Integrated Arts- Final Week

This was our final week in the integrated arts module and unfortunately due to illness I wasn’t able to make it in. However I though I would write a blog post on my thoughts and feelings about this module and the learning I have achieved. Through participating in the Integrated Arts module my own confidence, … Continue reading “Integrated Arts- Final Week”

This was our final week in the integrated arts module and unfortunately due to illness I wasn’t able to make it in.

However I though I would write a blog post on my thoughts and feelings about this module and the learning I have achieved.

Through participating in the Integrated Arts module my own confidence, self-esteem, respect and knowledge has increased for the expressive arts as a whole. Prior to this module I think I was quite close-minded towards the arts and never quite appreciated the importance and value of it in education. However, this module has completely changed my opinion of the Arts but in a positive way, it has shown me how the arts can allow children to express themselves in a creative and imaginative form. It has highlighted to me the various ways in which I could teach the arts in a classroom setting and has been an extremely useful asset so far in my placement and will continue to be in the new year.

I looked over some of the notes I missed from the final week. The class started with a lecture from Zara, dance specialist, who spoke about the importance of creative partnerships in education.  This actually brought in ideas from our other module: Inter-Professional Working. It has further stressed to me how crucial inter-professional working is within education and plays a huge role for children being able to flourish in life and reach their full potential.

This module highlighted to me how much the arts is  undervalued in education.  From participating in this module it has shown me that as an aspiring teacher I want to open children’s minds and show them the value and importance of the arts on their learning experience. When teaching a subject like dance, music, drama or art you could bring in creative partnerships so that children can see the subject being taught by a specialist. This could help children  gain and develop skills and knowledge that will help them in their life’s now and in the future.

In the workshop the sections got together to perform the dance routine we created the previous week. I was very disappointed that I wasn’t able to take part, but the video they recorded looked amazing and everyone seemed to have such a good time.  Creating the dance was such an enjoyable experience and allowed me the opportunity to grow in confidence and develop and gain new skills and abilities in dance.

Prior to this module, I was very nervous and apprehensive as I have not always enjoyed the Arts. Reflecting on this, I think my negative view on Arts may be down to the negative school experience I had and being told that in art lessons my picture wasn’t of a good enough standard and not to pick the subject in the future. However, taking part in this module has shown me that creativity can be presented in so many different ways and forms and not one way is correct. I have thoroughly enjoyed this module and have had the opportunities to work within a team, embrace areas that are outwith my comfort zone and gain more  knowledge and understanding of the subject as a whole.

I am going to finish this blog with a quote by Sir Ken Robinson (2006) which in my opinion sums up the whole point of why creativity and the expressive arts needs to be appreciated and valued more in education and it’s our job as future educators to make this change. “We are educating people out of their creative capacities…I believe this passionately, that we don’t grow into creativity, we grow out of it. Or rather, we get educated out of it”.

References:

Ted Talks, (2006). Do schools kill creativity? [Online] Available: https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity/up-next [Accessed: 30th November 2017]

Integrated Arts Week 12 – 28th November 2017

Today we finalised our section dance. Due to low attendance, both sections were asked to come together to create a dance to be filmed. This meant that students from both sections had to learn the various steps of each other’s dance; this was an effective way to build our tolerance for ambiguity. Once recorded, we …

Continue reading “Integrated Arts Week 12 – 28th November 2017”

Today we finalised our section dance. Due to low attendance, both sections were asked to come together to create a dance to be filmed. This meant that students from both sections had to learn the various steps of each other’s dance; this was an effective way to build our tolerance for ambiguity. Once recorded, we …

Continue reading “Integrated Arts Week 12 – 28th November 2017”

Sustainable Development – Diversity

Diversity within learning for sustainability refers to both biodiversity and cultural diversity. Considering cultural diversity in a primary school setting is essential for meeting the following outcomes: I can gather and use information about forms of discrimination against people in societies and consider the impact this has on people’s lives. SOC 2-16b I can discuss … Continue reading Sustainable Development – Diversity

Diversity within learning for sustainability refers to both biodiversity and cultural diversity. Considering cultural diversity in a primary school setting is essential for meeting the following outcomes: I can gather and use information about forms of discrimination against people in societies and consider the impact this has on people’s lives. SOC 2-16b I can discuss … Continue reading Sustainable Development – Diversity

Placement Reflection

My first ever school placement experience was everything i imagined it could have been. I enjoyed every single minute of it. It was fun, rewarding, energetic and also some parts were challenging. It was interesting to see how teachers and other school staff members dealt and coped with challenging behaviours and situations. This really helped … Continue reading Placement Reflection

My first ever school placement experience was everything i imagined it could have been. I enjoyed every single minute of it. It was fun, rewarding, energetic and also some parts were challenging. It was interesting to see how teachers and other school staff members dealt and coped with challenging behaviours and situations. This really helped me in my experience because i was able to see what was right to do and how children can benefit from set rules and how teaching is not a 9 to 3 job.

