LOADING...

Costumes, taped music, material for sashes; illustrated study guide

Open space, boombox, smartboard or computer/projector
Tables and chairs for students
Parking spaces for 2 visitors (artist and facilitator)

Open space for dancing
Tables and chairs for students to work on a craft project (second visit, if booked).

I can find Laos on a map.
I can describe the climate and geography of Laos.
I can understand information on Southeast Asian society and explain how cultural values are expressed in dance.
I can perform a social dance from Laos and describe hand gestures in the dance and what they represent

The program uses art (music/dance/visual arts/costumes) to teach the culture, geography, and history of Laos in Southeast Asia in an authentic and engaging way that will resonate with the heritage of many students in Hartford schools. Lao dance educator Manola Sidara will demonstrate dance along with stories, costumes, and cultural information about Lao social dance. She will engage students in trying dances that will be new to them, encouraging first-hand learning about a different culture. Manola will tell the stories behind the dances to teach about Southeast Asian geography, Buddhism, language, and history, with a focus on social values such as gracefulness, collaboration, and respectful behavior.

Artist and facilitator meet with teacher before the visits to pre-plan. Teacher has presented some information to the class prior to the visit. Teacher is expected to be present throughout and actively engaged in helping students to participate.

Manola offers a traditional greeting in words and gesture. She plays Lao dance music. Using a discovery process, she first demonstrates the dance with hand gestures and movement in a circle, wearing her traditional costume and performing to music. She then asks the students to comment on what they observed, with guided questions such as: What did you see? What did you hear? What does this dance remind you of? What could the dance mean or represent? Is there something in your life like this? She fills in some information about the dance and its relation to cultural values. She asks the students to perform the dance with her. Then she asks them to reflect on what they felt, and if they experienced anything new (such as gracefulness, collaboration with others, calmness, respect). She invites questions. Before leaving she asks them to find out some information about Laos and its culture.

For grades 6 and 7, there is a longer and deeper discussion with students presenting what they have learned about Laos, and asking questions. Grade 6 focuses more on geography, natural resources, social context of Laos, Grade 7 more on culture and how Lao people came to America (including history and immigration).

Parents or caregivers or community members are welcome as volunteers, to help hand out supplies or assist with making the sashes and helping to organize the students for the group dance.