Salsa Dancing Brings Latin-American Culture to Life for Herrick Spanish Students

Students in Charlene Franks’ eighth-grade Spanish classes at Herrick got a true taste of culture May 18 with a primer course in salsa dancing taught by instructor Matt Mordini.

“We have been talking about Latin-American culture in the United States, and I thought this would be a great way to incorporate some of that culture into the lessons,” Franks said.

Dancing is also a popular trend right now, thanks to shows such as Dancing With the Stars, and some of the eighth-graders had participated in the dance and etiquette class offered at Herrick this spring, she added.

Mordini taught the students the four basic “building block” patterns of salsa: the salsa basic, the ladies’ turn, the gentlemans’ turn and the waterfall. It was a way to introduce the students to the dance style without overwhelming them, he said.

In learning to dance, students also are boosting skills such as coordination and memory, he added.

“Dance is one of the most physically and mentally challenging activities you can do,” he said.

Eighth-grader Finn Casey said he enjoyed the dance lesson.

“I wouldn’t mind doing this more often,” he said.

Izzy Greenblatt said it was an interesting way to learn about the culture they had been talking about in the classroom.

“It was cool because it was hands-on,” said Mary Norek.

During the third period class that day, students in the Southeast Association for Special Education in DuPage program at Herrick got the chance to participate in the salsa lesson, as well.