Help me give my students in grades K-5 and our special needs ISLE program a theater performance of Cirque Zuma Zuma by helping offset the transportation costs of sending 465 students to the performance arts center.
Our elementary school (grades k – 5 and our regional ISLE program) is comprised of 465 students. 20% are described as nonwhite. We seek to eliminate the racial barriers of all students that have the preconceived notion, that to be a successful performer, one must “look” a certain way. Additionally, according to our end of year climate survey, 25.85% of students feel that students are NOT caring and friendly to each other. 28.29% feel that students at school do NOT treat each other with respect. This opportunity exposes children to diverse cultures through the arts, specifically, understanding the African culture through music and dance.
Our county has limited diversity, and many of our students have not had the opportunity to attend live stage theater performances, especially our students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds (approximately 13% of our school qualifies for free/reduced-price lunches.) It is paramount that our minority students see that their cultural roots are celebrated and embraced by our school and community to help improve our students feelings about each other.
This project seeks to help build our school culture through a shared theater experience.
My Project
This opportunity exposes children to diverse cultures through the arts, specifically, understanding the African culture through music and dance. As the performers in Zuma Zuma come from different African nations including Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, students will learn about these places by engaging in online research prior to our trip. Teachers across the grade levels will receive a detailed study guide with suggested pre-matinee activities and cultural context that aligns with our curriculum.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the cultural expressions that are characteristic of particular groups and use this understanding to become more culturally sensitive.
Additionally, through their online research into Cirque Zuma Zuma, the cultures it represents, and the countries it originates from, this project will support the integration of digital learning. With only 20% of our students described as nonwhite, our school lacks student diversity. As such, minority students are underrepresented in the arts. With that said, the remaining population also needs to be exposed to successful minority performers. Since we seek to include all students and faculty, this directly correlates to building and nurturing the wellness and morale among staff, and integrate students’ social-emotional and behavioral learning into daily instruction.
As I write this proposal, I find myself reflecting on Lara Spencer’s recent insensitive comments just last month on Good Morning America regarding Prince George’s love of ballet and how these issues of bullying/acceptance are why it is so imperative we break down social barriers that keep boys and minorities from pursuing their passions, whether it be dance or any other form of personal expression. It is my hope that through the exposure of the arts for all at my school, this personal goal of mine is actualized.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Ells Perry and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
