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Educators' Frequently Asked Questions
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“I can focus more—not just at dance but school too. I’m better at long tests and writing assignments.”
- Jesus, 4th grade |
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Will CDI interfere with teaching academic content?
CDI in-school classes are 50 minutes once a week, with a few additional rehearsals closer to the culminating performances. Classroom teachers who participate in CDI budget their time to ensure that all academic content areas are addressed. Many of our classroom teachers and school administrators attest that CDI has helped students in academic areas.
How is CDI funded and how much will it cost my school?
CDI Partnership schools pay a small percentage of the overall cost of the program. Funding from private foundations and individual donors covers the majority of the program costs.
Who participates? When? And Where?
If your class has been chosen to participate in the CDI program at your school, all of your students participate in the weekly 50-minute dance classes. CDI demands 100% participation by all its students in. Classes are held in your school’s auditorium or multipurpose room during the school day. SWAT (Super Wonderful Advanced Team) is held after school at the same school site.
What do I have to do as a classroom teacher in CDI classes?
We have found that the more involved the classroom teacher during CDI class, the better the experience for the students. Many of our classroom teachers come on stage with their class, dance, and help support the CDI teachers and the learning process. You may be asked to act as a judge during our dance activities, or even to have a minor role in your students’ unique class dance that they perform in the culmination showcase.
What is an In-School Coordinator (ISC)?
Each partnership school has an In-School Coordinator (ISC). This is a classroom teacher who takes on more responsibility and communicates between CDI and other participating classroom teachers at their school. ISCs help distribute student memos, organize scheduling changes, and also accompany their school’s Super Wonderful Advanced Team to the theater for three days during the Event of the Year Show in June.
Benefits associated with study of the arts and student achievement:
* Reading and language skills
* Social skills
* Collaboration
* Value of exercise
* Risk-taking
* Perseverance
* Mathematic skills
* Motivation to learn
* Positive school environment
* Sense of community
* Self-esteem
* Recognition of effort as the main ingredient for success |
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