Students are mixing music and gym classes.

The cross-curricular unit was the idea of Physical Education Teacher Kara Hess and Music Teacher Parker Neal.

“Mr. Neal and I decided to collaborate to teach kids something different with the DrumFIT,” Hess said.

“I don’t think WAEC has ever done something like this,” Neal said.

Claire Peterson jumping to the rhythm.

The third- and fourth-grade music classes are spending the week in the gym. The classes are split into a DrumFIT class with Neal and a dance class with Hess.

“DrumFIT is combining music and movement,” Neal said. “They use pool noodles as drum sticks and beach balls as drums.”

He has them do simple movements — jumping jacks, slide steps, stomps — while they drum.

“It allows kids who aren’t so sport-inclined to have a different activity,” Hess said.

On her side of the gym, students are working on the moves to the Macarena, Cupid Shuffle, and other common dances.

Bentley Rugg and Alexah Ginkel doing some serious drumming.

“We wanted to teach them some dances and different things they could do for social events coming up in their lives,” Hess said.

“We wanted them to be able to dance at a school dance or a wedding,” Neal said.

After two of five days, the program is a hit.

“The kids enjoy it,” Neal said.

“They loved it,” Hess said.

Gabrielle Amoroso, Kamaya Harkins, and Joseph Vermilyea dance to YMCA during the combined class. All the above students are 3rd graders.

So did she. “It’s so much fun.”