When was the last time that you had an "easy" class? If you are like me, it's been a while since I have had one of those classes where the kids got along, followed directions, and were super easy to teach. Kids are coming to class often from afterschool programs, daycare, or another sport and they can be hungry, tired, or overstimulated, so I adapted how I taught my class.
Here's three things that I did to help build a great classroom environment.
First, I ditched my old class format. For many years, I've had a format of warm-ups, reviewing last week's tricks, teaching new tricks, practicing the routine, and ending with a game. I have made warming up more dynamic, and I use props like poms, short ribbons, and squishy balls to keep it different and exciting.
I added in a movement segment. If you have been in dance or teach dance, it's called across the floor. I found that kids in my class really needed to move right away so they could focus. In Minnesota, there are usually a few weeks that they are not doing outside recess, which means a long day of sitting in their classroom, and they come to class needing to run, jump, skip, and so that's what we do! Is it baton-focused? Of course! I set up a carpet square in each corner of our room and we follow a square shape as we chasse, kick, leap, skip, and march and then we try it with our baton.
After our movement section then we learn a new trick or maybe 2 new tricks.
Now, we play a game! Some of my favorites are Simon Says, Night at the Museum (Statue), Teacher, May I?, or Bingo! The purpose of the game is to practice the tricks that we have already learned. In their mind, they get to play a game, and I get to see them practice to evaluate how their skills are progressing.
Kids in my beginner classes LOVE partner tricks so now we learn or practice our partner tricks.
We follow this with a quick drink break, and then we work on our class routine. I start my routines really early in the year because we will only learn about 8-16 counts per week. So, it takes a while to finish a routine, but by the end of the year, they know it really well, and there wasn't much stress around learning and perfecting it.
Now, we do a final activity together. Sometimes it's a game, a baton coloring sheet, or an easy competition. I give out a sticker and we're on our way to show our grown-ups what we did today!
This modification to my class format keeps the class fast-paced and a lot of fun for the kids. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!