Tuesday 10 May 2011

Creating Community in Class

Originally posted by artsConnect.tv: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG0BtILR0qw

Two of our students - Baykali Gunumbarr and Wakara Gondarra (Elcho Island Dancers) performed at Adam Hill's "Not a Proppa Aborigine" exhibition at the Mosman Art Gallery in October 2010 (Sydney Australia) before joining us here in Darwin. It's worth watching as they also perform the Chooky Dancer's Chooky Dancer's incredibly popular version of Zorba the Greek Yolngu style, from having personally danced in that group.

If you can, take a minute to see our school's version here!!

These young men are from a very remote island community who have had the insight and creativity to blend traditional Yolngu and Greek dancing styles into their own unique style.

My Reflection:
While many of our students have incredible talents, we don't often seem them display it (because of 'shame')  but these videos are a wonderful way to unlock their sense of humour and confidence! When I showed this in class today (with Baykali) the whole atmosphere changed - from a serious quiet to cheering and dancing, from embarrasment to confidence and openness! Aboriginal students are deeply relational so we often use pictures, videos and music of the their activities to create a fun, sharing atmosphere - what a wonderful way to create a strong sense of community in our classes!

What do your students relate to? What ways unlock confidence and create a fun atmosphere for your Indigenous students?

1 comment:

  1. Rachel Borneman11 May 2011 at 16:03

    Great Chris, I was just writing up a appraisal about why I need a video camera. Parts of your reflection helps to emphasise why :-)

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