Question for dance teachers: how can I get my students to participate? and game

Question:Ive been dancing since I was 3 and started to teach my first classes: hip-hop, just for fun, to kids that don't have any experience, it's pretty laid back and just meant for fun.

OK 1st question: In my Kindergarten-3rd grade class, there are about 25 kids. How can I get them all to participate the whole time? (1 hour) When we're doing activities (warm-ups, stretching, across the floor, games, etc.) about 3/4 of them participate and have a great time and the other 1/4 sit in the corner, hang on the ballet bars, run around the room. With so many kids, it's hard for them all to do the same thing...what can I do?

And next question: for my 4th grade-6th grade class, usually between 5 and 9 kids come each week and they are great, they all participate and have fun but I'm running out of ideas for things to warm-up and games they can play that won't be over their heads but also won't make them seem like babies. What are some activities we can do in that class??

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Ive been dancing since I was 3 and started to teach my first classes: hip-hop, just for fun, to kids that don't have any experience, it's pretty laid back and just meant for fun.

OK 1st question: In my Kindergarten-3rd grade class, there are about 25 kids. How can I get them all to participate the whole time? (1 hour) When we're doing activities (warm-ups, stretching, across the floor, games, etc.) about 3/4 of them participate and have a great time and the other 1/4 sit in the corner, hang on the ballet bars, run around the room. With so many kids, it's hard for them all to do the same thing...what can I do?

And next question: for my 4th grade-6th grade class, usually between 5 and 9 kids come each week and they are great, they all participate and have fun but I'm running out of ideas for things to warm-up and games they can play that won't be over their heads but also won't make them seem like babies. What are some activities we can do in that class??

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Younger kids: try having a star student system where the best students each week (like 5-10 of them) get to be your helpers. They can stand at the front of the class during exercises and get candy or a stamp/sticker at the end of class. try to pick different kids each week; try getting an assistance, esp a teenager between 13-16, who can help demonstrate and round up the kids, little kids love bigger "kids" and will try to do good for them
Older Kids: try doing dance games, like charades where one person draws a card with a dance move on it and does the move while the other people try to guess what the move is called; choreographing is fun too, give them each 10-15 min to make a 4 eight count dance to their favorite song, i loved doing this when I was younger

I hope I helped. I teach a 4 year old sunday school class normally with between 10-25 kids and I know how hard it can be. Good luck!

Right When they're warming up..
make them stand on their tip-toes , and make them pretend theres a wall. Tell them to think of an animal they can see over the wall. :) x

i usually have an incentive at the end like candy or a treat or something so that they stay good for the entire class. this really works with the younger ones.
for the older ones i like to challenge them. try some combinations across the floor or just some choreography to get them loose and break the ice. or have them make up their own

Question 1 - Your problems in class may not be content
Reduce length of class time! 1 hour at least 15 minutes too long for a class in one discipline for ages 5-8.
Limit # of participants to 12. 25 is far too many kids to control under any circumstances.
Separate 5K kids, provide them with their own class. Natural ability to concentrate differs greatly between ages of 5 and 8. Younger ones unable to identify with older. Older not tolerant of younger. Remember-grade schoolers are acquiring all sorts of skills and rapidly every day.
You have the right idea by varying class activities. the use of trivia quizzes, one of my favorite dance class diversions, is not workable with this age.
Do you circle up? That formation works well with control of younger ones. Again-keep numbers down to 8-12 kids!
Explain to parents that the class split and time reduction will enable more quality time and personalized instruction. Class format will be structured according to age appropriate ability to attend (concentrate) and in consideration of physical abilities.
Q-2 later...
Best wishes - MerriBella