Hard work and perseverance is the utmost priority when playing an instrument, especially when just beginning. At Highview, each lesson is structured by the weekly lesson assignment sheets. At the beginning of the school year, we spend time in the lesson learning the procedure of the assignment sheet, i.e. reading through the directions and tasks together, and once a task is completed, coloring in the shape below it. The student is then responsible for coloring all of the shapes before the next lesson. Once done, they receive a sticker. To incentivize long term planning and creating the habit of a regular practice routine, I created the Ribbon Earners sheet to the right. Once ten assignment sheets are completed, the student earns their first ribbon. I printed this sheet out in the winter and posted it on our bulletin board with the schedules, encouraging students to be responsible for knowing their next lesson, as well as seeing the names of their peers earning their tenth assignment. The majority of students have at least earned one ribbon, demonstrating the great success of this positive reinforcement method.