Today in class we studied about music and how we can teach it to children. We were then instructed how to further adapt it to the curriculum by changing the lyrics to folk songs.
Music is a critical art, I believe, to help us learn. Don't we remember jingles and songs much longer than just strictly facts or sayings? This technique (using music for instruction) is a perfect way to make our lessons more interesting and potentially longer lasting. Connections in the brain are heightened when music is performed rather than merely listened to. (I learned that this weekend from my mom who is a music major).
I will use this method in my classroom. In fact, I've used this method many MANY times in the past. My kids often joke there's not a word or phrase used in our home that I don't have a song for, when in reality I use a common tune and change the words to fit the situation. It's kind of a like a game. I love this method and technique. I really appreciated learning about the Brain Compatible teaching method. I've seen many ways used in my life, but never knew which was most effective. I know ways that I really DON'T like. I hope I can pass on this valuable information to my team and school someday.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Reflection #7 Sarah Sumsion
Today in class we applied dance experiences to a book we prepared as a group.
I quite like implementing dance into science - not necessarily just free expression, although I see the place for that. I like thinking "how am I going to move to express this object/animal/thing in nature/etc". I was trying to memorize my ed psych info and I made up a little dance movement to remember certain stages for one of the theorists. It helped me remember it better for the test.
I plan to use creative arts in my classroom. It's a great way to get kids moving in a day. I hope to implement all the arts within the unit. There is a certain level of trust necessary to make dance successful. With younger kids, they probably won't care as much, but if older students haven't experienced dance in their school years, they could be increasingly self conscious. I might implement dance a little later for them, or little by little. I could be wrong, but this seems to make sense to me.
I quite like implementing dance into science - not necessarily just free expression, although I see the place for that. I like thinking "how am I going to move to express this object/animal/thing in nature/etc". I was trying to memorize my ed psych info and I made up a little dance movement to remember certain stages for one of the theorists. It helped me remember it better for the test.
I plan to use creative arts in my classroom. It's a great way to get kids moving in a day. I hope to implement all the arts within the unit. There is a certain level of trust necessary to make dance successful. With younger kids, they probably won't care as much, but if older students haven't experienced dance in their school years, they could be increasingly self conscious. I might implement dance a little later for them, or little by little. I could be wrong, but this seems to make sense to me.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Reflection #6 Sarah Sumsion
Today in class we learned how to integrate dance into our teaching. We learned about the acronym "BEST" for dance: body, energy, space, time.
I was impressed by how easily it was to integrate dance. I got very excited about how to relate it to science and math units. Those subjects were a little trickier for me to see how to integrate drama into. The video was very inspiring and encouraging to me to see what massive strides could be made in many different subjects, just by integrating the arts.
I already have ideas spinning in my head about how I want to integrate the arts into my curriculum. I hope I can even try some when we teach during field experience. I am much less intimidated by dance that I thought I would be. It was fun to feel my body stretch and move in ways I haven't moved it before (or at least in years). I can see a group of adults (like us) having a lot of fun and being educated incorporating dance. I like the idea of letting student choreograph their own end-of-year programs, perhaps after a year of exploring about dance, instead of just a teacher always instructing them how to move. I also loved the Greek dancing. I've done some of that before and was truly moved by the beauty and meaning in it, not to mention had a good workout!
I was impressed by how easily it was to integrate dance. I got very excited about how to relate it to science and math units. Those subjects were a little trickier for me to see how to integrate drama into. The video was very inspiring and encouraging to me to see what massive strides could be made in many different subjects, just by integrating the arts.
I already have ideas spinning in my head about how I want to integrate the arts into my curriculum. I hope I can even try some when we teach during field experience. I am much less intimidated by dance that I thought I would be. It was fun to feel my body stretch and move in ways I haven't moved it before (or at least in years). I can see a group of adults (like us) having a lot of fun and being educated incorporating dance. I like the idea of letting student choreograph their own end-of-year programs, perhaps after a year of exploring about dance, instead of just a teacher always instructing them how to move. I also loved the Greek dancing. I've done some of that before and was truly moved by the beauty and meaning in it, not to mention had a good workout!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Reflection #5 Sarah Sumsion
Today we learned some theater games and listened to group presentations of process dramas as they correlated to children's books.
All students and grades could benefit from these types of activities because it makes topics and ideas and concepts more personal and applicable. I love the idea that process drama can help people develop perspective taking and empathy. I seem to be really hung up on the idea of helping children develop emotional intelligence. If this is one method that proves successful, I would encourage any teacher to utilize it.
These activities really mean a lot to me as I have always loved games and theater. I have actually done a lot of these types of things without knowing they were part of a bigger picture and bigger meaning. I was a substitute teacher all last year and subbed over 80 days of the school year. These activities were things I did either of my own accord or because a teacher had it in her sub plans. Nearly always the activities brought greater meaning and understanding to the students. I'm hoping I can have the courage to do some of these with the 6th graders I'll be working with in November. I know I'm the adult, but I hope I don't feel self-conscious and get stage-fright. Last night with my children I told them a story and used 3 of the ideas from today's group presentations. My 4 children (ages 14-5) fully participated and seemed to really enjoy the activities. A teenage boy can sometimes think things like this are childish - but he totally got into it! Love this unit!
All students and grades could benefit from these types of activities because it makes topics and ideas and concepts more personal and applicable. I love the idea that process drama can help people develop perspective taking and empathy. I seem to be really hung up on the idea of helping children develop emotional intelligence. If this is one method that proves successful, I would encourage any teacher to utilize it.
These activities really mean a lot to me as I have always loved games and theater. I have actually done a lot of these types of things without knowing they were part of a bigger picture and bigger meaning. I was a substitute teacher all last year and subbed over 80 days of the school year. These activities were things I did either of my own accord or because a teacher had it in her sub plans. Nearly always the activities brought greater meaning and understanding to the students. I'm hoping I can have the courage to do some of these with the 6th graders I'll be working with in November. I know I'm the adult, but I hope I don't feel self-conscious and get stage-fright. Last night with my children I told them a story and used 3 of the ideas from today's group presentations. My 4 children (ages 14-5) fully participated and seemed to really enjoy the activities. A teenage boy can sometimes think things like this are childish - but he totally got into it! Love this unit!
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