Virtual teaching is...an adventure. Navigating this time has certainly been a change.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, I've created a series of signs that I hold up while teaching via FaceTime and Zoom. As ridiculous as it is to have gold glitter glue letters on magenta paper, any great teacher will tell you that SAYING less and DEMONSTRATING more has longer-lasting impact on students. Plus, with the challenge of not being in person and hearing comments in real time, visual cues are becoming increasingly necessary.
So, when a student doesn't use enough air, they see my "blow" sign. It inevitably elicits a giggle, followed by better air.
Among these other treasures are Elizabeth-isms, phrases I use often:
"Tone doesn't maintain itself". (Translation: your long tone game needs attention).
"Dynamics MATTER!"
"I think you want to do that again." (Translation: that sound was...not awesome.)