Thread: 1/2 hour 'extensions' class? Whatya think?

I'm currently toying with the idea of slotting a half-hour 'extension' class in between my beginner and advanced classes, to better help the transition between the two. I think some Bhuzzers have experience with this...so does it work? How do I make it work?

For more background, here's my situation:
- Currently have 2 classes running back-to-back, beginners then advanced. There's a huge jump between the two, making it hard for students to transition. At the same time, about half the beginner's class have been there for a few terms, half are brand new. I worry that my 'experienced' beginners may get bored and leave because I have to go back to basics at the start of each term, when we get new beginners in.
- Because of time constraints, running 3 classes will make the advanced one finish really late (not good). Plus I'm not sure I have enough students for a complete extra intermediate level class.

My thoughts on how to run it:
- Offer a 1/2 hour extension class that can be taken with either the beginners or advanced class (not alone)
- Focus on intermediate technique that I expect the advanced class to know; possibly introduce basic prop-work or choreo for concert in subsequent terms.
- At the end of the beginner's hour class, get one senior student to lead the beginners that are finishing their class in a cool-down stretch, while I start warming up the students just arriving.
- Offer the extension at a low price (eg: AU$5, compared to my full class price of $16), which is paid in addition to the hour's class fee.

I'm really not sure about pricing, and whether a half-hour is too short - I'd really have to handle the transition smoothly. Any thoughts?

Huh, never heard of that, but that's a good idea. It gives the beginners some more preparation before transferring straight to the more advanced class and would be good for the advanced students who just want to warm up and polish their technique without redoing a whole beginner's class. I would take it if any of my teachers offered it.

Oh, and I think the half hour is perfect. I have had a couple instructors who allowed the advanced students to attend the beginner class for free as long as they stay in the back and don't take attention away from the paying beginner students. I usually ended up coming in about halfway through the first class because I really didn't want a whole hour of beginner drills before my actual class.

Thanks for the feedback Zamira. Yes, I have people in both level classes who could really do with the extra tuition.

Anyone else?

One of my teachers did this at one of the places she taught, it seemed pretty well received! The extension class usually focused on introducing a prop (so the beginners could try it out and if the advanced students already had used it before it was still extra practice) or something like combinations from a specific culture or style (and here there might be layered and unlayered versions).

I used to have a "halfway" class. It was an hour and I used it as more of a drill and zill class. It was harder than beginners and easier than my intermediate and it was a really successful and useful class.
I just don't have time to teach three in a row anymore, so it had to go.

I love the idea!! I have been studying for 18 months. I am still in a beginners/open class because I am comfortable there but no longer challenged. Intermediate\Advanced class scares me a little.I do not know of anyone with this extension class but find it would be invaluable to me. My solution for my delimna would be/ is to take both the beginner and the intermediate class with my instructor. But the extension class would be more practical and beneficial. Good Luck and hopefully the idea catches on!!!

This might very well be the solution for the problem I've been struggling with for months now. I will keep a very close eye to this thread.
Thank you!

Thanks for all your feedback! I've emailed my students with the same question and had a few positive responses, so I think I'll give it a go. When it's underway, I'll have to resurrect this thread and let everyone know how it goes.

Few, I'm adding a few things to next term's timetable, and it's scary!

PS - I suspect this class would appeal to really enthusiastic students, which all Bhuzzers are. So it'll be interesting to see whether it works with the majority of 'hobbyists' in my classes.

Think this is a good idea, but when would you get a chance to rest between classes?

Originally Posted by deelybopper

Think this is a good idea, but when would you get a chance to rest between classes?

What? Rest between classes? That's a nice idea. I actually teach 3 hours in a row on another night without any space between - just duck out to the loo in a hurry! I've built up to managing it over the years and have got better at pacing myself (sometimes) and eating well beforehand. I do approx the same warmup each week so I can talk the advanced students through rather than do it myself if need be.

The funny thing is, I can do this without a problem, but a 15 minute gig still kills me!

Originally Posted by deelybopper

Think this is a good idea, but when would you get a chance to rest between classes?

In theory I have now a 15min break between classes. But in reality I don't get a chance to rest. Now I take a breath in the cooldown of the first class, answer questions of students leaving and coming in, and start with the second class.
Like Jewel, I make sure to eat well before class, and then there's no problem.

problems i can see with this set up

- warming up the students that come later (for only the 2nd, advanced class), if you dont have a student that can help/if they cant warm themselves up.
- those who need it wont sign up. those who need it less (the most advanced/fastprogressing/interested) will sign up. keeping the level intermediate might be hard
- pricing?

i dont have any breaks build in between classes.

when for some reason i really need a short, water drink/loo/discussing something with a student break, i have them do some of the warm up on their own. from upperintermediate they are quite capable of doing that. i have them follow the bouncing butt in turns. does a world of good to "group integration" as well, and to integrate new people, etc etc

Originally Posted by Queenie

In theory I have now a 15min break between classes. But in reality I don't get a chance to rest. Now I take a breath in the cooldown of the first class, answer questions of students leaving and coming in, and start with the second class.
Like Jewel, I make sure to eat well before class, and then there's no problem.

the solution for your problem sweetie is to start offering THREE levels, and to start offering a more advanced class. i think you can!!!!

Originally Posted by Queenie

This might very well be the solution for the problem I've been struggling with for months now. I will keep a very close eye to this thread.
Thank you!

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

when for some reason i really need a short, water drink/loo/discussing something with a student break, i have them do some of the warm up on their own. from upperintermediate they are quite capable of doing that. i have them follow the bouncing butt in turns. does a world of good to "group integration" as well, and to integrate new people, etc etc

(i actually really like this, by the way. somewhere between warm-up and basic improv ^^ being able to come up with something (anything!! ^^) in half a second because others are waiting to follow what you're doing. you kinda freak out the first time before getting the hang of it lol :D)