So this will be my last blog for this module. I must admit when I started with module 1 I was a bit scared and confused. I think it is because of my experience with music when I was in school. But as I work through the modules I realise that teaching of music and performing arts can be a pleasurable experience. So I am going to make it my goal to present my lessons firstly to have fun and secondly purpose driven for whole child development. I think every educator must take responsibility for teaching music and performing arts and learn as much as they can. Work out fun lessons and watch you tube videos for inspiration and when you see the joy on the learners faces you will realise how much it ment to them. Because I have music background I am familiar with the music concepts, I am not a drama person so this elements was new for me. After completing this module I am now able to apply music activities and teach music skills informally and formally. What is amazing to me is the impact of music on the development of the brain, even before the child is born. I also think it is very important to incorporate other learning areas such as math, language and life skills into your music lesson. This will contribute to holistic development and a positive learning environment. What I should focus on in future is to practice inclusivity when it comes to music. I am familiar with Afrikaans, English and classical music but not much from other cultures. This module gave us allot of ideas and examples I can use to present my own music lessons. I especially found it interesting how you incorporate technology when presenting a body percussion lesson. The learners enjoyed it much more when you present a presentation with visuals and music and they learned faster as well. It is also very important for learners to sing and hear their own voice than rather just listening to music.The final aspect of this module that I think is very important is that learners need to ‘play’ allot. Rather than sit in front of the TV or on the cell phone, actively play. Educators and parents should motivate learners to play every day. This develop learners cognitively by developing their problem-solving skills and learn about cause and effect as well as developing social skills. I learned allot from this module and there is nothing that I would change.

Study unit 5 is one interesting unit that taught me a lot When working through the unit I saw how important a lesson plan is. I understand how to identify and assess suitable assessment strategies for music as segment of life skills in the foundation phase. I realize of how to be able to include music, games and art integration when planning a lesson for life skills. I saw how to assess and apply different teaching methods when planning a music lesson and how to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the basic structure of a good lesson. I was learned what to keep in mind when planning a lesson.  A few concepts and elements stood out for me in this study unit like the characteristics of a well-planned music lesson. I found is very interesting to learn about that. The whole study unit really taught me very much, I learned a lot of new skills to be able to plan a music lesson to the best of my abilities. Now after this study unit I really understand the introduction stage up to the end of the conclusion phase.There is a variety of reasons why assessment is neglected in the Performing Arts and Music in the Foundation Phase. Some of the reason I can think of is:There is not always enough time to prepare a well-planned lesson for arts and music. Sometimes there isn’t time during a day to do arts or music. There is a lack or resources at the school that makes it difficult for the teacher and the kids. Teachers don’t know how important music and arts really is for kids, they take that for advantage and just don’t do it because then they have more time for maths or the home language. My perception and priorities regarding lesson planning and inclusion of music and arts has changed, because now I know how important it is. Lesson planes make it for the teacher easier to make sure all the necessary work is covered and that the kids know the must know work. I also learners that music and arts play a huge roll in a learners live and it helps them to discover themselves and that they express themselves easier through art or music. I will definitely make sure when I become a teacher that music and performing arts is included in the Foundation Phase.

I believe that integrating arts in the foundation phase is very important. Arts integration engages students and allows them to construct and display understanding in a variety of ways. Teachers can use arts integration to rethink their responsibilities and connections with pupils. Teachers can use arts integration to rethink their responsibilities and connections with pupils. 

Why is it important to integrate art in the classroom?

1. Working in the arts helps learners to develop creative problem-solving skills.
2. Teaching through the arts can present difficult concepts visually, making them more easy to understand.
3. Art instruction helps children with the development of motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and inventiveness.
4. Arts experiences boost critical thinking, teaching students to take the time to be more careful and thorough in how they observe the world.
5. The arts provide challenges for learners at all levels.
6. Art education connects students with their own culture as well as with the wider world.

Arts integration supports holistic development in the following way:

1. Reading and language development
2. Mathematics 
3. Fundamental cognitive skills and capacities
4. Motivation to learn
5. Effective social behaviour
6. School environment 

How can a foundation teacher integrate art in the classroom?

1. Student can learn through songs
2. Integrate art in other subjects
3. Allow students to show their feelings through drawings
4. Allow students to role play

Integrating art in the classroom has such an important and positive impact on the classroom. Through the integration of perception into cognition, and expression into reflection, students perform at a significally higher level.

 

What did you find interesting?

I found the whole Study unit 4 interesting, especially how important it is to integrate art in the foundation phase and the holistic development it promotes, I also found the study of Champions of Change very interesting it is also an eye opener in why art in the curriculum is so important.

What did I find challenging?

I did not find anything challenging in this unit although most of the information was new it was also very interesting to learn and study this unit.

