Final Blog

When I started this module LSKM 221, I thought I would be expected to sing and read notes, I was unsure of my skills but not scared at all. As a music lover and a person who grew up singing I was very much excited to be doing a music module. There was a time in my life where I wished to join South African army just to sing in their band. I have learned a lot from this module, and the research I made also helped me a lot.

From Individual reflections I got to see my weak points and worked on them.

Distance learning on its own is challenging, having to make time for studies, family and work has not been easy but knowing what completing the degree would mean for me kept me going and  my lecture is one of the best, she made sure that she explains what was expected pf us whenever she gave us tests and assignments. The information I got from efundi site of LSKM 221 was sufficient for me to be able to complete the module with ease. I found individual reflection meaningful because it helped me to see how far I have come, what I have mastered and what I still need to work hard on

There is nothing I would have love to change, about this module. I found intergatrating music with other subjects a bit difficult but maybe it is because I have not yet got an opportunity to go do practical at a school, and see how the teachers do their lesson plan and integrate other subjects. I am still not certain about intergatrating music with other subjects but I’m trying my best yo consult and align myself with CAPS

I didn’t find Inclusivity of music interesting for my future teaching because most people in south Africa are from different backgrounds and different classes, so some parents w=may be able to buy the resources needed for music activities, some may refuse not because they don’t want to but because they are refusing because they are still struggling and do not have sufficient money, to give children for school activities...

I’m doing well, wedding season is here. Everywhere I turn there is wedding celebrations. It warms the heart to know that people are leading normal lifestyles even during pandemic. It is good to have some level of resilience.

I learned that Foundation phase teachers’ needs to encourage learners to reflect on their own learning and to also foster peer assessment skills. I did not think of peer assessment for foundation phase learners because I thought they are sometimes shy and playful.

Maybe the teachers are not taking Perfoming arts and music serious because they are stereotype, they are bad teachers or they personally don’t like arts and music. There are no resources and money to support the arts maybe there is no clear indication of how to assess it or the arts may be ignored. The other reason may be that the school has not given teachers guidelines on how to assess music and performing arts.

Assessment is a key component of learning because it helps the learners learn. If leaners are able to see how they are doing in class, they will be able to tell whether they understand what has been taught or not. Assessment can motivate the leaners to do well or improve. Assessment can assist teachers know which learners understands and who does not understand the content.

Assessment is the measurement of learning acquired. If there is no assessment, there is no proof that learning has occurred. Then it would be pointless to carry on teaching if you cannot assess the learners because it is only through assessment that both teacher and the learners can know whether the lesson was successful. Assessments goes hand in hand with feedback. Feedback helps a learner to understand the gap areas and to make more effort to fill up the gap area. Assessment also helps to determine the direction of learning.

Part 1: I’m doing well, just wish Covid could be gone already I miss going on vacation so bad. Part 2: o I learned that emotions and logic are interconnected to each other. Art carries the concept of space.  Part 3: o I learned that art can assist in improving learners perfomance in mathematic.   
Q: Some people might say that arts integration is a waste of time in Foundation Phase education. Please explain how you would respond to such a statement by explaining your view on arts integration in the Foundation Phase. 
A:  I don’t agree with the statement because art is works of art, whether in physical or intangible form, it can often be easily understood by people from different social, cultural, and political backgrounds. It is one of the reasons why music is referred to as a musical language. 
For art creators, including musicians, Tailors, dancers, painters, Cake designers, chefs and writers. Creating or performing a piece of art is a cathartic experience that also provides a sense of achievement. There are numerous studies showing how people feel better whether by creating art or by consuming it or by simply being in the presence of something art-related.  
  
What I found interesting and why 
Schools that encourage teachers to apply arts integration strategies in their teaching have shown improved results with regards to learners’ mathematic performance as well as decreased disciplinary challenges. This is interesting to me because; Art balances our minds with hilarious mystery and uncertainty. It gives us a chance to see what we want to see, to think what we want to think, without any fear. With schools integrating art with any subjects, who knows we might start seeing happy people everywhere who takes everything light worry less and who are more creative than before. Learners who are happy and full of life.  
What I found challenging and why  
Evaluating and selecting different strategies for arts integration it is not easy for me because I’m still not too confident on my lesson planning skills, this may be caused by the fact that I have not gone to the classroom nor observe teaching since I registered my Bed degree so “eish” I don’t know how I feel about it. I believe once I become confident in lesson planning integration will not become a difficult thing to do.   

Part 1:

• • I’m doing well, so happy that the seasons have changed. There is a tree in my yard that had fallen down last year when it was very windy and stormy. We managed to lift the tree and put a  rod to support it, I watered it all the time but it looked like it had died, you won’t believe that the tree is no very much alive now it soo green and whenever I feel a bit down. I look at it through the window and smile because wow there must be something good I am doing, I’m grateful to the creator.

Before the storm  After the storm  

        After winter

Part 2:

• I learned that according to Vygotsky, playing creates a child’s zone of proximal development the child’s problem solving skills. They learn about cause and effect while experiencing cognitive abilities.

Study unit 3

What possibly made some learners uncomfortable during these activities?

