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.

As I watched the 6th graders prepare for a performance today it was like watching a totally different class. They were focused and attentive to the instructions given. I don't know what brought about this change in them, possibly the pressure of an upcoming dance performance, which for most of them is their first. It was nice to see them actually putting all of their energy into their dancing, instead of each other.
In the second half of class, Ms. Donk decided to give some hip hop material. As the assistant, I had to not only demonstrate all of the exercises multiple times, but I also had to assist each group as they went across the floor. Hip hop is in no way my forte. In fact, I probably was one of the worst dancers that could have assisted that class. However, the kids were looking at me as if I was Jennifer Lopez. So, I guess I fooled them...silly kids..

Helping...finally!

Last week Mr. Trapp FINALLY talked to Ms. Donk about the situation Melissa and I were in. She said she was just about to shift gears with the class, so we would be more helpful. Although she said this, I was still a bit skeptical. Today I went in to assist them and found that she kept true to her word. I was of more assistance today than ever before. I demonstrated exercises, gave individual assistance, and kept the kids quiet while Ms. Donk was teaching. If she continues to keep up with this lesson plan, I see myself being loads of assistance.

Progress on Process

Today I met with Mr. Trapp once again to try and finalize the topic of my research paper. The "science of process" wasn't exactly working out because of a lack of available research. Instead, I will observe the "anatomy of process." I will study the processes of multiple performers (in dance as well as other areas) and observe their approaches to process. Hopefully, this paper will still be somewhat of a handbook for myself and others like me, who have issues with sticking with something once they start.

Of no assistance...

When I went in to assist the 6th graders today, I knew I was behind on their choreography.  What I didn't know was that they had finished the piece, and were already working on perfecting it. During the class I wasn't of much assistance, because I don't know the choreography.  Instead of them looking at me when they forget a step or need help with it, I have to look at them to see what's coming next.  When I got back to class I asked Melissa how she was feeling about it.  It turns out that she feels the same way.  We both feel like we're wasting our time as well as the teacher's, which isn't good because we want to be there and actually be of assistance.  We talked to Mr. Trapp about it, but he doesn't understand.  His response was "so just learn the choreography, just go to her and get her to teach it to you."  That seems to be the quick fix, but it really isn't.  The actual quick fix would be for us to visit them more often, which just isn't possible.  We're stuck assisting a class that we can't assist for another 4 or 5 weeks, until she gets a new batch.  Hopefully we'll be able to keep up with them.