Sunday, April 12, 2009
Journal 12
This week, we didn't learn any new material, and won't be anything too difficult for the next few weeks. We finished the CLP, and watched the other groups present theirs. The groups all did a really good job, and incorporated music into the projects in an interesting way. On Friday, we played our recorders, and danced with them. It was an african childrens song, about something stealing the children. We had to walk around the room, following the leaders, and play our recorder along with music that was playing. I think it was interesting to be able to play a song along with a professional recording. I also joined "the band". I think that it will be a fun and exciting experience to play a song along with others, in a less casual setting.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Journal 11
I think that finding that book was very difficult. The university library is such a mess and unorganized, it's quite impossible to find anything. Any book that I already knew of, the library didn't have it. I think that the group worked great together. We all divided up the work, each took a piece, and then complete it on time. I myself had to find a song, and make words to go along with the story. I think the most exciting part is seeing everything come together, completely. We each only had our one part, but when everyone's is put together, it sounds really cool. This is a great way to work together as a group, and I think that children can learn through this activity not only different instruments and sounds, but also different animals, and how to be a good friend.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Week 11
This week was alot of fun. We started off the week learning different stories, and playing sounds to go along with them. During the song of Chicken Little, several students got the oppertunity to play new instruments. The song was very interesting, and creative. It was a catchy tune. In addition to raise creativity, using music for stories can help students remember them better. Anything that students need, or want, to remember is always better retained if it's put to music. Singing a song will stick better than repetition.
Binary form is a music piece that has to distinct parts. This is very common in modern day pop songs. The songs will have a verse, which the music will be the same, but the words different, then the chorus, which both the words and music are the same. Usually the part that listeners remember is the chorus. A good example of this is the mariposa song that we danced to earlier this week. I had no idea what the verses were, but I knew when the chorus was playing. It was also easier to remember which is these was the verse because the dance was correlated to what the music was saying.
Binary form is a music piece that has to distinct parts. This is very common in modern day pop songs. The songs will have a verse, which the music will be the same, but the words different, then the chorus, which both the words and music are the same. Usually the part that listeners remember is the chorus. A good example of this is the mariposa song that we danced to earlier this week. I had no idea what the verses were, but I knew when the chorus was playing. It was also easier to remember which is these was the verse because the dance was correlated to what the music was saying.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Journal 10
Music can help students be creative during a story time by coming up with different sounds for different parts within the story. If a student is just sitting there, listening, there's a good chance he's zoning out. But, give him a part in the story, and he'll be thinking about what sounds the specific part makes. Every student loves story time, and hearing stories. Having a part in these stories, and engaging with the reader can make story time all the more rewarding and fun. This is a shining example of student centered learning. The students play a direct role in learning. For an activity such as this, the roles are actually reversed, in a sense. The students themselves become each others teacher. Some students might not know what sounds a truck makes, but another does. The students begin teaching themselves, with the teacher as the moderator.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Journal week 8
On Monday, in class, we discussed our test, and looked over what we answered wrong. On Wednesday, we did some in-class activities, and read a story with sound effects. And on Friday (today) we got in groups and "wrote" our own stories, and made sound effects to go along with them. At the very end of class, we got our recorders out, and learend a new note.
I think that learning cretivity early in life in very important for a child. Creativity in life helps with school work, and social life as well. With school work, there will be more ideas, and help make projects more interesting rather than just usual. With social life, other children will more likly play with the child if they are more fun, and can play "imagination" along with them. From music, students can learn to be creative by putting different notes together, and listening to different styles of music helps the child to be more open minded, and think about things differently. It can also helps to build important skills in the childs life, such as concentration, and dedication.
For the culture that I'm going to present, I chose England, and specifically old England.
I think that learning cretivity early in life in very important for a child. Creativity in life helps with school work, and social life as well. With school work, there will be more ideas, and help make projects more interesting rather than just usual. With social life, other children will more likly play with the child if they are more fun, and can play "imagination" along with them. From music, students can learn to be creative by putting different notes together, and listening to different styles of music helps the child to be more open minded, and think about things differently. It can also helps to build important skills in the childs life, such as concentration, and dedication.
