Hi - hi  bloggers !

I believe that everyone is doing extremely well and that everyone is safe because I am doing good and actually counting the days till H_O_L_I_D_A_Y .  Can you believe this is the last blog for LSKM 221? Oh boy, what a interesting journey this was. Let me tell you guys something so far nothing has inhibit my learning this past days, which normally never happens . 

                              But first, let me get back to my final post !   

1. Story as a LSKM 221 student 

I must say at first I was a little scared for the LSKM 221 module. I taught I would fail this module because I didn't know anything about music or arts. But at the end this module was actually my FAVOURITE module for this semester. I learned so much from music and arts. I gained a positive attitude towards music education because before starting this module I was very negative when it came to music education ! I learned so much new skills (because I didn't have any at the start of this semester) and I definitely learned a lot from the others through the collaborative discussion. My abilities when coming to music and arts became stronger and my experience through out this semester with this module was just very EXCITING. 

2.  What was your experience of the role of individual reflection as part of the teaching and learning process?

• What did you learn from your individual reflections?

I have learned so much through the individual reflections. I did always hear about music but after completing this module, I exactly know what is expected from music and arts in the Foundation Phase. I gained so much knowledge and became aware of so much. By doing the individual reflections it helped me to understand better of what I learned. The fact that we could also read each other's individual reflections was so awesome, because I could see who enjoyed what of the certain study unit and where I was differing from someone, I just enjoyed reading other student's blogs because it was so interesting to hear everyone's opinions. 

• What did you find challenging?

The most challenging part for me was learning how to interpret music in other subjects. It needs to done correctly. I also fount lesson planning from study unit 5 a little complicated but I read through it and made myself understand and now I feel more comfortable with lesson planning. Learning about music elements was also a little challenging for me but at the end I pulled through and understand much better now.

• Did you find the individual reflections meaningful? Please motivate your answer.

Yes, I did find the individual reflections meaningful. I found it meaningful because I reflected back on what I did learn and doing this "blogging" actually learned me more about what I was taught and made me understand even more better.

• What would you change if you had the opportunity in future?

I must say I wouldn't change anything. Everything was just perfect and put out very good. This module is a 10 out of 10 ! At the end I know much more as before. Everything in my opinion will just stay as it is.

3. Please share what you would change in the LSKM221 module if you had the opportunity.

• What did you find interesting and meaningful?

Wow, this is actually a "tricky" question because I found the whole module interesting and meaningful. From the beginning up un till the end when writing this blog ! This module was laid out very well and we were taught very well ! I know much more now, but learning different music concepts was really interesting and meaningful to me because I didn't even know before starting this module that music has different concepts.

• What challenged you, and what do you still struggle to understand?

I must say the module was a little challenging at the beginning because I didn't know anything at all. Learning about arts integration was a little challenging for me and I also struggled to understand it because my taughts was HOW CAN WE INTERPRET ART IN ANOTHER SUBJECT ? But at the end I am at ease now and understand it much better and now I don't struggle to understand it anymore.

• What didn’t you find valuable for your future teaching practice?

In my opinion, I found each and every bit of this module valuable for my future teaching practice. I feel that this module actually prepared me for what was coming when going to teaching practice. I learned so much strategies that I will definitely use when going for teaching practice. THIS WAS ONE VALUABLE MODULE !

So bloggers, I don't know how you are feeling but I am feeling a little sad because this is my last blog . I hope you all enjoyed this module just as much as I did .

 

Remember: Music and art are the guiding lights of the world 

bye - bye .  

             Hello bloggers !!     

I hope everyone is doing extremely well and that everyone is safe ! I am feeling so GOOD and POSITIVE . I am feeling very positive regarding our studies since we are coming to the end of the semester, it feels that I am having everything under control. I don't have any assignments left only need to submit my LAST LSKM 221 ASSIGNMENT  how fun, but then there is still a lot of tests and that means s t u d y i n g !! My little boy is teething now and this is a very stressful situation, he is all moody and grumpy and this means that he needs all my attention and him teething at the moment inhibited my learning this past week, I just hope it get's better this week. 

