1. I must be honest, my whole life I have always gravitated more towards the sporting side of the things rather than arts and culture. My family was passionate about sport, and we had no experience in music. So, at the beginning of this semester, it is safe to say that my knowledge of music and teaching music was slim, and what I did know I knew from helping in class music lessons at the school where I work. I do feel that as the semester has gone on, I have grown in my confidence and understanding of basic music skills and what it means to teach music in Foundation Phase. The fact that we needed to write a blog post on every study unit also ensured that I dove deeper into the content and made sense of all the new information, skills, knowledge and experiences.

2. As I said, the fact that we needed to write a blog reflection helped me to ensure that I put in the necessary time to make sense of the topics.

I found it quite challenging to remain disciplined and focussed to carve out the time needed to go through all the content for each learning unit.

Reflecting on life aside from studies was very helpful and meaningful, and it was just good to take a moment and write out what how I’m feeling and why. I have enjoyed reading my previous blogs over and seeing how I have overcome the stresses that I wrote about a few weeks ago.

3. I felt that the reading material was a lot to go through, and when you are studying online, it is often easy to skim through parts of it or overlook it completely. When you see pages and pages of writing, it is quite daunting and difficult to get motivated to work through it all.

I probably founded the unit about planning a music lesson the most valuable and feel that I will use it throughput my career.

I also enjoyed learning about the integration of music with other subjects, and it is something I am already applying in my class. You can use music in so many ways.

Part 1:

It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post. I cannot believe we are nearing the end of the year; October is almost finished! However, as much as it feels like we should be winding down, getting in the summer holiday mood, the workload does not seem to be ready for a holiday (at school and university). I am needing to steer my mind away from feeling like I should be on holiday.

The past few weeks have been busy, stressful, but productive. I am working even harder to get all my assignments and tasks submitted before my big 4-day stage race. I am also getting my ducks in a row at work because I will be off for 3 days for the run. I even had to put in 2 days study leave. But I feel like I am in a good place and should be sorted come the 4^th of November (race day 1).

I am also enjoying school even more than usual now, because now that we are on lockdown level 1, we are finally able to start introducing some of the ‘normal’ routines and procedures. Small assemblies, sport and extra murals, outings, interhouse sports day etc.  I am so happy for the children!

Part 2:

Lesson planning is something that we have looked at in detail from the beginning of our teaching studies, as the generic layout has been ‘drilled’ into my brain. However, that generic lesson plan won’t be perfectly suitable for a music lesson. I have learnt that a music lesson needs to be planned differently to the lesson planning I am used to. The new elements involved in planning that I’ve learnt is the class preparation, and situational analysis. The inclusivity and including unique needs will be different from the classroom because learner’s struggles in music will be completely different to academic struggles. 

Part 3:

I think that teachers often feel that music should not be taken as seriously as some other subjects, because not many children will pursue music further than primary school, and even fewer will try to create a career out of music. They probably also feel that it is very specific, unlike other subjects that may open doors into a wider range of career options one day.

It is important to assess music because it gives us insight into how the students learn and think and is a good indication of whether us as teachers are doing a good job in teaching our learners. Assessment also keeps teachers and students accountable and will help ensure high level teaching and learning all round.

Part 1:

This week has been good. Last weekend I was able to submit 3 assignments and I submitted my big Work Integrated Learning group assignment today, which has lightened my workload tremendously. I already feel a lot more relaxed and ready to focus on the last couple of tasks and assignments before the end of the semester. Things at work are also starting to slow down. 2 more weeks and then we have 1 week of holiday. I am excited to rest, but also to use the time to work on some assignments. My training and preparation for a 4-day stage race in November is also going well, I’ve managed to do some longer runs over consecutive days and so I’m feeling a bit more prepared, which is taking away from my added pressure.

Part 2:

I have always been a strong believer in the power of learning through play for smaller children. I know how important it is for the cognitive development, how it teaches them social skills, problem solving, it broadens their imagination and creativity. However, I didn’t realize how specific play can be in terms of the different kinds of play, and the different levels of play. I also really enjoyed the examples of ways in which music can be incorporated into play.

Part 3:

Some learners may have been very shy to dance in the middle of a circle with so many people watching them. Some may have not enjoyed the fact that the song was in a language that they could not understand. The fact that the song was about fathers bring gifts home could have even been a sensitive topic for learners who maybe don’t have a father at all.

One learner’s religious belief clashed with the music, and another learner felt uncomfortable because he could not understand the song because it was in Zulu.

