“DANCING IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL MAKES ME HAPPY BECAUSE I SEE EVERYONE’S SMILING FACE.” – TASNIM, GR. 4
classes in teams of two to teach other stu- dents. Dance club members also enjoy naming the moves they create. “I love mak- ing dances the whole school uses,” Antoine shares at one of the practices.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
One day, as I was collecting pylons aſter WUW, one of the parents came up to tell me how refreshing it was that students aged four to 12, parents, caregivers, staff and even the school principal were learning all together. Even grandparents sometimes partake! Aſter another WUW, Michelle, a DECE,
shared that she feels like these mornings cre- ate an inclusive space where educators can model vulnerability. As I dance alongside my student leaders, I oſten say, “If you don’t know the steps, just freestyle and move!” I model risk-taking when I forget the steps and use this advice myself. Coming together as a whole community
is powerful and helps create an anti-op- pressive, safe environment where students are engaged and represented. Wednesday mornings feel like a vibrant community party as dance brings us all together for 15 to 20 minutes.
CREATING INCLUSIVE SPACES
WUW practices are lively, and students ex- plore movement by making use of every free space in the room. Last year, one dance club member, who was struggling in traditional class activities, was able to express complex ideas and feelings about inclusion through movement. Another, who was usually quiet in class, came to life during practice as she used dance as a vehicle to share her ideas. Trough the years, members have collabo- rated to use dance to tell stories of resilience, friendship and kindness.
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND RELEVANT PEDAGOGY
Learning what kind of music students lis- ten to, like and identify with is essential. Of course, the songs have to be vetted, but I oſten go home and listen to the music sug- gested by my students to get a better under- standing of who they are and what they are
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 35
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