ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 30, 1997 TAG: 9701300022
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
THE HEALING FORCE troupe played African music, danced and told stories to help teach the children about early forms of communication.
Long before the Internet and e-mail messages, children were entertained with music, dance and storytelling.
The children at Lincoln Terrace Elementary School turned off their computers Wednesday and rocked to the beat of African drums, bells, shekeres, thumb pianos and wasambas.
They sang, clapped their hands, waved their arms and listened to African folk stories in a festival atmosphere at the Roanoke school.
They learned the "Funga Jam," a rhythmic song of welcome that originated in West Africa.
"I liked the beat," said fourth-grader John Cross. "It was fun."
Cross, 9, had never seen or heard some of the authentic musical instruments that were featured in the performance by The Healing Force, a three-member troupe of storytellers.
Four-year-old Kiera Brown, who attends the preschool at Lincoln Terrace, sang along with the older children and waved her arms, too.
Some of the African instruments looked like toys to her. "I'd like to play with them," she said.
Kindergartner John Gibson enjoyed the rhythm of the drums. "It was a hard beat," he said.
School officials said the African music, dance and storytelling helped teach the children about early forms of communication.
Connie Goehle, a fourth-grade teacher, said the presentation also helped give the pupils an appreciation of another culture.
Lincoln Terrace, also known as the Saturn Network School, is a magnet school that is designed to develop communication skills for the 21st century. The school has computers with Internet access in every classroom.
"This is a way for the children to learn about our magnet theme of communication," said Goehle, who helped arrange the appearance by the troupe from Winston-Salem, N.C.
Goehle said she first The Healing Force at the National Storytelling Festival.
"I thought they would be great for our children," she said. "They make your feet stomp, your eyes widen and your heart jump."
The troupe - Joseph and Gail Anderson and their daughter, Sonji - wore black and purple African clothes and brought nearly two dozen instruments that they've made or been given during their travels. They let the children play them and join in the music.
Joseph said the family has performed at schools, festivals, churches, camps, banquets, reunions and other events all over the United States and in foreign countries.
All of Lincoln Terrace's 325 children crowded into the gymnasium for the presentation that was described as a time for celebrating and sharing. Some parents and neighborhood residents also came.
The troupe taught the children songs and got them to participate in the program, which at times took on the mood of a religious service.
Goehle said the music, dance and storytelling presentation had a natural link to the Lincoln Terrace curriculum, which covers the spectrum of communications: from the earliest forms - such as drums, smoke signals and dance - to the latest, including satellites and cyberspace.
With a $1.2 million federal magnet grant, Lincoln Terrace has developed one of the nation's most advanced communications systems for a school, including a specialized high-tech lab.
Applications are being accepted until Feb. 28 for Lincoln Terrace and the city's other magnet schools.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: CINDY PINKSTON STAFF. 1. Kieshean Dunnaville, 6, singsby CNBalong with the African music at Lincoln Terrace Elementary School
Wednesday. 2. Gail Anderson performs during a celebration of folk
traditions at Roanoke's magnet school for communications. color.