April 4: Sweet Cherie at Hearst ES
On Monday, April 4th, “Sweet Cherie” Mitchell-Agurs brought the rhythm of go-go to Hearst Elementary School. During her two classroom visits, 3rd graders learned the history of go-go, listened to go-go renditions of famous songs, and sang and danced with Sweet Cherie. One student was excited to share what the class had learned about the “Godfather of Go-Go” Chuck Brown. Enthusiasm grew as “Sweet Cherie” talked about her time playing with Chuck Brown and introduced the class to his take on Duke Ellington in “Take the Go-Go Train.” Students had a blast turning the classroom into their own go-go, where they used syncopation to create a song, showed off their moves in a dance circle, and engaged in the call-and-response. One student beamed,
This was the best ELA ever!
Teacher Hannah Halpern reflected:
THANK YOU, Teach the Beat, for organizing — the kids loved it!