Yesterday the 6th graders were swell. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to finish the fourth section. This really is going to have an impact on their performance. This takes away a full rehearsal class. While the dance does look really lovely, they still need to clean a good bit of it up. They need to rehearse certain parts that are more challenging than others. They're pretty comfortable with the third section, but the fourth is a different story. In my opinion, Ms. Donk should reschedule the performance until the next Wednesday. That way, they'll be much more comfortable with all of the choreography, and they'll also have time to clean.

After class on Thursday, Ms. Donk had a talk with Joseph. Yesterday in class he was much better, he wasn't complaining about anything or bossing anyone around. After class he apologized to Ms. Donk and promised to be on his best behavior from then on. He even said he went home and talked to his dad about the talk he had with Ms. Donk. He said his father has told him the same thing many times before, but hearing it from Ms. Donk really hit home. He really is very mature for a 6th grader. He's becoming one of my favorites...

The 6th graders were lovely today. They only worked on the fourth section of the dance in hopes of finishing it. We didn't finish it, but we came close. We should definitely be able to finish it tomorrow. That way they'll have Monday and Tuesday's classes to rehearse it before their performance on Wednesday. 

Joseph had another bad day today. He was bossing people around, trying to direct them at the same time that Ms. Donk was. He also kept reminding Ms. Donk of the amount of time left in class, as if she didn't know what time to let them out. Also, he was complaining that some students couldn't catch onto some choreography right away. He can be a bit of a brat sometimes, but on other days he's a great helper.

Trinity is blossoming. She's getting comfortable with her brisk and tough solo, and she's really looking lovely dancing it. If she sticks with it she's going to be great, there's no doubt about that.

As a result of their performance being next week, Ms. Donk asked that I wait until next week to teach my class. We didn't start class with a warm-up today, instead Ms. Donk gave me the floor to give the students corrections on the first three sections of their dance. They were really receptive to the corrections, and they even gave me a big "thank you!" when we were finished. Then, we ran the piece so they could apply the corrections. It really is coming along, and they really are growing into a great group of dancers. Then we added onto the fourth section of the dance, which is extremely rigorous. They need much more help with the fourth section than they have with any other section of the dance, because of the increased speed and level of choreography. I'm working with them on a more individual level than ever before.
I've noticed that the only male in the class, Joseph, seems to be a very mature dancer. Come to find out, he takes private tap and ballet lessons. I've noticed that he's a real leader in the class, and he's very helpful to other students if they're having trouble with something. I like Joseph, but he can be a little bossy. He bosses people around, and often suggests things to Ms. Donk (in a rude manner). But at the same time, whenever he messes up it's like he doesn't want to hear anything about it. When I gave him a correction today he said "well Ms. Donk told me to do it this way." It was ironic because Ms. Donk was the one who told me to give him that correction. I've got to watch out for Joseph; hopefully one day soon he'll realize that he doesn't know everything, and still has a LOT to learn.

Class today was much less eventful than it was yesterday. We warmed up and then went straight into the piece. We ran the first three sections, and went through and added onto the fourth. The fourth section is much more difficult than the other three.  Also, so far it contains only duets and solos. It's nice to see them dance on an individual level. Some are shining, while some seem embarrassed. Ms. Donk gave Trinity an extremely tough piece of choreography. Not only is it tough, but it's also very fast. It seems as if she's scared to fully try it and see what happens. I drilled it with her a few times in class, and she seemed to be doing better with it. Then, when we ran the piece, it was like she froze up. It'll be interesting to see how she is once she's more comfortable with the choreography. 

Tomorrow I teach once again, and I'm a little nervous. I have to build an entirely new class for them, since they already added the old choreography into their piece. I'll do a longer warmup, and add in some across the floor material. Then, I'll teach them a short combination. Hopefully it will go well.

The class today with the 6th graders was cut short because of a minor incident. One girl stepped on a piece of glass and started bleeding. Then, when Ms. Donk and I looked around the floor to see if there was any more class, we found lots of it. We spent about ten minutes of class time sweeping up broken glass. Other than that, the class went well. We warmed up, and started reviewing the dance. As we were about to start the fourth section, the glass incident happened. After all of the glass was picked up, we continued on with the piece. We started the fourth section of the dance. Before class Ms. Donk hoped that she would be able to finish the fourth section tomorrow, so that the students would have a full week of rehearsal classes before their performance next Wednesday. We will probably finish the fourth section Thursday, because I am teaching Wednesday. Losing this rehearsal day could be harmful. However, I think they'll be able to pull it together and perfect it for Wednesday.
As for me teaching Wednesday, I have to come up with a totally new class. My previous classes were built around me teaching them the choreography for the third section of their dance. Now, I'll probably give them a longer warmup and do some across the floor exercises. I may even create a new chunk of choreography to throw on them.

