Study Unit 4  - Art integration in the Foundation Phase

So reading through this study unit made me realise that it is important to integrate art in the classroom, and as whole in the foundation phase. It has a lot of benefits for the learners. There are children in my class who don’t want to draw, or say that they can’t draw. I am always telling them that none of us are artist, and that everyone draws in their unique way. I tell them to draw what they have in their head, and then you must see their drawings. It is so amazing just to witness these learners.

Art teachers learners about colours, perspective, balance and lots of other techniques. Learners by using books connects visualization with reading comprehension. Learners are challenged on different levels with art integration. By using art learners are can connect with their own culture and experience other cultures as well. Through the application of arts integration teaching strategies we design teaching and learning activities that are inclusive and provide multiple means of engaging and learning new knowledge and skills. The learners are engaging in role play of stories and texts that improves their reading comprehension. It enhance their idea on understanding of mathematics, strengthen fundamental cognitive capacity, such as memory, concentration and spatial reasoning, problem solving and creative thinking.

Teachers need to engage learners in teaching and learning activities where they are encourage to draw on their own prior knowledge, to discover new concepts and skills and to demonstrate their own understanding of how they experience it through art. Learners use their new knowledge and skills by engaging in authentic activities which have real live value.

Encourage learners to demonstrate their understanding through art, in order for us to create teaching and learning environments for them in which individual learning needs and abilities are met. We as teaching can design inclusive learning activities and provide multiple means of engaging using new knowledge and skills.

In the next term of school I would like to apply Van Vreden’s theoretical framework for music integration in my classroom, the six ways of development through teaching and  learning.

I have a shaker in my class which I use to create calmness in the class when they become noisy, and it works. When we have transition there is always a song included, such as our cleaning up song,  washing hands, and when we about to move to the carpet for story time.

I learned a lot through this study unit and definitely are going to use the knowledge I gained in my classroom and share it with my colleagues.