As
part of the work I'm doing with my class I try to stimulate all the senses, and
to interweave different kinds of experiences and study methods - Both from the
notion that every child has a different way of learning, and from knowing that
different experiences (thinking, moving, imagining etc.) contribute to the
cognitive-physical-emotional development.
The different
experiences are part of the study material, all intended and
contributing to my main goal and labor as a teacher - building and reinforcing
the children's self-esteem.
Every other week or
two we hold a rhythm session in class - drumming, playing by a certain
rhythm, playing, dancing etc.
Here,
for example, is a sequence of four sessions we did in class:
Session
no. 1 -
We
opened with this amazing video I found on alaxon.co.il
After watching the
video in which you see how music presents itself in different materials we discussed various ways to
draw music. Is it possible? I asked the children how would they draw
different kinds of music.
I played a rather
melodic and calm song, and the children drew the music, The diversity was
immense: musical notes, letters, pictures, colors, textures, thoughts and
shapes.
We came to the conclusion that music can be drawn in many different ways and that it involves not only listening, but feeling, movement,
thought, criticism etc.
Session no. 2 -
I divided the class to
several groups of three, and each threesome was guided to show me some
sort of rhythm.
The originality blew
me away!
Some took a paper,
placed it on a table, then drummed on the table causing the paper to bounce
according to the rhythm. Others used sticks to play. Another group waved their
sweatshirts in the air, creating sound and air-movement.
Session
no. 3 -
And then we worked
with play dough and hand-colors. Each child received a big paper, and they
created whatever they felt like according to what the music stimulated in
them.
Later on, each child presented his or her creation to the class with movement, sound, or
Session no. 4-
A mother arrived to
the class and gave a lecture on Kandinsky and "music in the arts".
Working with music and
combining it with unconventional demands encourages thinking, criticism, openness,
curiosity, interest and lots of fun.
The children enjoy
creating, playing, thinking, and collaborating. The challenges increase the
experience and enhance it. Additional subjects also arise, such as musical
instruments, different kinds of art, physics, science, creativity etc.
Personally, I enjoy
getting to know the kids in unconventional ways, not just by strictly teaching
the formal materials, thus, enabling each and every one of them to express
different and new parts of themselves.
All the posts and materials belongs to Sharon Michaeli- Ramon ©
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