Twinkle Bean Soup

Twinkle Bean Soup

A parent came to the lesson the other day almost in tiers because her little boy refuses to practice. This same little boy won't play the entire Twinkle Variation A from start to finish. The thing that KILLS me is that he'll play it and just when I think he's got it, he'll stop 2 or 3 measures from the end and tell me it's "too hard."

There is a program that the SAA is doing from January 30-June 30 that is called "Parents as Partners." It gives me a little motivation each week. It's so wonderful. It's like a little teaser for summer institutes!

I found this practice idea from Irene Mitchell in her lecture Motivated to Practice, I know this is similar to the last post about filling the jar, but it's even cooler! The teacher counts out a variety of 600 beans. I bought huge bags of beans so I could get a variety (and because 600 sounded like a really BIG number). Later in the week when I was at a different grocery store, I found a small bag that had an assortment of 12 beans that would have given more variety than what I have, but it will all be okay! haha Also, this is the cheaper route if you're only going to give this assignment to a few students, but hey - now I have some food storage!

The way Irene does it, is that 1 bean gets to go in the jar for every Twinkle Variation practiced. Since I'm trying to work up to that with my little guy, I'm giving 1 bean for each time he plays the "bread" or "cheese" section and 3 beans each time he plays the Twinkle Variation all the way through. I told him to bring it to his lesson each week so I can see his progress (and I'm letting him earn beans at his lesson too). When he's earned all of the beans, I'll give him the recipe to make the famous Twinkle Bean Soup! You can also make your own "variation" of this game- the kids will LOVE it!

….THE FAMOUS “600 TWINKLES” BEAN SOUP….

Ingredients:

·        600 Beans of all shapes and sizes, earned by careful practicing (WHOLE FOODS has large beans which are fun to count :o)

·        4 slices bacon (turkey, tofu or pork), cut into small pieces

·        1/2 onion, chopped

·        2 cloves garlic, minced

·        3 stalks celery, chopped

·        2 large carrots, chopped

·        salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

1.     Soak beans in water overnight.

2.     Fry bacon slightly, then add onion, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook until veggies are tender.

3.     Place drained beans. bacon and veggies in large pot; Add water to cover

4.     Cook on medium-low heat until beans are tender (this takes a while...at least 2 hours)  Add salt and pepper (& hot sauce!) to taste.

CONGRATULATIONS! PLEASE SHARE YOUR SOUP AND A TWINKLE CONCERT WITH YOUR FAMILY!