Oh, boy ! Study unit 5 is one interesting unit. I enjoyed it so much, when it was loaded I started to work through it and enjoyed it so - so much ! When working through the unit, I became aware of so much, especially LESSON PLANNING. I became aware of how to identify and evaluate appropriate assessment strategies for music as part of life skills in foundation phase. I became aware of how to incorporate music, games and art integration when planning a lesson for life skills. I was made aware how to evaluate and apply different teaching methods when planning a music lesson and how to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the basic structure of a well planned lesson. I was learned what to keep in mind when planning a lesson.  

There was a few concepts and elements that was significant to me in this study unit. I enjoyed learning about the characteristics of a well-planned music lesson because this is one part that stood out to me and it was very interesting. Going through the transformation through music education was in interesting but didn't grab my attention at first, but when going through it I understand better and enjoyed it. The whole study unit was just interesting to me and grabbed my attention. I learned how to prepare a lesson plan, and i must say I at the end of this unit I understand much better how to plan a music lesson. Oh, and before I forget the structure of a lesson was the MOST significant to me, it made me understand better from the introduction stage till the conclusion phase. 

When thinking about the following question there comes a lot to my mind. There is a variety of reasons why assessment is neglected in the Performing Arts and Music in the Foundation Phase. the following reasons is what comes to my mind when it comes to this question:

- Teachers doesn't have enough time to prepare a lesson plan for performing arts and music.

- There isn't enough time during the school day.

- Teachers think that it wouldn't be a benefit for the students or that the students wouldn't be interested.

- The school that they are in maybe doesn't have all the necessary technology in school form music.

- The classroom environment can have a impact or there could be a lack of resources. 

 

I would advocate for a heighten awareness about the importance about assessment when speaking with my HOD about my concerns in this regard in the following way: 

- I will have my facts straight so that it is understandable of how important music and performing arts is in the foundation phase.

- I will make sure that when music is being used that it is always integrated in all the other subjects and that everyone is aware of it so that music can be considered.

- I will make sure that there is strategies that can be used and that is beneficial when coming to making use of music and performing arts in Foundation Phase. 

- I will make sure that the HOD makes every teacher in Foundation Phase aware of how important performing arts and music is.

There is a lot of aspects that we should look out for and not everyone realize how important it is to use and teach learners music in the Foundation Phase. I will make sure everyone has a positive outlook on music and performing arts. I will definitely make sure one day when becoming a teacher that music and performing arts is included in the Foundation Phase.

This study unit made me aware of so much, and definitely prepared me for lesson planning. I feel this unit prepared me for my teaching practice and can only be a benefit for me. 

I am so excited to read your blogs, I can't wait .

Till next time bloggers .

 

Hello-hello bloggers! 

It's me again .

I hope everyone is doing good and that everyone is safe, especially in the time that we are living now. I'm just trying to cope with all the due dates and trying to stay on track, but with my one year old son won't let me get far ahead with anything , any mother's who can agree to this ? It feels like I am only allowed to work when he is sleeping, not even toys is helping lol. I'm just so anxious for the WVOS 222 test on Saterday, it feels like I am don't know anything about that module . The electricity in our town will be off AGAIN this week everyday from 13h00 till 17h00 this will really inhibit my learning this week. I just wish they sort out the cables this week because this is really becoming a BIG BIG PROBLEM ! But I hope you guys are all fine . 

I must say study unit 4 made me aware of so much. I learned a lot. Learning all the different aspects of arts integration in the foundation phase was just so interesting. Who of you guys knew that study unit 4 actually has something in common with study unit 1? I became aware of the different activities that we can use in music, how to integrate music with other subjects, the theoretical framework, the value of arts integration in the foundation phase and how to define arts integration. Learning how music integrate music in other subjects was most significant to me, it was just so interesting and learning o=how to use different strategies for arts integration was very significant for me.

