Sunday, January 24, 2010

I Gotta Feeling


Last week, over 100 students at Dr. E. Alma Flagg School performed a choreographed dance to the Black eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" for our Dr. Martin Luther King birthday celebration. The choreography was similar to the flash mob dance used for The Oprah Show's 24th season kickoff party. I wanted to create an all inclusive atmosphere for the students to demonstrate the concepts and ideals Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in. The objective goals of the lesson for the choreography were for the students to be able to:

  • Demonstrate respect for themselves and others
  • Respect space
  • Dance in unison
  • Show high levels of energy
  • Follow the leader

The experience was magical for the students and the audience. I even saw a few parents and teachers join the students on certain parts of the choreography. I used one student as the leader of the group whom they all had to take their cues from. Students were picked for the choreography not just based on their memorization and performance of the choreography but on their ability to demonstrate respect for their classmates. Students, who either; teased other students, spoke negatively, demonstrated apathy or were just plain disrespectful in class were not invited to be a part of this choreography. After we learned the dance I asked the students why they thought we were doing a dance titled "I Gotta Feeling" for a MLK birthday celebration. Some of the student's responses were:

  • "I've got a feeling is another way to say I Have a Dream"
  • "I've got a feeling that things are going to be better."
  • "MLK believed in blacks and whites living together. In this dance we have to get along because it is so many of us."
  • "When we all fell to the floor and got back up it was as it were dead and then got energized again from each other."
  • "My favorite part of the dance was the wave because it felt like we were passing the energy."

I am extremely proud of all the students who performed. I feel like they all stepped up a notch and decided to not just dance but dance with a purpose. I'm especially proud of the way they complemented each other after the performance and gave each other positive constructive criticism. I believe this is an experience they will not forget – I know I won't! I dance because I'm part of something big and I choose today to dance and live more abundantly.

3 comments:

Ms. McCree said...

It was a magical performance from beginning to end. I was very proud of each and every one of them. The "feeling" of positive energy radiated across the audience and into the seats. I cannot wait for the next performance. As always Mrs. Pope you bring out the best in each and every one of the children.

hopeandafuture said...

that sounds really great Dancing Angel. I just love what you are doing with the kids at Alma Flagg anyway. Hope I get a chance soon to get on over there and see how they have progressed. What are you plans for the Spring Dance Festival?

V Godwin Clark said...

I would have loved to see that! You always forget to invite me...