March 12, 2003
School kids give moving history lesson
Eastern Elementary students present Dancing Through America program
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Skip recess to practice a dance?
Some sixth-grade students at Eastern Elementary School recently made the sacrifice in order to perfect their Village People act, recreating the look and sound of the famous 1970s group.
These students and the whole school have been dancing as part of a month-long program called Dancing Through America, which brought area dance teachers to music classes twice a week for three weeks.
Led by three teachers from Ballet, Etc., each grade focused on a different era in American History and learned the dances associated with that era. Dancers mastered everything from the reels, tangos and the Charleston to jitterbug, disco and a Latin medley of salsa, mambo and the cha-cha.
"The kids were more than enthusiastic, they were so fun to work with," said Erin Peck, a teacher at Ballet, Etc., who helped design Dancing Through America. "They really took it very seriously and they loved it and did well."
Students strutted the steps they learned Wednesday afternoon during a special all-school assembly. Thursday evening, the theme of the school's Family Fun night was a sock hop, where dancers of all ages learned the ins and outs of American dances.
"I learned that we did different kinds of dances in different years and people still do them," said Amy Wiseman, a fifth-grade student at the school. "It was fun and I enjoy dancing."
Principal Bill Smith, who every year likes to involved the whole school in a in-depth arts-related project, conceived of Dancing Through America. He enlisted the help of Peck and Tom Morrell, owner/director of Ballet, Etc. Lisa Reehorst, a dance teacher at West High School and Ballet, Etc. and a parent of students at Eastern also helped teach the program.
A believer in arts in education, Smith wrote grants to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Traverse Area Arts Council for the program. The Eastern Elementary PTO also helped fund the event.
"We're big believers around here, as most of the schools are, in doing things that are enriching and that build a sense of community," Smith said. "I am a big supporter of the arts and I think it is not only enriching for every child but especially meaningful for some kids, that's where they shine because their area of giftedness may not be in the typically tested areas."
Morrell noted that dance provides an opportunity for students to learn and express themselves in a different ways.
"Dance is visual, which young people need," he said. "Movement itself is a form of self expression and regardless of their level of competence, it is a way for them to express themselves."