Day Six

For the warm up today I simplified counting game. We did hops and steps and then another set of releves and skips (not smooth transition) and did four to one and then one to four. Worked better than four different things (it was hard for me to call everything out in the right order). I was still very out of breath while calling out the next movement, and overall this game not work as well as I'd expected.
We tried to do kicks to beat today. It was a struggle. I may need to try some rhythm games first so they can gain a better understanding of rhythms and beats and then try again.

We also did the "purple mud" again and it helped the newest girl and one other girl (who has been doing pas de papillions instead of leaps) but a little pointless for the other students. I almost wish I could split them up, but I think the youngest dancer would just see that as her not being good enough and the age difference really isn't that different.

We didn't get to chaines with whole group (three of the dancers had to leave) because I lost track of time, but we got through a lot of other things, so that was good.

I felt like today got a little out of control. One of the girls is pretty hard to get to pay attention, or to listen to all of the instructions. As soon as I say we are going to do kicks across the floor she'll just go without the rest of the instructions. Perhaps I can better present my information so that she doesn't think I'm finished before I am, but I think she also has a short attention span.

I think I need to start preparing a dance or combonation for the girls. I have noticed in the past that I tend to lose control when there is too much of a routine and the kids can predict exactly what will happen next. They start trying to take control and getting a head of themselves and I have five children going different directions. It helps having the two older girls there, but it is still a struggle. Maybe we should start playing the shape game and combining things together so that they can progress and their interest is kept.

I am feeling frustrated with my choreography and ideas in the dance world a little bit...