Music Integration in the Classroom (Reflection #8)

What:
Music is a very integral part of learning. There are so many studies that show how important music can be to brain development and retention. I have always appreciated music in many forms and find myself singing quite often...not necessarily always on key :) But always with my heart. When you pair music or a song with any topic you are teaching, the children have a much greater chance of remembering it long term. For example, I can name all fifty states because of the song I learned over 30 years ago.
So What: I will keep music in my classroom in all aspects. I love when teachers play classical music or just instrumental music at appropriate times in the classroom. Even if I am not a fantastic performer, I can still sing along with a prerecorded song, and so can my students. We will have a great time and learn much along the way.
I have also started collecting sound and song mp3's from you and any other free sites. It is so amazing what we can find at our fingertips on the internet. The sky is the limit to our creativity.
Now What:
One goal I plan to attain is to learn how to play the guitar. My sister-in-law takes her guitar with her to all family gatherings and can easily get people to sing along. (especially at family campouts...) One of my daughter's second grade teachers also played her guitar and it was a very inspiring to watch the children and how they behaved, and participated in the songs. The students enjoyed evey bit of that learning.

Reflection #7 Creative Dance Week #2

What:
I didn't realize until now how literally any book you read can have dance and movement brought into the mix. One of the story presentations in our class was "Amazing Grace." It was about a little girl who wanted to be Peter Pan in the school play, but others were discouraging her from her goals. Her family helped her to not give up and she ended up getting the part because she gave her best effort. I wouldn't have considered that book for this assignment, but the group did a great job having each group act out emotions Grace felt at different times in the book.
So What:
I am realizing more and more with each creative arts class lesson that there are many, many ways to incorporate the arts, including movement and dance in everything that is taught in the classroom. Studies have proven that using the arts enhances education and helps students learn more effectively.
Now What:
My students will know that the arts will be an integral part in their learning process in my classroom. They will know it is the norm and accept and enjoy when I teach topics enhanced by using the many options of creative arts.

Reflection #6 Creative Dance I

What:
I hate to admit that before learning and reading about dance in the classroom (and in the book), I too, thought this part of class was going to be learning dances like the Virginia Reel. Although I do like learning those types of dances, I am happily surprised to know that interpretive dance and just moving your body is all incorporated as dance in the classroom.
So What:
Preparing for our presentation and participating in all the other presentations will be so much fun. It is great to learn new things, and having dance be a part of the learning process is great. Everyone can have an opportunity to branch out in a comfortable and nonthreatening environment.
Now What:
To incorporate this new knowledge and skills into my practice will take me being aware of future opportunities. My cooporating teacher seems to be pretty open to letting us take the reigns in her classroom and I look forward to using creative arts, and possibly dance during my field experience.

Reflection #5 Process Drama from Text

What:
It was fun to come up with so many ideas from the process drama options to include when reading a book to students. Some books presentations in our class had quite a few ideas and I was nearly overwhelmed at first because I was thinking, "How would I ever get through an entire book and have the students remember the beginning of the story when we have added in so many activities all throughout the telling of this book?" I appreciate you reminding us that there may be many times when using just one process drama will set in stone the message from the book will be clear to the students.
So What:
I especially loved Decision Alley, Collective Role Play, Mantle of the Expert, Thought Tracking, and Interview. I can easily see myself using these tools for more effective teaching. I did print out the 21 Red Hot Process Drama Tools so I can refer to them when I want to make my teaching more exciting and memorable.
Now What:
I definitely see the huge value of using process drama in many, if not all subjects being taught. Any book being read to a class can be set down for a moment so an experience can happen within each student that will enable them to connect with the message of the book, or the topic being taught. Experiencing process drama on a regular basis will make my classroom a safe, inviting place where ideas are learned in more ways than just memorizing. Thanks for sharing this valuable knowledge with us future teachers!
~JaNae

Reflection #4 Drama

What:

I never realized how many different aspects drama can be incorporated into teaching. I loved that through drama you can slowly make students feel comfortable enough to perform in front of their peers. It can be used in social studies, health, art, science and every other topic. Even math.

So What:

Some of the activities I will most likely use are: Interview or thought tracking, pantomime, Guided imagery/visualization, Freeze frame, and Narration. These are the tools I could easily introduce to my class because they come naturally to me. I could easily explain and model them to my class and then enjoy watching them learn while "playing."

Now What:

I plan to use some type of drama activity weekly (at least) when I begin teaching my students. This is such a great way to cement a concept into students' minds while enjoying the time spent with each other. I have printed out the 21 Red Hot Process Drama tools on one page and plan to refer to it often (from my Creative Arts Reference Binder I am compiling) as I look ahead to future lessons.