Teaching Bhangra to Middle-Schoolers ★ HELP NEEDED!

[voxanimus]

Hello everyone,

I'm part of an organization called Breakthrough Collaborative that works high-potential, underprivileged and underserved middle-schoolers in an intensive, involved summer educational program that runs for about a month. The teaching staff of Breakthrough is composed entirely of college students, and we work in concert with a few mentor teachers to design curricula for and teach middle-school science, math, etc. In addition, we are given the opportunity to teach an elective course.

This is where bhangra comes in. I really want to make my elective course bhangra, but I have limited experience in teaching younger kids bhangra, and leading a structured, consistent bhangra class. I really think the kids would have fun with a bhangra class, and I'd like it to be the best I can possibly make it.

I'd really appreciate any input or advice you all have to offer both on teaching bhangra as an extended class, as well as working with juniors on junior teams, etc.

Anyone who has done either of those things, or who generally has an opinion about them, please contribute your ideas! I'd be super grateful. Thank you!

 

[campy614]

Start by teaching the basics: where it came from, a brief synopsis on its evolution.

Start the actual dancing by teaching basic footwork: taps, lifts, jugni and jhummar walk.

Then go to the basic/elementary steps: punjab, chaffa, jhummar, jugni/chaal, dhamaal, sialkoti, sammi, phumaniyan. Feel free to add in other steps.

Devote at least two classes (or more) to the steps above. Focus on proper form-back straight, chest out, arms wide, etc. Then-once your students are good on everything above-create a segment for them to learn with other steps not mentioned above. Nothing super difficult, but don't be afraid to push the boundaries a little-so long as you follow through with your teaching.

 

[Basim]

Hey voxanimus,

You could start with what Arjun put together here: http://bhangrateamsforum.com/discuss/main-bhangra-discussion/basic-bhangra-presentation-(framework)/msg28052/

The end product was well put together and very informative. You could modify it to fit your audience (middle schoolers) so that parts of it are easier to understand and you might not need to get into that much detail with them.

Anyway, it's one of my favorite posts on BTF ever, so I thought that I would share it.

Hope it helps,

~ Basim

 

[sdadoo15]

http://bhangrateamsforum.com/discuss/help-and-how-to/teaching-first-time-bhangra-dancers/msg189568/#msg189568

 

[Ajay.H]

Possibility: Start off the first class with you going buck on a mini routine you just made up to some sick mix to get them excited.

You might want to make little routines as you go from the beginning for them to learn, even with really simple steps. You've gotta keep their attention and give them something to work for/feel accomplished about as they move along the course. Again, use sick mixes.

 

[Sue Sylvester]

I use to teach bhangra at an after school program for underprivileged elementary school kids in Cleveland designed to try to keep these kids off the streets (Cleveland is one of the most dangerous cities in the US) and expose them to different activities/hobbies.

My only regret? Playing a Sher Foundation mix. Gun shots were no joke to these kids. lolol

But seriously, you don't teach Thermodynamics to middle-schoolers. You teach them simplified basic chemistry/physics with plenty of lies for the sake of not confusing or boring the hell out of them and as they get older, give them things closer and closer to the truth as they get more interested. Same thing. You may want to go Shivchand, but you'll just end up turning them off to the entire Indian subcontinent. These are middle-schoolers (and under-privileged/under-exposed) - start with Sarina Jain and then as they become better and more interested, get them on the real thing.

Know your audience. Toronto may have academies with toddlers doing live bhangra, but you're not going to have Punjabi kids who have been exposed to the art-form and culture already. Don't go hard with "folk", terminology or the "proper" way to do steps. The most important thing is to make it fun. I use to be a Ski Instructor - I use to make up stories and adventures from Spongebob, Fairly Oddparents and anything else the kids watched/liked to make learning how to ski more imaginative/doable/interesting and less daunting/scary. I made up my own names for stances/equipment/steps - at that age and with their background, it's more important they learn and have fun than know the difference between chaal and jugni or keep their backs straight.

And honestly, call it "Indian Dance". You'll get better exposure and more interest. No one is going to call you out if all you do is bhangra - there's already enough variety within the genre. You're not training a competitive bhangra team - you're teaching a class to non-Indian, under-privileged kids aged 10-14 who just want to have fun and learn something different.

 

[Ajay.H]

Teach lalkaare. Kids love yelling.

 

[sonehdataweet]

I use to teach bhangra at an after school program for underprivileged elementary school kids in Cleveland designed to try to keep these kids off the streets (Cleveland is one of the most dangerous cities in the US) and expose them to different activities/hobbies.

My only regret? Playing a Sher Foundation mix. Gun shots were no joke to these kids. lolol

But seriously, you don't teach Thermodynamics to middle-schoolers. You teach them simplified basic chemistry/physics with plenty of lies for the sake of not confusing or boring the hell out of them and as they get older, give them things closer and closer to the truth as they get more interested. Same thing. You may want to go Shivchand, but you'll just end up turning them off to the entire Indian subcontinent. These are middle-schoolers (and under-privileged/under-exposed) - start with Sarina Jain and then as they become better and more interested, get them on the real thing.

Know your audience. Toronto may have academies with toddlers doing live bhangra, but you're not going to have Punjabi kids who have been exposed to the art-form and culture already. Don't go hard with "folk", terminology or the "proper" way to do steps. The most important thing is to make it fun. I use to be a Ski Instructor - I use to make up stories and adventures from Spongebob, Fairly Oddparents and anything else the kids watched/liked to make learning how to ski more imaginative/doable/interesting and less daunting/scary. I made up my own names for stances/equipment/steps - at that age and with their background, it's more important they learn and have fun than know the difference between chaal and jugni or keep their backs straight.

And honestly, call it "Indian Dance". You'll get better exposure and more interest. No one is going to call you out if all you do is bhangra - there's already enough variety within the genre. You're not training a competitive bhangra team - you're teaching a class to non-Indian, under-privileged kids aged 10-14 who just want to have fun and learn something different.

Thanks Kinnell! For my youth at risk class- I used the idea of helping children at risk with teaching Bhangra. It's good to know to eliminate the gunshots lol



Vox pm me I have some stuff you may want to help you out!