I am looking for some new spotting exercises for my students. We have practiced the basics over and over and over....but I'm finding that it's not transferring to their turns. I was wondering if you all had some different exercises that you use that may be able to make my students spot faster! thanks!

I make them stand in front of the mirror and spot themselves while just kind of walking in circles. We do it over and over again. Even in some of my advanced classes I go back to it when I see spotting issues.

I do the same thing. I draw a square on the mirror and make them spot it, but I make them stand on a carpet square while they do it. They are basically just taking little steps and turning themselves around, but for some reason the feeling of the carpet seems to help. They can tell when they get off because they will either step off or step on the edge of the carpet, which makes them stop, find their spot, and start again.

Have you tried standing in front of them and holding up fingers? Ask them how many fingers you are holding up as they walk around themselves to get them to focus on a specific thing. You can also do this across the floor, standing to their right/left in front of them as they chainee. It is the same effect

When we learn "chainne" turns across the floor (in other words, they're really just doing 2 step turns.. if you can picture what I mean by that), this is what I do...

I made a big smiley face on a piece of plain paper, the kids named her "Spottilda" hahaha. They have to keep their eyes on her the entire time. We also do the turns very slowly. They step on the right foot while looking at her (hands on hips) then they take the left foot and turn 180 degrees while still looking at her. On the 3rd step with the Right foot, I tell them they have to look right back at Spottilda as soon as they can. It usually takes them a class or two to really get use to it (although some get it right away) but they are OBSESSED with her. I finally broke them of having to use it. I used the smiley for a few months.

I love the little carpets idea, that's great!

I bought a turning board. It doesn't help with technique but it has helped some get over their fear of spotting. It was pretty cheap and worth it.

I like the holding up fingers idea.

I went to a teacher training with David Howard and he made us all roll on the floor pencil roll style with our hands over our heads and our bodies tight. He said it breaks down the fear of turning and also makes them use their whole body at once instead of twisting in awkward ways/arching their backs. I've done this with my kids and they think it's a blast. I do notice that it gets them loose and helps with their chaines.

I have used the finger idea a little differently. Before they initiate a single, I have hands down. When they initiate the turn, I put up a certain amount of fingers. They have to quickly call out the number as they get their spot back to the front.