Good day, 

In the beginning of this semester and as a new LSKM221-student, I was not sure of what exactly this subject was about. I was also not aware of the great role the Arts subject plays in the Foundation Phase, specifically. I feel that Arts are being neglected quite a lot and not enough emphasis are being appointed onto this subject. I learned that the integration of music and arts contributes to a great part of the learning process in which the Foundation Phase learners may find themselves. 

I learned from my individual blogs that we all have a different percetion of how we look at things in life and this also has an influence on what we see as important or not. The line from this can be drawn right through my teaching as well, because each teacher will have a different way of looking- and doing things. There is no wrong way of teaching as long as the child develops through learning and the aim is met in the end. I also learned that I did not understand why the subject of Arts  was even brought into teaching and integrated with different subjects. 

What really found challenging was integrating subjects with music and arts so that the learners will learn something valuable through experience and having fun. It is also also quite challenging to choose the correct levels of work that are appropriate for each grade in the Foundation Phase. Something I also found quite challenging was the handing in of all things on time and that the site did not want to allow me to submit my blogs and work on time. This does not really have to do with the module but was something personal I have experienced when trying to work.

I found the individual blogs meaningful, because as I worked through the content of the module and had to reflect on certain main points that was highlighted, I have come to realize quite a lot of things regarding this module. 

If I had the opportunity to change something in the future, I would want to be better at integrating music and performing arts in my subjects and choose the correct ways of approach this subject especially. 

In this module, I found it interesting the influence this content had on my view on especially the integration of music and arts  in my teaching one day. I have learned quite a lot regarding what I mentioned above. Something that I found quite challenging was, as also mentioned above, to integrate the arts and music into my subjects and choosing the correct level and appropriate activities for learning to take place. There was not really anything that I did not find valuable for the future, because I feel that as a student I should take in all things I can to apply to my teaching in the future.

Thank you

Good day, fellow students

I trust that all is well and I believe that everyone is also busy to with their assignments and tests. This year is almost finished and there are so much things that still have to be done!

1. The integration of arts in the Foundation Phase is of cardinal importance. By integrating Arts, learners are being engaged actively. Arts in the Foundation Phase is not a waste of time, but a way the learners can express themselves and respond to what they understand of certain concepts. Here, the learners demonstrate through arts their understanding and skills. Arts also motivates learners and grant them the chance to be actively involved and learn through own experiencing. The integration of arts not only promotes the learning of students, but also teaching and is an approach that promotes the active engagement and teaching of many other important elements in teaching.

2. What I found interesting is that the arts not only motivates the learners because it is something fun to do, but the integration of it internalizes new knowledge and skills which can be gained through authentic activities. I found it interesting that  the integration of Art strategies offer learners the opportunity to learn in a way which prioritises in-depth understanding of new concepts and skills on a practical level before introducing abstract symbols.

What I found a bit challenging is to integrate the different subjects with arts so that the subject has meaning to the learners and that it is not just there to do something fun and keep the learners busy. This is important so that the learners can learn proper skills and knowledge that they can draw right through to the real-life and that it can have value to them. The things that they learn should be of such value that they can apply it to their real life.