Dance educator, Heather Vaughan-Southard uses exploration, choice, and personal responsibility to get beyond the walls her middle school students sometimes throw up. If you’ve experienced the emotional and academic ‘shut down’ typical of this age group, her findings will interest you. We’d also love to know your approach to reaching your tweens.
Teaching
Exploring Limitations With Your Students
Heather’s middle school dance students research limitations in dance by mapping phrases, making observations, and finally working within set limitations.
Captivate Your Recreational Dancers in 5 Steps
Dance is a hobby for many students and they come for all sorts of reasons. If enrollment, attendance, and motivation are a problem in your recreational classes, guest, Jamie Benson offers some solutions.
Why You Should Jump, Play, And Roll On The Floor With Your Students
Teaching dance is not a spectator sport! Do you dance with your students? Get up and down from the floor? Follow the rules you have set? Maria offers tips on why you should dance with your preschoolers and how to save energy doing it!
Happy Slips: Using Competition to Internalize Good Habits?
Heather had mixed feelings about the “Happy Slips” reward system she established in her elementary school dance program, however, a small change that has kids “competing” for slips seems to encourage more personal responsibility in her classes. Learn more about what’s working for Heather.
Personal Study: Observation In and Out of the Studio
Heather thinks ahead to how she’ll refuel in the New Year and during the summer so that she can best serve her students. Don’t worry, early planning of stay-home summer strategies can ensure better productivity through-out the current semester. Try it!
