Category: Podcast Episodes

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s episode discusses Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D. This interesting book offers us entertaining stories and useful anecdotes to show parents (and teachers) how to build closer connections with their children. Through the use of play, parents and teachers can help to solve behavior problems, build confidence, and assist children to work through emotional difficulties. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to parents and other teachers.

by Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D.

Monthly Focus: Preparation

The month’s focus is Preparation, and March is the month that connects winter and the start of spring. As we finish one season and look ahead to the next, we may need to prepare ourselves and our lives for the things that we need to do in the next few weeks or months.

WEEKLY MISSION: Prepare for the next season

In the past few weeks of March, we looked ahead at the coming months and identified some things that we need to prepare for now, such as recitals, final exams, summer institutes, or spring cleaning. Then we thought about the next few steps we could take in our projects to move them forward.

This week, let us think about how we can prepare for the change in season that is about to occur. As a child, my family greeted this change in season by cleaning the house windows, cleaning behind heavy furniture, washing the garage floors and porches, cleaning and putting on the outdoor window screens, and airing out the spring and summer clothing from their storage homes.

The change in seasons will happen quite quickly in Texas, where we often will jump from a cool winter’s evening to a hot summer day as quickly as a few hours. Texans need to prepare now for this potential quick jump in seasons. What kinds of things could you do in your studios or homes to prepare for the change in season?

What I am Reading

I am a big fan of Audible. I have used this service for years and I enjoy the process of deciding which books will be worthy of my time and attention. If you are interested in this service, click here for a free book:

I am currently listening to Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast

Contact Me

I really enjoy hearing from my readers and listeners. If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or an idea for future articles and podcast episodes, please consider contacting me. You can find me by email (paula@teachsuzuki,com) or find me on Facebook (Teach Suzuki).

Leave a Review

Many listeners ask how they can support the podcast. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can help to support it by leaving a rating and review. Here is how to review the podcast:

1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app.
2. Tap the “search” tab, enter “Teach Suzuki,” tap the blue Search button, and you will pull up the podcast.
3. Tap on the album art for the podcast.
4. Scroll down to the “write a review” link, and leave a rating and a review.
5. That is how easy it is!

Buy The Twinkle Project

You can also support the blog and podcast by making a purchase of The Twinkle Project, which is my book to help teachers and parents of young violin beginners. This book takes teachers and parents through all of the steps to teach a complete violin beginner all the way through the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations and begin the next steps to learn “Lightly Row.” Included in the book are many forms and checklists to guide teachers and parents through the progression of steps to learn this important initial stage to play the violin.

The Twinkle Project

Episode 54, The Twinkle Project

If you have questions or answers or you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paula@teachsuzuki.com. I welcome comments and questions about this episode and am interested in hearing about the perspective of other parents and teachers.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: Teach Suzuki Blog.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing! Watch how you practice, and practice accurately!

—– Paula —–

© 2019 by Paula E. Bird

Join the Teach Suzuki Community!

If you would like to make a donation to support the Teach Suzuki Podcast and the blog, click here to donate.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

What does perseverance, expectation, and awesomeness have to do with each other? Is there a connection? I argue that these concepts have a great deal to do with each other and will affect the development of our children’s and students’ character and are a necessary component of our teaching and parenting.

Monthly Focus: Preparation

The month’s focus is Preparation, and March is the month that connects winter and the start of spring. As we finish one season and look ahead to the next, we may need to prepare ourselves and our lives for the things that we need to do in the next few weeks or months.

WEEKLY MISSION: Prepare your projects

Last week we looked ahead at the coming months and identified some things that we need to prepare for now, whether they are recitals, final exams, summer institutes, or spring cleaning.

This week’s mission is to take these upcoming projects that we identified in our weekly mission last week and begin to note the next steps that we need to take to tackle these projects. I talk about how I do this project of setting next steps for my projects in the episode. Please comment below about how you do this step and what works for you.

What I am Reading

Aack! I am so behind in my reading! I need to set aside some time to sit down and actually read the books that I have stacked on my dining table. Maybe I should finish the following book, because it would certainly lead me down the productive road:

I am almost finished with this book (really, just 1.5 more sessions left!), and I plan to spend time offering a review of the many helpful suggestions that Dr. Cohen gives to help us connect with students when there is a problem. Teachers and parents will find this book very helpful. I look at my students’ behaviors in a new way, and I have found great success by interjecting more playfulness in my teaching.

