LeBlanc Elementary teachers expanded its French immersion experience beyond learning the language to include another integral part of the culture the music.
More than 30 fourth- and fifth-graders have been learning to play the violin, rub board and triangle over the past year as part of the school s Fiddle Club. I joined because I wanted to learn to play the fiddle, and I know it s a big part of our culture, said Clayton Broussard, a fifth-grader in the club. Way back, music was just big; people gathered around and played, and it was just fun.
Jason Harringon, Gifted/Talented music teacher for Vermilion Parish schools, makes it a point to incorporate lessons on history and culture while also teaching them to read music and play violin. He also gets help from the school s music teacher and fellow musicians.