Final Blog Post  

Oh, my goodness, I can’t believe it is the end of the semester and my oh my what a semester it was. It was such a hectic busy one but we managed to pull through and know the end is near. Just a few more weeks than we can have a nice well deserved relaxing holiday!

At the beginning of the semester, I was quite excited when I saw music was one of our modules. I love music and how I can make you feel, although I was not sure how it could be used in the Foundation Phase classroom or even what important role it could play in the classroom. My knowledge and skills about music was not that much in the beginning of the semester but I must say it did improve a lot during the course of the semester. The experience I had with this module was really exciting for me. And I also believe my abilities did improve a lot. I feel that I have grown a lot where music is concerned and really gained a lot of knowledge and useful ideas that I certainly can use one day in my own classroom.

What did you learn from your individual reflections?

I enjoyed the individual reflections as this gave me a chance to think about each study unit again and to really reflect on what we learned and how to use that knowledge in the classroom.

What did you find challenging?

I must say some of the music concepts was a bit challenging and the first assignment was a bit challenging to me as I do not really have any music background.

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

I think the individual reflections where really meaningful as this gave me a chance to really think about what we did in each study unit and I could go back and read it again to see what I reflect about.

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

Although the blogging and reflecting on the study units helped me to really think about what the study unit was about, I would maybe make the blogging not optional for everyone but the students can choose if they want to do it or not. Not all people like writing and reflecting about what they did or learned.

What did you find interesting and meaningful?

I found everything interesting and meaningful, especially to learn how one can integrate music in all your subjects. I also found it very interesting to learn about the different ways music can help to calm learners down or how not to only integrate it in the subjects but also to use it in classroom management.

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

As I said in the beginning, I love music, but what challenged me was the different music notes and how to read them. Then also the different music elements like beat, rhythm etc. was a bit challenging as I do not have a lot of music experience. I think I still struggle a bit with the music notes and how to read them.

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

There is nothing I didn’t find valuable. I think everything I learned has value and I can definitely use it one day in one way or another in my own classroom.

Well, then it is Goodbye for now, fellow bloggers.

Good luck for the last stretch of the semester and enjoy a well-deserved summer holiday and Christmas with your families!!

        

 

Study unit 5

Lesson planning

Hallo Fellow Bloggers;

     Hope everyone is doing well and still coping with this hectic last semester. It is really a very hectic last term at school as well with everything that is going on and has to be planned. Assessments must be written, Grade 7 farewell, the prize giving and don’t forget the year end function.

Well, this study unit was very insightful to me. I liked learning about how music can be integrated into other subjects and how important it is in a child’s life. What also stood out to me a lot was the different ways in which teachers can go about planning their lessons according to performing arts as well as how lessons should be structured, form the introduction phase, to the teaching and learning phase and to end with the conclusion phase.

What could the possible reason be that assessment is neglected in Performing Arts and Music in the Foundation Phase?

• Teachers might think/ feel that other subjects are more important than music thus they do not plan enough time for performing arts.
• The school might not have enough qualified teachers to implement music in the curriculum.
• The school might not have sufficient resources and equipment for leaners to take part in such activities.
• Teachers might not always have enough time to prepare a well-planned lesson for music activities.

Please explain how you would advocate for and heighten awareness about the importance of assessment when speaking to the HOD about your concerns in this regard.

• Firstly, I will explain that it (music) is part of the Life skills curriculum and it is compulsory to teach music, performing arts, dancing, etc.
• Let children demonstrate how music can benefit them in many ways.
• I will try to explain to the HOD how the learners enjoy music and how it can overall have a positive impact on their self-confidence and academics.
• I will explain how music and performing arts allows learners to express themselves positively in the classroom and creates a safe space for the learners.
• Explain and show different ways in which these activities should be implemented as it will help children in other subjects.

This topic has helped me realize how music lesson plans should be set out as well as the characteristics needed to adhere to. I also learned how important music are and how beneficial music can me.

Adios, until our last blog.

Keep listening to music, it refreshes the soul….

Hallo Bloggers;

Wow, what a week and what a struggle to upload this blog. Well, I hope everyone had a lovely relaxing long weekend. We had a relaxing time on the farm with family. Then I got sick, (luckily not Covid), but I still managed to do some tests and assignment through all the headaches and fever...

After working through study unit 4 it made me just realize once again how art and music can make learners more positive about their learning environment. It is after all up to us as teachers to make school fun and exciting for our learners and to make sure they learn everything they need to learn. By integrating art into the other subjects, we might just achieve that goal a little better.

