Lorena Racanelli on Integrating Creative Body Movements into Core Subjects Learning

In this episode, we interview Lorena Racanelli who is a dance resource teacher at Bailey’s elementary school, Fairfax County Public Schools. Lorena sets a great example of integrating non-core subject learning into core subjects. She has developed an integrated curriculum with the grade level standards so students are not only learning the elements of dance, self-control, and self-expression, but also deepening their understanding of science, social studies, language arts, and math. Lorena used social studies as an example and illustrated how movements could be integrated into storytelling and provided students a vivid picture of the settings of certain historical events. Lorena is able to combine her passion for dance and education to provide unique learning experiences to ESOL students at FCPS. With limited English proficiency when first landed in this country, Lorena believes understanding her own core values and persistently pursuing it is critical. She works with students everyday and teach them the importance of being strong internally. Let’s hear Lorena’s story of “strengthening the core” both physically and mentally.