Hi bloggers…

This week has been one crazy week, trying to finish up tests and complete assignments, however my head is still above water. Getting there slowly. A lot of my time has been spent trying to figure out what is actually required to formulate a music activity, from choice of song, to a specific music activity, after reading through unit two, and all of the additional material that we’ve been provided with, I can finally say, I got the hang of this what an exciting fun filled activity that I will one day use in my very own classroom. I think that the impact of music is downplayed, in all honesty, music is my escape from this crazy world.

So ladies and gentlemen when you feeling abit under the weather, switch on your favourite song, and breathe in and out.

Individual reflection

1. 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.

As we live in a diverse country, South Africa, from my opinion as a teacher I would choose indigenous African music.  My motivation for wanting to incorporate indigenous African music is, to enable all students to be developed in the culture that indigenous African music offers and from my point that will be stimulating to the growth and development of young children . With regards to indigenous African music, it only makes sense that the African heritage and culture is embraced my statement is supported by the notion of the term “diversity” , I would want each child to be educated on the different percussion instruments, and dances that come along with it, from my perspective I am an Indian living in south Africa, with South African roots I would definitely want my future children and other children  of other races to be educated on the significance on “our African culture and heritage “.We need to take into consideration that the two main aspects of African music is rhythm and melody, and as we know those two music elements are included in our music module. It is also very interesting to teach children how instruments where made and used in indigenous African music, Flouts were made from animal horns, trumpets where also made of wood and metal.

 Indigenous African music - needs to also be incorporated into my lessons in order to cater for diversity and in order to understand the educational history on how music came about in our very own continent. Integration of indigenous African music is the building block of the African culture, it plays an integral part in communication and expressing their emotions it also forms part of the many African  ceremonies  this in turn enables all children living in South Africa develop a form of identity as south Africans, the inclusion of ingenious music can also form bridges in certain aspects, children who lack capability in other subjects, can use indigenous music as a strong point in terms of their academic capability. Indigenous music also have the grounding of old African folk tale, in this day and age it is of paramount importance to enable folktales to be transferred from one generation to the next , African folktales include  proverbs, idioms and riddles, this will not only strengthen the musical aspect of education, but rather other comnplex language aspects. One of the main reasons I chose indigenous African music was, unlike western and contemporary music, which you find on radio stations and tv, indigenous music is often given the “back seat”, as an upcoming teacher, It is my personal mandate to ensure that indigenous African music never ever dies off.

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

Yes, yes and yes, the examples that have been given to us are beyond inclusive. The lecturer placed emphasis on providing us with different kinds of songs in different languages as well, ranging from nursery rhymes up to pop music that foundation phase learners listen to. Not only are the examples inclusive in terms of types of music, we have also been given examples of different music activities, body percussions, beat by movement, etc. These examples have really enlightened me on how interesting the concept of music is. The content is study unit 2 has effectively equipped me with the necessary skills that has enabled be to formulate my very own music activity that I will be submitting in my assignment two, I really enjoyed  the content of study unit two, and I really enjoyed combining my very  own music activity.

 

 3) 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.

I don’t think I can make many in-depth suggestions, but a minor suggestion would be, to have more videos on music activities. Videos that demonstrate in-depth music interaction and maybe also a basis on which each type of music activity can be based.  I would also suggest that we are taught how to read and interpret music Besides that I am completely satisfied with the content and examples of study unit 2. I loved it and im now looking forward to studying unit 3.

 I never knew music was this fun!!!

Turns out LSKM211, is offering more than I expected.

Take care and stay safe bloggers, keep your eyes peeled for my next blog.

Signing off.

Jesmiel Naidoo

I agree with your points Jesmiel, well done.

Looking forward to read more of your blogs!

Good evening Jesmiel

I enjoy reading your blogs and views and this week didn't disappoint!
I highly agree that we must be taught how to read and interpret music so that we can answer any question that may come up in our classroom, or if we feel that it is a path we would like to explore in more detail.

Stay blessed and stay safe :)