I am a big fan of Audible. I have used this service for years and I enjoy the process of deciding which books will be worthy of my time and attention. If you are interested in this service, click here for a free book:

I am currently listening to The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe, and I am fascinated to hear the stories behind many of the high profile events in our country’s news headlines. I have a deeper understanding of how our FBI organization operates and makes decisions, and I highly recommend this book for anyone who is curious to learn more about how things work behind the scenes.

How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast

Contact Me

I really enjoy hearing from my readers and listeners. If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or an idea for future articles and podcast episodes, please consider contacting me. You can find me by email (paula@teachsuzuki,com) or find me on Facebook (Teach Suzuki).

Leave a Review

Many listeners ask how they can support the podcast. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can help to support it by leaving a rating and review. Here is how to review the podcast:

1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app.
2. Tap the “search” tab, enter “Teach Suzuki,” tap the blue Search button, and you will pull up the podcast.
3. Tap on the album art for the podcast.
4. Scroll down to the “write a review” link, and leave a rating and a review.
5. That is how easy it is!

Buy The Twinkle Project

You can also support the blog and podcast by making a purchase of The Twinkle Project, which is my book to help teachers and parents of young violin beginners. This book takes teachers and parents through all of the steps to teach a complete violin beginner all the way through the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations and begin the next steps to learn “Lightly Row.” Included in the book are many forms and checklists to guide teachers and parents through the progression of steps to learn this important initial stage to play the violin.

The Twinkle Project

Episode 54, The Twinkle Project

If you have questions or answers or you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paula@teachsuzuki.com. I welcome comments and questions about this episode and am interested in hearing about the perspective of other parents and teachers.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: Teach Suzuki Blog.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing! Watch how you practice, and practice accurately!

—– Paula —–

© 2019 by Paula E. Bird

Join the Teach Suzuki Community!

If you would like to make a donation to support the Teach Suzuki Podcast and the blog, click here to donate.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

When we begin a journey or project, are we prepared? And even if we are prepared for the journey as we imagine it will be, will we be prepared for anything else that might come our way? How do we prepare ourselves for the journey of complete possibility? Today’s episode will look at the concepts of a “10 Feet Focus” and “the Preparation Road,” and I will relate several stories of how these concepts arose and how they can be used.

Monthly Focus: Preparation

The month’s focus is Preparation. March is an interesting month in that it builds the connecting bridge between the edge of winter and the start of spring. While we finish one season, we begin to prepare for the next seasons to come.

WEEKLY MISSION: Preparation for what?

Begin this first week of the month by considering what you need to prepare for. Do you have upcoming recitals, juries, summer institute applications, or auditions? Look around your life and notice what things you will need to begin planning for now. What do you need to get ready? What do you need to start doing now?

This week, make a list of projects or events that you need to think about and prepare for now in March. Scan your family and studio calendars and make a master list of these projects and events. Next week, I will add to the weekly mission to prepare to accomplish these projects and events.

Let me know what you discover. You may comment below or send me an email. If you have any ideas about future podcast episodes, including monthly focus or themes or weekly missions, I welcome all of it!

What I am Reading

I have slacked on my reading, although I have done well on my audio books. I have hadf several important things happen, and I have not made the time I need to actually sit down and read. I am still working on these books:

I really want to read more of this book! What I have read so far is wonderful, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and insights with my listeners.

I am almost finished with this book (really, just two more sessions left!), and I plan to spend time offering a review of the many helpful suggestions that Dr. Cohen gives to help us connect with students when there is a problem. Teachers and parents will find this book very helpful.

I am a big fan of Audible. I have used this service for years and I enjoy the process of deciding which books will be worthy of my time and attention. If you are interested in this service, click here for a free book:

I just finished listening to these books:

Calamity by Brandon Sanderson: I enjoy science fiction, and this is book 3 in the Reckoners Series. I especially enjoy the main character’s creative delight in crafting extremely ridiculous metaphors.

Lucky Suit by Lauren Blakely: this was an Audible original. Audible provides its members with opportunities to listen to more concise books or audio productions as part of the membership.

How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast

Contact Me

I really enjoy hearing from my readers and listeners. If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or an idea for future articles and podcast episodes, please consider contacting me. You can find me by email (paula@teachsuzuki,com) or find me on Facebook (Teach Suzuki).

