Thread: Ground rules for class

After a long break teaching a regular class to focus on my own development, I'm starting up again having been made an offer i couldn't refuse by a local dance studio, and I am really excited about it. ..g.:..g.:..g.:

Having taught a number of workshops recently I know a few things that I'd mention as ground rules, such as:

Please don't try to correct your fellow students - if you have a problem ask, as others will find it useful too.

Hit me with your gems of wisdom bhuz !

- Talking is to be minimized in class unless it is a question for me or addressing the class on a whole. We can still have fun but we can do most of the chit chatting before and after.
- No chewing gum during class
- No negativity. Saying, “I can’t or I won’t” does not produce a positive environment. Keeping a positive mind will help you to produce positive results.
- Do not correct other students in class. As much as you may think you are helping them, more than often you are disrupting their train of thought. Focus on your own corrections and what you need to improve on vs. correcting others.
- No swearing. We need to respect this sacred environment and the other students.
- Be reliable, punctual, and honor commitments

-If it hurts, don't do it! (and let me know)
-Please let me know about any medical conditions that may affect your experience
-No fragrances or perfumes
-Please be on time, if you show up late, take 5 minutes to warm up instead of jumping right in
-If you have a question, ask! -no question is ever stupid
-Enjoy yourself! Don't be afraid to take risks and laugh at yourself every now and then
-Please don't speak while I'm providing direction or guidance, you might miss something important

make sure that anything attached to your hipscarf (coins, beads, etc) is securely attached

Most annoying things from a student standpoint is chit chat and as always respect. Staring down another student who doesn't have the perfect body is so not okay. I don't know how you would word that exactly but I would guess that it falls under maintaing a respectful and safe enviornment.

oh - I like this one. Gonna steal is...

-No fragrances or perfumes

Please turn off or mute your cell phones.
If you have to take a call, take it outside.
Positive attitudes only!

All been said.Be on time.Turn off your mobile phone. be positive. enjoy and 3 weeks class attendance does not make a proffesional belly dancer!!

appropriate footwear for dancing, if worn

wash your practice clothes regularly...please!

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

appropriate footwear for dancing, if worn

wash your practice clothes regularly...please!

Yes! And I know that this can be a touchy subject but for the more well endowed ladies, please wear supportive garments!

Please do not show up after the warmup and leave before the cooldown because it's "boring". There is a very good reason they are included in the class time!

Please wear something close fitting enough that I can see what you're doing. It's hard to tell if you're doing an undulation properly - or at all! - if you're wearing baggy sweatpants, a HUGE sweatshirt and a turtleneck.

Please try to have good attendance. It really holds up the progession of class when I have to play catch up with people who are habitually absent. If you're going to only make two classes of a 6-week session, it's really not worth the money to even sign up.

I only have three rules:
- if you miss the class warm up/cool down you need to do your own when you arrive/before you leave.
- keep hydrated.
- if anything hurts, please stop & ask me about it.

I teach grown ups, so I don't feel the need to tell them how to behave politely. I don't usually get people trying to teach others in my classes. It occasionally happens, but not enough for me to make it a Class Rule. I hint about turning phones off in class, by mentioning that I do, but again, I haven't found it to be an enormous problem. My classes are pretty sociable, but once the music is on, we're dancing not chatting.

Maybe I'm just lucky to have considerate polite students!

Originally Posted by beafarhana

I teach grown ups, so I don't feel the need to tell them how to behave politely. I don't usually get people trying to teach others in my classes. It occasionally happens, but not enough for me to make it a Class Rule. I hint about turning phones off in class, by mentioning that I do, but again, I haven't found it to be an enormous problem. My classes are pretty sociable, but once the music is on, we're dancing not chatting.

Maybe I'm just lucky to have considerate polite students!

I must be too!

I do think one thing that helps keep down the chatter is that I keep the classes moving along briskly. Years ago I was in a class where there was a lot of down time while the instructor searched fruitlessly for the CD she needed, or had to think through at length what she wanted to teach next. We would start to strike up conversations while she was otherwise occupied, and of course once it got started, it was sometimes difficult for her to redirect the class's attention.

I think it helps to talk about dance etiquette with beginner students in week 2of the session (in the first week they are far to overwhelmed by all the new info). If students have never dance in their life they simply do not know how to behave in this new situation. going over class rules and why they are in place helps students who read it and think "why would she write this as a rule?" Going about it with humor is best!
I have had students in bginner class who:

Talked on a cell phone (it was when the blue tooth just came out so I was thinking that they were talking to themselves:-)!

