STARS JAZZ & BALLET:
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Welcome to our materials for STARS Jazz & Ballet classes! It is imperative for all teachers to follow the lesson outlines and teach all skills listed for the class in the order they are presented. Having consistency between teachers is what keeps our program strong and successful. Please take time to read over this material so you can better implement the curriculum into your classes!
There are two resources available to you for Stars classes:
Use the skills progressions list to build your own lesson plans
Follow minute-by-minute done-for-you lesson plans for each stars class below.
Class Timeline:
Kids walk in to their assigned spot
Welcome class while they are sitting in pike with correct posture, legs and feet
Cardio warm up w/music (keep them together on the beat)
Beats Dance - review skills that have been introduced/mastered. This stays the same for three weeks and then is slowly added on to and music changed. This is something they will come to know well and can do full out and to the beat.
Begin working on skills in center/across floor. Move between the two to keep kids engaged
Once skills are mastered, begin connecting 2-4 skills together in across the floor combinations
It is okay to use fun, guided “games” to keep them engaged. Turning the music on and saying, “everyone walk toe ball heel around the room, when I stop the music, sit with a straight back,” is great use of class time! Freeze dance without direction and just for the purpose of filling time is not acceptable.
Once a month, teach a combo with skills learned after beats dance in place of center/across the floor
Spend the last ten minutes of class working on building flexibility
The last week of classes before Winter and Spring Break are our studio-wide activity weeks. This is the only time the following activities can be done in class: freeze dance as a game, making up a combo on their own, charades, etc. During these fun weeks, activities can begin after your beats dance and a good skills review session are completed.
How to Effectively Use the Jazz/Ballet Lesson Plans:
This curriculum builds fundamentals for a kindergarten-aged jazz and ballet class. Instructors are expected to ensure quality in classes and material being taught and to fulfill the required skills listed in the curriculum pass off section. Each lesson is to be used for 2 weeks in a row. If you feel you need to start an older class back in an outline for a younger age group, do it. The hope would be that the older class will progress through the lessons faster because of increased development capabilities. This way you will be ensuring that there are no fundamental holes left in a dancer's training.
If a class has separate jazz and ballet teachers, you should review skills between teachers so you know what is taught in the other class. Team teachers are expected to follow outlines to ensure jazz and ballet classes are working together for proper progression (without repeating the same steps in each class).
Keep them moving! Add in brain breaks/movement games when the class is beginning to get distracted! Water breaks are not allowed in a 60-minute class. Remind them to get a drink of water when switching between jazz/ballet or tumbling.
How to Effectively Use the Skills Progressions List:
This is an overall skills list for each Academy class. Our goal is to have each class master all skills listed by the end of the year. However, we understand sometimes you may need to move slower to ensure correct technique. Our expectation is to train kids correctly from day one. So, if that means slowing down - do it! For skills that build on top of each other, begin with the first progression of the skill and move on as the class allows. The skills in each category are listed by priority, so focus on teaching and mastering the skills at the top of the list first.
Kinderstars Curriculum (kindergarten)
Kinderstars Curriculum (kindergarten)
This is a jazz/ballet combo class for dancers in kindergarten. Students in this class will build a solid foundation in basic dance skills, develop self-esteem, and improve their dance technique within a challenging and positive environment.
Lesson Plans (use each lesson for 2 weeks and then move to the next)
Class length: 1 hr class (30 min ballet, 30 min jazz)
Attire: Class uniform, pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes, bare feet for jazz. Hair must be in a bun.
All Stars Curriculum (1st grade)
All Stars Curriculum (1st grade)
This is a jazz/ballet combo class for dancers in 1st grade. Students in this class will build a solid foundation in basic dance skills, develop self-esteem, and improve their dance technique within a challenging and positive environment.
Lesson Plans (use each lesson for 2 weeks and then move to the next)
Class length: 1 hr class (30 min ballet, 30 min jazz)
Attire: Class uniform, pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes, bare feet for jazz. Hair must be in a bun.
Rising Stars Curriculum (2nd grade)
Rising Stars Curriculum (2nd grade)
This is a jazz/ballet combo class for dancers in 2nd grade. Students in this class will build a solid foundation in basic dance skills, develop self-esteem, and improve their dance technique within a challenging and positive environment.
Class length: 1.5 hr class (45 min ballet, 45 min jazz)
Attire: Class uniform, pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes, bare feet for jazz. Hair must be in a bun.
Mega Stars Curriculum (3rd-4th grade)
Mega Stars Curriculum (3rd-4th grade)
This is a jazz/ballet combo class for dancers in 3rd-4th grade. Students in this class will build a solid foundation in basic dance skills, develop self-esteem, and improve their dance technique within a challenging and positive environment.
