Extending the power and potential of Leap ‘N Learn
The new Leap ‘N Learn 7, 8 and 9 program was motivated by two key factors:
Members who LOVE the Leap ‘N Learn way that wanted to continue providing age-appropriate, high quality, progressive ballet education to ‘older’ students in their studios
Our drive to ensure Leap ‘N Learn programs are setting up students, teachers and studios up for success.
“Our goal was to create a cumulative and rigorous curriculum that prioritizes safe, secure ballet technique with a seamless classroom experience, ensuring no student feels like they’re left behind. ”
Introduced at the 2023 member conference, LNL789 is currently in the final stages of development and we're excited to officially launch a beta version to members who are super keen to roll it out in their studios! 🎉
What’s a beta version?
A beta version is an early release of a product (usually software) that's made available for testing to a limited number of people.
It's used to get feedback from the people that matter most (that's you!) to ensure the product is on the right track before general release. The product has already been tested internally across a few different teachers, so it's time to send it out to other users to make sure it's easy to understand and implement.
Getting feedback from a diverse range of teachers helps us make sure the product is as user-friendly and impactful as possible!
What does the beta version include?
Beta users will get access to:
a password-protected space on the Member Site. Resources and training links will be uploaded as they're made available or updated
ballet technique exercises for barre, center work, allegro and travelling skills for 7’s, 8’s and 9’s
initial curriculum resource documents outlining the exercises for each level
2 x live online training sessions with LNL789 curriculum creator, Alice Weber, MFA for you and your teachers. Each session will be 3 hrs – one will cover LNL 8 and the other will cover LNL 9 (with the potential to add a session for LNL 7 if there is member demand)
song suggestions for all exercises
feedback form to let us know how its going, ask questions, and give us your input
any updates or developments to the curriculum at no extra cost... ever!
WANT A PREVIEW OF THE CONTENT?
If you missed the US Leap ‘N Learn conference you can watch the recording below of the Intro to LNL789 session.
See Alice demonstrate and discuss select exercises from the new LNL789 curriculum, listen to Beverly’s insights on the program, and find out about our intentions during the development phase.
what is the online training session?
We're launching this offering with an online training session for beta users – that includes studio owners and their teachers.
There will be two separate 3-hour sessions, one for LNL 8 and one for LNL 9.
LNL789 curriculum developer, the absolutely exquisite, knowledgeable and articulate Alice Weber, will breakdown each of the exercises with teaching tips, while answering any questions you have along the way. It's the perfect way to hit the ground running!
Leap 'N Learn 8 year olds training session with Alice Weber
USA/CA 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 Sunday 27th August, 1pm-4pm (PDT), 2pm-5pm (MDT), 3pm-6pm (CDT), 4pm-7pm (EDT)
AUS 🇦🇺 Monday 28th August 6am-9am (AEST)
*the 9 yr old session will run within a week or two of the 8yr old session but you'll have access to 9yrs curriculum content by the date of the 8yr old workshop.
Can't make it live? The sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the private LNL789 membersite page for you and your teachers to access anytime.
Once the training sessions are complete, you'll receive a revised version of the curriculum documents that will include detailed teaching tips and clarify any questions that may arise from the training sessions.
HOw much is it?
Beta access is only available to Leap 'N Learn Licensed Members until September 30, 2023.
After this beta release, access will only be available once the program is fully completed, and it will be charged as an add-on cost to your monthly licensing fees on an ongoing basis.
Sign up during our beta launch and you'll lock in lifetime access to the new levels for a one-time payment.
That includes all future updates and developments too! So it's the PERFECT time to jump in, even if you may not be ready to go ahead with your older levels straight away.
There are payment options to make it even easier to capitalise on this one-time offer:
Payment in Full: one-time investment of $599
Payment Plan: 4 x easy-to-pay instalments of $149.50
FAQs
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There was a Ballet 1 curriculum that some members were using, but many found it to be a big jump from LNL 7. This is because it was created with 2 x 90 minute classes per week in mind, and that's not what all studios offer.
Additionally, since it's creation, Beverly has shifted her perspectives on what should be prioritised when teaching this age group, and believes there is content included in Ballet 1 that does not fall within the scope of what is developmentally appropriate for building secure ballet technique in children aged 8-9 years.We've removed exercises that Beverly has recommended should no longer be included , adapted existing Ballet 1 curriculum content, and added new exercises to create two distinct levels – LNL 8 and LNL 9.
We've also reworked LNL 7 to close the gap and create a more consistent, sequenced and progressive curriculum flow across all LNL levels.
There are also important development exercises that move students towards positions and concepts they'll use in later years, but that are often just "dumped" into other syllabi and curricula. Our goal was to create a cumulative and rigorous curriculum that prioritizes safe, secure ballet technique with a seamless classroom experience, ensuring no student feels like they're left behind. -
No, at this stage there is no certification for LNL789, though we highly recommend that all LNL789 teachers take the general LNL online certification course. We’re open to beta user feedback on teacher training/certification requirements for LNL789 in the future.
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Yes! It wouldn't be LNL if there wasn't creative movement involved. In LNL789, the creative movement portion of the curriculum will see a shift towards choreographic & compositional skill development, all the while providing students with opportunities for decision-making, problem-solving, conceptual development, team work and self-expression.
These exercises and activities are currently being developed and tested internally. When they're ready for beta testing, they'll be uploaded to the site and you'll be notified via email.
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Due to the nature of teaching and learning ballet at this level, at this point we don't have plans to create a strict 30-40 week lesson plan. Instead, we've designed a more adaptable 'cycle'-based approach for each level. This approach will be covered in the online training and curriculum documents.
Using ‘cycles’ instead of ‘months’ provides teachers a structure for the development of skills, technique and exercises over time, while allowing flexibility for different studio seasons, scheduling arrangements, and the specific needs of different learners.
The current beta product includes exercises for Cycle 1 (as a guide, LNL8 Cycle 1 has 22 exercises).
Questions?
Schedule a quick Zoom with Elena to find out more!