Squad Sparkle Teacher Guide Competition Dance Clinic Guide
Squad Sparkle Lesson Plan
Teaching Teamwork, Encouragement, & Positive Self-Talk for Ages 5–7
Duration 45 Mins
Core Focus
Peer Cheering
Target
Ages 5–7 (Tryout)
Deliverable
Teamwork Focus
Learning Objectives
Model at least 2 positive peer cheering actions.
Demonstrate self-talk reset when making a mistake.
Practice spatial teamwork and sync pacing.
Respond constructively to coach feedback.
Phase 1: The Cheering Circle Warm-Up
10 Mins
Students stand in a circle. Combine basic dance stretching with vocalized peer encouragement. Every time a student completes a stretch, the squad gives a stylized cheer!
Coach Script & Action Sequence
"Welcome, dancers, to Squad Sparkle! On a competition team, our sparkles grow brighter when we shine together! Let’s stand in a huge, beautiful circle."
Stretch & Cheer Loop: Select a dancer to lead 4 counts of a reach up. Coach: "Ava is reaching for the stars! Squad, give her a sparkle shake!" All dancers shake hands high and yell "Go, Ava!" Repeat so every dancer gets cheered.
Phase 2: "Freeze & Praise" Activity
15 Mins
Dancers move freely across the floor showing high-energy improv dance. When the music stops, they freeze, find the nearest dancer, and immediately give a specific compliment or high-five.
Key Game Elements
Round 1: High-Five Express Fast freezes, speedy compliments. High-five within 3 seconds of the music stopping.
Round 2: The Sparkle Shout Praise a specific skill: "I loved your pointed toes!" or "Awesome leap!"
Squad Sparkle Coach Guide • Clinic Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
Squad Sparkle: Skill Application
Integrating peer connection and self-talk during competitive evaluation
Phase 3: Tryout Routine & Team Integration
15 Mins
During the clinical tryout combo, teach a basic 8-count routine. Split students into performance lines. Teach the concept of "Off-Stage Support"—what they do when they wait for their turn.
Line Integration Prompts
• The "Sideline Cheer Squad": Line B sits on the side in ready positions, clapping on beat and smiling at performing Line A.
• Synchronized Finish: At the final pose, the non-dancing line must immediately cheer out loud and throw hands up to celebrate the performing line.
Phase 4: "My Sparkle Talk" (Handling Mistakes)
5 Mins
In competition, mistakes happen. Teach young dancers how to handle a missed step using immediate positive self-talk and a visual "reset" motion.
The "Brush It Off" Visual
Teach dancers to mimic brushing dust off their shoulders if they forget a step, followed by placing hands on their hips with a giant smile.
The Affirmation Script (Repeat together)
"I missed a step, but that's okay! My sparkle team is here to stay! Brush it off, keep on moving!"
Counselor & Coach Observation Tactics
What to Look For:
Direct eye-contact & smiling in warm-ups.
Spontaneous, prompt high-fives.
Smiling recovery if a step is forgotten.
How to Score:
Focus on energy over perfect dance moves.
Value dancers supporting others in groups.
Award points for vocal team praise.
Squad Sparkle Coach Guide • Clinic Lesson Plan Page 2 of 2
Squad Sparkle Rubric Tryout Evaluation
Squad Sparkle Teamwork Rubric
Let's check how we shine together as a team!
Dancer Name
Tryout #
My Sparkle Power! (Dancer Self-Evaluation)
How did you shine today? Color in the face that matches how you did!
1
I clapped and cheered for my dance friends!
🤩 Awesome
🙂 Good
😐 Tried
2
I brushed off my mistakes and kept smiling!
🤩 Awesome
🙂 Good
😐 Tried
3
I listened to the coach's directions!
🤩 Awesome
🙂 Good
😐 Tried
Coach Teamwork Spotlight (Observation Checklist)
For evaluators: Score the candidate's focus on non-technical collaborative assets during the clinical tryout.
Team Player Behaviors Superb (3) Active (2) Developing (1) Peer Encouragement Cheered on other dancers by name during warm-ups & combos.
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| Resilient Recovery (Self-Talk) Brushed off errors with a smile and maintained positive focus. |
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| Interactive Focus Exhibited listening and spatial alignment with line peers. |
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Coach & Evaluator Notes
Squad Sparkle Clinic Assessment Form • Competition Tryouts Page 1 of 1
Squad Sparkle Activity Bundle Take-Home Fun
Squad Sparkle Activity Bundle
Name: ______________________
WE SHINE
TOGETHER!