For this first week, i was placed in primary 1. This was amazing. The children were a delight and the class teacher was so helpful. Throughout my week in this class, i was on hand helping the children with their daily tasks. It was such a good feeling when a child would ask you to help them and when they finally understood what to do. I felt confident as soon as i stepped into the classroom. Even though, running up to my placement, i was very nervous.

I got some great feedback from my experience in primary one. I found it very easy to bond with the children and make little friendships with them in a short space of time. After every class, i went home really happy, that i managed to help a young child with their numeracy and literacy skills. It made me feel so good about myself and my ability to teach.

The second week, i was placed in primary 6. This was a much more challenging class. I would say, it was a real eye opener. By this, i mean it was a shock at first to see how many children today, live with additional support needs. Each day, i would help the children with the ongoing problem solving task that was set out for them to do. This was really beneficial for myself as well because i really got to see how children’s mind work and how they can find out different answers uses the same strategies or how they used a variety of different methods to what i would use.

The teacher of primary 6 asked me to work with two boys who were both still at early level. Both of these boys struggled to read and also count to 20. For two mornings, i worked with these two boys by reading a passage to them and asking them questions on what they have heard. I also helped them to do number charts and how to add numbers together to make 10 or 20. I felt as if i really did help these boys. Afterwards, one of them said to me “Miss Grady, I really understand numbers now”. Just hearing someone say that is wonderful and it made me very happy.

This experience really did help boost my confidence not only in my work but also within myself, I have lacked a large amount of confidence in myself for a while now but my placement really helped to identify myself.

Teaching is honestly the most rewarding job and i cannot wait to get back out on placements in second year.

Sustainable Development Learning Log Energy

Over past two weeks of the Sustainable Development module we have been focusing on energy and electricity. Throughout this theme I have been able to consider my own personal knowledge and reflect upon how I would be able to teach this theme in a primary context. The inputs enabled me to consolidate my understanding of … Continue reading Sustainable Development Learning Log Energy

Over past two weeks of the Sustainable Development module we have been focusing on energy and electricity. Throughout this theme I have been able to consider my own personal knowledge and reflect upon how I would be able to teach this theme in a primary context.
The inputs enabled me to consolidate my understanding of the underpinning definitions of energy and electricity. Additional to think beyond using energy as a source of using electrical appliances or source of light, for instance switching on a light or boiling a kettle or driving a car, but to consider the manufacturing and transportation processes of the objects and appliances. Before we are able to utilise our electrical items, many energy forms have taken place. During the lecture we were asked to consider how many types of energy that we had used that morning before arriving at university, initially I believed that did not use much energy, but once scribbled down I was rather shocked by the amount of energy I did use: (Shower, boiling the kettle, hairdryer, straighteners, radio, driving). We then discussed fossil fuels, it is inevitable that these forms of energy will run out, we were then shown statics which confounded myself, these statics undoubtfully convey how finite fossil fuels realistically are.
• Years left of oil- 50 years
• Years left of gas- 54 years
• Years left of coal- 110 years
The above statics engendered myself to reflect upon how sustainable our world is and what actions we must take in order to pause the effects fossil fuels on our climate and to consider the importance of looking for alternative energies. The alternatives that the world is currently implementing is solar, wind, nuclear, hydro and tide. It is important examine the appropriateness of the alternative such as will it be in a suitable location, will the weather have impact on the efficiency of the energy being produced, will the local community and wildlife be affected.
Moreover, as part of the energy theme we participated in a debate that focused on wind energy. firstly, in groups we read a variety of difference references and make a judgement on whether the author was for or against wind energy. Then we formed two groups of for and against. I deemed this activity would be rather engaging for the upper school as it would enable the children to do their own research, work in groups, form arguments and agreements, in-depth consideration for a subject and to consider and respect the views of others.
During the science input we explored a range of activities that can be used when teaching energy and how closely energy relates to maths. Illustrating experiments to children is an excellent way getting children involved and engaged with science.
I believe it is necessary energy to be a part of the science curriculum. It is important to in form children in regards to fossil fuels and the connection to the word finite, and what this word means for the world. It is likewise vital to tread carefully and consider the ability of the class, similarly ensuring that lessons are pitched appropriately and activities are correct for stage of the class. I deem sustainable learning important and all children should be granted with appropriate learning experiences, as they are the next generation and will have to develop methods and strategies to maintain a sustainable world.

