What’s the Goal? How Scaffolded Design & Clear Learning Objectives Transform Ballet Education

Austin Crumley
May 1
2 min read

Updated: May 2

Why This Matters

If you’ve ever ended class wondering, "Did they actually get that?" or watched your students flounder halfway through a combination, you’re not alone.

Too often, ballet class is built from tradition and intuition alone. While both are valuable, they’re not always enough to meet the needs of today’s dancers—who thrive when they know what they’re learning, why it matters, and how it builds over time.

This is where scaffolded design and clear learning objectives come in—two essential tools used in general education that belong just as much in our ballet studios.

What Are Learning Objectives?

Learning objectives are clear, specific statements of what your students should be able to do or understand by the end of a class, week, or unit.

They help:

Create clarity (for you and your students)
Focus your combinations and cues
Make success measurable and meaningful

Example: Instead of just saying "We’re working on arabesque," a learning objective might be: "Students will demonstrate a stable arabesque with an engaged core & active turnout from both the standing & working leg."

What is Scaffolded Design?

Scaffolded design is the intentional sequencing of skills, concepts, and learning experiences so that each step builds upon the last.

Think of it like building a ladder:

Each rung supports the next
You don’t throw a dancer to the top—you guide them one rung at a time

Scaffolding in ballet might look like:

Introducing weight shift at the barre → Applying it in center adagio → Using it dynamically in petit allegro (this can even happen over several class periods!)

This model prevents overwhelm, builds mastery, and respects the cognitive + physical stages of development.

3 Tangible Practices You Can Implement This Week:

1. Write Your Learning Objective on the Mirror or Board

Before class starts, write a clear goal your students can reference. This gives them a why behind the work and helps keep their attention anchored.

2. Break One Skill into 3 Progressive Tasks

Pick one concept (like rotation or balance) and create 3 layered exercises that scaffold the skill—from isolation → integration → application.

3. End Class With a Reflective Question

Ask: “What part of class helped you better understand today’s goal?” This builds metacognition and helps you assess your objective’s effectiveness.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Your dancers are living in a world that asks for more than clean technique. They need clarity, context, and a way to take ownership of their learning. When you bring scaffolded design and learning objectives into your class, you’re doing more than teaching ballet—you’re preparing dancers to think, reflect, and grow.

That’s what we do inside my signature offer beginning Summer 2025!

Inside, I guide you through: