Contortionist and circus performer Anna Protsiou taught all the students in Franklin Elementary about circus arts, including gymnastics, during two visits this spring.
The workshops were part of the English Language Arts Network (ELAN) ArtistsInspire program, which provides quality in-person visual arts and culture experiences for students with a professional artist.
Protsiou led students in a series of exercises such as zombie walks, wheelbarrow walks, handstands, cartwheels, bridges, and the splits. She also led a workshop introducing students to her background and circus performing arts.
“I love to come into schools; every school gives me something different, depending on how the students are,” said Protsiou. “Usually, it’s really good for students to get out of their brains and into their bodies,” she added.
“It was fun because it wasn’t just teaching, there were activities that were more challenging than in gym class,” said one Grade 5 student. “It was very different because I am not used to doing those types of movements,” added a Grade 6 student.
Gym teacher Michelle Blair noted that “It is fun for the kids to learn from someone else. Sometimes when it’s a visitor they put in a little more effort,” she added.
Blair explained, “It is fun to have a specialist who can really expose them to more things that I might be able to do in class.”
In general, the students really enjoy having different artists come to the school because it teaches them new experiences and skills.
*This article was written by students at Franklin Elementary School as part of a partnership between The Gleaner and the New Frontiers School Board.