In my opinion I feel that arts integration is NOT A WASTE OF TIME. I see it as a benefit and a positive aspect. Learners become aware of music and what music is actually about , learners also get to express themselves. In my opinion I feel like arts integration can't be a disadvantage but only a advantage. Students become creative when integrating arts and promote learning. When I say promote learning I mean learners become aware of construct knowledge of themes, subjects and concepts and learners are aware of the inter-disciplinary connections.  Arts integration promote teamwork and enhance communication skills, language skills and problem solving skills. Arts integration is classified as "an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form" which I agree to.    

Discussing the value of arts integration within inclusive, multicultural classrooms in the foundation phase I found interesting. I found this interesting because I always love to learn more about diversity and becoming a teacher one day we have to be aware of multicultural classrooms and this is one aspect we will also have to focus on when becoming teachers. Learning about the holistic development that is supported by arts integration was also very interesting for me. I enjoyed it because learning how a child develop and what a important role this has on a child's life really learned me a lot, who knew that holistic development can promote a positive and safe learning environment? Music really plays a big role in life.

Something that I found challenging was the theoretical framework. I didn't know that music develop through teaching and learning through the following aspects such as on music, with music, about music, through music, in music and from music. This is one of the aspects that I would like go in depth with and read  up more about the framework. My aim this week is to read up more and in depth about the framework to understand it better.

In conclusion study unit 4 was really set out well and learned me a lot. I feel like it really prepared me for my teaching practice days (when we will be able to go since Covid is hitting everything apart). 

Stay safe, BLOGGERS !

See you next time .

 

Well, hello fellow bloggers !

It's me Bronwyn, yes me again .

I hope everyone is well and safe and that everyone is coping with all the tests and assignments ! Well if you know me I am always up to date and far ahead with everything but not this time ! This week has been one big roller coaster, it feels like I am not getting done with anything. I have a lot to deal with and a lot on my mind, but hey I'll get there and I'll finish on time . Our family had a lot of pain last week, my cousin passed away due to cancer last week and Thursday and the Friday my grandmother passed away, she was 92 year already. We can only imagine getting to such a high age. Just imagine loosing two family members one day apart from each other . This all had me down and my attention wasn't with my studies but I am slowly getting back on track. I hope you all are still coping .       

I must say I really, really learned a lot from study unit 3. I never knew that a musical play has so much purpose in foundation phase. I became aware of so much during this study unit. I enjoyed learning the genres of play and games and also the examples of a play. Wow, I must say I never knew that a musical play had so much educational outcomes of a play. Learning the 7 elements of a play was most significant to me because I only taught a play is just a concert that people is performing but after learning what the 7 elements of a play is I became more aware of a musical play. Music goes so wide and it plays a very big role in almost every situation. There is so much musical games games that is suitable for foundation phase learners and learning the holistic development value of a play was something new to me. I hope everyone else enjoyed this study unit, just as much as I did. Who knew that a musical play has such a big role in the life skills subject in the foundation phase.   

- In my opinion I feel that the learners got uncomfortable during this activities because they all are from different cultures. Playing the Zulu stone passing game could have made them uncomfortable because they are all different. Not all the learners speak the same language and the song could've made them also uncomfortable. Some of the learners could have also feel uncomfortable because not all of the learners has fathers and since the song "bhombela" was about transporting fathers to and from the busy cities where they work and returning with gifts for their children could have made them uncomfortable because they know they don't have fathers bringing them gifts or their fathers don't have money. Dancing could have also made the learners uncomfortable because not all of the learners feel comfortable to dance in front of others. Playing house music will also be uncomfortable for some learners because of their religious differences. There must always be kept in mind that everyone is different and that everyone has different believes.

- Some learners were uncomfortable because the one boy wasn't happy with the use of a Zulu song because he didn't understand it and the other learner which was a girl was feeling uncomfortable dancing in front of boys and to house music due to religious reasons. 

- In future I will address the situation in a different manner. I will make use of more than one song to accommodate every learner and their religious believes and differences. I will also not let the girls and boys dance in front of each other. I will explain the meaning of a specific song more in detail to the learners. I will also ask the learners opinion on which songs they would enjoy and like.    

