week 8 reflection

what: Music is a type of expression. Music is tied to emotion. Music is a great tool learning. Music engages kids like no other method. When the mind is "turned on" and there is a positive emotional response, Memorization is enhanced. Who doesn't remember at least one song word for word, but cant remember there math test from the same time period?
So What: My goals as a teacher for music in my classroom, would be the use of music in memorization, and to teach about music. I have always like to sing with my kids. I like to create a song that is personal to them from an existing song. I think that wakes them up if they're not listening, and also cements in their head the concept I was singing about. I do not have a lot of music knowledge, but I would like to learn enough that I could teach it correctly.
Now what:I think that for me to be comfortable with teaching music in the classroom, I need to be comfortable with music. I don't have a lot of experience, but I do love it. I know that kids can learn while they are listening to music. If I can get my students to listen, sing,and make music of their own, then I know it can make a difference in my classroom. I have said it before with other blog entries, I am going to make a list of what each lesson is, what it needs to be good. I will ask where can I add music, drama, art, and dance.

week 7 refletion

This last week with our dance presentations, I learned that dance can really open up the creative mind and imagination, something the textbook could not otherwise do.

So what: I know I want to have some sort of creative arts for my classroom. I enjoyed the portions of dance that made me think about what I would do with only certain props or guide lines of instruction. I also liked the acting out of portions of a book with a team. it got more that one head involved and all of the presentations were very fun to watch. I think that just about any subject could be taught in a dance session.

Now what: I will prepare for a lesson and integrate an arts element into it. I really like the numbers of studies, as well as testimonials of teachers performing the arts in their classrooms. I know it can work for me, and I look forward to teaching this in my classroom.

week 6 reflection

What: I learned about the influence of dance on a subject and the fun I could have with it in my own classroom. I have learned that a dance period or time slot can be beneficial to a class. The Braindance stretch is a great way for kids to get there blood pumping and the wiggles out. Philosophically I thought about how I could change my class to actually dance or get up and move during a class period. I also like how that video was able to show the kids learning the same thing from dance as from a textbook. Kids need to be taken to a different place everyday I think I don't know how exactly that would happen, but a classroom can grow stagnant pretty quick.

So What: I would like to have a lesson that involves a lot of movement and is very creative. Field experience will be more interesting if you can move those kids around while teaching.

Now What: For me when I think of including dance or some fine art I think of making a checklist for every lesson. Knowing me I would forget or not think there is a way to include the arts. having a checklist for every lesson would help me to see if the lesson covers the standards adequately, is it fun, does it include a fine art. I would also need to think about how I can change a lesson plan to include elements of fine art in it.