Hi, everyone!

It was hectic the last two weeks with all the tests and assignments. Luckily I can start seeing the end.

Music is a challenge for me because I have no background knowledge of notes and how to present music in class but with the help of this module it helped me a lot. The learners are going to enjoy it a lot and I am excited to integrate it into my class one day. It makes learning so much more fun with music.

I’ve learned a lot, about the different theories, to have a meaningful relationship with your learners because they need to feel safe and supported in their classrooms. We play an important role in our learners’ lives with regards to providing them with motivation and encouragement with the aim of promoting their self-esteem and confidence. I learnt the importance of how music helps children develop physically, cognitively, personally, emotionally. Also about the elements that comes with music which can be used in the classroom and in the lessons. I also watched a few videos on body percussion and it amazed me how you can form a pattern by clapping hands or snap your fingers on the beat of the music. I also became aware of how important it is to include culturally diverse songs and literature within your classroom. When children play they learn to play and work together and to use their imagination. It is also very important to incorporate other subjects such as math, language and life skills into your music lesson.

The reflections were definitely meaningful for me because it was very interesting reading the other students posts and see how they experience this module and it helped me not to feel alone and helped me to share my understanding of each study unit.

Learning the different concepts of this module was challenging enough because I had no pre knowledge of music. Time was also a challenge for me to write the reflections. Not easy to work, be a mom and to study. But with planning and managing my time I did it.

I learned a lot from this module and there is nothing that I would change.

In Study unit 5 I learned to use music in my lessons is fun and realize when and how to incorporate it. Music in class is like doing practical activities and the learners enjoy it a lot.

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

I think teachers do not have enough knowledge about performing arts and music integration and are also not fully equipped for it. There are also not the necessary resources in the schools to assess it in every class. According to statistics, very few learners continue their studies in music or arts. So most learners do not choose the subject until grade 12. Arts and music are seen as learners to enjoy and therefore assessment is neglected and not considered important. In some schools, music is not seen as an academic subject. It is considered almost an additional activity rather than a subject in its own right.

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

Speaking with the HOD about the importance of assessment and not to be neglected, I need a solution for the problem. Firstly I will make a suggestion that the teachers can go for training in this area or if resources is a problem refer to the HOD that you can gather resources like recyclable resources to use for arts and performing. Let the learners do a performance and arts exhibition for the parents and make them aware of the importance of arts and music. Many learners may have talent that has not yet emerged but can be developed with the help of an art teacher. I will also make sure that the HOD is informed about all the possible benefits of assessment.

Study unit 4 was very interesting. This week was challenging but at least the school holiday is around the corner. It means more time for my studies! In our grade R class the learners love doing art. I feel that arts integration is a not a waste of time in Foundation Phase because it helps learners to develop multiple skills and abilities. It definitely supports academic achievement and socialization among learners. The learners get the opportunity to engage in teaching and learning activities which are fun, fosters collaboration and connection and promotes learners’ innate curiosity, creativity and imaginative abilities. Watching the YouTube video of the examples and suggestions for including arts integration activities in your teaching was very interesting for me. It amaze me how the learners understand it better and it is fun to participate. I found it challenging for those learners already considered successful, I will just give them extra work. Another challenge was discipline but the activities is so much fun it kept their mind busy.

Enjoy your school holiday!

Part 1

This was a challenging week for me. Finally I went for my vaccination. Luckily I didn’t get sick. My kids was also writing tests and playing hockey games. At least I could watch the game through the fence. I am still on time with my modules and plan ahead.

Part 2

I really enjoyed Study Unit 3. To learn about the importance of play with regards to holistic development.  I also became aware of how important it is to include culturally diverse songs and literature within your classroom. When children play they learn to play and work together and to use their imagination. I remember playing school-school with my dolls and I am the teacher.

Part 3

In study unit 3 I learned a lot of information which I can use to teach children musical play. Also what is the value of musical play within the foundation phase. It was very interesting learning about the different music games that you can play with the kids.

What possibly made some learners uncomfortable during these activities?

Some learners were uncomfortable during these activities and one of the reasons was home languages ​​because learners immediately feel excluded when they sing the song, for example, and it is not in his own language. They do not have the confidence to sing the song and also do not understand what they are singing. The learner who feels uncomfortable because her cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs are different from the other learners also makes her feel excluded because it is not right in what she believes and was raised.

Why were some learners uncomfortable?