For the culture that I'm going to present, I chose England, and specifically old England.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Journal 6
This week we had presentations ALL week. We watched our different classmates take turns, and "teach" us a new song, and what musical concepts, and skills we would be using during the lesson. Most of them were really great, and we had fun pretending to me young again. Everyone left feeling happier, and laughing.
I taught "Old McDonald" as my song. Unfortunally, I didn't do as well as I had hoped, since I had a head injury. One of the things I found difficult, while planning for the presentation, was motions, and a dance to accompany the song. While old McDonald as many different animals in it, most don't do much than just stand there. After thinking for a few days, I finally had a dance, using different hand, and leg movement. It also involved using a partner. However, since I had hit my head so hard, I had forgotten what my dance was! I even forgot the name of the song. I think that overall, everything went poorly. Something that did go well was the class itself. Everyone participated, and went along with what I was trying to teach. They answered all my questions, and helped out to make it more comofrtable. I think that if I got to go again (and I think I might be) I would do so much better. I would have my dance down, I would speak clearly, and I wouldn't have an awful headache!
I think that some things I could change were my preparations, and explaining better what concepts, and skills were going to be used, and why they are important, not only to music, but also in everyday life. Old McDonald has alot of coordination, and repetition of vowels in it. It also helps with memory, and learning the names of animals, and which animals go with which sounds.
I taught "Old McDonald" as my song. Unfortunally, I didn't do as well as I had hoped, since I had a head injury. One of the things I found difficult, while planning for the presentation, was motions, and a dance to accompany the song. While old McDonald as many different animals in it, most don't do much than just stand there. After thinking for a few days, I finally had a dance, using different hand, and leg movement. It also involved using a partner. However, since I had hit my head so hard, I had forgotten what my dance was! I even forgot the name of the song. I think that overall, everything went poorly. Something that did go well was the class itself. Everyone participated, and went along with what I was trying to teach. They answered all my questions, and helped out to make it more comofrtable. I think that if I got to go again (and I think I might be) I would do so much better. I would have my dance down, I would speak clearly, and I wouldn't have an awful headache!
I think that some things I could change were my preparations, and explaining better what concepts, and skills were going to be used, and why they are important, not only to music, but also in everyday life. Old McDonald has alot of coordination, and repetition of vowels in it. It also helps with memory, and learning the names of animals, and which animals go with which sounds.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Blog Week 4
This week, we learned how to create a lesson plan that is universal for all teachers to read, and understand in case the primary isn't present. I found this activity very helpful, as one day, I will also have to create a lesson plan for my classroom. On Friday, we also learned the "C" note on the recorder, and attempted to play a new song. It was moving too quickly, and I soon got lost in all the notes. However, I practiced the new note, and can almost play perfectly. Since I was absent on Monday, I don't know what was taught/learned, but on Wednesday, we did review a song that was taught. It was fun, getting up and dancing with my other classmates. Everyone was laughing by the end, and in a better mood.
We also learned new musical concepts, and about how to notice silent notes, and what they "sound" like. We practiced drawing these rests, and singing songs that involve rests.
We also learned new musical concepts, and about how to notice silent notes, and what they "sound" like. We practiced drawing these rests, and singing songs that involve rests.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Journal 2
This week was very different than last week. It was a lot of fun. This week, we learned the difference between a steady beat, and rhythm. We practiced these in class, with rhymes we made over the weekend. After that, we learned the first few notes of the recorder, and even learned our first song. It was difficult at first to play the notes correctly, since I had never played before. But soon, after the class practiced together a few times, I got the hang of it, and can now play the song almost perfectly.
The steady beat was taught to us by practice. Anything dealing with music is difficult if you don’t practice out loud, so you can hear your mistakes. The recorder was taught by sight. We looked at what the teacher was doing, and how she was placing her hands, and then imitated that. I also looked at other people, to see how they were doing it. Then, to play the notes, we listened. We needed to listen as we played to hear if the notes were coming out correctly.
