The school year brings a lot with it: new students, new spaces, new schedules, and new energy.
As dance teachers, it’s natural to think about the big things. What do I want my students to learn? What choreography will we tackle? What skills do I want them to build? How do I want to grow professionally?
But the small choices we make in our classes are what help to establish a classroom environment where students feel comfortable participating, taking risks, and learning from one another.
It’s the small things that make a student feel seen.
For example, calling them by name, from the beginning, even as you’re getting to know the class.
Maybe it's how you give everyone a way into a new activity, even when students arrive with different experiences and abilities.
Maybe it's something as simple as changing the way the room is arranged or giving students a clear sense of where a class is headed.
None of these things require hours of additional planning. They just require intention.
That's what we wanted to capture in our new Back to the Basics guide: four simple practices that can make a meaningful difference in how students experience your classroom.
As you plan your dance classes, consider:
- How will students know they belong here?
- What is the entry point for someone who is brand new?
- How can I create opportunities for every student to experience success?
- What do I want students to take away from the experience, beyond the movement itself?
There isn't one right way to answer these questions. Every classroom, group of students, and teaching environment is different.
The goal isn't to add more to your already-full plate. It's to notice the small things that are already within reach!
The NDI Method™ is grounded in intentional teaching, joyful rigor, and creating meaningful opportunities for every child to participate and grow.
Our new Back to the Basics guide takes that thinking down to a very practical level: four small things you can try in the dance classroom.
Download the free guide and keep it handy as you lead your dance classes.
And if you know a dance educator who could use a few simple reminders, please send this their way!