In November, the 8th grade Spanish students had the unique opportunity to attend a live concert geared for young audiences at Matignon High School, in Cambridge. The Latin American Extravaganza showcased traditional and contemporary dance and music, featuring folkloric costumes from the Hispanic nations of the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Students were immersed in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and several other Spanish-speaking countries. Throughout the performance, students engaged in sing-a- longs and other interactive activities. Musicians paraded down the aisles and performed alongside the students. During the grand finale, two charismatic JGMS students joined the performers up on stage and dazzled us with their dance moves.
After lunch and back at school, students learned about the origins of the dances and discussed their favorite rhythms. We concluded the fun festivities with a movie about students' learning dances in schools and performing in a friendly competition.
The field trip brought life to just a few of the many cultural themes we discuss throughout the year. Students were already familiar with some of the dances; they'll have the opportunity to try out the steps in the upcoming units! It was quite the fiesta!
Latin American Extravaganza
¡BAILAR!