Leave a Review

Many listeners ask how they can support the podcast. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can help to support it by leaving a rating and review. Here is how to review the podcast:

1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app.
2. Tap the “search” tab, enter “Teach Suzuki,” tap the blue Search button, and you will pull up the podcast.
3. Tap on the album art for the podcast.
4. Scroll down to the “write a review” link, and leave a rating and a review.
5. That is how easy it is!

Buy The Twinkle Project

You can also support the blog and podcast by making a purchase of The Twinkle Project, which is my book to help teachers and parents of young violin beginners. This book takes teachers and parents through all of the steps to teach a complete violin beginner all the way through the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations and begin the next steps to learn “Lightly Row.” Included in the book are many forms and checklists to guide teachers and parents through the progression of steps to learn this important initial stage to play the violin.

The Twinkle Project

Episode 54, The Twinkle Project

If you have questions or answers or you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paula@teachsuzuki.com. I welcome comments and questions about this episode and am interested in hearing about the perspective of other parents and teachers.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: Teach Suzuki Blog.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing! Watch how you practice, and practice accurately!

—– Paula —–

© 2019 by Paula E. Bird

Join the Teach Suzuki Community!

If you would like to make a donation to support the Teach Suzuki Podcast and the blog, click here to donate.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Problems arise from our dramatic descriptions or retelling of events, whether about practicing, being busy, taking notes, or forgetting homework assignments. This episode looks at typical teacher, parent, or student stories and how they may adversely impact our ability to take personal responsibility or solve problems.

Monthly Focus: LOVE

The month’s focus has been about Love. We have looked at the role that love may play in the different areas of our lives.

WEEKLY MISSION: Love Expressed in our community

This week’s mission is to consider how we express love to others. Love expressions to our community can take the form of positive attitudes, compassion, understanding, acceptance, interest, kindness, generosity, honesty, and civility. Here are some questions to help you direct your focus outward beyond yourself, your family, and your workplace and into your community:

Where do I come into contact with others outside my family and workplace?

Do I know the names of the people that I interact with? Can I make an effort to get to know these people beyond a casual “hello” or smile?

What are my roles in the community locally?

What are my places of possible impact or influence?

Am I doing what I can to positively impact or influence my community with my attitude, my example, and my contribution?

How can I become more of a positive influence in my community?

Even if we affect a small part of our community in some small way, our influence can have a much larger effect on the community and beyond. In the words of Mother Teresa: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” Let us commit our weekly mission for this last week in February to look for ways to create many ripples of love in our spheres of influence.

Let me know what you discover. You may comment below or send me an email. If you have any ideas about future podcast episodes, including monthly focus or themes or weekly missions, I welcome all of it!

What I am Reading

It was a symphony week, which meant that I struggle to get adequate sleep and still accomplish my daily chores on the farm and in the teaching studios. Here are the books I’m working with now:

I really want to read more of this book! What I have read so far is wonderful, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and insights with my listeners.

I am almost finished with this book, and I plan to spend time offering a review of the many helpful suggestions that Dr. Cohen gives to help us connect with students when there is a problem. Teachers and parents will find this book very helpful.

I am a big fan of Audible. I have used this service for years and I enjoy the process of deciding which books will be worthy of my time and attention. If you are interested in this service, click here for a free book:

I just finished listening to The Truths We Hold  by Kamala Harris, before her recent announcement of running for President of the United States. I enjoyed getting a peek behind the curtain of the criminal and social justice system of one of the largest states in the US, as well as a description of how things work within our political system currently.

I finished listening to:

Michelle Obama relates stories about her life as a young child and how her life unfolded from those beginnings to the public stage of history that she and her husband currently occupy.

Both of these books were excellent audible books, read by the respective authors. I learned a lot about the authors as well as other “behind-the-scenes” descriptions of how things work in our government, our political system, and our criminal and social justice systems. I gained a new perspective about many areas I thought I understood. I welcome the broadened perspective that these books offered. I highly recommend both of these books.

How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast

Contact Me

I really enjoy hearing from my readers and listeners. If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or an idea for future articles and podcast episodes, please consider contacting me. You can find me by email (paula@teachsuzuki,com) or find me on Facebook (Teach Suzuki).

Leave a Review

Many listeners ask how they can support the podcast. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can help to support it by leaving a rating and review. Here is how to review the podcast:

1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app.
2. Tap the “search” tab, enter “Teach Suzuki,” tap the blue Search button, and you will pull up the podcast.
3. Tap on the album art for the podcast.
4. Scroll down to the “write a review” link, and leave a rating and a review.
5. That is how easy it is!