Ballet
Length: 1.5 hr class (45 min ballet, 45 min jazz)
Attire: Class uniform, pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes, tan jazz shoes. Hair must be in a bun.
Super Stars Curriculum (5th grade and older)
Super Stars Curriculum (5th grade and older)
This is a jazz/ballet combo class for dancers in 5th grade and older. Students in this class will build a solid foundation in basic dance skills, develop self-esteem, and improve their dance technique within a challenging and positive environment.
Ballet
Length: 2 hr class (60 min ballet, 60 min jazz)
Attire: Class uniform, pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes, tan jazz shoes. Hair must be in a bun.
Music Playlist Links:
TEACHER TRAINING:
Curriculum Discussion Outline:
Review manual breaking down: class timeline, lesson plans, quarterly syllabus, and end of year performance skills for each age group.
Review End of year performance requirements. Demonstrate skills for each level with tips on how to teach them correctly:
Kinderstars (kinder)
All Stars (1st)
Rising Stars (2nd)
Mega Stars (3-4th)
Super Stars (5th+)
If you’re missing the end of your lesson plan, flip your lesson plans so you’re not skipping leaps all year long.
Age appropriate expectations and allowing for mastery of basic progression before moving on.
Teach progression of a pirouette from Kinderstars to mastery?
Kindergarten - focus on “spinning” and spotting
Even in kindergarten they can spin 3 times. Only worry about what their head is doing, not their body
1st grade begin to introduce pirouettes, but only moving on past each progression when done correctly (straight standing leg, placed passe, core engagement, etc)
Always finish pirouettes in a releve position. Also practice finishing with keeping arms in 1st position to test control
Teach progression of a leap from preschool to mastery
Teaching first with a straight leg and transfer of weight “rocking”
Saut de chat in kinderstars and then transferring into brushing
Focusing on back leg and getting it up and straight
Any other skills we should discuss progressions for
Upping expectations in PS and PK
We’ve got to have better foot shape/straighter legs earlier in their training.
Warm Up Training:
Our studio approach: “From the moment you step into the classroom, you’re dancing.” We don’t teach that we “warm up and stretch” and THEN we dance. It is NOT appropriate to let kids stretch on their own. You are not teaching and you are wasting valuable time. Teach. Lead. Work.
Stretch safety
Warm up routine for each age group- the finale for the end of year recital (company learn in spring)
Freestyle in the middle of your class and then do choreography or skills practice at the end so parents see more structure when they come to pick up.
Discuss ideas for keeping the classroom fun and kids engaged!
Games
Brain Breaks
Fun ways to work on a step
Teach combos! How long to work on a combo
Incorporate staging terminology, proper skill names, and anatomy into your vocabulary!
Tips for Cleaning Routines
Repetition
Cleaning 1-2 sets of 8 at a time
Facing the wall more. As soon as you learn a routine, face away from the mirror
When they are facing the mirror, talk about what the mirror is there for: watch your technique, match your neighbor, etc
Move around the room and then when I stay stop, go to your formation
Each week focus on one specific area between: Time, Space, Energy
Transitions and working backwards
Making them think for themselves- asking what comes next and waiting for everyone to raise their hand when they know what’s next
Expect them to perform 100% of the time
We wouldn’t ever say “we don’t need to point our toes this time” Performing is just a crucial
Marking
Don’t let it create bad habits
Other ideas?
Music: Using approved playlists and where to find them
Suggestions to add send to Drew
Class Expectations and Management
Classroom Rules and Discipline Procedure- Make it a habit to review this in class!
It doesn’t matter how many kids you have. You start on time!
Expectations for TAP Assistants
Switch off where you’re helping so you’re getting hands on everyone in the class
Make them feel useful
Their job is to take them to the bathroom
Stickers, Stamps & Pins
Stamps- if they are dried out throw them away!
Star Cards-keep in class boxes to use
Please keep themed stamps/stickers in the monthly PS bins so they don’t get lost in the classroom.
Use this time to have an individual connection with each student. Ask them what their favorite part of today was, or something else, so they have time to feel heard. Say their name.
Pin Club- what applies to them? Skips, birthday, Joy
Awesome cards- are we using them? We have to be careful how we sell this
Write names on cards TODAY using your rolls
One hour per week is scheduled for PPI and progress reports specifically for development classes?
Special Studio Events/Programs for this class type
Holiday performance in studio
Recital (k-2nd grade only does one dance, mega & super do two)
Splits pass off
Schedule for observing staff & mentoring SEE HERE
Don’t forget to normalize feedback. We want to continue creating our culture of community and support.
Partnerships are an amazing tool for us to learn from each other. If you are a mentor, check in on your team teacher and support her in ways you need.
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