One learner felt excluded as he didn’t understand the meaning of the words in the Zulu song. A girl felt uncomfortable dancing in front of the boys to house music due to religious reasons.

Can you think of ways to address these issues in future? What will you change?

It will help if one interprets the song and tells what the song is about that the learner should not perform due to his home languages. One must have respect for everyone's cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs. If the learner feels uncomfortable dancing in front of the boys then rather give her the drums to play or any other musical instrument so that she does not have to dance.

How can we accommodate diverse learner profiles in our classrooms? What must we beware of?

Teaching of learners with diverse needs can be a challenge to most of the teachers. It is evident that the teaching of learners with diverse needs requires teachers with specific knowledge and skills to enable them to identify and help learners, thus cultivating a positive attitude and willingness to accept them in class and assist them. Create an environment and learning experiences with flexibility for each student to feel welcome. The most important thing a teacher must beware of is assumption do not just assume based on your own understanding and knowledge that the content will be fine and relatable. Let no one feel excluded.

Having two teenagers in the house can be challenging. First thing in the car driving to school is to connect their music to the radio. They must make turns because their taste in music is not the same. Luckily not! I love it when it is my turn playing the oldies.

I feel children respond positively to music even teenagers especially if it is music they are familiar with. Therefor I will choose the contemporary commercial music including popular music and film music in my classes where learners can express themselves through music they know.

I think Study unit 2 are inclusive because it covered the basics we need to know about music, as well as the various elements also the importance of learners to feel equal regardless of religion, race or socioeconomic status. The video examples were interesting and explain the music concepts. I was very surprised to have learned about all of the elements that comes with music which can be used in the classroom and in the lessons. I also watched a few videos on body percussion and it amazed me how you can form a pattern by clapping hands or snap your fingers on the beat of the music. Everyday Children learn new things, music even contribute to creativity and imagination.

Personally I don’t think any content need to be change in study unit 2.The information was well formulated and easily understood and it helped me to understand music and the elements of music better. With the help of study unit 2 I think that the value of this content for teaching practice is very valuable and I will most definitely use it in my classroom. Looking forward to the rest of the module.

Part 1:

This week was very sad, we lost my sister in law due to covid. She left my brother and three kids behind. I went to support him and the kids and fell behind at work and I am stressed about my studies. But with hard work and staying positive I will complete my tasks before the due dates. I always manage my time regarding my studies good because it is important for me to let my dream come true teaching kids.

Part 2:

I’ve learned about the different theories. In Erikson’s stages I learnt to have a meaningful relationship with your learners because they need to feel safe and supported in their classrooms. We play an important role in our learners’ lives with regards to providing them with motivation and encouragement with the aim of promoting their self-esteem and confidence. In Piaget’s theory of cognitive development we learn that children learn by interacting with the world and that they build new knowledge based on prior knowledge. It is very interesting to know exactly what abilities and skills are developed at what age. In Vygotsky’s developmental theory we learn the importance of social interaction and language development.  Most significant for me was what children learn with regards to music at specific ages within the Foundation Phase. I learnt the importance of how music helps children develop physically, cognitively, personally, emotionally.

Part 3:

The information learnt in this module is very important, music plays a major role in the developing of a child’s life. That is why it is important to incorporate music within your classroom and lessons. I remembered how my own children learnt January to December in a song. I never struggled to learn them that because when I asked them what month for example came before October, they only started to sing and gave me the correct answer.

1. At this stage I am confident to learn more about this module because I don’t have any knowledge about teaching music through movement. But believe that I will learn a lot.

2. I will definitely choose Music in the Foundation Phase because there are so many advantages music has on the development of the learner and it’s a fun way to learn. Music promotes both numeracy and literacy skills and it can help with language development.

Best of all music can also help to boost a child’s self-esteem!

Good morning 

I am Elmien Jordaan, staying in Polokwane. I have two children and a wonderful husband that support me in my studies. I always wanted to be a teacher but the finances were never there. I came out of a house of four children and had to start working immediately after school to help my parents. With hard work and a husband that supports me and two beautiful children my dream came true. Finally I can study for foundation phase teacher. I was still very young when I had to help my mother in the kitchen as well as helping my sisters with their homework. My love of helping and teaching children already started their. I am passionate about helping children and to teach them. I am very excited to start LSKA 221 in this semester to learn more skills about music through movement. I know it is going to be a challenge because I am not good at music but expect to know more about arts and music after this module.