Buy The Twinkle Project

You can also support the blog and podcast by making a purchase of The Twinkle Project, which is my book to help teachers and parents of young violin beginners. This book takes teachers and parents through all of the steps to teach a complete violin beginner all the way through the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations and begin the next steps to learn “Lightly Row.” Included in the book are many forms and checklists to guide teachers and parents through the progression of steps to learn this important initial stage to play the violin.

The Twinkle Project

Episode 54, The Twinkle Project

If you have questions or answers or you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paula@teachsuzuki.com. I welcome comments and questions about this episode and am interested in hearing about the perspective of other parents and teachers.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: Teach Suzuki Blog.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing! Watch how you practice, and practice accurately!

—– Paula —–

© 2019 by Paula E. Bird

Join the Teach Suzuki Community!

If you would like to make a donation to support the Teach Suzuki Podcast and the blog, click here to donate.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s episode discusses the issue of students’ speeding through practice sessions or lessons. How can we effectively help a student find and remain at the most effective practice speed? Today’s episode discusses three areas where we can suggest controlling adjustments: speed, space, and someone. I suggest several ideas and tips about helping students practice more effectively.

I mentioned several resources in the episode for further consideration or learning:

Making Music With a Twinkle Circle (blog article)

How to Practice Effectively (video): this video explains what happens in our brains when we practice.

This book is over 370 pages and has thousands of practice ideas and tips in its 61 chapters. This book also includes some helpful strategies to curb the speeding tendency.

Monthly Focus: LOVE

The month’s focus is Love. We can look at the role that love may play in our lives in the different areas of our lives.

WEEKLY MISSION: LOVE in our work relationships

This week, let us shine a light on our relationships in our work environments. In the workplace, I refer to love when I mean respect, consideration, kindness, politeness or civility, courtesy, and attitude. Are we showing our co-workers and employers our best expression of love? Here are some questions to consider:

Do I show respect to my employer and my co-workers?

Do I speak kindly to people in my workplace?

Am I honest in my transactions and agreements with my employers and co-workers?

Do I complain about my work, my employer, or any of my co-workers?

What is my general attitude about my work or the people that I work with?

What is the general attitude that I express when I am at work?

Am I one of the problems or one of the solutions?

How can I make the atmosphere more pleasant at work?

How can I lighten the load of my employer or my co-workers?

When we focus on how we show respect and kindness toward others, we can lighten the atmosphere and positively impact our work environment for ourselves as well as others.

Let me know what you discover. You may comment below or send me an email. If you have any ideas about future podcast episodes, including monthly focus or themes or weekly missions, I welcome all of it!

What I am Reading

It’s been a really long weekend with the seminar. I am still reading (or listening) to several books at a time. Here are the books I’m working with now:

You know that I will be podcasting about the lessons I have learned from each of these books, so if you are interested in reading alongside me, click on these books.

I am a big fan of Audible. I have used this service for years and I enjoy the process of deciding which books will be worthy of my time and attention. If you are interested in this service, click here for a free book:

I just finished listening to The Truths We Hold  by Kamala Harris, before her recent announcement of running for President of the United States. I enjoyed getting a peek behind the curtain of the criminal and social justice system of one of the largest states in the US, as well as a description of how things work within our political system currently.

I am currently listening to:

I am fascinated to hear her stories about her life as a young child and to learn how her life unfolded from those beginnings to the public stage of history that she and her husband currently occupy.

How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast

Contact Me

I really enjoy hearing from my readers and listeners. If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or an idea for future articles and podcast episodes, please consider contacting me. You can find me by email (paula@teachsuzuki,com) or find me on Facebook (Teach Suzuki).

Leave a Review

Many listeners ask how they can support the podcast. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can help to support it by leaving a rating and review. Here is how to review the podcast:

1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app.
2. Tap the “search” tab, enter “Teach Suzuki,” tap the blue Search button, and you will pull up the podcast.
3. Tap on the album art for the podcast.
4. Scroll down to the “write a review” link, and leave a rating and a review.
5. That is how easy it is!

Buy The Twinkle Project

You can also support the blog and podcast by making a purchase of The Twinkle Project, which is my book to help teachers and parents of young violin beginners. This book takes teachers and parents through all of the steps to teach a complete violin beginner all the way through the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations and begin the next steps to learn “Lightly Row.” Included in the book are many forms and checklists to guide teachers and parents through the progression of steps to learn this important initial stage to play the violin.

