CONVERSATIONS:
I felt very nervous leading into the music component of the course as I have had many negative experiences throughout my schooling. In primary school, we had competitive school choirs and compulsory military-like recorder lessons where the music teacher made us stand up in front of the class and read out the musical notes whilst the pointing her finger and scolding. Kirsten
I came away from the music workshop with a lot of resources and much more confidence in my teaching ability. I particularly appreciated Gerard's constructive approach. He not only built up our musical knowledge and understanding, he also built up the confidence of the class and it was easy to participate without feeling intimidated. Elise
Although I have a basic understanding of music theory, I am not overly confident teaching music. My experiences observing music teaching (during PE) have been disappointing. Teachers have seemed flustered and too focused on the end performance rather than the process. One kindergarten teacher put on a music CD to “do” music. Elise
I also found that the music lessons I observed on PE were not very engaging and did not permit the children to explore and compose. However, in an early childhood setting I found that music was widely used to teach content in literacy especially phonology. I have noticed that some children who struggle with maths and literacy excel at music and the Arts. The school I am at does not have a music program at all because they had too many behaviour management challenges, so I think when I am on PE4 I will try to integrate some music for them. Kirsten
I am shocked and saddened to hear that music has been removed because of behavioural issues. Music may be an opportunity for many children to express themselves in a more positive way. I hope you do introduce some music to your students lives. Elise
I wonder as well if our discussion of music integration into the classroom is too superficial as we described the use of songs and specialist music programs but nothing on tone, pitch, emotional reactions to music, deconstruction and composition of new music. Kirsten
I came away from the music workshop with a lot of resources and much more confidence in my teaching ability. I particularly appreciated Gerard's constructive approach. He not only built up our musical knowledge and understanding, he also built up the confidence of the class and it was easy to participate without feeling intimidated. Elise
I too found Gerard's workshop to be very inspiring and alleviated some of my fears around music. I liked the way that he demonstrated complex musical components like tone and pitch by scaffolding the learning experience and introducing elements slowly. I can't wait to try out some of the strategies and activities. Kirsten
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| Elise learning guitar |
I also found that the music lessons I observed on PE were not very engaging and did not permit the children to explore and compose. However, in an early childhood setting I found that music was widely used to teach content in literacy especially phonology. I have noticed that some children who struggle with maths and literacy excel at music and the Arts. The school I am at does not have a music program at all because they had too many behaviour management challenges, so I think when I am on PE4 I will try to integrate some music for them. Kirsten
I am shocked and saddened to hear that music has been removed because of behavioural issues. Music may be an opportunity for many children to express themselves in a more positive way. I hope you do introduce some music to your students lives. Elise
I wonder as well if our discussion of music integration into the classroom is too superficial as we described the use of songs and specialist music programs but nothing on tone, pitch, emotional reactions to music, deconstruction and composition of new music. Kirsten
RESOURCE TOOLKIT:
Here are the links to the science songs I was talking about the other day. The boys loved the Producers song and it really helped them to learn the terminology. I think it would also be interesting to get the children to make their own songs to learn from. I am going to use Night-time for my grade 3 students!
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMo3xbgBB_k on 14th August 2012.
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YONrbl6xLIM&list=UUJjstNDkwktHyvUdtcBfb2g&index=15&feature=plcp on 14th August 2012
Here are some links to some musical clips that I used in my Kinder class last year to help with handwriting. The only problem is that they are American and have a different pronounciation.
Very catchy though! Kirsten
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9BzWBufH1s on 14th Of August 2012
I think music should be integrated as a natural part of the school day as well as in particular classes. I am not so keen on using clips and You tube recordings though, it sets an expectation of perfection. It is good for teacher ideas though. Elise
For Steiner songs I use a book with a CD called
Seven Times the Sun by Shea Darian
Since you've mentioned composition, Ive also found some good books on music composition. Elise
Teaching Music in Primary School
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=i0DN2YakoQgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=music+composition+primary+school&source=bl&ots=GQsgRLkM4d&sig=mKQRueEcBwdgX5l8crVa8HeT8nw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xVg7UK6AIs2UiAfx_oH4BA&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=music%20composition%20primary%20school&f=false
Children Composing 4-14 by Jane Glover
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=zomJXuJ_vYwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=music+composition+primary+school&source=bl&ots=92qVJY0DCf&sig=jmiE7xEOO3ZuNSKoF_iIGVortOE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xVg7UK6AIs2UiAfx_oH4BA&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=music%20composition%20primary%20school&f=false
Here is a good basic website about teaching music in Kindergarten (or lower primary)
http://www.ehow.com/video_4952233_teach-music-kindergarten.html
I found an interesting learning object that allows you to make a soundscape of a futuristic shopping mall! Good for my children but not for yours? Kirsten
http://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/viewing/L886/index.html
ENGAGING IN THE MEDIA:
My children attend a very musical school where music, particularly singing, is a large part of the curriculum. Here, recorder is introduced in year 1 and string instruments are learned from grade 3 to 5. Musical choice is always reflective of the curriculum (Norse songs when they study Norse Myths etc). As a parent, I have become familiar with the huge range of songs used for the regular seasonal festivals and ceremonies.
I had an opportunity to speak with the music teacher, Sue (personal communication) about our workshop and she shared a huge range of resources which are available in the school library. Elise
It is lovely to see the integration of music into the everyday curriculum as well as in school celebrations. Is it only certain children who get to participate or does everyone have equal opportunity? Also do the children learn known songs or are they provided opportunity to compose? Kirsten
All children join in as it is a big part of the culture of the school. I am not sure at what stage they begin composing, but I have seen many high school children performing their own compositions. Often the children are involved in making their own instruments as well.
On Saturday night, the school held a World Music dance and in the band were children as young as 11, professional musicians, teachers and parents. They all played together, as a community and that was very profound for me. Elise
I had an opportunity to speak with the music teacher, Sue (personal communication) about our workshop and she shared a huge range of resources which are available in the school library. Elise
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Integrating music into the play Little Snow White
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| Music at the Harvest Festival |
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| Music at the Spring Festival |
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| Music at the Spring Fair |
All children join in as it is a big part of the culture of the school. I am not sure at what stage they begin composing, but I have seen many high school children performing their own compositions. Often the children are involved in making their own instruments as well.
On Saturday night, the school held a World Music dance and in the band were children as young as 11, professional musicians, teachers and parents. They all played together, as a community and that was very profound for me. Elise
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