To ensure that all the learners feel comfortable enough to dance, you could maybe allow them to choose their own groups to dance with. They will naturally gravitate towards their friends and people who they feel comfortable with. As for the language barrier, the teacher could maybe go through the lyrics in the beginning and translate them so that the learners have a better idea of what they are singing.

We always need to consider learners cultures, family background and home situations, and languages.

Part 1:

I am feeling good. It’s been a very cold and rainy Saturday in George, and so I’ve had a nice slow day, balanced with relaxing but also managing to work on 2 different assignments. The week has also been productive. Due to COVID and just general flu going around, many teachers were off work, so I had the opportunity to teach my own class. This obviously required lesson preparation, covering additional coaching sessions, as well as staying late to mark books. All of this aside, I still managed to hammer away at some university work and get a few runs in, so I’m feeling good going into the new week.

Part 2:

I feel like every week there is always a lot of things that are new to me that I had zero knowledge of prior to working through the study unit, but as I have said before, that is due to my very limited experience with music. But if I could pick one section that stood out most, and that I feel I will benefit from the most, it would be the section about teaching strategies, and specifically the tips for playing with the instruments. I know that the kids always LOVE it when the tambourines and shakers and xylophones come out, and so I would try to incorporate instruments as much as possible, because I would want my learners to enjoy coming to music lessons. I am however aware that this can also quickly turn into chaos, so it is vital to know how to structure and manage a lesson that uses instruments.

Part 3:

1. I would have to admit, based on my very little knowledge on teaching music, I think I would choose contemporary commercial music, but with consideration on what is needing to be taught. I just feel that it is the best way to grab the kids interest and attention, getting them excited and involved in the lesson, because they are familiar with the songs, they recognise them and get excited about them.

2. Yes, I felt that this study unit offered a wide variety of lesson ideas and strategies, and made use of many different instrument suggestions. Not all school are in a position where they can afford a large selection of instruments, and so it is important that we are equipped with knowledge and various ideas that will help us to get lesson objectives across, using minimal resources, or whatever we may have available. We also need to be knowledgeable about learners’ different cognitive and physical development levels, but also their socioeconomic status, race, religion. All learners need to feel at home in the classroom.

3. There could have been some ideas and examples about how to make your own instruments using recycled material. You can make a shaker using a bottle and rice for example.

Part 1:

I am feeling tired today. However, my week seemed to improve as it went on in terms of productivity and energy levels. It started badly on Monday as I did not get enough work done on the weekend, and I also wasn’t getting enough sleep so I was stressed and tired. On Tuesday I was falling asleep whilst marking books. However, I decided to dedicate my afternoons and evenings after work to university work only, and so I did not run or train or socialize at all. I managed to get a lot of work done and get to bed at a decent hour.

Unfortunately, once again, my weekend did not include as much work as I had hoped for. On Saturday my under 13 hockey girls had a tournament from 7:30-14:30, and then I played a hockey match straight after that. I was so tired that I fell asleep at 21:00. This morning (Sunday) we had a training run at the dam and then I met with some old school friends who were in town for the weekend, so I am only sitting down now to work.

I know, all sounds like a repeat from last weekend; you’d think I’d learn.

Part 2:

I enjoyed the sections where they shared some ways in which the arts can be integrated into 6 major areas, those being Reading and Language Development, Mathematics, Fundamental Cognitive Skills and Capacities, Motivations to Learn, Effective Social Behaviour and School Environment. I never knew the possibilities when it comes to using art in all areas of learning and teaching.

The most significant area was mathematics and how through certain music instruction, including comprehensive instruction that includes training in keyboard skills, develops spatial reasoning and spatial-temporal reasoning skills, which are fundamental to understanding and using mathematical ideas and concepts.

Part 3:

1. Arts integration is very valuable for all ages, but particularly for foundation phase learners. Children need to be multifaceted, especially in today’s times. Integrating art into various subjects simultaneously will encourage learners to demonstrate an understanding of different topics and skills, it will promote active engagement in learning, as well as experimental learning and problem solving. The arts also offer the learners fun activities, while promoting curiosity and creativity. They can also allow that to filter into their learning experiences.

2. I found the section about ‘Teaching and learning from music’ very interesting. Learners will have the opportunity to participate in uninitiated, spontaneous play with teaching related to music.

I feel that the challenge would lie with following the CAPS requirement of drawing links between different subjects and arts. I would find it difficult to tie the arts into something like maths or phonics, but I suppose it will come with practice and experience.

