In today’s lecture, we looked at how important drama is in our schools and how it builds confidence. We also discussed drama as an outlet for escapism, and how pupils can express their feelings and how they can channel their problems through drama and allow themselves to forget their worries. “Inspired by a range of stimuli, I can express and communicate my ideas, thoughts and feelings through drama [EXA 0-13a, EXA 1-13a, EXA 2-13a]” (Education Scotland, 2017). One key theme I am picking up from this module is the way in which the expressive arts pave the way to improved self-esteem and confidence. “The Scottish Arts Council believes that arts and creativity have the power to bring joy, change lives, provoke thought and action and give a confident voice and means of expression to everyone, and therefore should be open and available to all” (Scottish Arts Council, 2004)
This week myself along with a group of peers presented the story of the Gruffalo. In doing this I learned a lot! My confidence in drama and in teaching improved massively and I began to understand how to bring drama into my everyday classroom.
In music, the Pupils of the Greenmill Primary School String Orchestra taught us how to play their instruments in pairs. I was paired with a lovely young tutor who really knew her instrument – the viola. She first taught us how to properly hold the bow and we played a few games to reinforce this learning. We were then taught some notes and we played the ‘cheeky monkey’ song together. This was terrifying as I don’t have a musical background at all, however thanks to the tutor’s patience – I eventually got the gist of it. One thing I would like to publically note is how well behaved and helpful these young people were. They really knew their instruments and all worked so hard – they are all a credit to their school!
Today was a thoroughly enjoyable day and my own confidence developed immensely. Today – more than any other day – I can see with my own eyes how the arts can boost confidence and why it would be in our learners best interests to have this integrated program of education in the arts.
Reference List
Education Scotland (2017). Curriculum for Excellence: Expressive Arts. [Online]. Accessible: https://www.education.gov.scot/Documents/expressive-arts-eo. (Accessed: 7th November 2017).
Scottish Arts Council (2004). Arts Education – a Lifelong Learning Strategy. [Online] Available at: http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/resources/publications/Strategies/Pdf/STR4%20Education%20Strategy%202004-09.pdf (Accessed 7th November 2017).
