#primary ages

[dancinglee-blog]

[dancinglee-blog]

On Leading: You're not a door holder.

We're back in business at EIM, and as we are nearing closer to the recital, I have been busy creating arrangements (messing around with sound clips on my laptop) and choreographing for my students!

The girls love this part of the year, but with a lingering restlessness from the holiday season...

It's time to get ourselves in gear. We have about nine classes left until the performance, and a lot of rehearsing to do. Considering this is my first time putting students on a stage, it hit me that our class needs leaders. I mean this with sincere depth. Not your average door-holder. 

A leader is an individual who encourages the process of self study, observation, desire, and teamwork. They encourage others with their tireless sense of self motivation. 

I see this impulse in my classes. At Brockett Elementary, my choreographic technique works to challenge the older students to become leaders. In only six months, children who would burst into tears over a lost sequin are now responding to leadership roles. I have been very happy with the results of empowering my students. Responsibility gives them the encouragement and desire to perform well AND help their peers.

I believe that you can take the time in your classes to respond to this need, I know I will continue to try in each class I teach.

Merde Monday to you all,

Lee

[dancinglee-blog]

Oak Grove 9/17: The Sick Clique

    Teaching primary aged students takes on a whole different perspective if you aren't used to the idea of teaching little ones who are just developing boundaries and respect. You're constantly having to correct behavior at this age!

And that's okay! So long as you don't let your students run your class, or eat you alive.

    This is a particularly hard skill to gain with a large group, and I'm finding that I'm struggling a bit. Today, there was an outbreak of "sickness". You know, the kind where they tell you "I might throw up" and in twenty seconds they're doing gymnastics behind your back? That kind!

Luckily, my gracious and supportive boss took a visit to the school to observe. She then told me that these students had pulled the sick card on the old teacher, too. Hard and fast, she implied. If they are truly sick (not "sick with friends") let them puke. You're dancin' today.

I'm finding it really helpful to meet parents, so that I may introduce myself and discuss a variety of great and ...not so great behaviors. Anything from bullying, to not joining the class, participation, listening, etc. 

My favorite part of this class was the RETENTION. I would say about 1/3 of the class remembered their jazz squares from last week. I was pretty excited.

I used a helpful cool down tool for my girls. This exercise can aid in teaching your students respect for others! We sat in a circle and showed the class at least (1) thing we learned today, and what it is called. (Eg. Tendue, Plie, Arabesque) After each child showed, we clapped. They were excited to "show and tell" which gave them pride, and well, if you're in dance class, this is a good skill to have at a young age. 

All adventurous girls do.

And so, my Oak Grove class is growing as a group of little dancers one building block at a time. Here was our schedule today:

Warm up, sun stretches, pointe and flexes, butterflies, rainbow L to R

Plies, tendues and releves 

Simon's positions

"Pump shampoo" combination ctn.

Across the floor: Jazz walks, chasse, skips, leaps over props

BREAK/WATER

Songs and gestures

End, show and tell dance.