1. 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.

In response to such a statement I would say that art integration is very important in the Foundation Phase. I will give the following reasons:

• It can help learners to develop some creative problem-solving skills.
• It can help to explain some difficult concepts more visually, which will make it easier for learners to understand these concepts.
• By making use of art instruction in your classroom it can help learners to develop motor skills, language skills, social skills, help them with decision making, some learners might even take more risks but of course the most important thing is it develop their creativity.
• It also teaches learners about color, layout, perspective and balance, all which is very important techniques to know because they are necessary in presenting their academic work.
• Art integration with other subjects might also help to reach those learners who are not totally involved in their classwork.
• Art education also boost critical thinking which teaches learners to not rush their work but to take time and be more careful in how they observe the world.
• It provides challenges for learners at all levels and it does not only connect them with their own culture but also with the wider world out there.

2. What did you find interesting? Please explain why.

I actually found the whole study unit 4 interesting but what stood out for me was the ways you can introduce and integrate music into your other subjects. The YouTube videos were very interesting, it is nice to see what other teachers do and how to use music in all the subjects. The effect that arts and music have on a young learners live was also very interesting.

What did you find challenging? Please explain why.

I did not really find anything challenging. What I do believe could be a huge challenge is how to integrate music in the classroom and to accommodate the diversity of different learners that we have in our classes now a days.

Good bye Bloggers, until next time!!

Sjoe, what a hectic week it was. Things ended badly at school the previous week with a little disagreement I had with one of the teachers and the principal. This week also did not start of very well. Just glad the week was over. Hopefully the week ahead will be better.

 

While I was working through this study unit I learned how valuable play is for a child and how to incorporate music into the play activities. I also learned that there is three different types of play: Free play, guided play and directed play. It was interesting to learn how to incorporate these different kinds of play in your classroom. I learned about the different characteristics, role and value that music and playing plays in the holistic development of a child. It was a very interesting study unit for me.

 

Analyzing the scenario:

1. Some reasons that some learners might have feel uncomfortable during these activities is that not all the learners speak Zulu. Some of the learners might also not understand how the "game" works because it is not part of their cultural seeing that this is a multicultural class. Also some learners might not feel the beat of the music or are not as fast as other learners in passing on their stones.

 2. The first learner was uncomfortable because he did not understand the Zulu song and the girl was uncomfortable to dance in front of boys and because of her religious beliefs.

3. By trying to accommodate all the learners in the class by asking them what kind of music they are listening to at home. Getting to know the learners and maybe some of their beliefs and values.

4. As a teacher you can establish a supportive relationship with your learners. Instead of focusing on what a learner can not do try to focus on what they can do and by doing this and encouraging them you can build on their strengths. As part of the learning and teaching experience praise and encouragement can be given. Speak in simple language, repeat your word and explain meanings well.

Hi there;

It's been a very hectic week, with all the assignments and online tests due dates so close to each other. We are so busy at school, with the learners that are writing assessments now and then the marks have to be done. And on top of  all this you have to help other people with their work, teachers are absent because of Covid, it is just to much sometimes.

This study unit just once again made me aware of how important inclusivity is in a classroom. In each and every school there are learners with diverse needs, you might have learners with learning disabilities, special needs, learners that went through a traumatic experience, maybe some autistic children or some might also have sight or ear problems. By making use of music in your classroom you can address some of these needs the learners might face and encourage learners to use all of their senses to engage with the music.

I would not choose only one type of music to use in my class. We are living in a society where there are a huge diversity of different cultures in one classroom. Depending on the type of learners in the classroom and the occasion, I will let the situation guide me to which type of music we would use for that day. But if I have to choose only one type I would have to go with classical music. Out of experience I know it calms children and it also helps them to concentrate better.

While there can be some initial challenges to integrating music into the classroom, there are also many benefits that can be gained if the music is appropriately used:

• Reduces feelings of anxiety and stress.
• Helps children regulate their emotions.
• Improves concentration and on-task behavior.
• Enhances the way children can process language and speech.

The basic concepts of music like the dynamics, meter, beat, rhythm etc. were explained very good and there were also examples given on how to use them in a lesson. So yes I think the examples and content offered in Study unit 2 are inclusive.

I would suggest that the use of technology must be incorporated into the classroom and lessons more. Technology are all around us and being used more and more everyday.

Until next time...