Came to class drunk because it was "ladies night out!"

Sat down because "this is a workout!"

Came in with cleaning suppies and proceeded to clean the mirror, during class! (OK the mirror was dirty at community ed but really?)

Come to class in either 4 inch heels or leather pants so tight I thought they'd slit! (what did they think belly dance class was, not sure?).

Brought their mother "from over there" to watch (for the whole 8 week session, who did not speak english and yelled out to their relatives during class.She came to "make sure I was teaching proper belly dance." I did get a glowing review:-)

I know these are strange cases but I have learned that with proper instruction of what you expect in class, students are usually pretty good about the rules (I learned this the hard way by thinking "these are grown ups" and not explaining!)
I do have written policies and have students sign a reg. form stating that they have read and understand the policies.
I have to say that side teacing by students may be the biggest problem in class. Not to say that these ladies are doing it for the wrong reasons! They may very well just be trying to really help someone they feel isn't gettin it. Explaining why it should not be done helps!

Oh I forgot! The elderly women who showed up in class in a beaded ball gown because "she thought belly dance was about glamor!" (well she was right but maybe not for class!).
I do use some of these examples in my humorous explaination of the rules.

Originally Posted by beafarhana

I teach grown ups, so I don't feel the need to tell them how to behave politely.

Maybe I'm just lucky to have considerate polite students!

Shutters up

Hi Bea - I find I often have to have more boundaries than other people with regard to ground rules, as I have one of those faces that people tend to 'try it on' with. I've no idea why this is, but a friend of mine who is taller and brunette reckons its to do with being petite and blonde. While I respect that 99% of students *are* grown ups, it's the 1% I find I have issues with. Though I don't think it's necessary to state all the boundaries "up front" its nice to have an idea of what they are, so that they can be dealt with when they come up.

Shutters down

Originally Posted by faaria

I think it helps to talk about dance etiquette with beginner students in week 2of the session (in the first week they are far to overwhelmed by all the new info). If students have never dance in their life they simply do not know how to behave in this new situation. going over class rules and why they are in place helps students who read it and think "why would she write this as a rule?" Going about it with humor is best!
I have had students in bginner class who:

Talked on a cell phone (it was when the blue tooth just came out so I was thinking that they were talking to themselves:-)!

Came to class drunk because it was "ladies night out!"

Sat down because "this is a workout!"

Came in with cleaning suppies and proceeded to clean the mirror, during class! (OK the mirror was dirty at community ed but really?)

Come to class in either 4 inch heels or leather pants so tight I thought they'd slit! (what did they think belly dance class was, not sure?).

Brought their mother "from over there" to watch (for the whole 8 week session, who did not speak english and yelled out to their relatives during class.She came to "make sure I was teaching proper belly dance." I did get a glowing review:-)

I know these are strange cases but I have learned that with proper instruction of what you expect in class, students are usually pretty good about the rules (I learned this the hard way by thinking "these are grown ups" and not explaining!)
I do have written policies and have students sign a reg. form stating that they have read and understand the policies.
I have to say that side teacing by students may be the biggest problem in class. Not to say that these ladies are doing it for the wrong reasons! They may very well just be trying to really help someone they feel isn't gettin it. Explaining why it should not be done helps!

Oh this is funny. I like the cleaning supplies one best.

Originally Posted by beafarhana

I only have three rules:
- if you miss the class warm up/cool down you need to do your own when you arrive/before you leave.
- keep hydrated.
- if anything hurts, please stop & ask me about it.

I teach grown ups, so I don't feel the need to tell them how to behave politely. I don't usually get people trying to teach others in my classes. It occasionally happens, but not enough for me to make it a Class Rule. I hint about turning phones off in class, by mentioning that I do, but again, I haven't found it to be an enormous problem. My classes are pretty sociable, but once the music is on, we're dancing not chatting.

Maybe I'm just lucky to have considerate polite students!

This.

My only other rule is no spectators in class. I agree that students should be encouraged to have a positive attitude, but I really don't think I need a formal rule saying "be nice to each other".

