Nearly 40 fourth- and fifth-graders stood on the stage in the Minot Forest Elementary cafeteria fidgeting.

Suddenly a voice rang out. "Minot Forest diversity!," Marion Weatherspoon yelled.

"Huh huh!," the children responded, stomping their feet twice and folding their arms in front of them in unison.

The students are learning stomp, which Weatherspoon describes as a type of urban hip-hop dancing with African origins.  It uses the body as an instrument to produce stomps, claps, slaps and other percussive noises in unison.  It is Weatherspoon's second year teaching the free Monday-night class, called "Come Step it Up." She is a special-education paraprofessional at the school.

"It's a way to get their exercise," Weatherspoon said. "After I give them the basics, they have to create their own dance."

Fourth-grader Allison M., who was in the class last year when Weatherspoon allowed third-graders to join, said she was excited to join again this year.

"I meet new people, and it's fun," Allison said.

Weatherspoon said she started the group because she knows that it is hard for many parents to pay for dance classes and other after-school activities. The class has grown from 28 children last year to 39 this year.

"I just want these kids to have fun and keep them off the streets," Weatherspoon said.

Weatherspoon said the class is a good incentive for children with behavioral problems or trouble in school.  She requires discipline - both in her class and in her participants' academics.

"A lot of kids say, 'I have to keep my marks up,'" Weatherspoon said.

Laura Pol, a special-education teacher at the school whose daughter, Mya, is in the group, said she appreciates that Weatherspoon volunteers her time to run the program.

"It's a great opportunity for the kids to be exposed to culture and celebrate their own diversity and share it with the community," Pol said.

"Come Step it Up" members will showcase their talents at a performance at the end of the school year.

Watch "Come Step it Up" members stomp to "We Will Rock You":