Hi guys

Can't believe this is my final blog for this semester. I don't know about you, but at first I was like...What? Blog? I can't blog. But when I look back now, I think I got the "hang" of it. 

So now, my conclusion regarding music in the foundation phase...

Music has always been a big part of my life, but I never knew that it has so many purposes which I can use to incorporate with other subjects. Our moods are definitely influenced by music. I remember that when I was still in school, I used to get up on a Saturday morning, turning up the volume on my radio and dancing my way through cleaning my room. On Sunday evenings, I would listen to RSG's classical music to calm and focus me for the week ahead. (I even tried to use it for studying, but unfortunately it didn't work for me, I was more interested in listening to music than studying.)

Children are just as much influenceable. We can see it when they are amongst peers and catching on to something they see on TV. Thus, utilising music in the foundation phase is extremely important for their development. They remember better with music, it keeps them calm and could even teach them something difficult to convey without much effort.

I will certainly keep this in mind for all future lesson plans I have to work on. Music and art is so much more than just singing and colouring or painting. You can incorporate it with all subjects in the curriculum.

That's it from me. Good luck with the rest of the tests, exams and assignments. Like one of the boys at school said to me - my brain is tired, I can't think anymore. Take a break, shake it up and give it your all.

LG

Good morning

I trust you are doing well. I can’t believe we are nearing the end of the year, 1 November already. And what a year it’s been! Covid, load shedding, petrol prices...

I must say, I really love this public holiday with the start of the week. I know everything is cramped into 4 days instead of 5, but at least you can spend today at home.

I would like to jump to it and discuss the assessment of music and art in the foundation phase. There are a variety of possibilities why assessment is being neglected:

1. The teacher has no understanding of music or art
2. In grades where music and art are not seen as a subject, it could be neglected.
3. Time does not allow it with all other subjects which need proper assessment

and the list goes on.

The problem with this is that the learners does not get the opportunity to let out their “artistic streak”. Learners need to have an outlet. For some, it would be by playing an instrument, or dancing. Others would prefer to use art and craft. Assessment can be made fun; it does not have to be a judgemental process of how good or bad you are. Teachers must use this opportunity to build character and motivate the learners to work on whatever needs attention. Music goes hand in hand with mathematics. Art goes hand in hand with life skills. And both of these fit in with languages as well.

In the foundation phase especially, assessment of performing arts is often neglected. Your school also recently appointed a HOD who does not emphasise or prioritise the assessment of music activities to any degree. As a new FP teacher, and considering your training as BEd student, you recognise the importance of assessment as an integral part of the teaching and learning process. You are of the opinion that assessment must be used to enhance both teaching and learning practices

• What could the possible reasons be that assessment is neglected in Performing Arts and Music in the Foundation Phase?

The lack of interest, skills or knowledge with regards to music and art could make the HOD neglect the assessment thereof. It could also be that the HOD does not find it important as it is not one of the major subjects to master in the foundation phase.

• Please explain how you would advocate for and heighten awareness about the importance of assessment when speaking with your HOD about your concerns in this regard.

In order to convince the HOD of the importance of music and art, I will have to bring to his or her attention that music and art are beneficial to children.

I would also suggest that we have someone with knowledge and skill come and talk to our staff members and explain how it could be integrated with our other subjects. The person can voluntarily help with activities in order for the teacher to assess music and art without taking up too much time of the other subjects.

Hi all

I hope you're doing well. Oh my WORD, what a year this has been and it's only Wednesday. (Feels like I start all my blogs like this - haha) We've had such a roller coaster at work with raffles and photos and retirement papers for a colleague. Just too much in such a short week. 

Anyway, enough about work...Let's get real. Study unit 4 was a real "page turner". Now, as mentioned in a previous blog, I work at a Primary School as secretary. I never understood why the music and art teacher had to "split" teaching time. After working through this unit, it was as if a light came on in my overly active brain. 

