In this non-graded school, Slama teaches 16-19 year olds whose capabilities range from kindergarten level to 11th grade level. She has worked there four years, but is in just her second year of teaching twice­weekly, half-hour juggling classes. She had just learned to juggle herself when she began teaching it at school. "I didn't really know how to teach it, I just did what I could," she admitted.

 

But students responded positively, and the school began supporting the project by buying equipment.

 

If students can successfully juggle one item 20 times, they may move to juggling two items. And when they juggle two objects 20 times, they get instruction in three objects. Peacock feather balancing and spinning plate manipulations are favorite activities, as well as scarves, bean bags and club juggling. Some of the more advanced students are stretching their teacher's ability to assign new tricks, but find plenty of things to work on by watching videotapes of IJA championships.

 

With so many students tossing a variety of items in one classroom, all students must learn to follow the rules. Failure to do so means suspension from lessons. Rules include being polite to everyone, watching out for others, listening, and following the teacher's directions. The students respond well, because no one wants to sit and watch others juggle.

 

Slama reinforces their progress with certificates. "One young man, Robert, could only use one hand, so I gave him a certificate for doing two scarves with one hand. Now he's trying three!" she said. Several have also earned Jugglebug cascade pins. Their experience in class are as varied as their disabilities. Slama told stories about several of them...

 

Rob is a 19 year old student, labeled as learning disabled. His visual-motor integration is at about a four-year-old level. Rob has a keen interest in juggling since his father juggles. At the beginning of the school year, Rob would wildly throw a bean bag in the air and attempt to catch it, usually unsuccessfully. After nine months of lessons, Rob could do a two bean bag shower continuously for 29 throws and catches.

 

Bill, a young man who has difficulty maintaining eye contact and is painfully shy in new social situations, also learned to juggle two bean bags. Bill started out being embarrassed juggling in front of the instructor. By the end of the school year, he offered to juggle for any visitor to the classroom and was a star performer in the juggling show.

 

Henry and Leonard are both 14 years old. Both can be behavior problems in their class. They are only allowed to attend juggling lessons if they complete their school work and behave in their classroom. Their academic teacher said that the juggling has been a good reinforcer for them.

 

Ricky came into class saying he didn't want to learn, but wanted to be the MC for the show. Slama finally convinced him he should try to learn "in case someone dropped out." Ricky learned scarves in 20 minutes last year and started working hard. Now he can do almost 20 throws with three bean bags.

 

Martinique also said she didn't want to learn, but Slama convinced her to try scarves. She got hooked, then took bean­bags back to the dorm and practiced all weekend. She came back to class the next week doing 20 throws.