I think that learning these skills will be important later in life because it involves using all of our senses. It trains us, and will help younger students, to use not just sight as a means of learning, but also hearing, and doing. Music is also a means of expression. Any musical instrument can be used as an escape; to just “become” the music, and wash everything else away.
I think that if students have the opportunity to learn music, or to sharpen their skills, they should try it. It can help calm them down, or give them something to look forward to during school. It can also be helpful to learn how to use their different senses while learning. Learning things young is the easiest, and best, way to learn something new. On the list given to us, I am not familiar with any of the songs.
The steady beat was taught to us by practice. Anything dealing with music is difficult if you don’t practice out loud, so you can hear your mistakes. The recorder was taught by sight. We looked at what the teacher was doing, and how she was placing her hands, and then imitated that. I also looked at other people, to see how they were doing it. Then, to play the notes, we listened. We needed to listen as we played to hear if the notes were coming out correctly.
I think that learning these skills will be important later in life because it involves using all of our senses. It trains us, and will help younger students, to use not just sight as a means of learning, but also hearing, and doing. Music is also a means of expression. Any musical instrument can be used as an escape; to just “become” the music, and wash everything else away.
I think that if students have the opportunity to learn music, or to sharpen their skills, they should try it. It can help calm them down, or give them something to look forward to during school. It can also be helpful to learn how to use their different senses while learning. Learning things young is the easiest, and best, way to learn something new. On the list given to us, I am not familiar with any of the songs.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Week 1 Journal
Hey all!!
Welcome to my blog. That's cheesy.
I am a sophomore in the elementary education program. My ultimate goal in life is to be a Kindergarten teacher. Because most Kindergartens are half day, I would have time to also raise a family.
My mother used to sing us the songs from Sound of Music. My father would also sing funny songs that he listened to as a child, such as "Beans in Your Ears", or "The Unicorn Song". My sister and I both took piano, after we heard Hanson, the popular boy band, and wanted to be like Taylor. I was also in choir at my church for a few years, and several musicals growing up. I listen to music on my iPod every time I'm walking to class, or on the bus. My radio in my car is always on. I always need some kind of noise, and music is the easiest way.
On my iPod, I have over 700 songs, of all different genres, and generations. I have the song Mr. Sun, to several from Frank Sinatra.
I think that the activities we did in class were fun. They were different that any other classroom activity I had ever done. I think that learning by repetition is wonderful. It's the way children learn, and if we can teach ourselves that way, how much better can children learn! Children need to learn these songs, and movement as an important part of learning, but also socialization. During class, we met different people, learned named, and had physical contact with people I otherwise would never have said a word to. It also helps us, as a class, and future teachers, to break out of our comfort zone, and do something out of the ordinary, so the children would feel more comfortable as well.
Tiffany
Welcome to my blog. That's cheesy.
I am a sophomore in the elementary education program. My ultimate goal in life is to be a Kindergarten teacher. Because most Kindergartens are half day, I would have time to also raise a family.
My mother used to sing us the songs from Sound of Music. My father would also sing funny songs that he listened to as a child, such as "Beans in Your Ears", or "The Unicorn Song". My sister and I both took piano, after we heard Hanson, the popular boy band, and wanted to be like Taylor. I was also in choir at my church for a few years, and several musicals growing up. I listen to music on my iPod every time I'm walking to class, or on the bus. My radio in my car is always on. I always need some kind of noise, and music is the easiest way.
On my iPod, I have over 700 songs, of all different genres, and generations. I have the song Mr. Sun, to several from Frank Sinatra.
I think that the activities we did in class were fun. They were different that any other classroom activity I had ever done. I think that learning by repetition is wonderful. It's the way children learn, and if we can teach ourselves that way, how much better can children learn! Children need to learn these songs, and movement as an important part of learning, but also socialization. During class, we met different people, learned named, and had physical contact with people I otherwise would never have said a word to. It also helps us, as a class, and future teachers, to break out of our comfort zone, and do something out of the ordinary, so the children would feel more comfortable as well.
Tiffany
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