Hiya folks,
I've had a class of ADHD and behavioral problem students this afternoon to teach
(8-13yrs).I do the rope through neck trick to start these classes off. It gives me an idea of the sort of kids I'm dealing with from the confessions they make. This afternoon the kid confessed to throwing a brick at a bloke.
Going through the early lessons of tricks with ropes, toothbrush twirling, one + two ball juggling tricks and yo-yo's it was fairly chaotic. About 10-12 kids. I don't think they sat still long enough in one place for me to count them accurately.
Started to notice the first kids focussing in the toothbrush twirling and getting a degree of satisfaction from achieving this.
I offer a challenge with the plate spinning. If they can learn to spin it from scratch, ie from a vertical position, and jump it up and down on the stick, they can keep it.
This is a nice motivating factor which encouraged the focussing of a few more students. Some were still running riot. Lastly the diablo was introduced. Some students had prior experience of this though had not learned it.
About half the students were showing a degree of focus towards the end of the 65 minute lesson. Most concentated on the the diablo and plate spinning when they had free choice.
I thoroughly enjoy working with these kids and am looking forward to the session tomorrow. I have 90 minutes in the morning with them. They will be learning stiltwalking as a new skill. I shall bring in some of my novelty carts + bikes as well. This should help burn off some of their energy. Lovely big sports hall to work in.
I expect as least one girl to win the spinning plate. She may have done the challenge today but one of my conditions is that I see it being done!
I shall update you tomorrow on how the second session goes.
Circus Kevin