New Class

The last few weeks have been a little crazy because I got assigned to a different class for Arts Bridge. I am now working with 2nd graders at Spring Creek. Last Thursday I taught them for the first time. Their creativity and energy was inspiring and made for an excellent class. The lesson was about the 5 basic locomotor steps: walk, run, leap, hop, and jump. They did well exploring as a whole class, but I think some were intimidated when it came time to go across the floor in groups of 2 exploring different ways to do the locomotor steps. Next time when I do this activity I think I need to build up to it in a better way. It also took a lot of time to get them across the floor 2 at a time. I worked with them on sequencing the steps into phrases such as 5 walks, 2 hops, 1 leap, 3 jumps, and 4 runs. For the create/perform part of the lesson they worked with a partner to create a dance using a beginning shape, followed by a locomotor sequence, and ending with a shape. Their dances were simple and some were very similar to others, but I was impressed by some of the creative things that came out.

From my experience today I think it will be important to build on the things I taught them this time so that they can revisit and refine their skills. My cooperating teacher Mrs. Rossiter made the observation that they need to learn more about how to control their bodies in relationship to other people. I think this will be a good lesson to teach next.