Share your story as an Lskm 221 student by comparing your knowledge, skills, experience, abilities and attitude towards music education.

As an Lskm 221 student I have gained a lot of knowledge in this whole semester about music education. I learned about the music elements, how to use music throughout the day in the classroom, how to use music as a tool for classroom management and how transition music between activities.  I also learnt that music makes learning and teaching much easier.

What did you learn from individual reflection?

I have learned about the music concept and its value and purpose in teaching the foundation phase.

What did you find challenging?

I find art integration challenging and music being integrated with arts.

Did you find the individual reflections meaningful? please motivate your answer

Yes, I did find the individual reflection meaningful because it gave me an opportunity as students to make informed decisions regarding this module as a I am transitioning to become a qualified teacher one day. I have learnt that music is a very important aspect to use as a foundation phase teacher and despite the challenges I might still find with music being integrated with art I see myself being the best future teacher in this subject.

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

For me I won’t change anything regarding this subject/module. It already has the important aspects of teaching and how to use or teach them. E.g., the aspect of music ad how to use it in a lesson and throughout the day.

3. What did you find interesting and meaningful?

I find integrating music in a lesson throughout the day very interesting because it is very helpful in transitioning between activities, classroom management, integrate music with other subjects and use music for brain breaks. All these provide learners with opportunities to be engaged during the lesson.

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

For me integrating music with art it is challenging.

1. What are most important aspects to keep in mind when planning foundation phase lessons?

-There should always be music

-Any music that is listened to in class must contribute towards reaching the lesson aims.

-Guide learners in music listening.

-Variety of teaching, learning and assessment activities.

-Variety of activities, accommodating   the various learning styles, abilities and interests of learners.

-Make sense of new concepts and skills on their own and collaboratively.

-Methods of assessment

-Before you want to explain something, facilitate an activity and ask open questions.

-Role of assessment.

-Peer scaffolding.

-Link content to real life as well as current social and political issues.

2. What is your opinion about the value of utilising arts integration and play in foundation phase lesson?

It is very essential to utilise arts integration and play because it develops social skills and creative thinking skills. Learners are able to have fun while learning and they are able to demonstrate their understanding practically. Arts integration allows learners to have fun while  engaging in authentic, meaningful teaching and learning activities.

3.Has your perception and priorities with regards to lesson planning and inclusion of music (and the arts) throughout  your teaching and learning in the foundation phase changed?

Yes, including music in your lesson is very important towards lesson planning on foundation phase. It allows learners to be actively engaged in the lesson, promote having fun while learning, create a positive learning and teaching environment throughout the day. Learners get to be more interested in the lesson because of music.

Music elements are the building blocks in music. Through combining the different elements, we can create music. Tone refers to a specific music element that gives music its characteristics  sound and through which we can differentiate between music and noise.

Basic elements of music.

-Duration (of tone) including music concepts of beat, meter, rhythm and tempo

-Pitch (of tone)

-Intensity (of tone)

-Quality (of tone)

-Texture

Examples of music concepts

Beat- is known as the heartbeat of music

Meter-  beats are usually  grouped into groups of 2,3 or 4.

Rhythm- when you combine the note values ( different lengths of tones), you can create rhythm. Usually, the lyrics of the song depicts the rhythm

Tempo- refers to the speed of music and how fast the beat moves, in other words, fast and slow

Examples of music activities.

Musical games

Reading music notation

Improvisation

Body percussion

Music and dramatization

Instrument playing

How does music concepts relates to Life skills, mathematics and language?

Learners sing songs in different language, learn new words everyday that expand their vocabulary in language , using music and musical notation has tools that has proven to raise mathematical understanding and in Life skills learners learn many skills in music education e.g.  multitasking, social skills, communication skills etc, and these skills develop their cognitive skills.

Play is a prevalent in many African cultures and the wider African setting, where we frequently see characteristics of play when individuals participate in music and dance activities

There are 3 types of play in children's culture.

-Tradition: Rules are vital in tradition games. This style of play is set in stone. Many traditional children's games include rues that must be adhered to and are rarely broken.

-Open: Open play is an improvisational technique. Although open play involves rules, these can be adjusted based on the needs of the children while they are playing. The entire setting's structure is crucial.

-Original play: Original play is imaginative and focused on curiosity. 

How does music game support holistic development.

When foundation phase learner participate in teaching and learning activities that incorporate play concepts, they can grow holistically by participating in authentic, meaningful activities.

Learners in the foundation phase develop cognitively by developing their problem solving skills and and learning about the cause and effect while also growing cognitivelt.

Learners develop physical skills

They get to know exercising skills from the very young age e.g.   Jumping, running or clapping.

Social play

Learners learn to socialise with each other and they develop their communication skills, sharing with one another, being able to play with each other well, caring for each other and it also teaching them equality and patience.

Importance of games in culturally diverse classroom.

The game to be successfully and enjoyable learners have to work together. Community is instilled and learners have  a sense of belonging and learners get to be free in class to be anyone they want to be. Play has therapeutic effects. Through play and imagination, the child can work through personal problems. Play provides an emotional outlet within the sense or communal belonging.

One of the most effective methods for a diverse group of students with diverse interests, aptitudes, learning styles, and experience to establish a community of active learners who take responsibility for and ownership of their own learning is through arts integration. Foundation phase learners benefits greatly from arts integration since it teaches them a great deal. Learners are encouraged to demonstrate their understanding of ideas and skills. It encourages active participation  in learning and teaching activities. Learners get problem-solving skills, authentic learning skills, collaborative learning skills, as well as variety of other experiences as a result of their learning.

Aspects that I found most interesting.

-Learners draw and write a tale to share their own views about music.

Learners engage with authentic music activities( singing, moving and drawing).

How arts integration promote creative and imaginative capacities for both teachers and learners alike.

Aspects that I found most challenging.

Understanding music concepts.

Aspects of music integration in the foundation phase.

This has been an interesting week for me as I have learned about holistic development.

Holistic development  basically implies the improvement  of intellectual, mental, physical, enthusiastic, and social capacities in a child with the goal that the individual is fit for confronting the request and difficulties of regular daily existence. These capacities are fundamentally significant for achievement in proficient fields of work. Each child is exceptional.

This study unit has taught me so much about music education and how it plays a big role in the child's development. I've also learned about theories that help in the child's development and are as follows,

1. Erikson's stage of psychosocial development.

2. Piaget's cognitive development theory. This ha two operational stages which are;( a) Pre-operational stage and (b) Concrete operational stage.

3. Vygotsky and the zone of proximal development.

This theories will help me as a foundation teacher to teach music in class. I have no doubt that my children will enjoy my music education. Even though I could not have drums to use in music, I know that I could always clap hands, step feet and use movements with my learners to make our music education much enjoyable.