The Twinkle Project

Episode 54, The Twinkle Project

If you have questions or answers or you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paula@teachsuzuki.com. I welcome comments and questions about this episode and am interested in hearing about the perspective of other parents and teachers.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: Teach Suzuki Blog.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing! Watch how you practice, and practice accurately!

—– Paula —–

© 2019 by Paula E. Bird

Join the Teach Suzuki Community!

If you would like to make a donation to support the Teach Suzuki Podcast and the blog, click here to donate.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s episode discusses the power of the words we choose to use — both negatively and positively. From this starting point, I discuss how the words we use and the power they have can create a new possibility of vision. This vision can inspire and motivate us and our children and students.

Monthly Focus: LOVE

The month’s focus is Love. We can look at the role that love may play in our lives in the different areas of our lives.

WEEKLY MISSION: LOVE TO our family

This week, let us examine our family relationships, both close and extended relationships, and see what we discover about the possible role that our love can play in those relationships.

Let me offer a few questions that might open up this conversation:

How satisfied am I with my family relationships?

Are there any problems that I struggle with in any family relationship?

Are there any family members that I avoid having conversations with?

Have I been out of touch with any family member?

Am I out of relationship with anuy family member?

Are any of the reasons you have for being out of relationship still important to hang on to?

Is there any reason NOT to reconnect with a family member where the relationship has gone stale or cold? Can you think of a way to do that?

Let me know what you discover. You may comment below or send me an email. If you have any ideas about future podcast episodes, including monthly focus or themes or weekly missions, I welcome all of it!

What I am Reading

It’s been a really long weekend with the seminar. I am still reading (or listening) to several books at a time. Here are the books I’m working with now:

You know that I will be podcasting about the lessons I have learned from each of these books, so if you are interested in reading alongside me, click on these books.

I am a big fan of Audible. I have used this service for years and I enjoy the process of deciding which books will be worthy of my time and attention. If you are interested in this service, click here for a free book:

I just finished listening to The Truths We Hold  by Kamala Harris, before her recent announcement of running for President of the United States. I enjoyed getting a peek behind the curtain of the criminal and social justice system of one of the largest states in the US, as well as a description of how things work within our political system currently.

I am currently listening to:

I am fascinated to hear her stories about her life as a young child and to learn how her life unfolded from those beginnings to the public stage of history that she and her husband currently occupy.

How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast

Contact Me

I really enjoy hearing from my readers and listeners. If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or an idea for future articles and podcast episodes, please consider contacting me. You can find me by email (paula@teachsuzuki,com) or find me on Facebook (Teach Suzuki).

Leave a Review

Many listeners ask how they can support the podcast. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can help to support it by leaving a rating and review. Here is how to review the podcast:

1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app.
2. Tap the “search” tab, enter “Teach Suzuki,” tap the blue Search button, and you will pull up the podcast.
3. Tap on the album art for the podcast.
4. Scroll down to the “write a review” link, and leave a rating and a review.
5. That is how easy it is!

Buy The Twinkle Project

You can also support the blog and podcast by making a purchase of The Twinkle Project, which is my book to help teachers and parents of young violin beginners. This book takes teachers and parents through all of the steps to teach a complete violin beginner all the way through the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations and begin the next steps to learn “Lightly Row.” Included in the book are many forms and checklists to guide teachers and parents through the progression of steps to learn this important initial stage to play the violin.

The Twinkle Project

Episode 54, The Twinkle Project

If you have questions or answers or you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paula@teachsuzuki.com. I welcome comments and questions about this episode and am interested in hearing about the perspective of other parents and teachers.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: Teach Suzuki Blog.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2019 by Paula E. Bird

Join the Teach Suzuki Community!

If you would like to make a donation to support the Teach Suzuki Podcast and the blog, click here to donate.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s episode focuses on the possibility that we can look for, find, or create in and for our children. As parents and teachers, do we see the potential or possibility in our children? Do we see beyond the daily noise and activity to actually see what our children could be? Do we even look? Do we recognize that our children are all about potential?

Monthly Focus: LOVE

This month’s focus or theme is Love. It’s the perfect month to look at this topic, because we are currently surrounded by symbols that may represent love. Let us look at the role that love may play in our lives and see if we can learn something that can positively impact us and our children and students.