So, art and music can be used to express oneself. It is a very creative way to help the learners draw or dance what they feel when listening to music of when engaging in an art project. Using this, we can also incorporate another subject through art or music activities. My brain is spinning with all the thoughts of fun-to-learn activities. I believe that when you have fun while doing something, you are more interested in it.  

There are plentiful songs with very insightful messages. When my son was born, I wanted him to learn in Afrikaans as it is our home language. (I believe you must be able to speak and understand your home language before you learn another.) I loved Lollos. Lollos is a green and blue 'creature' from Lallaland. It is very creative, great for imagination and while exploring, they sing songs to instill the lesson. Yes...I'm also a sucker for it. My son is now 3 and he loves it when I reenact it. 

Activities to combine a subject with either art or music includes is by using animals, seasons, cooking, technology etc. There are so many songs with a variety of subjects one can use and integrate it with school work. 

Hi there. I can't believe I'm writing my third (official) blog already. I hope you're healthy and keeping well. And also...keeping up with the pace of our (seems like never ending) studies this semester. The workload is heavy, but I keep reminding myself that this is what I need to accomplish in order to become a teacher. A life-long dream and soon to be reality. Always look on the bright side of life! 

As established in previous modules, the use of music in you classroom has many benefits.

From experience, I can relate with feeling uncomfortable dancing in front of people, especially if I’m not in my comfort zone. Sometimes, you’re shy and sometimes you may not feel like dancing. Other times you may not like the song.

The learners who felt uncomfortable probably experienced similar feelings or emotions. Another reason for feeling uncomfortable is when you do not understand the lyrics  of the song you’re dancing to. In some religions, woman are not allowed to engage in dancing. 

When working with music and music related activities, it would be a good idea to take your learners' cultural into account. Using music with a different language does not necessarily mean you have to use a different song. Explain what the words mean and why the song is used or that specific activity. By doing so, the children will better understand what they are singing and dancing to. It would be a good idea to give the learners the opportunity to dance or to partake by only clapping hands or whichever they feel comfortable with. The ideal is to make children feel comfortable even though it means they do not participate in the dancing.

Diversity is very important and raising awareness amongst learners regarding this, is just as important. They need to understand that we are all unique and different. Helping the learners realise this is possible by giving different cultures the opportunity to demonstrate their way of dancing. We must be very careful not to imply that they be treated differently because of cultural or religious differences.

Hope you have a blessed week! 

Stay safe! 'Till next time! 

~L

Wow! What a crazy week it’s been. My son got sick, I had to work from home…and in case you are new to the realization that a mom gets to work from home…it doesn’t really happen. He’s better now and back at school. Anyway, I try to work on my assignments at school, but the office was a beehive today! Finally, when I got home, my thumb was the unlucky one when it became one with the car door. Now, typing with only 9 fingers, I would like to get to it.

I’m a music lover and listen to wide varieties of music. Pop, rock, country, opera, instrumentals etc. Music is an influential thing. Aside from its entertainment value, listening to music is known to have unbelievable constructive effects on your brain. Amongst other, it uplifts the mood and inspires, it lessens stress, improve focus (that’s why some learners prefer to listen to music when studying), help relaxation, condenses anxiety and depression.

Since my own knowledge with music is considerable, I would like to sit on the fence. Unlike me, there are other people who choose only one specific type of music because that is what they are interested in. I believe that you should try and incorporate all types of genres to the lessons. The variety can be based on culture, interests, and different lesson plans. We always tell our older son, you can’t dislike it without even trying it, no matter what the situation. Therefore, I would try and use African music, Western art and contemporary commercial music in my class. It encourages learners to learn about each other through cultural music, traditional music tells us stories and children's songs teaches life lessons. However, if I were forced to choose only one, it would be contemporary.

