At the beginning of the semester, I thought that LSKM 221 would not be such a challenge for me, because I am creative and have a great passion for arts.

As the semester progressed the assignment deadlines felt like it was all at once and to much to handle.

The blogs really challenged me I did not understand it completely at first and I did not keep up with the due dates. The second thing that challenged me was assignment 1 I gave all my efforts but the marks I received back was poor, but it gave me a wake-up call to read assignments more thoroughly.

The third thing that challenged me, as I predicted were the group assignment, it is very difficult to do an assignment in group work -long distance and we already had a great deal of group assignments. I would change that in the future. I would rather do peer assessment where we mark our fellow students’ work.

I did find the individual reflections meaningful, because it helped me prepare for writing my final blog post. If I could change the collaborative reflections, I would want to be paired just one of my fellow students. We can then help each other and give each other feedback.

This is now an eye opener to never slack down on due dates and to plan and manage my time better.

The things I learned and find valuable:

Children learn through play, performing arts and music. Help them to learn with their bodies and improve their gross motor skills.

 Teachers should make the learning environment fun and simple. Integrations of arts motivates and promotes learners; they perform better academically, and they learn to socialise with their peers. Activities should be understandable and, on the learners’, specific level.

When doing lesson planning, we should make room for all our learners we should include every individual. Every learner should be valued and accommodated according to their specific special needs. No learner should be left out or be discriminated against.

I feel the best way to teach is learner centred and to have an active engagement in your classroom. An active engagement stimulates our young minds and triggers their curiosity. When creativity is implemented, growth and learning will soon follow. Many learners are visual and active learners especially at a young age, it is important the keep that in mind as teacher.

The teacher is the manager of the classroom, and she determines how the learners will learn and function in the classroom. Teachers should do good planning, you cannot stand in front of your classroom unprepared, it will reflect on the learners. Learn how to implement performing arts and music into your teaching. Keep good discipline in your classroom and be creative. Do not let any obstacle get in your way, give your everything, make sacrifices and do your best.