Schools innovate with dance, gender awareness
By Fei Lai and Liao Fangzhou |
February 23, 2013, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA is stressing innovation in its economic development, and the notion of looking for creative new ways to do things has caught the attention of Minhang elementary schools, where an array of experimental classes have been added to the curriculum.
The "Dance to the Future" program, initiated by the Minhang Education Bureau, was among the first, introduced into eight elementary schools since last August.
It targets students with no experience in dancing and aims to use dance skills to improve confidence, happiness, imagination and team spirit.
"No one is excluded, even if they are overweight," said Liu Mengyu, a teacher from the Hongqiao Central Elementary School. "The key is to use dance education as a means to raise the overall quality of each student."
Teachers like Liu play a major part in the project. They not only work as instructors but also participate in all practice sessions along with the students.
Eight teachers were sent to the United States to take summer holiday training and do research on the project.
Among the eight was Zhang Fan from the Rixin Experimental Elementary School. She has become "extremely passionate" about the program.
"Students feel it is so much different from ordinary music classes," Zhang said. "I like to spend time interacting and dancing with them."
The project is popular among students. At the Qibao Mingqiang Elementary School, many students keep on dancing when the bell rings at the end of class.
At the Hongqiao Central Elementary School, where the project has been underway for four months, students say the dancing classes are among their favorites.
Chen Baiye, director of the China Welfare Institute Children's Palace, said the project not only showcases advanced education concepts but also leads to healthy exercise for the young.
"It is more than just dancing," Chen said. "It's an integration of music and creativity. Dancing well is not what matters most. Student participation and overall progress are the focus."
Dance isn't the only innovation in the district's educational curriculum.
For "gentlemen" and "ladies"
The Qiangwei Elementary School has come up with its own experimental course to highlight gender roles.
Students from grades three to five are enrolled in a "classroom for boys" or a "classroom for girls."
The purpose of the course is to instill knowledge and skills on how to become "new-age gentlemen" and "fair ladies."
"It's necessary to develop masculine or feminine traits," said Feng Xiaoyu, the teacher for the boys' program. "For example 'brave' for boys and 'elegant' for girls. That's not to say gender equality is not important, but this is a way of helping students to understand the special attributes of both genders."
In the "classroom for boys," students learn how to knot a tie, how to read gas, water and electricity monitors at home and how to fix a computer. They also practice military precision drills aimed at giving them a sense of "manliness."
The girls, meanwhile, are busy learning baking, embroidering and etiquette.
"Many students are excited about these classes," Feng said. "The skills they learn apply to their daily lives and will surely influence their futures."
Due to the optional nature of the courses, students from different grades are allowed to enroll in the same class. This is said to improve interaction with other age groups.
Parents, too, seem to like the idea of the course. "Today, there is a growing trend for girls to dress and behave like boys, and for boys to become sissies," said Chen Yiguang, the father of a 10-year-old.
"Although society tolerates the blurring of gender lines, I think it's important for young people to be aware of whom they are," he added.
The "Dance to the Future" program, initiated by the Minhang Education Bureau, was among the first, introduced into eight elementary schools since last August.
It targets students with no experience in dancing and aims to use dance skills to improve confidence, happiness, imagination and team spirit.
"No one is excluded, even if they are overweight," said Liu Mengyu, a teacher from the Hongqiao Central Elementary School. "The key is to use dance education as a means to raise the overall quality of each student."
Teachers like Liu play a major part in the project. They not only work as instructors but also participate in all practice sessions along with the students.
Eight teachers were sent to the United States to take summer holiday training and do research on the project.
Among the eight was Zhang Fan from the Rixin Experimental Elementary School. She has become "extremely passionate" about the program.
"Students feel it is so much different from ordinary music classes," Zhang said. "I like to spend time interacting and dancing with them."
The project is popular among students. At the Qibao Mingqiang Elementary School, many students keep on dancing when the bell rings at the end of class.
At the Hongqiao Central Elementary School, where the project has been underway for four months, students say the dancing classes are among their favorites.
Chen Baiye, director of the China Welfare Institute Children's Palace, said the project not only showcases advanced education concepts but also leads to healthy exercise for the young.
"It is more than just dancing," Chen said. "It's an integration of music and creativity. Dancing well is not what matters most. Student participation and overall progress are the focus."
Dance isn't the only innovation in the district's educational curriculum.
For "gentlemen" and "ladies"
The Qiangwei Elementary School has come up with its own experimental course to highlight gender roles.
Students from grades three to five are enrolled in a "classroom for boys" or a "classroom for girls."
The purpose of the course is to instill knowledge and skills on how to become "new-age gentlemen" and "fair ladies."
"It's necessary to develop masculine or feminine traits," said Feng Xiaoyu, the teacher for the boys' program. "For example 'brave' for boys and 'elegant' for girls. That's not to say gender equality is not important, but this is a way of helping students to understand the special attributes of both genders."
In the "classroom for boys," students learn how to knot a tie, how to read gas, water and electricity monitors at home and how to fix a computer. They also practice military precision drills aimed at giving them a sense of "manliness."
The girls, meanwhile, are busy learning baking, embroidering and etiquette.
"Many students are excited about these classes," Feng said. "The skills they learn apply to their daily lives and will surely influence their futures."
Due to the optional nature of the courses, students from different grades are allowed to enroll in the same class. This is said to improve interaction with other age groups.
Parents, too, seem to like the idea of the course. "Today, there is a growing trend for girls to dress and behave like boys, and for boys to become sissies," said Chen Yiguang, the father of a 10-year-old.
"Although society tolerates the blurring of gender lines, I think it's important for young people to be aware of whom they are," he added.
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