucky Violin Teacher Book Club Schedule:
August:
The Child Whisperer by Carol Tuttle
This book was recommended to me by one of my Suzuki mentors, Debbie Moench, a fabulous and inspiring Suzuki violin teacher in SLC.
September:
Positive Practice: 5 Steps to Help Your Child Develop a Love of Music by Christine Goodner
Christine was kind enough to send me an advance pdf of this book, and it was just fabulous. Keeping practice positive is so difficult to do, and I need constant reminders and inspiration to make it happen with M (5 yrs old) and I. I ordered the physical copy so I could mark it up.
October:
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
Baby #3’s due date is in October, so I thought I’d revisit an old favorite! I’m planning on listening to the Audible version while getting everything ready for her to come.
November:
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids:How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting by Dr. Laura Markham
The subtitle says it all. I think we all want to make practicing an opportunity for connecting with our children. Keeping our calm, no matter how our children behave, is crucial. And I need help here.
December:
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
I love this book. I want everyone to listen to this book. Yes, listen. The audiobook is absolutely fantastic. December is crazy and a magical escape into this music-filled novel is a must. It was a 2016 Newbery Honor Book and New York Times Bestseller. For reals though, get the audiobook so you can hear all the lovely music that goes along with the beautifully written story.
January:
How Children Succeed by Paul Tough
From the Amazon description: “Why do some children succeed while others fail? The story we usually tell about childhood and success is the one about intelligence: success comes to those who score highest on tests, from preschool admissions to SATs. But in How Children Succeed, Paul Tough argues that the qualities that matter more have to do with character: skills like perseverance, curiosity, optimism, and self-control.”
February:
To Learn with Love by William and Constance Starr
It’s embarrassing, I stole my Mom’s copy of this book years ago and it has been languishing on the shelf. It’s time to write that wrong, and February seemed like the perfect time!
March:
Helping Parents Practice by Edmund Sprunger
Another re-read for me, but it’s so good I had to put it back in the rotation!
This book was highly recommended to me, and after I read it a couple years ago I made some really valuable changes to our family’s lifestyle. One of the best parenting books I’ve ever read.
May:
Teaching Genius: Dorothy DeLay and the Making of a Musician by Barbara Laurie Sand
I love a good biography, and this one did not disappoint. It’s a great read, and it really helped me solidify what kind of violin teacher I want to be.
June:
Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman PhD and Joan Declaire
I’ve read some of Gottman’s books on marriage relationships and loved them. I’m excited to dig into his work on parenting and children.
Which of these books are you most excited to read? Or not? Please share in the comments.
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