Moving together

Congratulations to the fifth grade, who presented the results of ten weeks of laughing, dancing, learning and moving together tonight.
 

For the past eight years, Gordon fifth grade students have danced and moved their way through the winter months with a ten week dance program that centers social and emotional learning. 
 

This year the program evolved to focus on Latin dance with Mr. Brandon Contreras of Cultura Dance Arts in Pawtucket. 
 

Mr. Contreras taught the students about the rhythm, history and culture of bachata, salsa and merengue, and the students learned the dance steps alongside their teachers, practicing trust, respect and teamwork along the way. Sessions began and ended with a salutation of “respect and love,” with fists extended in greeting and then pressed to the heart. 
 

Mr. Contreras made the dance steps look easy, but the students—and their teachers!—soon discovered that it took tremendous focus to keep pace. 
 

When Mr. Contreras announced, “Checkpoint!” they would lock in, knowing that they wouldn’t be able to sit until their whole team executed the steps correctly. This approach celebrated the Middle School spirit of “everybody in, nobody out,” holding students accountable for their learning and giving them an opportunity to practice community responsibility. 
 

Back in January, the students shared many more worries than excitements in their opening circle. Tonight, their exhilaration and pride outpaced any stage fright or trepidation. 
 

The students led the entire program, introducing each dance, leading mini-workshops to break down the steps for their family members, and sharing their reflections about the experience. 
 

Then, in the final minutes of the program, the class of 2029 came together as a team to dance a choreography that spliced together all three dances, showcasing their learning and dancing together in unison with respect, with love, with confidence and with pride.

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