I think it is a great idea to incorporate different cultural music into your lesson plan and creating music activities from it. I do however feel it is important that learners know exactly what the words mean that they are using and what the song is about. Also, I think you should think about the different culture groups in your classroom and find out whether everything is appropriate for all cultural groups. All learners do not like having all the attention on themselves, so when they danced in a circle give them the choice to dance in the middle or just eliminate that part of the activity.

 

Some learners were uncomfortable because they did not know what the words meant that they were singing, and some were uncomfortable to dance in front of boys and their peers.

 

Prepare the students in advance so that they know they are going to learn a Zulu song and do a dance activity. Make sure that the learners have both the Zulu and the English versions of the song so that they can see at anytime what they are singing. When doing dance activities most students are uncomfortable to dance in front of others so instead of standing in a circle stand in a line so that the students cannot see each other. Give everyone the same dance moves to do. Make sure that the music is appropriate for all culture groups, if not sure send the music list to the parents so that they can say whether it’s appropriate or not. If the girl may not dance in front of the boys, position everyone so that girls and boys can dance separately or send the boys out so that the girls can dance and vice versa.

 

In the beginning of the school year talk to the parents and ask them what is inappropriate or unacceptable to do in their culture. Make a list and always make sure you use those guidelines when planning and creating activities.

Study unit 2 

 

As a teacher in the foundation phase I would choose contemporary commercial music because it uses more than just one music style .I’ve chosen this as I feel the learners are aware of it and it’s a part of their everyday lifestyle. The majority of learners these days are well versed in commercial music. The students will be comfortable using commercial music as they are familiar with it. 
 

The examples give in study unit two are inclusive and cover most to all basis. It covers all the elements that make it up that have been taught .It contains fun facts that many of them I have not been familiar with prior. They used a variety of cultures and differences and this therefore allowed everyone to feel that they belonged and could relate in some way .

 

This unit was useful and provided fruitful information although I do wish they provided more variety among the different grades.

Good day fellow classmates and instructors. 

My name is Kelly Nicole Tank . I am 21 years old.  I was born, raised and currently reside in Alberton South. Currently I work at a primary school called Alberview Primary as a teaching assistant. I am a dancer as well as enjoy being in the gym or on the field. I am a social person that enjoys being around the company of friends and family. 

I would love the opportunity to become a foundation phase teacher because working with young learners gives me joy. I also believe that education is the most important factor today to ensure a better South Africa for all. 

I am excited to see what LSKM 211 has to offer as well as excited to gain more knowledge and meet my peers.  I intend to learn how to incorporate music into my teaching practices.

I live by the quote " Everything happens for a reason" and I believe there is a reason I have been given the opportunity to study teaching and per-sue my dreams. 

 

Good luck to all my fellow peers. 

Study unit 1

Part 1

How are you feeling? How has your week been?- In general or just with regard to your studies. What inhibited your learning this week? Would you care to elaborate?

This week has been all over the place. It has been an absolute roller coaster of emotions. My week started off on a high and ended off with me feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. I work a full time job ,dance everyday and still have to find time for my studies as well as friends and family.

 

Part 2

What new things did you become aware of when working through this study units content? What concept/element/idea was most significant for you in this study unit?

Reading and learning about the three different developmental stages such as Erikson's developmental theory for the stages of psychological development , Piaget's theory of cognitive development and Vygotsky's developmental theory has given me a more in depth understanding as well as taught me how to implement these theories into foundation phase teaching and learning.

 

I've learnt  the role of and value of music for holistic development in the foundation phase.  

 

The musical development in the foundation phase has a multitude of benefits when a child has received music education in their childhood. 

 

This study unit has been significantly important as I have learnt the importance of learning about music in childhood at different stages.

 

Part 3

What is the opinion about the value of the content of this study unit for your teaching practice?

I've gained so much new information on how children benefit from music in the different stages of development. I found the information in this study unit to be of value and I  can now incorporate it one day into my own teaching practices. 

 

Individual reflection

Would you please describe your confidence in your current knowledge and skills to teach music through movement in the foundation phase  as you start your LSKM 221 journey ? In your answer, please also refer to your confidence to integrate music into your teaching practice currently. 

I am confident in my current knowledge and skills to teach music through movement as I work at a primary school that has taught me and allowed me opportunity to teach  and integrate music into my teaching practices. 

 

Both music and physical education play important roles in the holistic development of the young learner. However, if you have to choose between incorporating music or physical education in the foundation phase curriculum to meet the holistic development of the learner s, which would you choose? In your answer, please explain which would be the best choice to ensure the opportunity for the holistic development of the learner and motivate your your answer.

Personally I believe music education will benefit the learners more to ensure the opportunity for holistic development .Music does not only challenge learners but also allows them the opportunity to express themselves. Music teaches learners to concentrate on multiple tasks at once. It engages both sides of the brain. It strengthens learners memory and listening skills. Music enhances many things such as multi-tasking and attentiveness. Music also teaches children how to express themselves and work through things such as mood swings.