Managing Difficult Behavior

15 November 2017

Any experienced educator will tell you that managing a group of kids is the key to facilitating an effective lesson or rehearsal. This resource will provide you with proven techniques to engage kids of all ages, keep them focused and avoid disciplinary action. Through positive reinforcement and setting clear expectations you will gain the tools to have kids you teach in the palm of your hands.   Try an "Attention Getter" Anticipation Clap- Participants try to clap at the same time as the teacher. Grab an Apple/piece of gum- This is imaginative play, but becomes an effective quieting tool when participants “have their...

Read More...

8 Crazy Games for 8 Crazy Nights

7 November 2017

Chanukah is a wonderful time of year to come together with friends and family, but what happens when the kids need something fun to do, or when the conversation doesn’t last as long as the oil? Here are 8 fun games centered around Chanukah that are fun for the whole family! Light a Match Game Materials: 2 dry erase boards or two pieces of paper (a new one for each round). Ideal # of participants: 2 from each team How to play: Two participants from each team are given an opinion based prompt that has to do with Chanukah (ex- what was your favorite present...

Read More...

8 Steps to the Perfect Birthday Party

30 October 2017

A birthday party is a special day for your child every year that offers the opportunity to socialize with friends. Creating a party can sound daunting, especially with a busy schedule, but following a few easy steps can allow you to have a party that is enjoyable for everyone. Step 1: Pick a Theme Having a theme that ties everything together is a great organizational tool. Whether it is a superhero, space, or medieval theme (to name a few), having a theme will give you guidance on everything from gift ideas to decorations and even costume ideas for attendees. What it also...

Read More...

How to Make Best Use of Counselors at Camp

10 July 2017

The responsibilities and the work of a specialist at summer camp goes beyond the engagement and management of campers. Counselors at the camp, need a little guidance and excitement to help you facilitate your specialty area with efficiency and ease. You are a professional in your field and come with a level of experience that will give counselors the impression that you have, ‘everything under control.’ You are able to focus and entertain a large group of campers, manage their behavior and transition them from one activity to another. This, understandably, can leave the counselors little to do. Not every counselor...

Read More...

Superhero Stunt School at JCC Harlem

19 May 2017

For the Spring 2017 semester at the brand new JCC Harlem, we ran a program about superheroes! The Superhero Stunt School course was deisgned to focus on: Creating characters with a distinct voice, body, and personality. Learning about superheroes from comic books. Crafting an original presentation based on styles gleaned from exisiting comic book heroes and villains. Learning fight choreography techniques used on stage and screen. We had a lot of fun creating and becoming our superheroes (and villains) by combining our love of theater with fantasy. Through acting exercises, collaborative brainstorming sessions, and fun superhero madlibs, we created not only the superheroes, but also their...

Read More...