In honor of Leap Day 2016, students in Mrs. McDonald’s Spanish class JUMPED into learning by “tinikling” – a traditional Philippine dance which originated during the Spanish colonial era. The dance involves two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles in a dance. Students were encouraged to recognize the various patterns within the tinikling dance. Students learned that many Filipino people have Spanish surnames, and Filipinos have incorporated some Spanish words, foods, and traditions into an already rich culture, making them some of the most interesting people on earth!