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Natalie Weber
Member since 07/2009
Natalie (Wickham) Weber is the oldest of six children, and was homeschooled from fourth grade through college. She has assisted in homeschooling some of her younger siblings, and is an Independent Music Teacher who loves developing creative ways to help her students acquire real knowledge and understanding. Natalie has a passion for equipping and challenging upcoming generations of homeschoolers to be godly leaders in the world. This passion led her, along with a group of fellow homeschool graduates, to found the Adventures in Character children’s program. This same passion inspired her to develop a Drama and Public Speaking course, which she has offered to high school students. She is the author of the book, Pajama School – stories from the life of a homeschool graduate, co-author of the book, Born to Deliver, producer of the CD, Journey to Self Publishing - 12 steps to successfully publish your book, and developer of many music-related resources. Feel free to visit her at http://pajamaschool.com or http://sibropublishing.com or http://musicmattersblog.com to find additional articles and resources.

My Mission Statement

As a homeschool graduate, Natalie's desire is to carry on the legacy that her parents have given her by faithfully serving the Lord and encouraging other families in their homeschool endeavors. Whether sharing stories from her own life experiences or passing on practical ideas and resources, Natalie's hope is to cast an exciting vision for what God can accomplish in and through parents and young people who are wholeheartedly devoted to Him.

Honorarium

Travel expenses and honorarium negotiable.

Past Engagements/Seminars

"God is Our Re-Dreamer" Chicago Pacific Garden Mission - 8/2014

"Follow Jesus" Women’s Christian Temperance Union - 4/2014

"Piano Safari Comes to Town" South Central Kansas Music Teachers Association - 2/2014

"Rebellion to Responsibility - with husband, Julian" Calvary Baptist Church - 12/2013

"Creativity on the Cutting Edge" Newton Music Teachers Association - 3/2013

"Destination TBD: A Teacher's Journey to Improvising at the Piano" South Central Kansas Music Teachers Association - 2/2013

"Remember God" Calvary Homeschool Fellowship Support Group Meeting - 11/2012

"Creativity on the Cutting Edge" Wichita Metropolitan Music Teachers Association - 10/2012

"The 7 Best (and Worst!) Things About Being an Independent Music Teacher" Southwestern College - 9/2012

"Technology Treasure Trove!" Kansas MTA State Conference - 6/2011

"Creative Collaboration: Making Every Lesson Come Alive!" Kansas MTA State Conference - 6/2011

"Technology Treasure Trove!" South Central Kansas Music Teachers Association - 11/2010

"Teaching with Understanding" Wichita State University - 11/2010

"Fun and Easy Musical Activities for Young Children" Homeschool Spotlight Online TV Show - 10/2010

"Finishing the Course with Joy" Westside Bible Chapel Ladies Fellowship - 9/2010

"Creative Collaboration: Making Every Lesson Come Alive!" Wichita Metropolitan Music Teachers Association Annual Kickoff - 8/2010

"How to Design a Practice Incentive that Will Motivate Your Students All Year Long!" Kansas Music Teachers Association State Conference - 6/2010

"How to Hear God's Voice - MOPS Group" Derby, KS - 5/2010

"Spring Renewal of Faith" Mulvane, KS - 4/2010

"Everything Your Child Needs to Know...and How to Teach it to Them" Heart of the Matter Online Homeschool Refresher Conference - 2/2010

"Paths to Praise" WSU Worship Retreat - 1/2010

"How to Build Your Studio Identity" Kansas City Music Teachers Association - 11/2009

"Feasting on the Word of God" Crosswinds Community Church - 9/2009

"School of Contentment" First Christian Church - Derby, KS - 1/2009

"Web Design Workshop" Kansas State Music Teachers Conference - 9/2008

"Student Saver Pieces" WMMTA Mid-Winter Retreat - 1/2008

"Organizing and Planning a Group Piano Camp" Newton Music Teachers Association - 2/2007

"Creating Custom Materials for Your Studio" Kansas State Music Teachers Conference - 9/2006

"Using Your Computer to Run a More Efficient Studio" South Central Kansas Music Teachers Association Workshop - 2/2004

"Gadgets, Gizmos, and Games" WMMTA Workshop - 2/2004

"Group Lesson Activities" WMMTA Workshop - 5/2003

"Principles of Design" WMMTA Workshop - 2/2002

"Character Education Trainings and Assemblies" Derby Public Schools - 9/1999

Presentations

Creative Collaboration: Making Every Lesson Come Alive!

