NEWS
Harmony Hill students experience a lesson in
history through music, dance
Students at Harmony Hill recently took a trip around the globe as they enjoyed traditional world music and dance brought to the school by local performers Peter, Paul and George. On January 19, the trio brought a repertoire of songs and instruments to the school where they engaged students in an interactive history lesson that spanned centuries.
The lesson and performance focused on helping
students develop cross-cultural skills and understandings by having
them sing songs, listen to music, and participate in dances from a
variety of cultures, and compare them to those of their own culture.
The students were taught how to exchange greetings and appreciations
with their dance partners and the musicians at the beginning and end
of dances, and communicate non-verbally throughout the dance.
Peter, Paul and George spent an entire day at the school, where each
grade spent a class period in the gym, enjoying their music, stories
and activities. A secondary goal of the performance was to provide a
boost to the successful PBIS program at Harmony Hill, where students
follow the 3 Be's: Be safe; Be responsible; and Be respectful.
"The community dancing engenders respect for classmates, the group,
the school community, and other traditions and cultures," said Paul
Rosenberg, one third of the performing trio. "It also inspires
cooperation and courtesy that helps with group and community
building."
Rosenberg is a founder of the Dance Flurry, an annual event that
attracts hundreds of dancers to Saratoga Springs each year.
Watch the video of Harmony Hill students engaged in a hands-on history lesson...
