Day 5 Session (July 4, 2006)
- Posted by: chantal
- On: 07/04/2006 12:54:09
- In: Uncategorised
East Meets West in Alberta
Nee-Ha-Oo (that's hello in Chinese)! From Bangkok to Botswana and Brazil to Beijing, Rosslyn Junior High School is a multi-ethnic school in Edmonton that celebrates the cultural diversity of students from 18 different nationalities.
Of the many cultures that make up the ethnic collage at Rosslyn, students focused primarily on elements of the Chinese culture. A handkerchief dance, a folk dance style that originated in agricultural working life often performed at public gatherings as a way of welcoming the audience, was demonstrated by six students.
Two forms of a lion dance were also presented to Washington. This style of Kung Fu practiced by Rosslyn students is a rare system of self-defense which combines foot techniques, hand techniques, seizing and controlling.
The last dance showcased for the audience, the Ribbon Dance, was once only performed for royalty but is now popular among all audiences for its grace and beauty.
Following the dances, Washington audience members asked the Minister what percentage of the population in Alberta in Chinese and how long students rehearsed to master the art of various dances.
As Mr. Godwaldt (Rosslyn teacher) so eloquently put it, the Canadian cultural mosaic transcends subject material and permeates every aspect of Rosslyn Junior High - even Math! Every year, Rosslyn hosts the Higher Level Learning in Mathematics and Culture conference and this year's featured country was China.
Over 600 students, teachers, and community members from across Canada participated in hands-on problems and puzzles, all created by students.
Borders and cultures were crossed when students worked via video-conferencing to share math problems and work collaboratively on solutions. As the students described through a Powerpoint presentation, Math is a conversation in its basic form. The video-conferencing sessions proved that Math is just as much about people and culture and how we can live and work together as any other subject studied in school.
