Unit 1 Guidelines

Prerequisites for Teacher Participation in Unit 1

Teacher Workshop Participants must:

• Be high school graduates.
• Be a minimum of age 18.
• Be an SAA Active member.
• Complete the Every Child Can!© course prior to beginning Unit 1 study.
  • Completion and registration of 1A at any time prior to September 1, 2003, may be substituted for ECC!.
• Submit and have an approved SAA Audition.
• Prepare and memorize the repertoire to be studied to the point of fluent performance.
• Be conversant with the ideas presented in Dr. Suzuki’s book Nurtured by Love.
• Complete Unit 1 prior to taking any further unit training.

Requirements for Unit 1 Course Set-up

• The course must be offered over a minimum of 8 days.
• Minimum of 28 hours of class/lecture; includes a suggested 2 hours of guided observation and discussion of the Trainer’s own students, either live or by video.
• 15 hours of observation of student lessons, with follow-up discussion.
• Daily schedule includes a maximum of 6 hours of class time, if meeting in person (4 hours if online) and a minimum of 2 hours of class time.
• The same Teacher Trainer conducts the whole course.
• The institute/workshop provides the opportunity to observe the Teacher Trainer teaching live student lessons on each of a minimum of five days. Each of the eight days must include observations of lessons, either live or on video.

Unit 1 Set-up Recommendations

• 3-4 hours of class time per day.
• Include some unscheduled time during the course (a day, afternoon, evening).
• It is recommended that no tuition discounts be provided to auditors.

Responsibilities of Institute/Workshop Director(s) and Teacher Trainer

• It is expected that the Institute Director or course sponsor will provide adequate live observation opportunities 5 or more course days. Please also see bullet 6 above, under Requirements for Unit 1 Course Set-up: The institute/workshop provides the opportunity to observe the Teacher Trainer teaching live student lessons on each of a minimum of five days. Each of the eight days must include observations of lessons, either live or on video.
• It is the joint responsibility of the Institute/Workshop Director and Teacher Trainer to ensure that students at appropriate levels will be available for observations, live and/or DVD.
• Institute/Workshop Directors are expected to inform registrants of SAA requirements listed above in all their marketing pieces.
• Institute/Workshop Directors are expected to check in advance each registrant’s course prerequisites, SAA membership, audition status, and notify Teacher Workshop Participant of any areas still pending.
• Each participant enrolled in a Unit 1 course will receive a letter from the SAA stating the preparation expectations and basic course components. Letters are emailed directly to each participant as they are added to the institute’s online roster. Each letter is instrument-specific and covers information such as reading material, Suzuki books and CDs, piece preparation, and items to bring to the course.

Sample Schedule

Many scheduling options are possible to fit the Institute’s needs while meeting the guidelines stated above. Below is a sample schedule.