Estudio de baile en 4º Grado / Dance Study in 4th Grade

To provide the fourth graders an opportunity to learn more about Latino culture, a dance study has taken root and the students are ecstatic to take part. To start our journey, the students watched introductory videos such as “Chuck Vanderchuck / The History of Salsa” by PBS Kids (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfrA0S9A-70) and “Latin Music” by BrainPOP (https://www.brainpop.com/artsandmusic/musicalgenres/latinmusic/). These videos introduced the fourth graders to some of the many different styles of Latin music, where Latin sounds come from, and what cultures they draw on. They also familiarized the students with some of the most popular categories of Latin music such as salsa, merengue, bossa nova, ranchera, and tango.

After the viewing, the students were invited to break into groups of four. Then, each group was asked to pick from one of three Latin music genres; salsa, bachata, or merengue. Once the group agreed to a specific genre, a video by “ArtsEdge; The Kennedy Center’s Arts Education Network” was introduced that included a demonstration of the basic steps to their dance of choice. 

The goal? To learn the steps for their chosen dance and demonstrate it to the class with a culminating activity of presenting in an assembly to our Lower School community.

A portion of the Estudio de baile (Dance Study) is a written component where the students research the history of the dance including the country of origin, the types of musical instruments used, and some of the famous Latin music artists. Their found facts will also be shared with the larger group.

The fourth graders have been working very hard at learning these steps, even being creative by including their own sabor (flavor) to their dance. If you are able, please join us this Friday (3/10) to watch them perform their learned skills during our morning assembly at 8:30. Come feel el ritmo latino!!