Day 5 - the last in this block....

Have only just found time to write about day 5! The last day in this block until we meet again on Sunday the 15th of July.

Today we presented our own safe dance warm up sessions in front of the group. This was a fantastic way to try out the new teaching methods and strategies we had learnt in a welcoming, safe environment to the group we had been working with over the past 5 days. I presented with Bridgette and Genie and we taught some skills in Krumping! I had only learnt this particular style from Bridgette this week, so it was really fun learning new steps and styles to use in my own teaching.

We all had lunch together in the cafe and whilst talking we realised, on top of taking in a wealth of information about dance teaching, we had also made great friendships over the last 5 days. Such a diverse group, with varying styles and skills - we have learnt so much from each other and the week has been a wonderful experience.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday. I am presenting my own unit of work and teaching the group from my lesson plans...so I'll let you know how that goes!

Until then...happy dancing!!! Love the 'skill set crew'!!! (see last image!!) x

Day 4!

LOVING today!!!! Loads of activity - we learnt Hip Hop skills, did a safe dance Hip Hop warm up and created Hip Hop sequences, incorporating work in pairs and creative dance. Even those inexperienced in Street or Hip Hop styles seemed to enjoy the session and take something valuable from the learning experience.

We also looked at lesson plans and re-enforced particluar teaching methods and techniques that we touched on yesterday.

Pics to come later!!! :-) Just finishing lunch and need to go back off for more learning!

End of day 3!

My brain is buzzing with information that I learnt today - in a good way!! The sessions we had this afternoon taught us about developing skills and strengths progressively through 3 different stages, which was really insightful. We put these into process on paper with our own examples - a very helpful exercise.

Katrina gave us so many 'hands on' examples throughout the sessions; demonstrating physically, telling stories, and using visual 'imagery', which helped so much when trying to remember details and getting the info to sink in!

Personally I'm loving being part of the skill set and can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring!!!

Sleep well skill setters! See you bright and early tomorrow :-)

3rd Day - morning fun!

Today's going well! Had a brilliant morning starting with a hip hop warm up with Bridgette, one of the other participants!

Rest of morning consisted of quiz's, reinforcing all the info we had learnt about bones, muscles and first aid, we created safe dance cool down stretches in our groups and devised a dance injury report and brain stormed common dance injuries and preventions.

Katrina is amazing - she even made OH&S fun!!! We ended before lunch with a Fire Drill role play.

Today is Genie's, one of the other participants birthday's!! In the pic attached we are enjoying a birthday morning tea with cake and party blowers!!! Much fun! :-)

1st and 2nd Day Complete!

Wow - what a first couple of days! Such a great day yesterday meeting all the participants, who come from various walks of life. We have Rock and Roll dancers, a Hip Hop dancer, Commercial and Jazz dancers, Creative dancer, Contemporary and Tap dancers! A fantastic group people, which is a fascinating aspect of the skill set training .

Day 1 and 2: Safe Dance Practice

On the first day we learnt all about the bones and muscles in the body, which really was fascinating! Katrina took us through some really inventive activities to help understand the names and positions of the bones and muscles in our own bodies, how they work and how this effects our own dance practice. The skeleton 'post It' game and singing 'The 12 Muscles of Christmas'!  (a very inventive play on 'The 12 Days of Christmas') were particular highlights for me!

Today we started with a warm-up with chairs, which is a great way to warm up if you are working with children or older dancers or people with disabilities. We then moved on to learn a Chorus Line inspired chair dance, which included a great deal of laughter, creative input and fun! The rest of the day was spent learning about safe dance spaces, floors, safe warm up's and cool down's, to name just a few!!

I'm feeling pretty tired now, but excited to come back tomorrow for more learning and activity. Now off home to do my homework!!!..............