I’ve had a lot of failures in the dance classroom. There have been some days when I go home and wonder, “How much longer are parents going to keep paying for me to teach them…THAT?”. Or, “Wow, we did not learn anything today.” If you’re a teacher, you know what I’m talking about! Ha, if you’re a parent, you know what I’m talking about! So, my lessons are never pinterest perfect. But, I’ve got a few tips I’ve learned along the way.
- Say when before what.
Describe when students will do something before describing what they will be doing. For example, when the music starts, skip to a new place in the room and freeze in a curved shape. Other cues may include: when I say go, when I count to three, when your partner freezes, when I point to this picture, etc.
- Allow a little chaos.
As I have taught lessons where student creativity is central to the class, I have watched several teachers become worried that their students are incorrectly interpreting the creative prompts. However, every student should have his or her own ideas to express during the creative process. When twenty-five different ideas are being expressed, it can feel a little chaotic. The creative process is not the same for everyone, so let there be a little chaos!
- Challenge students.
So, they haven’t mastered the tendu yet (translation: point your foot). That doesn’t mean we can’t do grande battements (translation: big kicks)! (Who, in fact, has ever mastered a tendu??? Even Misty Copeland (principal dancer with American Ballet Theater) takes technique class!) Elementary school students often surprise me with their dancing abilities. Just as in every subject, we must expect the best from students. Therefore, it is important to constantly challenge students to improve what they are doing. Ask questions like: Can you make your dance bigger? Can you show your movement more clearly? How can you make that movement more creative?
- Constantly add other elements of dance.
Though a dance lesson may focus on creation of shapes, challenge students to use different body parts, energy qualities, levels, pathways, or timing. For example, shake your elbow while you skip. Now, turn your leap. Move in a curved pathway as quickly as you can. Perform the sequence as slowly as you can. Continue to add more layers on to an activity once they master its basic form.
- Live in the moment.
When teaching a dance class, I sometimes forget to pay attention to what is going on around me because I am so focused on what activity is coming next. Instead, live in the moment with the students. Try to experience what they are experiencing and help them find new ways to explore and discover. As in all teaching, if you are aware of your students needs, you will be better able to teach them.
- Dance WITH the students.
I just can’t emphasize this enough. Whenever I move with the students, their commitment to the movement increases. Instead of giving instruction then watching the students complete the task, participate with them. Move throughout the classroom instead of always standing in the front. Especially in creative activities, students often do not need a demonstration; they just want the teacher to participate.
- Be clear and concise.
As I explain activities, sometimes I find myself taking too much time in explanation and answering several questions before the activity starts. Instead, explain the activity as simply as possible. While students are moving, add on extra layers of difficulty or additional movement problems. Giving direction while the students are moving saves time and maintains student engagement. So, “When I turn on the music, go running.” Then, while they are running add, “Run backwards! Now run backwards in a circle. Do 4 more backwards runs in a circle, then stop!”
- Make rules for dance and remind students of them every time they come to dance.
I have often found that when students come to a dance class, they believe that all the rules of their classroom no longer apply. It is important to establish rules at the beginning of each class. Helpful rules can include: stay one foot away from all furniture and walls; when we dance we speak with our bodies, not our mouths; when the music stops, you stop; do not run into each other; etc. Then say the rules. Every. Single. Class.
My little niece really wants to start taking dance classes this upcoming spring. I liked that you talked about how if a teacher dances with the kids it can help them learn and have more fun. That does seem like a good thing for my sister to be on the lookout when looking for a dance class that’s teacher dances with the kids.