🤩
HIGH FIVE!
😎
My Positive Sparkle Affirmation:
"I shine brightest when I cheer for my friends and keep on smiling!"
Squad Sparkle Activity Bundle • Part 1: Color Me! Page 1 of 3
Active Learning
My Sparkle Team Goal Sheet
Name: ______________________
Set Your Sparkle Goals!
Good leaders and teammates make plans to support their friends. Draw and write yours below!
Activity 1
Draw Your Squad!
Draw yourself and a dance friend dancing and high-fiving together.
"We look awesome dancing together!"
Goal 1
My Cheer Goal
I will cheer for my dance friends today by yelling:
Write or dictate your favorite cheer!
Goal 2
My Mistake Reset
When I forget a dance step or make a mistake, I will say this to myself:
Write or dictate your self-talk reset!
The Squad Promise
"I promise to keep my energy high, cheer on my teammates, brush off my mistakes, and always follow coach directions so our whole dance squad can shine!"
Squad Sparkle Activity Bundle • Part 2: My Goals Page 2 of 3
Take-Home Badges
Squad Sparkle Teamwork Badges
Cut & Wear!
Instructions for Coaches & Parents
Cut along the dashed lines to hand out these special badges during clinical tryouts! Dancers can wear these badges proudly on their shirts or stick them on their water bottles to showcase their leadership and team spirit.
CUT
Cheer Champion
Awarded for yelling positive encouragement to peers!
CUT
Mistake Melter
Awarded for brushing off mistakes and keeping a smile!
CUT
Teamwork Star
Awarded for aligning steps and working as a unified group.
CUT
Listen Leader
Awarded for paying excellent attention to the coach's directions.
CUT
Sparkle Squad
Awarded to those who bring bright, positive energy to the tryouts.
CUT
Super Supporter
Awarded for high-fiving and encouraging others at every transition.
Squad Sparkle Activity Bundle • Part 3: Badges Page 3 of 3
Squad Sparkle Leadership Script Interactive Mat Time • Page 1
Squad Sparkle Leadership Script
A Coach's Read-Aloud & Roleplay Guide for Teamwork, Pride, and Sportsmanship
Coach's Setup Guide: Gather the dancers in a tight semi-circle on the floor. Hold your posture tall, smile warmly, and use an animated, enthusiastic story-telling voice.
Part 1: The Magic Teammate Secret
"Gather round, my sparkle squad! Let’s sit tall like royal dancers. Did you know that a competition team has a secret superpower? It’s not how high we leap, and it’s not how fast we turn. Our superpower is called Teamwork Power! "
"A great teammate isn't someone who is perfect. A great teammate makes everyone else in the room feel brave! When you cheer for a friend, you actually give them a little bit of your magic. When one teammate shines, the whole squad sparkles! We celebrate each other's success as if it's our very own!"
Part 2: The True Pride Trophy
"Now, listen closely... did you know that the most beautiful trophy in the entire world isn't made of shiny plastic or metal? The absolute best trophy is the happy feeling inside your heart when you know you did your very best try! "
"Before we go to the stage, we make a promise to ourselves: 'No matter what happens, I am going to have fun and show my heart!' If we try our best and practice hard, we already won! Let's put our hands on our hearts and feel our proud heartbeat."
Part 3: "What Would a Leader Do?" Scenarios
Read these scenarios aloud and invite dancers to stand up and act out the "Sparkle Leader" response.
Scenario A The Wobble-Wobble
Your partner tries a big leap but wobbles and falls to one knee. They look sad.
Sounds Like:
"You got it, Mia! Great try! Try again, I'll leap with you!"
Scenario B The Line-Leader Turn
It's time to lead the line across the floor. Someone else gets chosen first.
Sounds Like:
"Woohoo! Go ahead, Leo! Show us your high kicks!"
Squad Sparkle Coaching Material • Leadership & Sportsmanship Script Page 1 of 2
Interactive Mat Time • Page 2
The Sparkle Sportsmanship Secret
Teaching Young Dancers Grace, Respect, and Joyful Outcoming
Part 4: Proud of Our Squad's Success
"What if your teammate is the one who gets a special star-award or gets chosen to show their turn in front of everyone? Do we feel jealous? No way! We feel a giant burst of proud happiness in our hearts!"
"We cheer for them like they just won a medal for the whole world! A Sparkle Leader says: 'When you win, our whole team wins!' We are so proud of our teammates' successes, because their hard work makes our whole squad shine brighter together."