Whether you’re teaching an individual student or working with a group, you can make every lesson a rich and rewarding musical experience. In this fast-paced session Natalie Wickham, NCTM will walk you through the process of cultivating, implementing, and infusing creativity. Then, she’ll load you up with ideas to use in all sorts of scenarios: Fun with One, Friendly Duos, Family Favorites, and Groups Galore!

Creativity on the Cutting Edge

In this idea-packed workshop, Natalie Wickham, NCTM, will introduce you to some of the latest developments in mobile technology and share projects you can use to infuse your music studio with a greater sense of cultural relevance and enthusiasm!

Destination TBD: A Teacher’s Journey to Improvising at the Piano

Drawing on the philosophy that beautiful, imaginative music can be experienced by every student at every lesson, Natalie Wickham, NCTM shares insights and resources that have helped her learn to improvise freely at the piano and lead her students down an exciting path of musical discovery.

Everything Your Child Needs to Know…and How to Teach it to Them

In this encouraging and sometimes humorous workshop, homeschool graduate Natalie Wickham reflects on the four aspects of her homeschool education that she appreciates the most. Drawing on her own experiences, observation of and conversations with other homeschool families, insightful survey responses, and biblical principles, Natalie’s heart is to inspire the next generation of homeschoolers. The number one question in the minds of many homeschool parents is whether they are teaching their child everything they need to know. Natalie highlights an important distinction that must be made when asking this question, and provides practical suggestions that will benefit every homeschool family.

Groups Galore!

What do you get when you have eighteen students, one piano, an age span of twelve years, a handful of rhythm instruments, and a small space? A group class of piano students squeezed into the basement studio of Natalie Wickham, NCTM! In this engaging workshop you’ll learn the essentials of planning a group class, how to integrate students of a wide range of ages and abilities, and creative approaches for a holistic approach to music education. An array of real-life demonstrations and examples will give you dozens of practical ideas that you can implement in your studio right away!

Helping Your Children Become Effective Communicators

Parents are the most important influencers of their children’s communication skills, positively or negatively. In a culture where texting-lingo is becoming an accepted norm, articulate young people increasingly stand out. Homeschool graduate Natalie Wickham shares how her parents encouraged and enforced high standards in both written and verbal communication. This session will be full of practical ideas you can use in formal and informal settings to help your children become excellent communicators.

How to Build Your Studio Identity: practical ideas and resources to make your studio stand out in the public square

“Just do it.” Ever heard that phrase? Those three simple words are almost synonymous with Nike®. Why? Because Nike® has effectively branded itself in our minds, whether we are one of their loyal customers or not. As professional music teachers, we can have the same effect with our studios. In this workshop, Natalie Wickham, NCTM will share Creative Ideas for Branding Your Studio, 3 Keys for Effective Marketing, Practical Ways to Build Your On-line Presence, and more! Whether you are a brand new teacher just launching your studio, or a seasoned veteran with a 2-year waiting list of students, you are sure to take home some exciting ideas that will invigorate your teaching!

How to Design a Practice Incentive that Will Motivate Your Students All Year Long!

In this workshop that is chock-full of practical ideas, Natalie Wickham, NCTM, will walk you through the process of developing a practice incentive that will capture the enthusiasm of your whole studio. You’ll discover the four components of a good practice incentive, learn the secret of making lesson plans that last for the whole year, find out how to turn any assignment or concept into an exciting game, and get to see lots of real life examples that have been a hit with students of all ages!