WEEKLY MISSION: LOVE TO OURSELVES

This week, let us examine the center of our love experience — us as individuals and the love and acceptance that we give to ourselves.

For this week, I offer the suggestion that we look inward at ourselves and the relationship that we have with ourselves. Let’s have the tough conversation with ourselves about the love we have or don’t have with ourselves. Let me offer a few questions that might open up this conversation:

Am I harder on myself than I am on others?

Do I expect more of myself than I do someone else?

Am I more critical about my performance or achievements than I would be for someone else?

Do I accept myself for who I am, or do I think that I have unfixable flaws?

Do I feel that I am worthy of what I have in my life, or do I think that I was just lucky to get where I am?

Am I open and honest with others, or do I wear a mask for fear that others might truly discover who or what I am?

Let me know what you discover. You may comment below or send me an email. If you have any ideas about future podcast episodes, including monthly focus or themes or weekly missions, I welcome all of it!

What I am Reading

It’s been a really long weekend with the seminar. I am still reading (or listening) to several books at a time. Here are the books I’m working with now:

You know that I will be podcasting about the lessons I have learned from each of these books, so if you are interested in reading alongside me, click on these books.

I am a big fan of Audible. I have used this service for years and I enjoy the process of deciding which books will be worthy of my time and attention. If you are interested in this service, click here for a free book:

I just finished listening to The Truths We Hold  by Kamala Harris, before her recent announcement of running for President of the United States. I enjoyed getting a peek behind the curtain of the criminal and social justice system of one of the largest states in the US, as well as a description of how things work within our political system currently.

I am currently listening to:

I am fascinated to hear her stories about her life as a young child and to learn how her life unfolded from those beginnings to the public stage of history that she and her husband currently occupy.

How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast

Contact Me

I really enjoy hearing from my readers and listeners. If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or an idea for future articles and podcast episodes, please consider contacting me. You can find me by email (paula@teachsuzuki,com) or find me on Facebook (Teach Suzuki).

Leave a Review

Many listeners ask how they can support the podcast. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can help to support it by leaving a rating and review. Here is how to review the podcast:

1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app.
2. Tap the “search” tab, enter “Teach Suzuki,” tap the blue Search button, and you will pull up the podcast.
3. Tap on the album art for the podcast.
4. Scroll down to the “write a review” link, and leave a rating and a review.
5. That is how easy it is!

Buy The Twinkle Project

You can also support the blog and podcast by making a purchase of The Twinkle Project, which is my book to help teachers and parents of young violin beginners. This book takes teachers and parents through all of the steps to teach a complete violin beginner all the way through the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations and begin the next steps to learn “Lightly Row.” Included in the book are many forms and checklists to guide teachers and parents through the progression of steps to learn this important initial stage to play the violin.

The Twinkle Project

Episode 54, The Twinkle Project

If you have questions or answers or you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paula@teachsuzuki.com. I welcome comments and questions about this episode and am interested in hearing about the perspective of other parents and teachers.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: Teach Suzuki Blog.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2019 by Paula E. Bird

Join the Teach Suzuki Community!

If you would like to make a donation to support the Teach Suzuki Podcast and the blog, click here to donate.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s episode focuses entirely on the weekly mission of getting clarity of our intention and vision.

Monthly Focus: CLARITY

Previous episodes introduced the new feature on the podcast: the monthly focus or theme and a weekly mission with some suggested questions to guide listeners.

The focus or theme I chose for the month of January is: Clarity. In previous episodes I talked about the importance of clear space for  clarity of thinking, and I suggested weekly missions that helped us to gain clarity  of our calendars and schedules, our physical spaces, and our habits and routines.

Today’s weekly mission is the focus of this episode, and that is to gain clarity about our intention and vision. Here are some questions to help you find clarity in this area:

(1) Who are you? What do you stand for?

(2) What will your life look like in some future time (10 years, 5 years, 1 year)?

(3) Will you be in the same location?

(4) Will you be doing the same work or something different?

(5) Will the same people be in your life? Will their roles, influence, or presence be different?

I mentioned the similarities I found with Stephen Covey’s habit number 2: Begin with the end in mind:

What I am Reading

I am still reading (or listening) to several books at a time. Here are the books I’m working with now:

You know that I will be podcasting about the lessons I have learned from each of these books, so if you are interested in reading alongside me, click on these books.

