[Callers] content of introductory lesson

[Kalia Kliban via Callers]

On 6/23/2015 9:02 AM, Dave Casserly via Callers wrote:
> So, what do you all focus on when teaching the lesson?  It seems from
> the previous thread that there are several approaches:
<snip>
>
> My approach is really to do none of these.  I do teach dancers how to
> share weight, and generally teach it in the context of a circle, then a
> two hand walk around with one other person, then a buzz-step swing.  If
> I have time after that I may quickly go through a few other moves, but I
> don't consider that a necessity.

This is where I usually start, but once we've had a few rounds of "swing 
your neighbor and leave the ladies on the right" in a circle and folks 
see that they change places every time by doing that, I put them into a 
longways set and show them how progression works.  I do something super 
simple like circle left, neighbor dosido and pass through along the set, 
take new hands four.  Maybe neighbor swing, but I just want them to get 
how a contra functions without too much choreographic baggage.  I do 
like to teach the courtesy turn moves (chain and R&L through), but will 
only include R&L if I have 2 or more dances in the program that use it. 
  I often don't.

> Instead, what I focus on is teaching newcomers to dance with a variety
> of partners, ask experienced dancers to dance, listen to the caller,
> look up for help when lost, and clap to show their appreciation for the
> performers at the end of each dance.  I tell them explicitly what I
> think is most important and what I am there to help them get out of the
> night: I want nobody to get hurt, and I want them all to have a good
> time.  At the end of the lesson, I will even try to point out
> experienced dancers who I think the newcomers should dance with at some
> point.  I tell the newcomers that they should dance each dance with a
> different person, that it is totally fine to sit dances out if they need
> a break, and that if somebody asks them to dance but they don't want to
> dance with that person, simply say "no thank you."  I also identify
> members of the dance committee who are in the room in case they have any
> questions at all or have any problems during the dance, and again stress
> to them that we are here to help them have a great time.

These are all really excellent things to mention.  I often add that they 
should let their partners know (in words) if they need to take it slow 
on swings, or if they've got sore parts that need to be handled gently. 
  Basically, that it's a good thing to talk to the folks you're dancing 
with if you need something.  Which boils down to the same thing Dave is 
stressing above -- we want you to be safe and have a good time.

Kalia