- To accommodate diverse learner profiles in our classrooms, we must firstly teach the learners what diversity is and teach them from the different religious. As a teacher we must know who our learners is, what they religion is and what their believes are. Learner's must always feel important and safe. Always make sure that they learners understand what they are being taught.

I learned so much during this study unit and the value of this content prepared me for my teaching practice. 

Please stay safe BLOGGERS !

Till next time 

     

GUESS WHO'S BACK, me yes me  .

Well, hello everyone .

I hope everyone is safe and that everyone is doing extremely well? I am a little overwhelmed with the studies and this math's assignment is FREAKING ME OUT ! is anyone feeling the same ? As if it wasn't enough that I was bugged with the flu two weeks ago, now I have a ear infection that makes me not even want to turn my neck, talk about pain , oh and also before I forget Monday our power was off the whole day and if I say the whole day I am talking from 7am till 9pm due to faulty cables. I feel like I am not getting anywhere with my studies and I feel like having a breakdown but then again I remember I have to stay strong because I have a little man looking up to me . I managed to complete my English, Afrikaans and Math's tests this week and also had some time to do my Math's assignment, but ugh just when I think I am going somewhere to the finishing point there pops up more assignments, ANOTHER MATH'S ASSIGNMENT, THREE OF THEM! I worked through the content of LSKM study unit 2 , and oh boy wasn't this something that I enjoyed, I learned so much about music. I feel a little bit more confident about my studies. 

While working through the content of study unit 2, I learned and became aware of so much and realised that this is actually a module that I would be enjoying so much. Everything in study unit 2 was basically new to me, I loved everything from the music concepts to the activities. I learned why we move with the beat of the music and how we start to move without even noticing it, oh boy this was interesting. Oh, and before I forget, I didn't understand assignment 2 at all but after completing this study unit I exactly know what is expected and what I must do.  I enjoyed watching the video that Ms put up and it learned me a lot and everything is well explained. I never knew that in music the meter had to be found at first I was a little lost, but now I know what it means. This study unit learned me a lot and I learned that there is a variety of different methods to do music with and different instruments. Music is important to learners and I learned that music plays a big role in their lives from their needs to their culture. My confidence since the beginning from the semester till after completing study unit 2 went from a 30% to a 80% which means I feel a little more confident about LSKM. I know a little more about music and I am enjoying it. But hey, we have to learn to enjoy something.  

As a foundation phase teacher I would definitely choose contemporary commercial music because here all the music is included from being popular to music in movies or commercials. I choose this because this is something that all the learners would be aware of and know for example it would be something that they already know from a movie or a commercial and we all know today's learners know everything. Making use of contemporary commercial music is also something that all the learners would be comfortable with because there is a variety and learners enjoy music that they are familiar with. 

I do think that they content and examples in study unit 2 is inclusive. Study unit 2 included everything that we need to be aware of and also made us aware of the different elements in music. It included a lot of valuable information that I wasn't ware of. The examples and content included everyone and everything so that no one would feel left behind, from different music types to cultures and different languages.

Personally I do not feel that there must be any changes in study unit 2 because everything was perfectly laid out and well taught. There is one point that I want to lay out is that there must be more examples for the other grades in foundation phase because there is mainly only examples for Grade 1's and also some more languages could be interpreted such. Overall I feel like this was an outstanding study unit and everything was well laid out. 

In my opinion I feel that the content of this study unit actually prepared me for my teaching practice and also for when I want to become a teacher one day.

Well I enjoyed talking to you guys again but I have to go now .

I'll be back SOON .

please bloggers STAY SAFE.

till next time

 

 

 

HELLO EVERYONE !    

I am new to blogging so just bare with me if I sometimes go off topic .

I hope everyone is safe and everyone is doing well, but is it just me or is this week feeling extra LONG? Well, I am just in bed with flu, and you know what comes to mind the big "COVID". I feel a little overwhelmed and it feel like I am not getting anywhere with my studies and if you know me I do stuff weeks before the due date. I managed to complete LSKM's study unit 1 content, Mathematics and Afrikaans tests this week and also my English assignment but don't talk about the one year old I have, I have to run around the whole they and it feels like I am getting no where. Oh, and before I forget to tell you my baby deleted a assignment I was halfway with  I felt like bursting out in tears but Momma must be strong and start all over again , Oh man this babies just have to much energy, any parents that can relate ?    

