Creative mela- Bhangra workshop (Service)

For my CAS activity, I decided to conduct a Bhangra workshop for Creative Mela to promote cultural diversity and encourage physical fitness among my peers. The project was focused on achieving learning outcomes LO 1, 3, 5, and 7, which include developing new skills, demonstrating perseverance and commitment, demonstrating cultural awareness, and recognizing and considering the ethical implications of one’s actions.

LO:1- Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

I have always been a learner. Never before had I taught dance to anybody and conducting an entire workshop gave me jitters. I didn’t want to lead the same, nevertheless the leader inside me took ownership to conduct it. And teaching dance steps requires lots of consistent efforts, and skillful communication and collaboration. However, after the workshop I realized that my communication skills and collaboration skills are my strengths and not my weakness. This made me more confident and aware about my skills. 

LO:3- Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

During the activity, I encountered several challenges and learning opportunities. Planning what choreography and on what song to be taught had to be figured out. The choreography should have been such that beginners would also be able to enjoy it. Firstly, I had to learn the choreography of Bhangra myself to be able to teach others effectively. We decided to do Downtown Bhangra’s choreography on Bijlee Bijlee. However, for a few grades this choreography did not work, they faced a lot of difficulty in following the steps, so we had to think and plan on the spot to teach a simpler song to them. We had to be ready with a backup plan. This required a lot of practice and commitment, which helped me develop perseverance and commitment skills. Additionally, the process of teaching others Bhangra dance steps required a high level of communication and leadership skills, which I was able to develop through this project. 

LO:5- Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

Demonstrating social and communications skills I was able to successfully conduct the workshop. Part of successful teaching is when the students are willing to cooperate and respectfully listen to the teacher. My dynamic with the students was a fruitful one, because they brought ease to my responsibility as they collaborated with me enthusiastically. They were willing to listen to my instructions, gave their inputs and respected my time and efforts; which helped me complete my agenda on time and well-executed. Moreover, Bhangra is a style which requires a lot of physical fitness, it includes jumping, twisting, turning, squatting, etc. Which I implemented and encouraged the kids to involve such bodily actions to let loose.  

LO:7- Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Lastly, conducting this workshop enabled me to recognize and consider the ethical implications of my actions. I had to consider the cultural sensitivity of the dance and ensure that the steps were appropriate for all participants. Furthermore, conducting  a cultural workshop like this provided me with a deeper understanding of cultural awareness. By teaching others about Bhangra, I was able to share an aspect of my culture and help others appreciate and celebrate it. I also learned to appreciate the cultural diversity of others, which helped me become more culturally sensitive and empathetic towards others.

In conclusion, conducting a Bhangra workshop for LO 1,3,5,7 has been a valuable learning experience for me. The project has enabled me to develop new skills, demonstrate perseverance and commitment, demonstrate cultural awareness, and recognize and consider the ethical implications of my actions. This was a great opportunity for me to share my hobby with others and make them enjoy the same as well.