I am a big fan of Audible. I have used this service for years and I enjoy the process of deciding which books will be worthy of my time and attention. If you are interested in this service, click here for a free book:

I just finished listening to The Truths We Hold  by Kamala Harris, before her recent announcement of running for President of the United States. I enjoyed getting a peek behind the curtain of the criminal and social justice system of one of the largest states in the US, as well as a description of how things work within our political system currently.

I am currently listening to:

I am fascinated to hear her stories about her life as a young child and to learn how her life unfolded from those beginnings to the public stage of history that she and her husband currently occupy.

How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast

Contact Me

I really enjoy hearing from my readers and listeners. If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or an idea for future articles and podcast episodes, please consider contacting me. You can find me by email (paula@teachsuzuki,com) or find me on Facebook (Teach Suzuki).

Leave a Review

Many listeners ask how they can support the podcast. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can help to support it by leaving a rating and review. Here is how to review the podcast:

1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app.
2. Tap the “search” tab, enter “Teach Suzuki,” tap the blue Search button, and you will pull up the podcast.
3. Tap on the album art for the podcast.
4. Scroll down to the “write a review” link, and leave a rating and a review.
5. That is how easy it is!

Buy The Twinkle Project

You can also support the blog and podcast by making a purchase of The Twinkle Project, which is my book to help teachers and parents of young violin beginners. This book takes teachers and parents through all of the steps to teach a complete violin beginner all the way through the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations and begin the next steps to learn “Lightly Row.” Included in the book are many forms and checklists to guide teachers and parents through the progression of steps to learn this important initial stage to play the violin.

The Twinkle Project

Episode 54, The Twinkle Project

If you have questions or answers or you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paula@teachsuzuki.com. I welcome comments and questions about this episode and am interested in hearing about the perspective of other parents and teachers.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: Teach Suzuki Blog.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2019 by Paula E. Bird

Join the Teach Suzuki Community!

If you would like to make a donation to support the Teach Suzuki Podcast and the blog, click here to donate.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This episode takes a look at 7 focus questions that will improve our ability to teach or coach. I discuss the book, The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier. This book suggests 7 focused questions that will open up conversations to lead toward personal development. As a teacher, I find these questions useful to engage my students in a thinking process that will guide them to personal development success as a student and contributing member of society later.

Monthly Focus: CLARITY

Previous episodes introduced the new feature on the podcast: the monthly focus or theme and a weekly mission with some suggested questions to guide listeners.

The focus or theme I chose for the month of January is: Clarity. In last week’s episode I talked about the importance of clear space for  clarity of thinking. I promised to offer weekly missions to help listeners discover clarity. The past weeks’ missions focused on clarity in our calendars and clarity in our personal spaces.

Weekly Mission: Personal Habits

This week’s mission is to seek clarity about our personal habits. By becoming clearer about our personal drives, routines, compulsions, and physical space, we will be able to create more space for mindfulness and focus.

Here are some questions to help us find this clarity:

(1) Do I have little drives, compulsions, or routines that I do daily? Start by noticing these things and making a list of them to examine in more depth later.

(2) Do I complain about things that I do or that happen routinely to me? Take a closer look at these things and decide whether they are the product of some habit or addiction that you have.

(3) Are there any new habits or routines that would be better replacements for old habits and compulsions that I no longer want to continue?

Develop a plan to tackle one thing at a time in the lists of unproductive habits or routines to gain personal clarity about the things that you do without thinking.

Other Useful Resources

Here are two other resources related to this episode:

Asking the Right Questions (podcast episode 15)

by Michael Bungay Stanier

This book has many great resources (podcast interviews and videos) and was interesting and quick to read. I bought this book so that I could mark it up and really dissect the information.

What I am Reading

I am still reading (or listening) to several books at a time. Here are the books I’m working with now:

You know that I will be podcasting about the lessons I have learned from each of these books, so if you are interested in reading alongside me, click on these books.

I am a big fan of Audible. I have used this service for years and I enjoy the process of deciding which books will be worthy of my time and attention. If you are interested in this service, click here for a free book:

I just finished listening to The Man on the Mountaintop by Susan Trott, which was an audible original. Excellent and uplifting! Many lessons to observe from this!

I am currently listening to:

This book is really interesting! If you want an insider’s look behind the curtain of our judicial and social policy system, this book is the one for you. Senator Harris narrates, and her stories are compelling and informative. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to understand how things really work in our judicial system today. Very entertaining book to listen to!