How to Incorporate Music Education into Your Homeschool

Students who participate in musical studies perform better in other subject areas. Not only that, but learning to understand and appreciate good music can be fun! Natalie Wickham, a homeschool graduate and Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, will share tried-and-true strategies for incorporating music into your homeschool using activities and games that your children will love.

Organizing and Planning a Piano Camp

Whether you’ve offered summer piano camps for years or want to give it a try for the first time, this workshop by Natalie Wickham, NCTM, will load you up with tried-and-true ideas that students love! Additional topics covered include: scheduling and logistics, communication with studio families, step-by-step instructions for helping your students produce a film, and exciting theme ideas that will have you traveling around the world, going back in time, and stepping into the lives of famous musicians!

Pajama School – stories from the life of a homeschool graduate

Do you get to wear your pajamas to school? Do you have recess or snow days? What about socialization? Every homeschooler fields dozens of questions like these. Natalie Wickham goes beyond providing simple answers and shares candidly about the experiences that led her to conclude that education is about much more than academics. In addition to sharing answers to many Frequently Asked Questions, this session will include an extended question-and-answer period.

Panel Discussion with Other Homeschool Grads

[NOTE: Many families who are in the early years of homeschooling or are just considering homeschooling love hearing from homeschool graduates about what worked in their families (and what didn’t). If there are other homeschool graduates willing to participate in such a panel, Natalie would be eager to join them!]

Technology Treasure Trove!

With millions of places to travel on the web today, it can be overwhelming to navigate to the destinations that will prove the most beneficial for your studio. In this enlightening workshop, Natalie Wickham, NCTM, will help you discover some of the most exciting possibilities that are available at little or no cost. Whether you want to utilize technology to teach long-distance lessons, make CDs of your students’ playing, create your own YouTube channel, learn to upload video clips on the fly, or live stream studio recitals so that friends and relatives around the world can tune in, you will leave inspired and equipped to make these dreams a reality!

Web Design Workshop

Are you interested in having your own website, but don’t know where to start? You won’t want to miss this special workshop that will help you understand the terminology of the web, navigate through the many website options available, and give you the opportunity to build your own website. There are a limited number of computer stations available and reservations will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis. The workshop will be conducted by KMTA Technology Chairperson Natalie Wickham, NCTM, who first got sucked into the world of web design when she was trying to figure out how to build her own studio website in 2003!

Why and How to Homeschool through College

Since graduating from high school in 1999, Natalie Wickham has started two businesses, founded a successful music educator’s blog, authored a book, served on numerous professional boards, and presented workshops to graduate students and professionals – all without a college degree! Find out some of the surprising advantages of continuing to homeschool through college, and learn about many of the resources available to assist young people in pursuing an alternative higher education path.

Publications

e.p.i.c.: an unforgettable musical journey

e.p.i.c. is a journey to become pianists with enthusiasm, perseverance, initiative, and creativity. Assignments may be given to the student each week based on their areas of interest and what skills they need to work on to continue to progress as well-rounded musicians. The goal of e.p.i.c. is to help students develop consistent practice habits, earning points each week for the days that they practice with Enthusiasm ("have a good attitude"), Perseverance ("work hard"), Initiative ("practice without being told"), and Creativity ("try something new"). Like all of the practice incentive themes, e.p.i.c. can be used with any age and level student, but is especially well-suited for younger students because it is easy to understand and implement.

Natalie's Piano Studio 2014

Project 28: Learning the Language of Music

Drawing on the understanding that music is a language, each week's assignments are organized to help the students become fluent. This means they will be focusing on hearing, speaking, reading, writing, thinking, and living music throughout the year. At the beginning of the year, students will answer the question, "What do you want to be able to do by next May that you can't do now?" This will serve as their overarching goal for the year, and will be broken down into a mid-year goal, and 4-week (28 days!) goals that they are working toward to ultimately accomplish their goal for the year. Every 4 weeks, a Film Week gives students the opportunity to share (verbally and/or musically) what they have accomplished in working toward their goal.

