We are very excited to have received an ArtSmarts grant for a project that will begin on February 11th and end with a celebration and performance on March 11th.  

     All students in grades four to six will prepare a choreographed dance to perform at a celebration of culture and diversity for parents and the community. Through the project, students will research and explore different cultural dances, music, patterns, clothing and food before preparing the dance.  Students will then learn dances and movement from different cultures and will use this information and experience in the choreography of their final product. Students will also help prepare and design the set, costumes, and venue for the performance.  

     The school community will provide food items that the students find would be appropriate based on their research.  "Together We Dance" is meant to be a means of celebrating the diversity within our school and sharing our celebration with the community.  Throughout this project students will be engaged in critically examining the prejudices, stereotypes, and biases that come into play when we look at culture.  They will also have an opportunity to explore the social, historical, and environmental factors that can influence music, dance, and traditions within a culture.  

     The intention is for the students to develop a deep respect and understanding for cultural diversity through exploration in the Arts.

May 4, 2008

The West Kent grade 4-6 students did a wonderful job of presenting the Art Smarts Presentation "Together We Dance".  The gym was decorated with beautiful art work that was created by the classes and filled with parents, grandparents, siblings, and other guests.  The students presented dance pieces representing Kenya, Columbia, the Middle East, Asia and North American Aboriginal culture.  They also presented a lovely recorder piece, folk tales, a legend, an Aboriginal drum circle, a skit and a song that moved many in the audience to tears.  Through their presentation they had an opportunity to express the appreciation and understanding that they have for the different cultures that they had a chance to explore.  Many of the students and guests also enjoyed the food after the performance and the students loved making and wearing the clothing representative of the cultures they had studied.  The students will have a chance to perform a sampling of "Together We Dance" at the Provincial Art Smarts Exhibition in the gallery at the Confederation Centre on April 29th.  The staff and students would like to thank Kelly Miles and Julia Sauve for making this event possible.   

West Kent Staff,
 
visit the Artsmarts Official Site

Kelly Miles