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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 ... Read more

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. Laotian dance educator Manola Sidara will demonstrate dance along with stories, costumes, and cultural information about Laotian 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 Laotian 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 Grade 3, there is a short discussion of Asians/Laotians in our community. Group performance is for all grades.