Teaching Strategies to Ensure Students ‘Get It’ Quicker and Easier
The Gradual Release: A Simple Strategy That Works
One of the most effective teaching strategies I’ve found for ballet is something called the gradual release model. It’s simple, practical, and it works beautifully in the studio.
The idea is that learning happens in three stages:
I do → The teacher demonstrates while students watch with full focus.
We do → The teacher repeats the step, this time with the students joining in. This stage can be repeated a few times until everyone feels confident.
You do → The students try it on their own, with the teacher observing and giving feedback afterwards.
If the students don’t “get it” during the you do stage, you simply loop back to I do or we do and refine the focus. It’s a flexible cycle, not a one-way street.
How It Works in Action…
Let’s say you’re teaching a grand plié at the barre for the very first time.
Step 1 – Spark curiosity
Start by asking questions to engage students on a deep level:
“We’re going to learn a step that means ‘big bend.’ But here’s the catch — it’s not just about bending your knees. Something else is happening the whole time. Can you guess what it might be?”
HOT TIP!! This questioning encourages higher-order thinking and gets students curious before you even move.
Step 2 – Focus the demonstration - I Do
“I’d like you to particularly watch how my thigh bones are rolling continuously outwards and how my spine grows taller and taller as I go down.”
(Choose one technical element you’d like them to notice.)
Step 3 – Add an interactive twist - I Do
“I’ll demonstrate one more time. This time, put your hands on your head the moment you see my thigh bones being held outwards the entire time.”
HOT TIP!! This keeps students engaged and actively observing.
Step 4 – We do
“Let’s try it together now.”
HOT TIP!! Repeat as many times as needed.
Step 5 – You do
“Well done, give it a try on your own.”
Step 6 – Feedback with encouragement
“I really loved how everybody tried to roll their thigh bones outwards and keep a lengthened spine. But I noticed not everyone held it the entire time. Let’s try it again with that as our goal. Who’s going to be my winner and hold it for the whole grand plié?”
HOT TIP!! This is a version of the praise sandwich - start with something positive, then add constructive feedback, and finish with encouragement. Making it fun by adding a playful “winner” element keeps motivation high.
Why This Teaching Strategy Work a Treat EVERY Time!
The gradual release structure takes away overwhelm. Students aren’t juggling five different corrections at once - they’re guided step by step until they can confidently own the movement. It also keeps you, the teacher, from feeling like you’re repeating yourself endlessly without results.
It’s simple, it’s clear, and it sticks.