Nineteen kindergartners crouched, waiting for the musical cue.
A moment later, their bodies hopped – left, right and to the front – to the tune "Who Let the Frog Out?," a parody of 2000's popular Baha Men tune, "Who Let the Dogs Out?"
The 4- and 5-year-olds from John Ehrhardt Elementary in Elk Grove gave it their all, puckering lips in mock attitude, crossing their arms a la the Macarena, marching and clapping and hopping again.
"Oh, my gosh, this has been their favorite thing ever," said teacher Charity Vicari.
Just two years ago, the state of California made a strong statement that it wanted its students to enjoy education in such arts and music programs.
The state's one-time infusion of $500 million was the nation's largest single investment ever in arts education.
It was followed with $105 million in annual funding, money earmarked to hire and supply arts teachers and fund activities such as Ehrhardt's dance program.
The commitment to the arts was based on solid educational grounds, said Nancy Carr, visual and performing arts consultant for the state Department of Education.
The study of the arts fosters creative problem-solving skills as well as patience in students, which transfers well into other academic areas, she said.
Katrina Woodworth, a senior researcher at the Center for Education Policy, cited a survey of 60 research projects that examined arts education and student learning in her 2006 study of arts education in California.
The survey found that music nurtures cognitive development and spatial reasoning, and drama fosters reading comprehension.
But the current budget crisis may undo the state's renewed commitment to the arts.
Elizabeth Graswich, Elk Grove Unified School District's director of communications, said her district worries the ongoing arts funding may not survive a proposed 6.5 percent cut to schools' categorical funding in the 2008 budget.
Carr remains optimistic.
Though the state budget has yet to pass, the categorical funding remains in place, which is where the art dollars come from, she said.
The Ehrhardt kids are hardly aware of how much of their joy hangs in the balance.
"I love being a froggy," said Jordyn Laughlin, 4, after the class ended last week.
"I like to bounce," said Hayden Scott, 5.
The kindergartners soon left the gym, and in came the next class, a group of first-graders doing a country line dance.
"I love taking everyday kids and making them a star for a day," said Tony Crane, the dance instructor who choreographs and teaches the courses at Ehrhardt, as well as at many other area schools.
The first-graders lined up, red and blue cowboy hats in hand.
Diamond Rio's "Unbelievable" started up: "She's so kissable, huggable, lovable, unbelievable …"
Soon, the kids were do-si-do-ing. Boys spun girls into their arms.
"They always ask, 'Do we have dance today?' " said teacher Jodi Fernald, onstage observing her students.
"They get very excited about class."
Call The Bee's Melissa Nix, (916) 478-2653.
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