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Minds in Motion

While thousands of Virginia students walked across stages to collect their diplomas this month, several hundred marked the end of the school year in a different way-- with the grand finale of Minds in Motion, a program that sends dance teachers into the public schools.

Virginia requires fourth graders to study math and language arts, science and history – but about two dozen districts have added another subject to the curriculum.

Once a week they gather to study ballet.

They rehearse for a year-end performance which, in 2018, was all about Jamestown, but the acting director of the Minds in Motion program, Jordan Glunt, says they learn much more than history.

“We’re listening to music. We’re starting to learn how to count it, and so  whether we’re using math, you’re practicing a particular step.  You’re going to do it this many times, but if I wanted to divide that in half, what would it be?  Anything that we can to help the classroom teacher,” she explains.

They use language to support learning.

“Students will pick up choreography, the connection of steps,  easier and faster if we give them words to say,” she explains.  “We are doing Jamestown, and in their finale they’re sort of summarizing the whole show, so they say: Going to the New World.  Peace out, London!” 

And they gain important life skills.

“It does take discipline, and it is hard work, but it also can be very freeing,” Glunt says. “We really support creativity – so they get this sense of play in a way. We can have fun, but there is a structure to it that is getting them to learn and move, and they really start to work together as a class.”

Even boys who initially shun ballet find it has its merits.

“Professional football players are taking ballet classes to help with being more agile and quick on their feet and able to move quickly,” says Glunt.  “Virginia students get that because they’re dancing, they’re working really hard, they break a sweat and by the end of the Minds in Motion Class they’re like: Oh! Some of my favorite experiences are boys going, ‘I’m not doing ballet!’ and then by the end of the year they’re the ones in the front row who are like – Yes”’

Teachers and students report that ballet has boosted their self-confidence, offering another way to succeed at school, and Glunt says it’s an experience that stays with them long after the curtain comes down. 

“I’ve run into students that I’ve taught 10 years ago in the grocery store, and they go, ‘I remember my finale dance,’ and they will dance in the grocery store aisle, the entire finale.”

But don’t take her word for it.  We spoke with Charlottesville students Lamira, Mary, Kira, August and Michelle.

“It’s a good way to get active, and you could express a lot of emotions in dancing.”

“It makes me feel happy.”

“At first I really didn’t want to do it, but I ended up liking it a lot and meeting new friends.”

“I’m a crazy person in class.  I’m always running around and stuff, so this helps me get out all of my energy.”

“I also get to be with a big group of my friends and we all get to work as a team.”

“Whenever I’m stressed or I don’t agree with something somebody said, I can turn to dancing.”

In addition to working with kids in Richmond and its suburbs, Charlottesville and Chesapeake, the program has an international component – working with Israeli and Arab children in the Middle East.  

Sandy Hausman is Radio IQ's Charlottesville Bureau Chief
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