Thursday, August 20, 2015

The 5-Step Process for Meaningful Instruction




Starting the Amna Dance Company just 3 years ago, there were certain values that were EXTREMELY important to me from the beginning that I knew I wanted to apply in each and every single one of our dance classes. Now, 3 years later, and with 3 instructors, over 6 Teacher's Assistants, and over 3 Faculty Staff, I am excited to share my personal goals of Amna Dance through the below 5 step process that our faculty and assistants aim to master every single day. 

  1. Provide Structure: Know your class structure, curriculum, technique and choreography.  Be consistent with the way you teach and know your counts and steps flawlessly. Ask your Class Instructor to share the class curriculum techniques with you and confirm that you are effectively teaching the students the proper technique, vocabulary and the class is consistent in its structure (Warm up, technique, Choreography)
  1. Make it Meaningful: Make the dance class fun clear, & engaging. Relate it to self confidence, positive energy and celebrate all small and big milestones. Find life lessons when possible and keep it inspiring.
  1. Teach with Purpose & Passion: Teach your dance steps and choreography with energy, focus and enthusiasm. Be positive and engaging. Do not discourage a mistake. Allow them to feel confident in making mistakes and exploring their passions by saying 'That was great. Can you try this instead?'. All students should not be afraid to fail, because all great leaders and entrepreneurs learn to never give up.
  1. Let Students Lead: Lecturing is ineffective. Engage students by asking them questions, allowing them to teach and explain a step, and letting them demonstrate steps so they can absorb the material in a meaningful way.
  1. Reinforce with Repetition: Teach the power of learning through repetition. Perform customized drills for specific dance steps that are challenging so students are allowed to master through repetition. Allow an environment for students to safely fail and know that repetition and practice will allow them to succeed 


Keep it simple, keep it passionate and ALWAYS DANCE TO INSPIRE! :)
~Amna (aka Ms. Amna)