Sarah Brenay -TC ch. 8

Sarah Brenay - TC ch. 8
Summary: All the great coaches that Coyle observed in talent hotbeds shared certain approaches: they were soft spoken, watched and listened more than they talked, they were mostly older, they all had a steady, piercing gaze, they made targeted, highly specific instructions, and they had extraordinary sensitivity to the personalities of each student. As with Hans Jensen, they teacher becomes what the student needs to emulate; Jensen was full of energy and motion with one student, and calm and contemplative with the next, basing his teaching style on what they needed. As Wooden demonstrated, teaching should be mostly passing on information with a little complimenting and a little criticism. When Wooden modeled, he would do it correctly once, then incorrectly, then correctly again. Different characteristics are required in an teacher of beginners than in a University coach, however. Teachers of beginners are generally heavier handed with praise, golden stickers, and chocolates. These teachers are responsible, not just for teaching students the basics, but also for instilling in them the motivation and confidence to keep learning.
Key Concepts: You have to practice in your mind, as Jensen suggests. You need to be able to think your piece before you play it. "Repetition until automaticity" "You haven't taught until they have learned." Teachers of beginning students need to have a different style.
Key Terms:
The "Wooden" - M+, M-, M+
Making Connections: I have to say, I was relieved to read these last few pages. I have a very young student right now, she's just beginning, and I use a lot of praise and encouragement in our lessons. For I while here I was thinking I was doing her a disservice, and I'm certainly seeing things I should do differently after reading TC, but complimenting her is not one of them. I agree with Coyle that young students need a different approach. More technical training comes later, for now I want my student to be confident, to want to continue learning, and to have fun.