Detailed Course Descriptions

Level I - This course is designed to instill the basic rules of etiquette and teach students beginning steps for a variety of social dances. The basic ballroom Fox-trot, Waltz, Jitterbug/Swing and Cha-Cha steps are taught using popular music. Current Line Dances, such as: Electric Slide, Boot Scootin' Boogie, Tush Push and LA Stomp are incorporated to make this portion of the course even more fun and practical for school dances. The etiquette taught is age appropriate and presented in a fun way. The material has been thoroughly researched and tested. Level I etiquette subjects cover: Receiving Lines; General Etiquette; Introductions, Greetings & Farewells; Dress; Dance Cards and Responsibilities of a Lady/Gentleman; Correspondence Etiquette; Body Language for Social Success; and Table Manners. The General Etiquette lesson is a very important one. For me, it is the foundation of etiquette. When students understand that etiquette stems from consideration and sensitivity, integrity, loyalty, trustworthiness, compromise and respect; then they have learned the essence of a true lady and gentleman. The teaching method is approached from the point of view that for learning to sink in it has to be pleasurable. If not fun it is the actual experience that is learned and not the information being imparted. Having 34 to 40 schoolmates, neighborhood kids or just one other friend doing this and enjoying it makes this program work. For a teacher, "peer pressure" is the greatest tool in being able to elicit "good behavior." Trying to impress another person is a great motivator in fostering positive social behavior. The course culminates in a two and a half hour cotillion dinner-dance at a local restaurant where all the etiquette and dance skills learned in the previous eight lessons are practiced. There is much excitement and fun at these dinners which are chaperoned by the parents, as are all lessons. Student and parent feedback for this course has been terrific. It is best taken by 6th graders or early 7th graers. This gives the opportunity, for them to progress through the different levels and maximize on the total experience that I'm trying to offer. For synergy, class sizes are best around 34 to 42, equal numbers of boys and girls. With consideration for homework and reasonable bedtimes, the logical hour choices are normally 5:00 to 6:30 for 6th graders, and 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. for 7/8th graders. All the etiquette lesson material and dance steps taught in this course have been recently updated and incorporated into a handbook that is included in the course fees. I think that parents and students will really like this book. It should serve them very well for many years. The idea behind the information given the students is to not to just give information pertinent to their age group but information that will be useful throughout their lifetimes.

Level II - This course is about relationship building and is aimed at the middle school age student. It addresses what I call, "the grey areas" of etiquette, in particular sensitive issues that arise do to natural uncertainties and negative peer pressure. The basic ballroom dance repertoire is expanded, and a few new dances are introduced. Innovation is encouraged, and by the end of this course the students are beginning to feel very confident as dancers. Level II etiquette covers: Building Good Relationships, Developing Positive Self-Esteem, How to Handle Difficult Situations, Effective Conversation/Communication, Sporting Event Behavior and The Game of Life, Developing Discriminating Taste in the Arts, Handling Dining Out Like a Pro and Basic Job Interview Preparation. Apart from giving the actual "How" to participate in these activities I also use the lessons to encourage students to take responsibility for developing their own personal taste. One that will stand up to undesirable peer pressure. The Level II course provides the social tools to anticipate and handle most uncomfortable situations. It is also designed to contribute to better communication with and understanding of parents, and, therefore, to a less stressful relationship with them. Again, class size is best around 30 to 36, equal numbers of boys and girls to achieve the dynamics and varied opportunities necessary to practice their skills. As in Level I, the ninth lesson is a two and a half hour dinner-dance. It is a particular joy for me to see the maturation and understanding achieved by the students at this dinner-dance. For them, it is also a real pleasure to realize how socially adept they have become. Student and parent feedback has been very encouraging and as a result this class has been developing into a program much sought after just like the Level I. There is now a handbook for this level in the same format as the Level I handbook.

Level III - This course has been offered once in awhile years ago. The idea is to have a structured environment for young adults and pre-teens to practice the social skills learned in the previous courses. Level III is open to any one of my students that have taken Level I or II. There are eight lessons and a dinner-dance. The mostly dance and some card game evenings are a lot of FUN! This course also serves as a perfect arena for me to keep reinforcing positive social behavior. The young people seem to really appreciate a non-threatening environment in which they can interact with the opposite sex. I take away all demands of individual social pressure through the organization and structure I use in the running of these lessons. By participating in Level III, each individual develops confidence in his or her own ability to handle social situations.