During this week while working through LSKM's content, i became aware of three learning theories. 1.Vygotsky's theory is based on the social interaction that is fundamental to cognitive development.   2. Erikson's theory based on the fact that personality develops in a predetermined order through eight stages of psychosocial development, from infancy to adulthood, with results from this theory is shows that successful completion of each stage results in a healthy personality and the acquisition of basic virtues, this theory also take the child's emotional well being into consideration and  has physical structure. 3. Piagets's cognitive theory   is the theory that is the more formal one, he suggests that children go through four stages of mental development, Piaget's theory focuses on understanding how children acquire knowledge, and also on understanding the nature of intelligence. I personally feel that Piagets's theory is a little overrated because children must not go through these stages because everyone is not the same.  These theories wasn't something new to me because I already learned about them in my first year.  Something that was new to me was the music increase and learning new skills, oh boy it seems like I will enjoy this module. Music is a positive aspect and it can make anyone feel better! While children are in the womb they are hearing music, I watch my boy everyday doing the most wonderful stuff but music light him up. The fact that children respond to sound quicker is extreamly amazing . The fact of how children responds to music and how is very interesting to me and how they learn what at different ages, and when I say learn I mean singing, dancing or even playing instruments. Exposing children to music during early development helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words.

My confidence is still a little down, I still don't know what to expect because this is just the beginning we can't expect to know everything by just complething one study unit there is still a lot more to learn, but I guess as we go on I will learn more and more and it is also interesting to learn something new. I feel like I don't know anything about music and it feels like I have to make extra "study time for LSKM 221" but then again something wispers in my ear "you can do this, you are capable". I feel that after completing this module my confidence would be higher and I will be ready to teach music in the Foundation Phase. I am very shy and I don't have any rythm, after completing this module I hope I won't be shy anymore and that I would have some "moves" also .  

Incorporating music education is very important and also very beneficial for the needs of a learner, that is why I would rather choose to incorporate music education in Foundation Phase curriculum meet the holistic development. Music plays a very big role in a learners life and with music we can do so much. Learners develop through music while dancing, singing and so much more. The learners build self confidence and they learn new languages. Music goes out in different ways, it can help the learner with learning another language for example when they sing a song in another language. Music ignites all areas of child development and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together. Something not everyone knows is that music is positive theraphy and is heart healthy, blood flows easily when there is music being played. Music helps with cognitive development, social development, emotional development and also personal development. Music eases pain and reduces stress, a lot of learners has stress that we don't know about. Music leads to a exciting classroom atmosphere and the learners will always be happy when there is music.  

In my opinion I feel that the content of this study unit really prepared me for my teaching practice and also for when I want to become a teacher one day. This unit made me aware of so much when it comes to music.

Sjoeh, I spoke a lot tonight but for now I have to say bye-bye.

Till next time.

Oh, and before I forget PLEASE STAY SAFE BLOGGERS!

I am out till next time. 

 

Good day everyone, 

My name is Bronwyn Josias and I am a second year BEd Education Distance student. I am from Worcester, in the Western Cape. I am the mother of one small little boy that is currently 1 year and 7 months old. I am very passionate to help others and I love to learn new things. I am a photographer and I love to take pictures and capturing other people's moments, like they say a picture speaks a thousands of words and is the only memory you have. 

I enjoy working with children, and to become a teacher would mean so much for me because then I know I am definitely going to make a difference in a child's life. I am an outgoing person and I love to experience new stuff and I also like adventures.

I am very excited for the second semester and especially excited for LSKM 221. I don't know a lot about music but I get a feeling that this module is definitely going to learn me a lot about music. I know music plays a very big role in a child's development and with completing this module I will learn a lot to teach to the next person or child that don't know so much about music. I expect that this module should make me more aware of music after completing it.

Well this was just a short introduction of me, I'll still be posting a lot but for now I have to say goodbye .

Till next time everyone.

Bronwyn Josias.