Being shy, belief and religion also the fact that they did not understand the language. The song is about the train that brings father home, some  children do not have parents you may find that they are living with their relatives or  grandparents because mom and dad have passed away or went to work far so the song may be  their least favourite because they do  not relate to it at all.  Some people associates Amapiano Genre with night clubs and drinking. So that can be another reason why the children are shy to dance to it. Another reason may be that the learners have two left feet, they are aware and that makes them less confident. Or leaners are from families that does not like dancing or singing.

 Why were some learners uncomfortable?

Because the song was in a language that they do not understand. In many South African homes people dislike speaking another language, they only speak English language. Vernacular is looked down on, Some schools do not allow learners to speak home language when they are in the school premises, they would even advice parents to speak English at home with the kids so that they can improve so you may find that the learners are confused because of the school language rules. Some girls are shy to dance in front of the boys.

Can you think of ways to address these issues in future?

In future I would choose a song that is in the same language as the language spoken at school. I could ask learners if they are fine with doing the activity, if they are not find another activity that will not make them as uncomfortable like Singing a favourite song rather than dancing to a certain song. I could even allow the leaners to choose a song as long as it is appropriate.

What will you change?

I could maybe choose a song that is in the same language as the language spoken at school. Or not only do a song but poem like retelling the poem, after watching it in class. I would do a thorough research on learner’s background religion and culture so that I can choose songs that are not making them unable to fully participate. Try to involve each learner.

How can we accommodate diverse learner profiles in our classrooms?

Create an interesting game activity that is fair and gives every learner a chance to win, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.

Encourage leaners to learn other languages be sensitive and accommodating to each other’s differences.

What must we beware of?

Diversity whether political, religious or ethnicity. Diversity simply means that the children have different life experiences, context, and language differences. Teacher will have to treat each learner as an individual, or separate learners into different groups. Present lessons from different perspective, to every leaner so that all learners can be accommodated and catered for. The teacher’s task is to make leaners feel protected and they should not be frustrated while at school.

As a Foundation Phase teacher, you have to choose between utilizing indigenous African music, Western Art music or contemporary commercial music (including popular music and film music) in your classes. Which would you choose? Please motivate your answer.

I choose utilizing Indigenous African music because; I feel it is endangered and our children need to know how Indigenous people used to play and dance to their music. There are a lot of traditional music genres in South Africa; there are also a lot of instruments that we can use so. Should a learner be bored by a certain instrument they surely will find an interesting one, because of their variety.

Do you think that the examples and content offered in SU 2 are inclusive? Please motivate your answer.

Study unit 2, examples are inclusive the promotion of inclusive practice can be implemented in a range of ways. Ensuring that activities and resources are accessible to all children is a vital way of enabling each child to feel valued.

What suggestions do you have for making the content more inclusive? Please provide examples of how the content and activities presented in SU 2 could be changed or adapted to be more inclusive.

By making sure that we use material that is already available and does not require learners to go buy from a store. 

I’m feeling okay; my week was rough because I attended my Uncle’s funeral?  I was busy assisting my cousin with funeral arrangements so I did not have enough time to study. 

I learned that introducing music notation too early to children is not recommended as it needs them to have abstract thinking skills.  I never imagined this before. 

1. Explain your understanding of Vygotsky’s Zone of proximal development

I understand Vygotsky’s Zone of proximal development as a theory that explains that children develop when they experience a challenge that is above their level of understanding.   Development does not happen when children practice the skills that they have learned recently.  Zone of proximal development gives an understanding of child’s development process.  Learners can complete activities on their own; they can complete activities with assistant of teacher or fellow learners. 

2.  Summary of important aspects of the learning theories of Erikson, Piaget and Vygotsky

Erikson:  Children rely on feedback from their peers, teachers and parents to feel proud and to develop self-confidence.  As a foundation phase teacher my role is to be a confidence booster of the children, never demoralise but guide and lead them well.  It is said that the foundation is not solid the building will crumble.  For us to have confident leaders and citizens we have to have foundation phase teachers who understand that children are like flowers therefore they need water to grow, so a teacher should be a safe place of a kid. 

Piaget:  Children think differently from adults.  Foundation phase learners fall under pre-operational stage where they are still very much egocentric.  (Assuming that others share their point of view)  They also fall under concrete operational stage.  They are able to think logically about concrete events.  Music notation should not be introduced too early because it needs abstract thinking skills.  Children in this stage are less egocentric.   

Vygotsky:  Emphasises the importance of reciprocal teaching which is an activity that takes a form of a dialogue between teacher and learners.  Learners are given the confidence to take responsibility of their won learning.  It aims all creating self-directed learning.  This theory emphasises the importance of social interaction and language development.    

3.  Physical development, Cognitive development, Social development, Personal development and Emotional development. 

4. Why is it important to have basic knowledge about the musical development of foundation phase learners?  If teacher knows the different stages of a child development, she may be able to diagnose or pick up if a child struggles to understand something, or if a child needs additional help.  She will assess the children accordingly.

My name is Keaorata my surname is Makae; I live in Kathu Northern Cape.  I decided to study to become a foundation phase teacher because I love children, their curiosity excites me.  I want to share my knowledge with them and allow them to be the best they can ever be.  I am excited about what I will be learning on this module.  I look forward to learning important things about art and music.