Part 1: 

I am feeling OKAY. It has been a busy and also emotional week. There were plenty of meetings after school and we also started sport again, so it’s going to take some time to get used to my new schedule. We also have a group assignment that is keeping me far busier than I would like. It was also emotional because my dog (who is 14 years old) was in and out of the vet and things just aren’t looking good, so I’ve cried a lot over that. 

In terms of university work, I am still trying to find my bearings with the new modules and all of the little tests or forum posts and assignments being uploaded, but so far have managed to stay on top of my due dates. 

I am however kicking myself a little bit today because I have let the whole weekend go by without doing any work. I did 2 very long training runs and also had a hockey match and then the next thing the days became nights. But am planning on getting lots done tonight.

Part 2:

I was particularly interested in the impact that music has on a child’s cognitive and emotional developmentspecifically. Due to the fact that I do not know a lot about music, it was incredibly interesting to me that we can use music in so many ways to encourage creativity, expanding vocabulary, enhancing literacy skills and imagination, and that music education can promote higher-order thinking skills, logical and abstract thinking and internalisation of knowledge. I also never considered the impact that music has on emotions and figuring out how different music makes us feel, and as a result, how to express these emotions. 

Part 3:

I do not believe that my current knowledge and skills for teaching music through movement are not where they would need to be in order for me to be confident in presenting a class. My confidence is low due to the fact that I do not have practical experience. However, the good news is, the school where I work has asked that I join all 3 grade 3 classes for class music to help with classroom control and to just assist the music teacher where needed, so I am watching first-hand how it’s done, and that combined with this module should by all accounts prepare me to teach music to foundation phase learners. 

I would feel that incorporating physical education into a child’s curriculum would be far more beneficial. Although the study unit did raise some very valid and intriguing points regarding the incorporation of music, I do feel that physical education would be more beneficial. If we assess the various factors listed above, physical education is likely to satisfy more of these. Cognitively, a child is required to make more rapid decisions and assess different situations and circumstances more frequently than they would in music. Personally, they would need to learn how to cope with their level of competitiveness and the level of competitiveness of others. This would enable the child to learn more about themselves and the way in which they think and react to a sport or situation that might occur on the sports field. Sport and physical education is a very social environment. Naturally, physical education is not an individual activity, which means that the child is forced to interact with multiple children outside of their comfort zone and probably ones who they would not normally interact with. Physical education plays a large role in the emotional aspect of a child. Dealing with and understanding how to cope with loss as well as victory, shapes an individual. Dealing with loss is a true test of character. As a child, to be able to learn this early on is crucial. It can form wonderful characters of future sportsmen and women. Physically, a child playing outside and performing various activities can only strengthen them. By them being outside and playing, they are developing hand-eye coordination and understanding how their bodies work and how they can get their bodies to do certain tasks.  

I feel that this module will be incredibly beneficial in my journey towards becoming a well-rounded teacher. Music is a life skill, and also plays a massive role in shaping a child’s development, which makes this module valuable to an early childhood educator. 

• My name is Jenna Lynn Rooyakkers and I am 22 years old. I live in George in the Western Cape, and I work as a teacher assistant at a primary school. I have spent a year assisting in grade 1, 2 and am currently working with the grade 3s. I am also an experienced sports coach. 

• Firstly, I have always loved children, and so working with them is fun for me. But the main factor that lead me to wanting to be a teacher, was the fact that I absolutely loved school. I had such a positive school experience, in all areas, be it on the playground, in the classroom, on the sports field, or at school functions and events. So I would love to play a part in ensuring that as many children as possible, have the same positive school experience that I did. I am also an avid planner and organiser, and so the structure and routine of working at a school brings me joy. 

The reason I specifically chose foundation phase, is because if I think back to my school years, the teachers that left the biggest impression were my foundation phase teachers. My memories of grade 1, 2, and 3 are so clear. I feel children are extremely impressionable at those ages, and so I would love to leave a lasting impact on their lives, and also set them up for what lies ahead in their school careers and even life!

• Aside from educations and children, I am also very passionate about sport. I played a lot of sport during school, and still do, and I feel that it encourages hard work, determination, having a fighting spirit, being part of a team and working with other people, commitment and dedication. I love spending time outdoors, surrounded by God’s beautiful creation. I spend a lot of time running in the mountains and in all of the beautiful places that my town has to offer.

I am also passionate about family and friends. Nobody can go through life without an amazing support network, and so I try to be that person to as many people as I can, and also try to ensure that no one goes through life without it. 

• I am a little bit nervous for this module, as I am not experienced when it comes to music. I have never played an instrument or sung in a choir. 

• With that being said, I am looking forward to gaining lots of new knowledge and skills, and hopefully feeling a lot more confident about teaching foundation phase music.