Natalie's Piano Studio 2013

An Italian Intrigue Music Practice Incentive Package

Explore the Italian countryside and cities in this travel-themed practice incentive! Students will become better acquainted with the geography of that land, see some of the world’s oldest architectural structures, learn a bit of history, and experience a taste of Italian culture. The students will move from location to location by correctly deciphering a set of photo clues to locate the mystery musician. Students who reach the correct destination get the added excitement of continuing their travels covertly - unless, of course, another student lands on them and flips them back over! :-) In addition, they will learn to set longer range goals and establish a plan of action to achieve those goals one step at a time. Along the way, students will be earning Complication Coins for achieving their goals, participating in music events, practicing, and learning Italian terms - all with the objective of learning to play beautifully, naturally, and excellently. Complication Coins can be used at the end of the year to purchase a colorful souvenir t-shirt and sponsorship space on the shirts for their own special logo. Package includes: Assignment book files, instructions for teachers, wall decor templates, pictures, and clues that will guide the students through their overseas adventure!

Natalie's Piano Studio 2012

Born to Deliver

with Kathy Brace

The long hallway gave way to cold, sterile walls as Kathy was ushered into a room that would forever change her life – The Green Room. It held the first of many secrets to come, but she wasn’t about to let anything get in the way of her quest for happiness. With steely determination, Kathy’s elusive dream led to a string of boyfriends, unwanted pregnancies, and failed relationships. Little did she know that while she was weaving her own web of deceptions and destructive choices, God was writing the plot of an even bigger mystery that was about to be revealed in a way she never could have imagined.

Sibro Publishing 2012

Quest for Capital! Music Practice Incentive Package

Bring the entrepreneurial spirit alive in your students with this highly educational and creativity-driven practice incentive! Each week students have the opportunity to invest in the stocks of their choice - improvisation, sight-playing, performance, and listening. With stock prices fluctuating from week to week based on how much is invested, you'll have students plotting out new strategies so that they can earn more capital. A list of Capital Improvement Projects will get the creative juices flowing, especially when students realize that they can make real money by selling their creative projects! Package includes: Assignment book files, instructions for teachers, wall decor templates, pictures, and over 50 printable pages of supporting materials for all the stocks!

Natalie's Piano Studio 2011

Kick-It-Up-a-Notch! A one-week intensive piano course

Specifically designed for middle school and high school students who are willing to devote one week to focusing intensely on improving their skills. Two or more students meet for a daily 2-hour class and are expected to practice approximately 1-hour between each session. Each day includes time segments for: Finding Focus, Ensemble Improvisation on a Psalm, The Language of Music, Technique Concepts, Technique Training, Ensemble Repertoire, The Heartbeat of Music, Solo Repertoire, and Today's Take-Away. Includes a 22-page lesson plan guide for teachers, a 134-page student workbook, and links to additional resources.

Natalie's Piano Studio 2011

The Pianists' Book of Musical Scales and Keys

A simple, but highly-practical resource for pianists of all ages and levels. Complete with a handy key signature chart and staff and keyboard diagrams for all major, natural minor, and harmonic minor scales, you can either print off each key as needed or produce an entire booklet at once. Files include two size options - 8.5x11" and a smaller booklet size of 5.5x8.5". This makes a wonderful gift for students!

Natalie's Piano Studio 2011

Journey to Self Publishing - 12 steps to successfully publish your book

Many people have dreams of writing a book, but consider it an overwhelming or even impossible task. The publishing world is more accessible than ever to aspiring authors, but long-held hopes are quickly buried during the process of trying to dig through the plethora of options available. In this candid interview, author and publisher Natalie Wickham discusses the three types of publishing, gives an overview of the four critical components of a book, and lays out 12 steps that will help you navigate the path toward successfully publishing your book.

Sibro Publishing 2010

Exploring a Galaxy of Music Practice Incentive Package

Blast off into an exciting year of lessons! This "out-of-this-world" practice incentive will have students eagerly striving toward new heights in their musical studies. Mission details are custom-designed by the teacher each week, with the student choosing his own "Stellar Student Selection" and "Cosmic Challenge" to accrue more points toward placing objects in his team's galaxy. Students take ownership for their progress by determining their own mission rating each week, and you'll find them jumping at any opportunity to earn extra points!

