Double Star Week!

The incentive program I am using this year, A Star is Born! has been very successful with my students. 

They get very excited to see their progress around their own game board as well as the large studio game board where they can see how their progress matches up to everyone else!  And as is typical, there are students who haven't missed a week of practicing and "lead the pack" and there are students, who come close, but don't always meet their practice requirements.  This week as a way to encourage everyone and to show a little LOVE this Valentines Day (or week!), I implemented "Double Star Week". 

If a student meets their normal weekly required practice time, they receive two stars instead of one!  You would think I'm telling them they've won the lottery!!  Last week when I told them about Double Star Week and reminded them to work hard this week, they really lit up and got excited.  So far this week, every student has earned both stars!  And, I'm seeing the results in their playing!  I really love that part!  It's February and for us here in Connecticut, it's about 3/4 of the way through our winter and given the Blizzard we just had, even the smallest of "treats" gets us excited. 

Jen Fink blogged about some similar ideas on her blog, Pianimation.  You can read about it here.  Is there something small you can implement in your studio that will energize your students?  I would love to hear your ideas!