For the final week of this module we had our last dance and music workshops. We rounded off both arts with a performance of our choreography and a performance of Last Christmas on the Ukulele.

In dance, after rehearsing our group routines and full section choreography, we filmed our dance. I believe this went well but was a nerve-wrecking experience for most of the class. With my dance background, I did not have trouble with the routine or the performance but I understand why this could be a difficult thing to do for the pupils in my class. Performing dance is part of the curriculum and should be enjoyable but this aspect of dance can bring a lot of nerves, especially for the pupils in my class that have not performed before.

After performing, we learned how to evaluate dance and how this could be done in school. We used the three stars and a wish method of evaluation to note down three things we think we had done well and one thing we could improve upon. Evaluating is important as it allows you to be self-aware of things that went well and how to progress and improve (Cassady, 2004). Choreographic devices used and musicality are two of the things that could be the focus of our evaluations.

In music, we concluded our learning of instruments with the ukulele. After learning the history of the instrument, we got a chance to learn 6 chords and play along to a few little songs. We then played the four chords required to play along to Last Christmas.

This was an enjoyable experience and I can see how this could be done in schools. As a ukulele is a similar price to a good quality recorder it can be an alternative for the class instrument. After finding an interest in the ukulele, I will continue with my playing of and improve myself in the hopes of playing with my class and teaching them through resources like Charanga.

This module has been extremely insightful and has changed my perspective of the arts in Scottish education. I believe they should be valued as much as Maths and English currently are and not pushed aside. I will aim to ensure my class get to experience, practice and enjoy the expressive arts at school as much as I have had the opportunity to during this module. I will also strive to ensure my pupils get to experience creativity as creativity is a skill of great importance and one that can be developed in schools through teaching the expressive arts (Csikszentmihalyi, 1996).

Cassady H. (2004) Experiencing evaluation: a case study of girls’ dance. Journal of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy.  [Abstract, Online] Vol.9(1), Available: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1740898042000208106 [Accessed: 26 November 2019].