Ok, so I'm teaching for hte first time alone next Monday, because the teacher has to go to her neice's birthday party. I have been helping since August on Monday nights, but I'm really nervous about doing it alone....I'm not worried about controlling them, all the classes are well behaved...I'm worried about running out o fthings for the classes to do...Any ideas? The classes range in age from the youngest being between 3-4 to the oldest about 9-12..I'm gonna do all the basic stuff, but I'm looking for unigue or fun ideas that will take up time. Thanks

Age 3-4 have lots of games to play - hokey pokey, chicken dance, YMCA, I even have mine limbo under the freestanding ballet barre. You can also have them do leaps over items (cones, pom-poms, etc.). You have to move things pretty quickly with that age group to keep them interested.

With the older girls I find that traveling across the floor takes up quite a bit of class time becuase they go one at a time. You could also teach them a fun combination for the day. That would take up a good chunk of class.

Always over-plan for class!!

I think you would be doing yourself and your students a huge disserve to stray away from the class structure/plan that is established. So, rather than coming up with an entirely new lesson, think back the previous few weeks and repeat a lot of the material. Dance education is about repetion. Plus, think back throughout the entire year and review anything that hasn't been touched on in awhile or was challenging. Also, check with their usual teacher for ideas or things that she may want you to do.

Then you can add some of your own fun games, fun combinations, ect! You already know the kids, so what activites are always their favorite? Find new ways to do old steps (with a partner, with some props, ect.)

I'm sure you'll do great!

BTW, the previous poster has some great ideas!

Is it possible for the teacher to leave you a lesson plan? I know when I have subs or assistants teaching for me when I am unable to be there I ALWAYS leave a lesson plan. That way the class runs smoothly and the kids know what they are going to be doing. Changing it up a bit isn't necessarily a bad thing, but stick to what the teacher usually does.

I know it always seems difficult to suddenly be "in charge." It does sound like you must have a pretty good handle on things as you have been the assistant. Just run class like you usually do and have one or two extra songs or exercises to use "just in case." You will be fine and after the classes on Monday you will probably wonder why you were even worried!!
Good Luck.

Maybe you can get together with your teacher and discuss a lesson plan? I think that is your best bet. This way for the little ones, they still know whats going on without any surprise changes.

Just remember that you want the exercises that "just take up time" to be beneficial to the kids as well! Maybe you can have them get into groups and make up their own dances at the end of the class? This will get their creative minds going

I find that when i sub for classes the kids (8 and under) kind of freak out if they don't do exactly what they do each week. Last week they told me i was doing it wrong (all i was doing was a different kind of shoulder roll!) Halfway through the class their real teacher came back and told them that i was just teaching them different, not wrong. oh well. i'd suggest don't do anything too drastic but don't worry - it's only one class out of how many for the year? so whatever you do with them alone is not going to make a huge difference on the outcome of the year so just have fun with it!

Try to remember what you liked to do in class when you were a kid. For ballet, I always let the girls practice their leaps while jumping over my shoes. They love it and it teaches them to jump up and out at the same time. Freeze dance is a great one too! Just make sure you move quickly... their attention spans are quite short.