Totally shut Down

After Mardi Gras break, the 6th graders, Ms. Donk and I were all very exhausted. They didn't feel like dancing, and they weren't in the best of moods. To top it off, Ms. Donk gave them a more challenging warmup than she usually gives. Because she was extremely tired and not feeling well, I got the pleasure of demonstrating the first exercise multiple times. They tried it, and halfway through Ms. Donk stopped the music and said they weren't putting enough energy into it. Once again, I got the pleasure of demonstrating what it looks like with the correct amount of energy. After the warmup, they ran their piece. Once they got to the 3rd section which they finished the last class before the break) it was like their brains completely shut down. Not only did they forget it, but Ms. Donk and I were having a hard time remembering it as well. We stumbled through it trying to get back the counts until class was over. Unfortunately, I won't be in class tomorrow because of a doctor's appointment. Hopefully by Monday our brains will be back on, and we can get back the 3rd section and drill the 4th. Then, we will be able to drill the entire piece and pick a performance date, and prepare for the performance.

I didn't assist the 6th graders yesterday because of a meeting I had to attend with Mr. Trapp and the arts coordinator. When I went into class today, Ms. Donk informed me that she added my choreography into the third section of their piece. I was excited to see how it flowed with the other material. Once they ran the piece, I saw that they tweaked a few things in the choreography to make it work with the music. But overall, the choreography works nicely with the material they've already been given. Also, they look really nice performing it. Today we finished the third section of the dance. It really is amazing to me that some of these kids have never danced before, yet they remember over ten minutes of choreography. 

Once we return from the Mardi Gras break, Ms. Donk is going to choreograph the final section of the piece. After they have learned all of the material, they will probably drill it for about a week or so. Then, it's performance time. They have to perform it in front of their peers at the middle school assembly. Some are really excited about it, and some are dreading it. Also after the break I will have to come up with a new class to teach them.

After they perform this piece they'll be shifting gears. Instead of focusing on modern dance, they will be focusing on jazz. It'll be nice to work on something new, and see them challenge themselves. It'll also be interesting to see if Trinity is versatile, and if Michelle tightens up or loosens up with the style change.

I didn't teach the 6th graders today, because of a meeting with Mr. Trapp and the advisor of arts.  We talked about how both of my senior projects are progressing, and overall they're pleased. My "academic" senior project is going well, Mr. Trapp feels like I'm a role model to them, not only in dance class but around school as well. It's nice to feel like I'm someone who's looked up to by younger kids.  As for my CA senior project, the team of dance teachers also appear to be pleased with me.  They think my material is strong and creative, and they're excited to see the finished product. 

Overall, dealing with two senior projects has been very stressful. Having to choreograph an entire ten minute performance isn't easy for an amateur  choreographer.  Also, constantly having to adapt myself to my forever changing project for Mr. Trapp has been stressful as well. But I'm almost to the finish line, and I don't have time to sulk on how stressful a ride it's been. Actually, the dance teachers being pleased with my work gave me an extra boost of confidence. I'm not even more ready to finish choreographing and present my final project.

Once again, I taught the sixth graders today. The class went well, we warmed up and added onto the piece I've been teaching them.  They really are a talented group of dancers.  They're getting more into the choreography now that they've done it several times.  It's nice to see them enjoy it and really get into it. 

I separated the class into two groups, and each group performed the choreography a few times. Trinity and Michelle really are good dancers. For me, Trinity is more enjoyable to watch, because of the natural talent she has. She really has captured dynamics that some dance technicians can't even get. She knows where to accent moves, where to slow certain things down, and where to use her head.  It really is amazing watching her dance, knowing that she's had no formal training. Michelle goes to one of the best "dance schools" in New Orleans, and she's also enjoyable to watch.  However, she hasn't grasped the dynamics that Trinity has. But honestly, I feel like she too (Michelle) has the potential to grow into a wonderful dancer.

