Middle School

Stage the Lesson! Because Some Lessons Deserve a Standing Ovation (PK-12)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Music, Paula Calderon, Single Session, Theatre

What if a lesson ended with a standing ovation? This Broadway musicals-inspired session blends choreography, interpretation, and drama with academic content. Students step into the spotlight by adapting lessons, concepts, songs, or movies into powerful scenes full of character, movement, and imagination. It’s a perfect entry point into physical expression, storytelling, design, and the joy of performing arts. If you need a new way of getting the point – or the facts – across, this session can do it for you. Available in English & Spanish.

Science Investigations and Creative Movement (2-12)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, Paula Calderon, Science, Single Session, Theatre

If your classroom scientists need a new way to approach a project or review content, consider adding the magic of music and movement. Scientific investigations take on new form in this imaginative and interactive session. Storytelling, rhythm games, and dance meet the scientific method in an experience that makes the lesson stick. Available in English & Spanish.

World Rhythms & Culture: Travel the Map Through Traditional Music & Dance (K-12)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Heritage Months/Celebrations, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Paula Calderon, Single Session, Social Studies

Step off the map and into motion! In this high-energy, immersive arts session, students take a kinetic journey around the globe—exploring diverse cultures, languages, and traditions through the universal power of dance, music, rhythm, and storytelling. Rather than just studying a map or memorizing vocabulary, in this session students embody the concepts. They will move through global dance forms, practice world language phrases through rhythmic call-and-response, analyze how geography shapes cultural expression, and collaborate on original movement pieces that honor global traditions. With a dash of folklore, history, and prop work added to the mix, this session is rich in options and opportunities. Prepare for a lesson with cross-curricular connections between Social Studies, World Languages, Geography, and Global Studies standards that also fosters empathy, cultural awareness, and creative collaboration. This session can be tailored to align with specific world regions, language immersion units, or school-wide multicultural celebrations, so please check in with the artist if you would like to customize.

The Zydeco Rhythms: Moving through Louisiana’s Culture (K-12)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Chris Lemelle & ShaRhonda Joseph, Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Louisiana, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music

Zydeco is just one ingredient in our local cultural cookbook, but where did it come from? In this session, students explore how Zydeco grew out of Creole traditions, learn dance steps, and uncover how music and movement reflect Louisiana’s history, identity, and community spirit.

Louisiana Living: From Gumbo to the Dance Floor (K-12)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Chris Lemelle & ShaRhonda Joseph, Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Louisiana, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Just like gumbo mixes lots of flavors, Zydeco mixes lots of traditions! Students will dance while learning how music, food, and celebrations are part of everyday Louisiana life.

Global Louisiana: Cultures Without Borders (K-12)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Chris Lemelle & ShaRhonda Joseph, Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Louisiana, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Louisiana culture doesn’t stop at state lines – it travels the world! Through Zydeco dance and stories of international festivals, students will see how Creole traditions are shared across borders, building connections with cultures around the globe while keeping Louisiana’s spirit front and center.

Festivals in Motion: Celebrating Louisiana Traditions (K-12)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Chris Lemelle & ShaRhonda Joseph, Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Louisiana, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Bring the excitement of a Louisiana festival straight into the classroom! Students will experience the sights and sounds of celebrations like Festival International and Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, where dance, music, and tradition fill the streets. They’ll join the fun through Zydeco dance while discovering how festivals keep culture alive.

History of Jazz & Saxophone (1-12)

by Mandy McGee | Art History, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Jeremy Benoit "JB Saax", Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Jeremy Benoit “JB Saax ” takes students through a crash course of how Jazz began and the integral role the saxophone plays in its inception. This course involves a live saxophone performance demonstrating many different types of jazz techniques and also sheds light on how America’s original music genre massively shaped the country in its wake.

Inside the Recording Studio (1-12)

by Mandy McGee | Art History, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Jeremy Benoit "JB Saax", Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Jeremy Benoit, aka “JB Saax,” takes students through a journey of the professional recording artist/studio engineer. Students will be exposed to basic, intermediate, and advanced recording techniques and will even be granted the opportunity to record their own personal soundtrack. This course gives exposure to music industry standard operations and provides insight on how professional entertainers integrated these systems into their everyday lives.

Ocean Calm: A Mermaid Music Sound Bath (4-12)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Music, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Susan Buller Grain, Vermilion Parish

The Ocean Calm introduces students to the calming sounds of instruments from around the world, including crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, harp, gong, chimes, and other peaceful percussion. Students begin with a brief demonstration of each instrument, learning how sound and vibration can encourage relaxation, focused listening, and emotional regulation. They are then invited to sit comfortably or lie quietly while experiencing a guided sound bath designed to promote calm, imagination, and mindful awareness. No prior experience or preparation is required, and teachers are welcome to relax and enjoy the experience alongside their students while providing normal classroom supervision. Students need to wear comfortable clothing and have enough space to sit or lie down comfortably.

ADDITIONAL ARTS IN EDUCATION RESOURCES