Originally Posted by Bellydancingcaroline

Shutters up

Hi Bea - I find I often have to have more boundaries than other people with regard to ground rules, as I have one of those faces that people tend to 'try it on' with. I've no idea why this is, but a friend of mine who is taller and brunette reckons its to do with being petite and blonde. While I respect that 99% of students *are* grown ups, it's the 1% I find I have issues with. Though I don't think it's necessary to state all the boundaries "up front" its nice to have an idea of what they are, so that they can be dealt with when they come up.

Shutters down

Fair enough!

Maybe I just look like a mean teacher you don't mess about with then!

* no lingerie/ bikini tops
*chem free, respect the sacred space by being clean & sober for class--save the ladies night cocktails for after class
*no children, teens, or pets in the studio, hallways, or parking lot
*no unapproved guests/observers

These are all good rules! I use them all, and one thing I learned from Suhaila Salimpour which I also include on my list of rules for them to follow that they have to sign and agree to is...Please wear deordorant. And believe it or not I did have to add in a phrase about no disruptive behavior. You would think that adults would know this but some don't. No visitors is a big one for me along with the cell phones being on silent. And I have stopped the class to tell someone to spit out their gum and brought them the trash can to do so. And although it is not a rule I do encourage them to bring a dance bag with a towel and a change of clothes if they need it and a notebook to take notes. The class attires is also important. I agree that for my class anyway it is an exercise class and I want them to wear yoga pants, sports bra, t-shirt, or anything appropriate for a gym. Not skirts and lots of jewelry and cetainly no heavy perfumes. I like the rule about no alcohol and have had to say something to a few people in the past about it. There is nothing worse then people who drink alcohol and come to class to exercise and breath it out, I get so disgusted! Plus I agree they should be sober when they do class and can save that for later. And I always encourage them to drink lots of water. As far as coming in late I just tell them to do it quietly, but try to be punctional. Yes, there are a lot of issues that should be addressed upfront when you teach, and that is why I have it in all in writing for them on their first day.

- You have to be present for the warm up (unless I know you know it well enough to do it on your own if you arrive late) or you can't participate in the class, and no sneaking out before the cool down either!
- No observers
- If anything hurts - stop! Let me know.

Like Béa - I think a bare minimum is enough for a group of adults. If I started laying down rules about deodorant/perfume/cell phones/attendance/attitude I frankly wouldn't gave a class to teach, no-one would bother coming.

I can be quite stern if I think someone is getting out of hand and that usually sorts out trouble before it starts. Perhaps this is something that could be included in JWAAD foundation courses - 'How to be stern with students'

I agree that these are adults, and should be given minimal "rules." When I first started I was overzealous and I had like 20 Ground Rules. My friends thought it was too harsh, so I have removed some and renamed it "Class Information."

1. Please arrive on time. You must sign in. I realized that people are just late sometimes. It happens. Chronic lateness is disruptive and I can’t guarantee that you’ll get signed in if you come late.

2. Payment is due at the beginning of the session.

3. You may want to call or e-mail if you have to miss class. This is not required, but it will be appreciated. Refunds are not given for missed classes.

4. Please provide me with an e-mail and phone number in case I need to cancel class. I will try to arrange for a substitute if I have to miss class.

5. Turn off your cell phone ringer, or turn down the volume if you must keep it on.

6. Ask questions as they come up or after class. Try not to ask classmates around you questions, as it is distracting.

7. Dress appropriately, come prepared and avoid perfume or strong odors.

8. Let me know if you have any health problems that may affect your ability to perform certain movements. Consult your health care provider before starting any new physical activity.

9. Have respect for the instructor, fellow classmates and the art of Middle Eastern dance.

10. You may perform choreographies that I teach, if you give credit to the choreographer (me). Please do not teach others choreographies that you did not create yourself. Choreographies are copyrighted material.

11. Please feel free to contact me. I am always willing to listen to your concerns, and talk to you openly and honestly. If something needs to be clarified, feel free to ask. I can be reached at XXXX@gmail.com or at XXX-XXX-XXXX.

I think I'll add the bit about warming up in rule 1. I like that!

Originally Posted by faaria

Oh I forgot! The elderly women who showed up in class in a beaded ball gown because "she thought belly dance was about glamor!"

that is kind of endearing ..g.:

i can't think of any ground rules i've come across that haven't been stated already. a lot of good ones there... i like andalee's idea of calling it "class information."

Great advice so far!
For my studio, there's a "no street shoes" rule, because it will damage the floors. The rest (like the pirate code!) is "more like guidelines than rules." I have had to remind people to wear deoderant. (Phew!!)

