The District’s fifth graders entered and exited the Frank P. Long Intermediate School gymnasium in the escort position, two-by two and linked arm-in-arm, during a culminating performance for parents and faculty of Dancing Classrooms of Long Island. The 10-week physical education unit taught students core moves that form the basis of the merengue, fox trot, rumba, tango, swing, polka and waltz, as well as the importance of teamwork, empathy and respect.
During the program’s introduction, Dancing Classrooms of Long Island Educational Liaison Jessica Heins told parents, “The students walk away with a can-do attitude.” She also thanked the students by saying, “We are grateful to each and every student who bravely entered into Dancing Classrooms and we celebrate all that you have achieved.”
In addition to great exercise, the goal of the Dancing Classrooms physical education unit was to provide additional opportunities for students to hone teamwork, develop respect for peers and invoke elegance in movement. With the introduction of each dance, the students also learn about diverse cultures. Additionally, by learning the escort position, the students learned two important ideals of ballroom dancing, honor and respect.
During the program, demonstration teams and then groups of students performed each of the dance moves for parents, alternating partners during the performance. To further celebrate the dances’ diverse cultures, select students read poetry and prose to add to the festive occasion.
The program culminated with all of the teams and faculty dancing the polka. The students were then allowed to escort their choice of a partner onto the floor for one more dance.