Natalie's Piano Studio 2010

Pre-Piano Camp Program Package

A six-week outline of lesson plans designed for children ages 4-5. The format is designed for a one-hour class that is held once a week. The activities, games, and lessons are suitable for anywhere from 2-12 children per class. Each week's lesson plan includes a focus on: rhythm and pulse, keyboard skills, memory work and choir (including hymn history stories), written theory, and music appreciation (including listening to music and stories about the lives of the great composers). Each class is divided into 10-minute segments that will keep young children fully engaged and eager to continue their musical studies!

Natalie's Piano Studio 2010

5 For Fun! Games and Activities for the Private Piano Lesson

Ever wish you could come up with a quick game off the top of your head to engage a student or help them better understand something? 5 For Fun! is a collection of easy (5-minute!) games and activities for the private piano lesson. From Keys on the Piano, to Notes on the Staff, to Intervals, to Chords, to Key Signatures, to Rhythm, plus an appendix with additional resources, you're sure to find just the perfect game to help introduce or reinforce music concepts to your students. Each page is laid out in a clean format, with a picture of the game, a list of supplies needed, step-by-step instructions for how it works, several ideas for variations, and a collection of links to related resources on the Internet. These are games and activities that have been favorites with my students over the years, so we hope that you love them, too!

Natalie's Piano Studio 2010

Pajama School - stories from the life of a homeschool graduate

Do you get to wear your pajamas to school? Do you have recess or snow days? What about socialization? Every homeschooler fields dozens of questions like these. Natalie goes beyond providing simple answers and shares candidly about the experiences that led her to conclude that education is about much more than academics. Whether you’ve been homeschooling since the days of the New England Primer or are just embarking on this educational adventure, you will find hope, humor, and an ample dose of reality in the pages of Pajama School.

Sibro Publishing 2009

Mastering the Mystery of Music Practice Incentive Package

Calling all super sleuths to the scene! The suspense is high in this captivating practice incentive. Weekly mastery challenges selected by the student will be the key to cracking the code and unlocking the mystery. Categories like "staff scout," "terminology trainer," and "rhythm recon" will have students enthusiastically advancing in their musical studies, eager to receive the next clue and earn a listing in the official studio Agency Directory!

Natalie's Piano Studio 2009

Go for the Gold! Practice Incentive Package

The Olympic spirit of both team cooperation and competition is in full force with this energetic practice incentive! Students are assigned to a team color at the beginning of the year and have the opportunity to earn lots of points each week that contribute to their individual and team scores, all in the hopes of propelling their team toward the GOLD! Designed to focus specifically on three areas - written theory, sight-reading, and ear-playing - this format capitalizes on the strengths of each student while motivating them to work diligently to develop their weaknesses for short designated sessions.

Natalie's Piano Studio 2008

Let's Have a Ball! Practice Incentive Package

A musical ball, that is! This exciting practice incentive is especially designed to promote camaraderie and help students become "well-rounded" musicians. Different aspects of the theme will have them developing brains, brawn, and beauty. Throughout the year students can earn rubber bouncy balls for completing various assignments and practicing consistently. Balls can then be traded in for entry slips into a drawing that is held at each of the themed musical balls throughout the year. You will be amazed at how much your students will learn to enjoy performing using this approach!

Natalie's Piano Studio 2007

Climbing the Ladder to Success Practice Incentive Package

Up, up, and away! In this fun practice incentive, students hone their sight-reading skills as they tackle piece after piece to advance to the next rung of the ladder. Students are given a 4-step outline for learning each piece and must demonstrate excellence in order to move on. Along the way there are numerous opportunities to earn Diligence Dollars, which can be accumulated all year long and turned in for an incredible prize at the end of the year!

Natalie's Piano Studio 2006