Hello,

I can’t believe that it is the end of the month. This has definitely been the quickest month yet. But I am excited to have some time off at work during the school holiday and just focus on my studies. Looking back at this month, I am very grateful for all the opportunities that crossed my path and also happy with everything that I have achieved thus far.

During this study unit, I learned the importance and benefits of arts integration in the Foundation Phase education. I learned how and why educators need to be integrating arts in the classrooms. It was interesting and enjoyable to learn the different activities teachers can use to promote arts during school.

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.

Arts integration is not a waste of time in Foundation Phase education. Only teachers who teach in the Foundation Phase will know why art integration needs to be implemented in their classes. Integrating arts in a classroom is beneficial towards a learner's prior knowledge and skills in multiple subjects. Through, simultaneously, using more than one subject in multiple art activities, learners will be able to find connections between different contents during these activities. Art integration will give learners a wider perspective through personal experiences when they are actively engaging with classmates in activities. This will promote their social and communication skills and also increase their art abilities by learning from others.

Which aspects of study unit 4 did you find the most interesting and challenging? Please use the following prompts to reflect on your experience:

What did you find interesting? Please explain why.

What I found interesting is how multiple subjects can be simultaneously implemented in different art integration class activities. I was surprised by the great affect this integration has on the learners. It promotes and develops a learner’s prior knowledge and skills in many ways.

The theoretical framework also grabbed my attention. It was interesting to study the teaching and learning about, from, on, with, in, and through music.

What did you find challenging? Please explain why.

What I realise what is going to be challenging for educators, was to make sure that a teacher will need to combine the correct and suitable contents from multiple subjects to incorporate in different art integration class activities. They will have to ensure that these activities are effective and applicable for their class and that it will match the learning outcomes.