dance as a school energizer

Last week I saw dance effectively used as an energizer at a school meeting. Like many schools, the grade seven students are encouraged to take on a leadership role in building a welcoming school environment. Several grade seven students volunteered to choreograph a dance for "Heroes"; they presented this dance just before the Terry Fox run. I was impressed by the positive impact that this had on every age and stage, from the students to the parent volunteers. Music was also played for the students who were running on the school field. This music enticed the kids who had just finished the long run (off school grounds) to run a few laps around the field. Even those students who had finished running were having fun acting out a song or too for their peers. It was a good opportunity to see what an impact a school-wide collaborative approach looks like when music is valued and integrated.