I think it's VERY important to establish in advance what your policy will be for missed class make-up or drops. These are the areas where, for me, I've had numerous people try to abuse the privilege. For example, I have had the following scenarios:

...A student asked me to hold a spot for her in my full-to-capacity class, then after 2 weeks decided she was too busy and wanted a refund, even though I can't now sell the spot to someone else.

...student decided she are too tired to come to class one night, so emailed to see if I would do a free private lesson for her to make up for the class she missed.

...student missed week 2 but didn't tell me (I usually try to help more if I know they missed a week!), then came late to week 3 and felt frustrated because she was behind, so she snuck out in the middle of class without saying anything (and thus missed more material), and then she wanted me to sign her up for the next session for free.

...numerous students have asked if they can "try" a class for free. Again, in a full-to-capacity class. Er...no.

...student forgot her checkbook week 1. I extend her the privilege of paying the next week, but then week 2 she showed up late and joined the class already in motion without signing in, and when I ask her about payment after class she says---whattaya know!~--she forgot again! I asked her to mail it, and she never returned (or paid for her 2 free classes!)
(Caveat: I've extended the privilege of "pay me next week" to several people without issue, but this one has a reputation for class-hopping...there are 2 students who, if they ever show up again, I will gently insist on cash at the door before they are allowed in!)

...student signed up and paid for a full session, came to only half the classes, then signed for another beginner session and wanted to move her "credit" forward to session 2. (um, I was here at the studio at the time we'd agreed..where were you?)

I do agree there are legitimate times when we need to be sympathetic and accommodating, e.g., a student injured herself skiing, had to stop mid-session, and I moved her payment forward and signed her up for another session 3 months later when she was better. Also I might offer to allow student to drop in on one of my other classes to "make up" a sick week, if space allows (once per session only).

I hope this helps ~
Sabine

I'm not a BD teacher, but I write materials for a teacher's organization. A rule of thumb I've heard for K-12 teachers is that keep classroom rules to five or less and keep them simple. Any more than that and it gets to be micromanagement and can be confusing. Might be a good guideline to keep in mind for BD classes.

I would consider ground rules for actual classes to be different than studio policies such as payment, etc.

The token student on the thread speaks:

I don't think anybody has said anything too unreasonable here, though some rules... I shudder to think that you had to make them rules.

Talking in class: part of going to bellydance class for many of us is the social aspect -- seeing our "dance friends", hearing who is performing next week, et cetera. So my teacher started "announcement time" during our floor stretches after the warmup. Anybody who has something to share about an event or club or whatever may announce it then. She encourages us to get our social chattering done before class begins.

It also helps that our teacher doesn't engage in casual conversation during class time, only before/after class and at our water break... because as you know, the moment the teacher is distracted, the class goes wandering off on a tangent. Her focus is on us, so we are less likely to have side conversations.

There are a couple of students who... er... just don't shut up. When they talk to me, I try to answer them shortly and pointedly return my attention to the teacher.

Sabine's post reminded me that I actually have two sets of rules - the ones for my group classes, taught through other venues like Park & Recs, and the ones for Privates/semi-privates in my home studio. When it comes to the group classes, the rules about attendance, refunds, etc. are all set through the venue, so I don't have to go over any of that. They are all really good about not refunding anyone unless there's a legitimate medical reason.

However, in my own home studio, the students do get a pretty extensive handout on refunds, attendance, lateness, etc. I'm very strict with attendance and class cancellations by the student in Privates because if that one person doesn't show up, I've worked my whole schedule around it.

please no perfume/scents heavy odors
please wear deodorant
coin belts I can't hear teacher over your jingling
cellphones off.
personal space arms length please(I know sometimes a crowded workshop this can't be avoided)
make sure the "girls" are safely secured .
And pretty much what everyone else said.

Alrana

We have:

Form fitting clothes, no pantaloons or skirts, and no loud hip scarves

Please come to class with a positive attitude. You don't have to me happy Miss Sunshine, but at least try everything out (as long as it doesn't hurt you) and don't bash yourself. We're all there to learn and some things will be harder than others but go easy on yourself and you may be surprised at what you can do when you thing "I'll try that" instead of "I can't do that".

If you have a question, ask me. If you need me to slow down, turn around, reexplain something, please ask!