Traverso Vargas, Jadira M.

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Divergent thinking in the English classroom: Center stage for stories, poems and cultural expressions through dance
(2014) Traverso Vargas, Jadira M.; Román Pérez, Rosa I.; College of Arts and Sciences - Arts; Irizarry Rodríguez, José M.; Mongar, Sonja; Rivera Montijo, Myrna; Ferrer López, José R.; Rivera, Rosita L.; Department of English; Maldonado, Noemí
This study demonstrates how dance performances can be used as a text within seventh, eighth and ninth grade English classes in Puerto Rico. The inclusion of dance performances enables students to relate to dance as a text, while complying with Puerto Rico’s national learning standards. A 15 item questionnaire was prepared for each of the grades in order to measure students’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to dance. It was distributed to students’ from a public school in Western Puerto Rico during their first academic semester The results not only suggest students consider dance to be a part of their Puerto Rican identity but that there is an interest and investment in dance. In addition, participants’ responses imply students continue to struggle with areas within the genres of short stories and poetry. Based on students’ responses a series of ESL lesson plans for each grade level were developed with dance as a central component.