Integrated Arts Week 11 – 21st November 2017

This week began with the continuation of the microteaching tasks in drama. Having presented with my group the previous week, this gave me a chance to participate as part of the audience for other groups, without the pressure of presenting. Each of the lessons were enjoyable, however the final group decided to aim their lesson …

Continue reading “Integrated Arts Week 11 – 21st November 2017”

This week began with the continuation of the microteaching tasks in drama. Having presented with my group the previous week, this gave me a chance to participate as part of the audience for other groups, without the pressure of presenting. Each of the lessons were enjoyable, however the final group decided to aim their lesson …

Continue reading “Integrated Arts Week 11 – 21st November 2017”

Integrated Arts- Drama and Dance

This week we began with our dance class. It has been a good few weeks since we last took part in the dance class, so it was quite challenging to remember the routines we came up with. I tried to visualise the 10 movements that we had placed upon the wall to try and remember … Continue reading “Integrated Arts- Drama and Dance”

This week we began with our dance class. It has been a good few weeks since we last took part in the dance class, so it was quite challenging to remember the routines we came up with. I tried to visualise the 10 movements that we had placed upon the wall to try and remember the steps that we created. We managed to remember some of them and then just came up with a few new ones. This time round we changed the music to Christmas songs which was a lot of fun and appropriate for the time of the year. As some of my group was off we joined up with another group and we all came up with new moves to fit with this piece of music.

The fun part of this class is being able to join everyone’s moves together to come up with a whole routine. It’s amazing to think that in less than 2 hours we had a whole routine created. I think this just highlights the fact that time is not always an issue when it comes to teaching the expressive arts as most of the time you can have a lesson stated and finished before playtime or lunch time. The most important thing is giving the children this opportunity, in my opinion expressive arts is of just as much value as literacy and mathematics and should be given the same amount of respect.

I believe dance is a way for children to express their thoughts and feelings through movement. It allows children to be imaginative, creative, physical and work with one another to create a movement piece that fits along with music. I used to participate in dance when I was younger and loved the feeling when a routine had been put together through everyone’s inputs, I loved the different shapes I could make with my body and being able to express myself through a piece of music. This class taught me that you don’t need to be a professional dancer to teach it to children as long as you know the 10 basic movements and some activities, that’s where the creativity will begin and the children will be able to use their own imagination to come up with a dance piece. I hope that in my placement this year I get the opportunity to witness a dance lesson and if not hopefully I could teach one to the children to show them how much fun they could have with dance.

We then followed on with a drama session.  As mentioned a few weeks ago we were all taking part in a micro teaching experience. My group had presented our teaching experience the previous week and it was our turn to take part in other people’s teaching experience. This was a very fun and enjoyable experience as we got to experience the teaching from a learners view opposed to the teaching view.

This was a very interesting task as every group came up with something different. I think all groups did exceptionally well, everyone was imaginative and provided a exciting learning experience for everyone involved. We got to experiment with different drama techniques alongside a context to work with. These varied from freeze frame, fast forward, voice in the head, mime and many others. I still feel that I lack confidence at times in areas such as performing but I do feel like this module has allowed me to grow in self-esteem and be more open-minded towards drama and the many positive effects it can have on a child’s learning. I was lucky enough to witness some of the drama techniques in action in my placement, it was amazing to watch all the children get involved, come up with their own ideas and most of all have fun!

I think that through this drama class people are starting to respect and understand drama a lot more, everyone is getting involved and understanding the importance of it in the expressive arts. As an aspiring teacher I have been able to see the value and need for drama in the curriculum and it’s important that we give children the opportunity to be expressive through the different art mediums.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the drama section of the module and it has greatly increased my confidence and knowledge and understanding in a topic like this one and I know it will be a huge asset in my future career as a primary teacher.