Study unit 2’s content is inclusive in the light of learning how to work with and accommodate the needs of learners. The importance of using music is to help learners feel at ease no matter their abilities. In this study unit, we learn that involving children in the lesson by teaching us something they grew up with in order to understand heritage, is a good example of inclusivity. In order for a teacher to be able to plan according to the learner’s needs and culture, we need to do a ‘background’ check. This basically enables the teacher to meet them on the same level as where they will be able to relate and they will probably understand better.  

When adapting the study unit’s content, I would suggest that we have a wider variety of ‘case studies’ or examples to understand every aspect of the importance and variety of the use music. I mentioned earlier that I have a considerable amount of music knowledge, but I must admit that I have no idea which songs I could use from African music or Western art to learn my class. I am not familiar with those genres, which means I will not be able to meet the needs of my learners. Other than that, I think the study unit’s content was very informative.

Goeiedag 

Wát 'n week! So, as jy my vorige blog gelees het, sal jy weet ek werk as sekretaresse by 'n laerskool. Nou, op die stadium is die kantoor eintlik redelik rustig omdat ons nie besoekers inlaat nie, a.g.v Covid. Ek kry selfs tyd om hier en daar aan 'n taak te werk - bonus! En wie sien nou nie uit na 'n vakansiedag nie, lekker kort week, tot my week nóg korter geraak het. My man het simptome gehad en ons moes isoleer tot sy uitslae kom. Met 'n man (wat dink hy het Covid) en 'n 3-jarige, plus studies, plus huiswerkies wat nooit ophou nie en tussendeur so paar e-posse lees en antwoord vir skool, het ek die week nét nét deurgemaak wat my sanity aanbetref. 

With regards to my studies, I've been really on top of it all. I am ahead of all assignments and trying my best to keep up with all the new content. It's certainly a juggle, I won't lie. But seeing that I only got the opportunity to study now, I feel that I must use it best to my ability. I'll only disappoint myself in the end if I don't give it my all.

Working through the study material, I am really dumbfounded with all the amazing new information. Knowing that music plays such an important role in a child's development...makes me want to go home and play music to my son! It reduces stress, relaxes the individual, creates a feel-good atmosphere and is also very important for motor-skills. 

Vygotsky, Piaget and Erikson have really inspired my way of thinking about development in a child's life. Vygotsky's findings state that social interaction is fundamental to cognitive development. Through social interaction, children learn to play and communicate with friends in another language. (I always wondered how the children communicated at a play area with everyone having a different home language) Not only do they learn a new language and learn through play, they also learn cultural values, how to problem-solve and other's beliefs, which is all crucial for their development. As an adult, I think we can relate, social interaction is very important.

Erikson het geglo dat persoonlikheid ontwikkeling deur 8 fases gaan van baba tot volwassene en dat wanneer die fases almal suksesvol is, die persoonlikheid goed ontwikkeld is. Emosionele welstand en fisiese struktuur speel alles 'n belangrike rol.

Piaget se teorie is gebasseer op verstandelike ontwikkeling en dat daar 4 fases is van ontwikkeling is. Hy fokus op hoe kinders kennis aanleer en die verstaan van natuurlike intelligensie.

I am truly looking forward to improve my knowledge on all levels possible, especially through Life Skills.

Hope you found my blog enlightening. 

 LG 

Good morning fellow students

My name is Laura-Mari Griesel. I was born in the Free State  but lived most of my life in Beaufort West, Great Karoo. I now live in Knysna in the Garden Route with my husband and 3 year old son.

I am a second year foundation phase student. I've been working as receptionist in a primary school for 12 years and decided that it's time to finally live my passion. I started as a librarian and secretary in 2009. When I moved to Knysna Primary, my hopes in becoming a teacher was pushed aside as life happened. After 12 years of being a secretary, I'm ready to work with little humans.  I appreciate their honesty and love their enthusiasm. I can't wait to be a teacher. I haven't been this excited about studying in...well, forever.

I am passionate about music since I was young and appreciate all genres. I am very excited to learn how we can stimulate children with music and help them develop into amazing young beings by use of music.