BERLIN – A storyteller used the song and dance of his native Uganda to take Buckingham Elementary School students on a virtual trip to Africa as they celebrated Read Across America Day this week.
On March 2, African storyteller Ssuuna performed for students in all grades at Buckingham Elementary in Berlin. Within minutes of being introduced to the young crowd, the storyteller had them clapping and giggling as he offered glimpses of his homeland and reminded them it wasn’t so different from the United States.
“Across the world, when you see somebody smiling you don’t need to ask them how they are,” Suunna said. “You know.”
After breaking the ice with the students, Suunna told them that in sharing his tales of Africa, there were two goals he wanted to accomplish. He said he wanted students to notice what his culture had in common with their culture and at the same time respect the differences between the two.
“Differences tend to cause problems for human beings,” he said. “Even when you’re from the same family you don’t always see eye to eye.”
From that point on, Ssuuna, hard to miss in his bright red and yellow striped shirt, was in constant motion, directing the students in dance steps and song choruses so they could accompany him from their seats. He praised them for their knowledge and goaded them when he sensed a lapse in enthusiasm.
“If you choose to do something do it 100 percent,” he admonished as he showed them how to move their hands as they sang.
Ssuuna’s visit to Buckingham this week was sponsored by Young Audiences Maryland, the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club and the Boggs Disharoon American Legion, according to art teacher Melissa Reid. In addition to helping students celebrate Read Across America Day—a national event designed to celebrate reading—Ssuuna’s message reinforced the school’s focus on respect.
“Respect is our theme at Buckingham,” Reid said. “Respect yourself, respect others, respect learning and respect the environment.”
She said Ssuuna’s use of traditional African musical instruments engaged the children and showed them how everyday items from their environment could be used to make music.
“It’s been totally engaging for all of them,” Reid said.
While this was Ssuuna’s first visit to the school, educators have hosted various performers in the past. There are plans for an Indian dance troupe to visit in the spring. Reid says the performers broaden the students’ experiences and reinforce the importance the arts play.
“Buckingham has been working with arts integration to help support the core subjects being taught,” Reid said, “things like reading and math. Having the students see real live performers is important.”
