Hello,

This past week has been quite hectic with work, coaching, studying and hostel duty. I am exhausted. But I am also grateful for the different oppurtunities and privileged to be able to already take so much responsibility. It helps me stay motivated and encouraged.

After study unit 3, it came to my attention what great effect and learning outcomes foundation phase learners can gain and achieve through play. Now I understand the value, purpose and importance play has on each individual and that it must be implemented in all foundation phase classes. Each individual can get to know themselves and others through acting alone or with others. Play can boost their self-esteem and self-confidence during play and in ordinary class time.

Up to now, I am very intrigued and curious for what LSKM 221 can teach me more because I have gained another and better perspective about music. I am definitely convinced that music is going to become priority in my classroom one day.

- What possibly made some learners uncomfortable during these activities?

Learners are always more comfortable speaking in their own language than in a foreign language. Playing a game according to a song which some learners don't understand, will definitely make learners feel uncomfortable because they may feel they can't fully participate or enjoy the game. Children also don't like to lose and some learners may feel it is unfair to play a game where they know they can't win. This will cause them to feel unmotivated and not give them a sense of belonging.

At the next activity. There will definitely be learners who will feel uncomfortable dancing alone in the middle of a group of learners. Especially if they don't have the self-confidence nor like feeling under pressured or forced to do something by others. Not all learners can dance or like dancing and teachers need to understand that in these activities not all learners have to participate.

Learners who approached the teacher, after the activities, were uncomfortable about not being able to participate and enjoy themselves fully because of the Zulu song was not being understood by the boy and the girl could only stand and watch the dancing activity because it is against her culture.

- Can you think of ways to address these issues in the future? what will you change?

The believe that the choice of song is not the problem. All learners need to respect and gain knowledge about other cultures. But I think the problem was, was that some learners didn't understand what they were singing and I would explain to learners the meaning about the song.

For the group activity. I would give an option or individual learners to dance in the middle of the circle. Other than that, I would let the whole group learn a dance sequence or dance freely as a group. Learners can also rather dance in groups with the same sex.

- How can we accommodate diverse learner profiles in our classrooms? What must we be aware of?

Us as teachers, must identify the different cultures in our classrooms and ensure that we know what each culture values and beliefs are. This will keep the learners and ourselves safe from any conflict.