Students earn stars for different things during their lesson.
I have chosen to give stars for the following items:
1. Sight Reading: Each week the students sight read a piece during their lesson. If they are successful they earn a star.
2. Rhythm: Each week the students perform a rhythm by clapping, counting and then playing them on a note or chord. They can also earn additional rhythm stars by counting while playing an assigned piece or performing a song with wonderful rhythm.
3. Note Naming: The students always play their rhythm to a note or chord I have them name. I usually include notes they are struggling on. If they get them correct they win a star. I also have the students name notes in their assigned piece. More stars!
4. Presentation: I give this star to students who come prepared with materials and present their assigned piece musically. Dynamics, articulation, pedaling, artistry all can encompass the presentation star.
5. Practice: I assign goals for my students to accomplish each week and I can usually tell if they have practiced or not. You could modify this if you assign a practice log.
6. Super Star: This is going to be stars students earn for special things like memorization, mastering a scale, performing, etc...
Each student then chooses an alien on my stars board. The alien keep track of the stars they collect each week. I purchased some foam stars to stick up on the board and the students write the number of stars they earned at their lesson and stick the star next to their alien.
It is up to you what the stars mean, but my students spend their stars on prizes. Different prizes cost different amounts. I have made several games revolving around this theme and hope to have them available soon. Here are some pictures of the stars board.
