Frankie& Bob Goldfarb Grant: Professional Salsa Instruction for Physical Education
- School Year: 2016-2017
- Applicants: Michelle Boire, Lead Teacher PaulaDombek (King Philip Middle School)
- School: Hall High School
- Subjects: Physical Health Education
Jason Vega, an experienced outside salsa instructor, will provide salsa instruction to all 9th-grade students at Hall High School during the dance unit in physical education classes. Jason will instruct each physical education class two times in order for students to gain greater mastery of the salsa. Salsa is not currently taught in the dance unit, however, students will benefit from exposure to a new dance style, particularly one taught by an experienced professional. Students will learn how to perform basic steps integral to salsa dancing and also be asked to create their own salsa piece that includes the new steps. This grant aligns with several standards for ninth-grade physical education, particularly increasing peer-coaching skills. Salsa dancing is the perfect vehicle for practicing peer-coaching and leadership skills as students will need to work together to gain proficiency and understanding. Additionally, students will practice responsibility and motor skills throughout this unit, which are encompassed in several national physical education standards.