It really is a great feeling to see how I'm impacting their lives (well, their dance lives at least). Everyday they all greet me, and they really seem to enjoy my presence. They really are a great group of kids, and they make my time there fulfilling and worthwhile. 

The 6th grade class went well today. I was of more assistance today because Ms. Donk's son (who is two) was with her. As a result, she had limited mobility and needed me to demonstrate the new choreography. We're starting to piece together the third section of the dance, which will consist of the choreography I made up for them, and choreography they will make up. As a result, I will be working more closely with the kids than I normally do.
Michelle seems to be opening up a little more. Every time she sees me she's very cordial, and when we rehearse the choreography I set on them she always wants to do it in groups (which means she wants her chance to shine). She's even starting to break through with the choreography in their dance. Possibly because she's getting comfortable with it. I also noticed that whenever I watch her dance, she looks nervous and starts forgetting the steps. I don't think I'm intimidating her, so it must be that she's trying to impress me.

Today the 6th grade class went well.  Instead of working on their piece, Ms. Donk decided to give them a full dance class.  I was of great assistance, because the material they were learning was very challenging for them.  They needed me to demonstrate it for them multiple times, and they were totally comfortable asking me to do it again or work on it with them.  Cocky little Ms. Michelle was going across the floor like she had the material in a bag, (she didn't) and when Ms. Donk gave her a correction, it was like she was totally embarrassed.  I think she feels that she has a major advantage over the rest of the students because she's taken dance before.  While she is good, her cocky attitude makes you overlook her dancing skills.  On the other hand, little Ms. Natural Dancer Trinity was doing very well in class today.  I'm starting to watch her more closely, and she really does have lots of talent.  Actually, I think she has more talent that she thinks she does, because she doesn't work up to her full potential.  Once she realizes how good she is, and starts utilizing her talents, she will soar past many dancers her age who have been training for years.

The Lovely Trinity

Today was a much calmer day with the 6th graders. Ms. Donk was here today, so they were back to their normal selves. I taught again today for about half the class, and gave them the other half to rehearse their dance. While they were reviewing/performing the choreography they learned for their classmates and Ms. Donk, they were much more quiet. They performed it once, and then Ms. Donk and I gave them feedback. We both pretty much told them the same thing, to really dance the combination. Once they did it again, it was much better. They really are a talented group.
Trinity, a student that Ms. Donk and I agreed that we need to keep our eye on will be a regular throughout these postings. We first really noticed her today, when she broke out of her shell and really started dancing. After class Ms. Donk asked her if she had ever taken a dance class before this one. Surprisingly, she had not. Trinity really has true potential, and she's never taken dance before, so it's all natural talent. Those are the students I really love watching, because even though they aren't technically perfect, they dance with so much passion that it makes you ignore the technique. Over time Trinity really can evolve into a great dancer.

A Stressful Day

After class today I honestly found a new respect for middle school dance teachers.  Today I had to take over and teach the class on my own with about 45 minutes warning.  The teaching part wasn't hard at all because I just used my warmup exercises and combination from last week.  However, because Ms. Donk wasn't there the students were a lot more chatty than they normally are.  They were asking to use the bathroom and get water every few minutes (something Ms. Donk doesn't allow at all).  I really felt like they were trying to take advantage of the fact that Ms. Donk wasn't there but also that I'm much closer to their ages than Ms. Donk is.  It got so bad that I had to stop teaching a few times, and repeatedly ask specific students to stop talking.  Also, after class I had to sit them down and explain to them that although I am not Ms. Donk, they still should respect me and not try and take advantage of me.  I also threatened them that the next time they are talkative I will make them do pushups (which is a method Ms. Donk uses that is extremely effective).  I just hope Ms. Donk never has to miss another day of school...

The 6th grade class went well today.  We did the usual, warmup and then worked on the piece.  As the time goes on, I learn more names and they become more comfortable with me.  Once again, I will teach them this Wednesday.  I plan on doing the same warmup as the last class, (including lots of abdominal work and pushups) and go over the combination I taught them.  If there is enough time, I'd like to add on to the combination.

After class today, Ms. Donk told Melissa and I that for the fourth section of their piece, she will do none of the choreographing.  The entire fourth section will be choreographed by myself, Melissa, and the students.  This will probably call for more one on one time with the kids than I've ever had before.  I'm excited to work with them even more closely than I have before, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for me and the 6th graders...