I missed so many things that I could have used for many years in the ECD sector that I have learned know and I am looking forward to using the knowledge I have gained in this study unit from this moment forward. When I did my ECD diploma we only touched on music but never went into details, so I had no clue to what I was doing when I came to music and using music in different aspects of teaching.

I really enjoyed the individual reflections. I loved to complete my answers at the end of each study unit using the knowledge I gained from the resources on efundi.

What I found difficult in this semester is the time to get to everything. I am a wife, mother, working ECD teacher and student. To get to everything is a bit hectic most of the days. And then we are not even talking about our current situation with Eskom and the load shedding going on. I work in a different town that were I stay and some days I have load shedding most of the day because the two towns load shedding times differ. So, getting to all my modules assignments and tests is a challenge not even to mention getting my laptop fully charged to get something done on it when the power is off.

I really enjoyed this module, and I would not change anything about it. I am looking forward to my last 2 years of being a student and to learn even more.

Study unit 5

Teachers in almost ALL schools sets Life Skills-Performing Arts as well as music aside. This is not always intentional but due to the workload of Mathematics and Home Language. The focus from the Department of Basic Education also tends to focus more on those to subjects. To many teachers forget the importance of Performing arts and music due to their work overload. Admin also takes up lots of teacher’s times these days. I feel that they must refer back to the teaching ways of many years ago. Out with one subject getting more “attention” then the others and out with all the unnecessary paperwork that comes with teaching these days. Then only do I believe teachers will get to all the different aspects of teaching in the Foundations Phase.

Assessment is very important. We must there for remember that before we can assess a concept taught to learners it must have been taught to learners. Then only can we start with assessing the learners. Assessment needs to be done correctly and accurately. All assessments must be a TRUE reflection of the learners you are assessing.

I am back!! I survived term 3 and I am now enjoying the short bread before going back to work on Monday for what is going to be a hectic term 4.

I found study unit 4 very interesting. I was not aware of all the benefits that art integration has on foundation phase education until I worked thru the study unit. There are so many benefits. And I feel the benefits should speak for themselves when someone doubts whether art has a good purpose in the foundation phase. I will most definitely discuss the benefits like the fact that art can enhance a learner’s reading skills, enhance a learner’s reading comprehension skills and that it will positively affect a child’s social behaviour with any person that might think art integration is a waste of time. The person might not be aware of the benefits, just like myself before I worked thru the study unit.

I found the Van Vreden (2014) development through teaching and learning very interesting. Teaching music by using the following concepts: about, from, on, with and in music is something completely new to me. I never knew that music can be taught in so many ways.

I did not find anything in this study unit challenging or difficult to understand. It was a well laid out and very interesting unit. I am looking forward to working thru study unit 5. I love this module!!!

I can personally relate to the learners who was not happy about the song in a different language. It makes you feel uncomfortable when you do not know the meaning of the words of a song. I don't have a problem with songs in a different language, and I don't think the learners had a problem with that as such, but you feel placed on the spot and very self-aware if you sing to a song but you do  not know the meaning of it. Si I feel for the learners that might not no Zulu and felt left out. I also personally don't like dancing in a group or in front of people... I don't even like dancing on my own for that matter. It just does not feel right to me. And I know that many cultures doesn't like it if people from a different culture dances on their music. That can also make learners feel uncomfortable dancing to a song that does not come from their own culture. 

The next time I think the teacher must play short pieces out of different cultural songs to accommodate all the cultures.  In this way no one will feel left out. I also think that learners must be given the choice if they want to dance to cultural songs that is different from their own culture. If they feel uncomfortable at any given time they must not be forced to do something that they don't want to do.

It is very important to remember that each culture has different ways of doing stuff. We can't expect to know every thing about all the different cultures. Just always remember to respect each learners culture, because it is not nice knowing someone disrespects your culture. 

Till I blog again.

Strong to all the students that has so many on their plates. Just keep swimming!!!!!!!!!!!

Good afternoon fellow students.

Individual reflection:

I will with out a doubt pick contemporary music. Contemporary music has a bit of all the genre's in. Today's children knows the latest trends in music better than adults. They will most definitely know the song and the moves that comes with it if it is a popular song. And that will make them enjoy the lesson or activity even more because the can join in song and dance. 

My personal opinion is that SU 2 covered everything it needed to cover. It showed me that music can be fun and if done correctly will keep learners interested in learning new concepts and that learners will learn thru play and having fun. It will be very rare that a leaner will feel left out in a music activity because if they don't like singing they might like dancing or the other way around. 

I will not change anything in SU 2. I enjoyed learning about the content. It was insightful and fun to learn about. 

What a week it has been!!! Phewww, being a mother of 2 small children, working full time and studying is not easy. Getting everything done takes serious planning. I wish I could add a few more hours to each day. 

I found the development theories and stages of Erikson, Piaget and Vygotsky very interesting. We have studied them previously in other modules but I really enjoyed recapping on them again. I also enjoyed learning about the fact that music can help to increase fine and gross motor skills as well as co-ordination in the middle childhood. I was not aware of the fact that all the above skills can lead to the ability of playing a instrument and singing. I am not  musical so this was very interesting to learn about. I think the fact that I am not musical makes me quiet stressed about this module. I can't even keep a note!!! To be honest I am not comfortable or confident with teaching music thru movement in the foundation phase, but if I must choose between music education or physical education I will choose music education. The proven benefits is awesome. The benefits in auditory and cognitive processing skills is only 2 of the benefits that I made my choice on, not even to mention that music is proven to improve social and emotional competency. So music it will be. I can't wait to learn more about music in the foundation phase. 

Till I blog again.

Good night

Hi guys.

My name is Natasha Davis. I live in Randfontein with my husband and two amazing children. I am a Gr R teacher at a local primary school. I always wanted to be a teacher. I can't see myself doing anything but teaching. I completed my ECD Diploma in 2011 and I am now a 2nd year BED student. I really enjoy studying most of the days. It can be really hard being a mother, working full time and studying, but like I always say this to shall pass. I am looking forward to the semester and learning more from LSKM. 

Bye for now!!!