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The following information is published with ROUNDALAB's permission from the ROUNDALAB Reference Manual compiled by Richard & Jo Ann Lawson, 1987.

(Information on the "Teaching Methods" panel on Saturday, June 28th in Kansas City. It is printed in the outline form to be elaborated upon.)

Teaching Methods

by Betty & Harmon Jorritsma

As teachers, we should all have:

  1. enthusiasm
  2. use possibility thinking
  3. good knowledge of round dancing
  4. patience
  5. confidence

Recruiting New Dancers

(Enthusiasm is the key)

  1. At square dances, make it look fun (SMILE & CLAP)
  2. Be willing to exchange partners
  3. Snatch every opportunity to inform public (Beauty Shop, Fabric Stores, and Clothing stores as you purchase your outfits; Grand Openings of any business; and any local celebration that can use free entertainment - it gives your dancers a thrill to share).
  4. Invite spectators (if they can't dance they might have friends)
  5. Round Dancing is an equal to square dancing (both have all levels) soOOOO
  6. With basics and adequate cueing ANYONE CAN ROUND DANCE!

How to Hold New Dancers

(Create confidence is name of the game)

  1. On first night, reveal their RD future (basics first - then dance routines - then clubs).
  2. Don't go on to next figure until new step is learned.
  3. Give individual help during break or before class.
  4. Always review new material at end of evening.
  5. After graduation from Basics dancer needs to dance with a transitional group.
  6. Help dancers find other teachers to dance with so their minds do not become rigid.

Lesson Plans

(BASICS are most important)

  1. Stress that basics are required in every thing we do (from baking a cake to building a house you have to learn how).
  2. Many books are available - Read, Absorb, Choose
  3. Use current dances or classics when you get to that point - then make sure you program these dances whenever beginners are in attendance.
  4. Each student may learn in different way, therefore, explain new steps or figures in this order:
    1. left or right
    2. weight change
    3. direction of movement
    4. timing
  5. Adapt lesson plans to dancers' needs.

Cueing

(Enough)

  1. Feel out the floor as to how much - cueing first and then ease off (like SD callers do - know your floor).
  2. Don't push dancers off the floor - not cueing enough.
  3. If dancer does leave floor after attempting, be sure you offer assistance.

ROUNDALAB Journal, November, 1982