today I began a Ugandan unit with middle school and kindergarden. With the Ks, I started as I usually do, with discussion, maps, pictures, video, artifacts (drums, rattles, dolls, banana leaf fibres, bark cloth, etc). Then, instead of teaching them a Ugandan dance, I decided that I would play a video of Ugandan dance and just let them dance along, without my intervention. This format is far more authentic to the pedagogy of learning traditional dances than having a solo teacher describe and break down the steps. It was magical, fun, the kids were totally engaged and excited and some of them were able to copy some of the movements very well. Allowing them to join in to the dance that was (virtually) already happening and learn on their own from elders in the video seemed to natural and allowed for personal journey of understanding from each child. 26 years into this teaching thing and I really am still learning. And lots and lots more to learn!
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 20:26:25 +0000
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