Documentary is mad, hot

I rented the excellent documentary “Mad Hot Ballroom” this past weekend, and I was reminded of the transformational and leveling potential of public education — and the educational value of the arts. The film is about a competitive ballroom dancing program in some New York City elementary schools. One school principal noted that more than 90 percent of her students are poor and could never afford to take private dance lessons. She also has seen positive behavioral and academic changes in students as a result of the program. A teacher at the same school observed that you can never tell what talent is within a student until you give it a chance to come out.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

5 Comments

  1. Damoon
    Posted December 21, 2005 at 9:23 am | Permalink

    Ballroom dancing….now that will certainly help us compete in the world market. Certainly more fun than learning math!

  2. Galahad
    Posted December 21, 2005 at 12:56 pm | Permalink

    Hmmm . . . I think it could work. It would teach the kids discipline, self-respect, respect for others, working together as a team.

    It’s really just another kind of physical education, which we all desperately need more of.

  3. justoneman
    Posted December 26, 2005 at 10:55 pm | Permalink

    I have to agree with Damoon. Didn’t think that would ever happen, but life is always full of surprises. Oh well, at least we would look really good (dancing the night away) when the Chinese run over us and we join the ranks of nations that USED to be world leaders.

  4. Roo
    Posted December 27, 2005 at 1:07 pm | Permalink

    Damoon,

    First, congrats on the upcoming bundle of joy. Say hi to the kids. Ours had just celebrated his first christmas by sleeping mostly…

    Second, I would like to offer my testimony about the benefit ballroom dancing did to me. It may not help me finishing up my degree at WSU, but it has taught me self-confidence and social grace I have sorely lacked previously. I learn how to lead and follow and how to interact in social settings. That actually can be of paramount importance in marketing the academic skills later on in life. At least, I wouldn’t make a fool of myself at weddings!

  5. Damoon
    Posted December 27, 2005 at 7:16 pm | Permalink

    Good point, Roo. We had to take square dancing in gym when I was in high school. Ballroom dancing would be a bit more dignified!Kiss your little one for me, would love to see him in person someday.