Students from Cannonsburg Elementary with members of the UK Dance Ensemble (see more photos)

Dozens of fifth grade students got a chance to learn some basic dance moves with the help of Professor Rayma Beal and the University of Kentucky Dance Ensemble on Wednesday afternoon, September 29th. The students were from Cannonsburg Elementary School in Ashland and they had come to UK as part of an all-day excursion into a study of the humanities. (See photos)

The UK field trip is an annual event for Cannonsburg’s fifth grade. Students get an opportunity to learn about visual art by visiting the UK Art Museum in the morning and in stage performance by learning some basic elements of movement in dance with the UK Dance Ensemble in the early afternoon.

“This sort of program we offer to many elementary and middle schools throughout the area. It is always pleasant to watch the students participate, but it’s even more memorable when teachers and parents also take part in the program,” said Professor Beal, Director of the UK Dance Ensemble and a professor with the UK College of Education.

Students from KHP 390 and selected members from the UK Dance Ensemble were group leaders in the dance lesson presented to the fifth graders on the Concepts of Force. Rayma Beal led the class. For most of the afternoon, the students worked as one large group exploring different types of movement.

Getting elementary school students to participate is often not difficult, Beal said. “Elementary school students are a delight to work with because they enjoy it. They like showing off,” said Beal.

As a testament to the success of the outreach program, schools that have worked with UK dancers in previous years tend to continue the relationship over several years. It also remains popular with the dancers as well. It is but one of many ways that the College of Education fulfills its role as an educational resource for schools in the state.

Update on October 13, 2004 13:05 by the Webmaster - Content by Brad Duncan