Gives Written Instructions - Sequential Learner

• When preparing to teach a new song, talk about the background of the song, the composer, the structure.
  
  
• Break the piece into an outline form with the student. Let them listen to the repeated parts.
  
  
• Give workbook and assign only what they can do in a week - too much information drowns them.
  
  
• Be sure to have explicit written instructions for what they are to do.
  
  The workbooks are set up with charts for each section so they can feel the accomplishment of that week's work.
  
  Assign a certain number of times for them to listen to the song. (sometimes I tell them to just listen to the part of the song they are learning 10 times.)
  
  
• These students sometimes have the competitive edge to them. That is another layer we will talk about in the Teacher newsletters if you receive them.
  
  
• They don't like to multi-task. Mono-focused is the word of the day here.
  
  
• They like praise. Lots of encouragement - certainly not in a proud way. It is just part of the motivation they need. That too is another layer of how we are wired so I won't go into it much here.
  
  
• This learning personality is slow and steady. And yes, they usually win the race. Why? because they don't overdo it. Ever.
  
  The global student is the mouthful and can't chew it all kid. The sequential is the one coin in the offering plate at a time kid.
  
  

The sequential students need direction. Certainly not to say that they become dependent people. That's another layer in the wiring, but since they are 'becoming' they aren't in control of what they are learning, you are, so simply be patient and slow. Reflect them.

In the end, the sequential learner won't have the whole idea of the 'big picture' as clearly as the global student, but they are the teachers among us. They are the musicians who make it to the seats in large orchestras.

They are perfectly wired to learn in our learning system.

They do well in high school but not so well in college. Why?

Because high school is set up for this type of student. College wants to make you a thinker. Global learners are thinkers, many times solitary learners, (another layer). And often those who have been labeled, 'learning disabled'. There are more people in graduate school who have been labeled learning disabled. Why? Because they have learned to gather, and conquer. These individuals have been fortunate enough to have people encourage them properly so they passed the mountains of challenge and learned how to 'learn'.

The sequential kids are often overlooked because they appear to have it all together. The get good grades, hardly study, only try one thing at a time so they aren't in need of a rush.

Then it hits. Mr. Roger's way of one little thing at a time no longer is tolerated by society. They are required to do more.

Slow and steady means late nights.

These students will practice. They might not have passion in their style without your being a mentor and role model, but they practice. They easily fall into the adult idea of 'status quo' if not taught early enough how to establish long term goals. (Another layer in the teacher newsletter.)

These students are often technically accurate. Meticulous about the notes and phrasing. It is your job to bring them further and help them to

• 'sing in the rain'
• 'dance in the sun'
• 'take it easy'
• 'fill life's plate and allow the food to become a little mixed.'

Of course, not everyone who wants to be told what to do next only after they have reached the initial destination will identify with every quality written here. But, I have to tell you, they would if it weren't for the people who have been in their lives. Good mentors... parents who gave them more attention - teachers who don't settle for what appeared to be good. As a teacher, refuse good, don't settle for better, demand the best for your students. Make the world a better place one little finger at a time!