3rd Class (February 15)

The first thing my class did today was examine a map of the Pacific Ocean. I do not want to doubt my students, but I have to be sure that they are aware of where Tahiti is located on a map. Now I am positive that they know where this dance that I am teaching them comes from. This enhances their geographical awareness.
After warm ups, we watched a video of my dance group perform Mokore’a (the Tahitian dance that I am teaching the class). I wanted them not only to see my group, but to see how the story is portrayed in a live performance with costumes and drummers for an audience. I wanted my students to look at the dancers’ facial expressions and the noises they made while dancing. I was pleased to see the whole class quiet and focused on the television screen. I wanted them to know that I was teaching them the same exact choreography that my group performs. After viewing Mokore’a the class asked to watch my solo performance. By watching my performance I was able to ask them what moves they saw me doing in what variation. Girls raised their hands naming moves I had taught them but explaining how I had changed it or did a different variation of it. Another interesting aspect in watching the film was the fact that I was able to show the diversity of my group. My group has a lot of Filipino, Hawaiian, Samoan, Japanese, Mexican, and even African American dancers. Most of the dancers are mixed. I had my students identify this after watching the film and I think they were surprised to learn that you do not have to be Tahitian to dance the dance.
When we were finished watching the DVD we moved back to the dance floor. The girls were enthusiastic and excited to dance Mokore’a. I really feel that the culture and dance of Tahiti is now coming into context in their brains. My students have now seen and learned what Tahitian dance is. They know where the dance comes from and who performs it. My whole purpose for this class is cultural awareness and respect for diversity. I think we’re slowly getting closer to this thought every week.