The Usual

Today the class with the 6th graders went well, pretty normal. We did the usual: warm-up and they ran their piece and added more choreography. However, I did notice that they feel more comfortable around me after yesterday. They randomly ask me for help more often, and they greet me with big smiles and waves. I feel like I'm getting to know them all personally much more now that I'm assisting them everyday. I know the vast majority of their names, and I know what to expect from everyone. Because I'll be teaching them once a week, Mr. Trapp and Ms. Donk want me to create a full lesson plan for their class.
Tomorrow I will visit the elementary school for the first time since winter break. I'm excited to meet the new group of kids, but it's almost sort of sad because I won't be with the 6th graders...

A First Class Success

Today was by far the best class I've ever had with the sixth graders.  When they first came in, they were quite rambunctious, so I was nervous.  Then once we started class they started to settle down a little, so I loosened up.  Teaching dance is something that comes naturally to me,but for some reason today it came much more naturally than it has before.  From the very moment I started teaching, I felt beyond comfortable.  In the past, I've taught classes to my peers that went well, but I wasn't truly comfortable letting go.  But today I was just myself, and I let my personality shine through much more than I have in the past with them.  They also grew more comfortable with me, they were asking questions without hesitation, and they let go without holding back.  

The girl who reminds me of myself (who I have now named Michelle) also seemed to let go a little more.  When I would ask if they wanted me to teach them more or go over what we already learned, she kept wanting to go on and learn more.  She really made me proud today, she worked harder than I've ever seen her work.  

As for the class itself, we started with a simple warm-up, somewhat close to what they've been doing.  Then, we did abdominal work and pushups.  I know they absolutely hate doing abs and pushups, but it's necessary to be strong in order to be a strong dancer.  With that in mind, I made them do more abs and pushups than Ms. Donk normally does.  After class, Michelle said "thanks for being our trainer instead of dance teacher," and then she sneered at me.  After abs and pushups, I started teaching them the combination that will eventually be inserted into their piece.  They seemed to enjoy it, and caught on fairly quickly.  All in all, I really felt like I did a good job, and I felt much more connected to them than ever before.

I felt much more useful today with the 6th grade class; they started working on the second section of their piece, which is much more challenging than the first.  Because the movement is so challenging for them, they constantly need individual help, which makes my assistance necessary more often.  I started working with them on an individual level for the first time today.  Also, today they felt more comfortable with asking me to break down a step for them.

Tomorrow is the big day, I'll teach my first class.  Overall I think it will go fairly well, and I think they'll be very receptive.  I've planned out the entire class, from warm-up to the combination.  Since the combination is going to be inserted into their piece, I want to make it fun for them but also enjoyable to watch.  Hopefully all will go well and the combination will be a hit.

Today was just another ordinary day with the 6th graders.  We warmed up, and went over/added on to their piece.  After class I talked to Ms. Donk about the class I am teaching Wednesday, and showed her some of the material I've already come up with.  She said that since my choreography is fairly close to what they've been working on in class, we'll add it into the second section of their dance.  

I'm actually pretty excited to work with them Wednesday, because so far it's just been me demonstrating moves and helping them when they need it.  I've never really gotten to know them on a personal level; I'm usually just the quiet assistant who stands in the front of the class and demonstrates.  However, because I haven't been extremely hands on it's given me an opportunity to observe all of the students, and I feel like I know their individual movement ranges pretty well.  In other words, I know what to expect from everyone; I know which ones to expect a lot from, and I also know which ones will probably stand there and look like they just lost their best friend (literally).  

As far as the class itself, I plan on doing a simple warm-up, consisting of plies, tondues, abdominal work, and probably planks or pushups.  I'll most likely then move right into teaching the combination, so that they can really get into it and learn the material.  Since it's going into their piece I don't want to make it a repeat of what they've been doing in their dance already, but I don't want to make it too challenging for them.  I've still got a good bit of working and planning ahead of me...  

Today the class with the 6th graders went well.  They do the same warm-up everyday, and I always feel very helpful during warm-up because I know it, and I'm there in the front of the class for them to watch in case they forget what comes next.  Also, I'm helpful in the sense that Ms. Donk doesn't have to be at the front of the class showing the exercises, she can walk around and give individual attention because I'm there for the students to watch.  After warm-up, they worked on their dance, (which I now know) and added a little more onto the end.  I was helpful there too because I'm there to demonstrate the new material as much as they need it, while Ms. Donk can move on and give new material to another group.  All in all, I feel like I'm being very helpful to both the students and to Ms. Donk.

Next Wednesday I will teach my first class.  As I start to plan it, I want to make it something that will be enjoyable to them, but I still want to keep in within the realm of beginner's modern dance.  I'll probably do a simple warm-up, somewhat close to what they've been doing, and then have an across the floor combination that builds on itself as the class goes on.  Hopefully I'll come up with something good...

Today I realized that the 6th graders really are a talented, fun group.  Ms. Donk and I both agree that they are more focused and hardworking than the last group.  Earlier in the week they started learning a piece influenced by Paul Taylor's Esplanade.  When I came in today, they had already learned a decent amount, but it was easy for me to catch on and learn.  Although I didn't know the entire piece, I was still able to pick it up quickly and assist them in learning the new material.  

After class, Ms. Donk explained that since I will be assisting daily,  she wants me to create a lesson plan for the students, and actually teach them once a week.  While I am looking forward to it, I feel it will be somewhat of a challenge.  I don't want to simply copy the class she gives them and teach it, but I also don't want to make anything too difficult for them.  I also want them to warm up to me more, and I think making a fun, exciting class is a way of getting them to do that. 

I have my eye on a few of the students, one in particular reminds me a lot of myself at that age. She has loads of potential, but when she dances she doesn't utilize it, she just does the steps for the sake of doing them.  She obviously has taken dance classes before this one, and I think she likes to dance, but it's hard to tell.  On top of that, she has a cocky air about her, which is very odd.  I'm looking forward to getting to know her better, and hopefully pulling some passion out of her...

starting all over..

As I assisted the new bunch 6th graders last week I realized that there were lots of more talented, experienced dancers in the bunch.  As a result, they're more focused on improving themselves, so they're less chatty.  They seem like a great group, and I'm eager to start working with them.

After having a meeting with Mr. Trapp today about the status of my project as a whole, we both were not pleased with the direction it is headed, which is straight downhill.  We decided to ditch the research paper on studying the processes of multiple famous artists, and focus on something more practical and realistic for the time left in the school year.  

For the remainder of this school year I will work very closely with the 6th grade class.  Instead of once a week, I will assist them everyday, and get more involved in their curriculum.  I will take on more of a teacher's role than I have before.  Also, I will blog about my experiences daily, which will include a reflection of the class, and preparation thoughts for the next day's class.

For the research aspect of my project, I will research what it takes to teach dance to a younger student, and relate my findings in my blog updates.