For years I taught students new to piano to read using method books, following along using their guide notes, and adding one or two notes at a time. Even with all the supplemental reading, and intervallic and directional aides, I felt my students were slow readers. I finally decided to teach reading concepts separately from the method, using those materials to reinforce what I have already taught.
Soon after a student begins lessons and while they are still using the pre-reading pieces found in most methods, I teach the entire lines and spaces of both staffs using a building block method that spans approximately eight weeks. The chart below shows my lesson plan. It is important to note that the notes of the lines and spaces are kept separate and are only combined beginning at week five. Sandwich baggies or rubber bands can separate the cards, gradually combining them until they are solidly learned.
In this way, students understand the entire structure of the notes on the staff from the very beginning. The middle ledger line notes can be added at any time in the first few weeks. Generally, an eight week period allows the student to now work through the rest of the primer level material and all of level one method having already mastered the notes.
I have had great success with teaching the notes using flashcards and supplementing with Notespellers or practice sheets that I make. Students move quicker through the early material and use their knowledge of the entire note system from the very beginning.
Transfer students often come with weak reading skills. If they learned the full reading system in previous lessons, they often did not master them enough to fully utilize their knowledge enough to allow fluent reading. By teaching short pieces while they are going through this process, they soon realize their reading skills are improving and begin playing with more confidence.
WEEK ONE: Teach Treble Clef Space Notes F A C E
WEEK TWO: Teach Treble Clef Line Notes E G B D F
WEEK THREE: Teach Bass Clef Space Notes A C E G
WEEK FOUR: Teach Bass Clef Line Notes G B D F A
WEEK FIVE: Combine Treble Clef Line and Space Notes
WEEK SIX: Combine Bass Clef Line and Space Notes
WEEKS SEVEN/EIGHT OR LATER: Combine both clefs–All Cards