How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast

Contact Me

I really enjoy hearing from my readers and listeners. If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or an idea for future articles and podcast episodes, please consider contacting me. You can find me by email (paula@teachsuzuki,com) or find me on Facebook (Teach Suzuki).

Leave a Review

Many listeners ask how they can support the podcast. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can help to support it by leaving a rating and review. Here is how to review the podcast:

1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app.
2. Tap the “search” tab, enter “Teach Suzuki,” tap the blue Search button, and you will pull up the podcast.
3. Tap on the album art for the podcast.
4. Scroll down to the “write a review” link, and leave a rating and a review.
5. That is how easy it is!

Buy The Twinkle Project

You can also support the blog and podcast by making a purchase of The Twinkle Project, which is my book to help teachers and parents of young violin beginners. This book takes teachers and parents through all of the steps to teach a complete violin beginner all the way through the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations and begin the next steps to learn “Lightly Row.” Included in the book are many forms and checklists to guide teachers and parents through the progression of steps to learn this important initial stage to play the violin.

The Twinkle Project

Episode 54, The Twinkle Project

If you have questions or answers or you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paula@teachsuzuki.com. I welcome comments and questions about this episode and am interested in hearing about the perspective of other parents and teachers.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: Teach Suzuki Blog.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2019 by Paula E. Bird

Join the Teach Suzuki Community!

If you would like to make a donation to support the Teach Suzuki Podcast and the blog, click here to donate.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s episode discusses a Suzuki Triangle goal setting tool that brings an interesting perspective to the Suzuki Triangle relationship of the parent, student, and teacher. This tool brings the goals of each person in the Suzuki Triangle relationship together and creates or reveals the story of this relationship. In this episode, I share my excitement of the results of using this tool.

Monthly Focus: CLARITY

Last week’s episode introduced a new feature on the podcast: the monthly focus or theme and a weekly mission with some suggested questions to guide listeners.

The focus or theme I chose for the month of January is: Clarity. In last week’s episode I talked about the importance of clear space for  clarity of thinking. I promised to offer weekly missions to help listeners discover clarity. Last week’s mission focused on clarity in our calendars.

Weekly Mission: Physical spaces

This week’s mission is to seek clarity about your physical spaces. By creating more clear physical space, we will be able to find and follow our trail easier with less distractions.

Here are some questions to help you find this clarity:

(1) What is my purpose in this space?

(2) Are there things in this space that will further my purpose or will the distract me from my purpose and get in the way?

(3) Are there things here that need to be returned to their proper homes, or do I need to find or create new homes for them?

(4) Can I declutter or simplify the things that occupy this space?

(5) Can I make a list of small tasks that I can perform when I find a minute here and there?

What I am Reading

Last week I finished reading two of the three books I started. I am adding two new books:

I will not be reading any fiction books this week until I have finished the above volumes and the third book from last week. I chose the above books because we can always learn and improve our habits, and because as teachers and parents it is important that we understand how children learn.

How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast

Contact Me

I really enjoy hearing from my readers and listeners. If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or an idea for future articles and podcast episodes, please consider contacting me. You can find me by email (paula@teachsuzuki,com) or find me on Facebook (Teach Suzuki).

Leave a Review

Many listeners ask how they can support the podcast. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can help to support it by leaving a rating and review. Here is how to review the podcast:

1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app.
2. Tap the “search” tab, enter “Teach Suzuki,” tap the blue Search button, and you will pull up the podcast.
3. Tap on the album art for the podcast.
4. Scroll down to the “write a review” link, and leave a rating and a review.
5. That is how easy it is!

Buy The Twinkle Project

You can also support the blog and podcast by making a purchase of The Twinkle Project, which is my book to help teachers and parents of young violin beginners. This book takes teachers and parents through all of the steps to teach a complete violin beginner all the way through the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations and begin the next steps to learn “Lightly Row.” Included in the book are many forms and checklists to guide teachers and parents through the progression of steps to learn this important initial stage to play the violin.

The Twinkle Project

Episode 54, The Twinkle Project

If you have questions or answers or you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paula@teachsuzuki.com. I welcome comments and questions about this episode and am interested in hearing about the perspective of other parents and teachers.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: Teach Suzuki Blog.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2019 by Paula E. Bird

Join the Teach Suzuki Community!

If you would like to make a donation to support the Teach Suzuki Podcast and the blog, click here to donate.