This week I think both sessions fitted perfectly with one another. They both focused on the importance of being creative, using your imagination, team work and allowed some people to step out their comfort zone and get involved. Drama allowed us to create a scene or technique completely from scratch and use our imagination to think of an idea that would be fitting with the story. Similarly with dance we had to create our own dance moves focused around Christmas, allowing and challenging us to try and create moves that were different from those around us. Both of these classes highlighted to me that they could be integrated into other subjects in the curriculum in a fun and creative way.

Integrated Arts Week 11

Today’s lecture was about ‘Dance in Education’ discussing that dance should be fun, safe, meaningful and a child lead activity (Cone 2009). Within danced in education it is important to understand that everyone has a role to play in creative dance. Dance should help children build upon many things such as confidence and wellbeing (Cone … Continue reading Integrated Arts Week 11

Today’s lecture was about ‘Dance in Education’ discussing that dance should be fun, safe, meaningful and a child lead activity (Cone 2009). Within danced in education it is important to understand that everyone has a role to play in creative dance. Dance should help children build upon many things such as confidence and wellbeing (Cone 2009).

In today’s dance workshop we were given a new theme of Christmas. We were then split into groups and given different activities such as games, stretches, dances sequences and stimulus. In my group we were given games, the ideas we had for games was reindeer tig, Santa says, the number game related to Christmas objects such as presents, Christmas tree and Santa’s sleigh.

We then went into groups to work on our dances and change some parts to fit into our new theme of Christmas, before coming up with a full class dance before showcasing our group dance using the 10 step sequence.

In the drama workshop today it was my groups turn to do their micro teaching drama lesson to our fellow peers. The book my group had picked was ‘The Little Riding Hood’. Working as a group we to delegate the different roles each person would have in delivering our lesson. The different role each person has was reading the book, role on wall, hot seat, freeze frame and fast-forward. This allowed us the opportunity to experience teaching and performing in front of fellow peers.

Both Workshops linked to each other this allowed us to perform in front of peers to build confidence in teaching as well as performing. Picking a certain theme in dance and allowing pupils to lead their own learning using the 10 step dance sequence to create a dance to preform in front of others as a full class activity. In drama it was useful using a book for different levels within the school using the 10 drama conventions to allow pupils to think creatively and express themselves in a different way, which is not the written word.

Reference:

Cone (2009) Following Their Lead: Supporting Children’s Ideas for Creating Dances

 

Integrated Arts – Entry 10

Drama This week’s drama session was very enjoyable. As previously stated myself and the group I was working with were able to create a lesson and micro teach this to our peers. This week we were participating in the opposite. We got to experience being in the learners seat and be taught by our peers. […]

Drama

This week’s drama session was very enjoyable. As previously stated myself and the group I was working with were able to create a lesson and micro teach this to our peers. This week we were participating in the opposite. We got to experience being in the learners seat and be taught by our peers.

Each group were very imaginative when planning their lessons. I acted out many different scenes while using many different conventions such as voice in the head, freeze frame, thought tracking and mime. Everyone In the class were beginning to take drama a lot more seriously. As a student teacher I think it is important that we take drama seriously as the children in our class will begin to take it seriously too. Drama can be very effective in letting children see different view points for example being in the shoes of a bully and this is why it must not be just a laugh.

I have really enjoyed the drama sessions in this module and I think it will really benefit me in my future career as a teacher.

Dance

It has been a while since we took part in dance in the university and this became a bit of a challenge! We were asked to think back and remember the moves that we had created in the previous class which was a bit of a struggle. As I feel confidence when it comes to choreography I managed to think of moves we could learn quickly and teach the rest of my group. We then came together as a class and again put all of our moves together

When dancing I really enjoy the shapes I can make with my body. I can express myself through movement and be imaginative with myself. I think dance is a type of creativity that is very important. As a student teacher, I am eager to teach dance in this years placement during my serial days. I think it is important that all children experience all of the creative arts for a chance to experience creativity.

Cross-Curricular

Both of these sessions linked today as in both sessions we were able to be imaginative and make up our own creativity such as our own dances and our own drama scenes.  During drama, we could have created up a completely random scene and then used this a stimulus for literacy and write a imaginative short story. This could also be applied to dance. We can complete a dance related to a theme such as remembrance day, and then link this to literacy by writing a story! These are all fun and creative way that the arts can be linked into the curriculum.

 

 

 

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