Kate Molloy - Music Specialist
MUSIC – THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
‘Where words fail, music speaks’
Music is found in every country all over the world. People experience music for a variety of reasons. It could be for enjoyment, relaxation, celebration or ceremony. Whatever the reason, music communicates our feelings and understanding to each other.
Music is studied in school to provide students with ability in music and an understanding of musical concepts. Playing an instrument or being actively involved in music can allow students to develop ...
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A love for music and an understanding of its place in society
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Confidence and pride in one’s ability
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Self – expression through communicating feelings and thoughts
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Mathematical skills
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Time management skills, and
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Concentration
If possible, imagine a world without music. What would it be like ?
We need to equip our children with skills and knowledge to keep the world musical in the next generation.
Literacy
and the Arts
At Moura State School, literacy plays an important role in the Music room. Our
key links to this area include creative language, oral skills and critical
literacy.
How do we achieve these links ?
Creative Language
At present, students are getting into the routine of really listening to
music. Students lie on the floor in
their own space and close their eyes. Whilst listening to the music, students
link familiar describing words to the music and will often think of new words.
After listening time, we discuss the music as a class and take note of
new words that students have linked to sounds. On occasions, students have tried
to create 'new' words in an attempt to describe what they felt or heard. In this
reflection time, older students may complete a written reflection individually.
This ensures that students are linking words independently and are not relying
on other's answers. ‘Listening and reflection' time also promotes the
appreciation and comprehension of the Arts (Visual Art, Dance, Drama and Music).
Younger students also
have the benefit of listening to stories based on Disney movies (e.g. Aladdin,
Nemo). Whilst listening, students answer questions relating to their own
comprehension. For example, What do you think will happen next? Do you think
Aladdin likes Jasmine? Why is the
tiger sad when Jasmine leaves? etc.
Oral Skills
Oral skills and confidence are developed through drama and poetry.
In the past few weeks some younger students have been practicing a poem
called 'The dogs just been sick in the Honda!' by Colin Thompson and Peter Viska.
During this time, students focus on speaking clearly, looking at the
audience and adding expression into their voice.
At present, 2P, 3S and
3N have been practicing a play based on 'The three little pigs'.
Students have been doing fairly well with this but are still heavily
relying on reading the text. In the next few weeks, I will be encouraging them
to take risks and to deliver familiar lines from memory (e.g. little pigs,
little pigs let me come in!).
Next term, the senior
end of the school will have a chance to develop their oral and dramatic skills
when they commence rehearsals for the school musical.
Critical Literacy
Critical literacy means having children look critically at a variety of texts,
including advertisements, novels, poetry and people. To allow students to
experience the thoughts and feelings of another person in a real life situation,
we have students take on different roles in plays or stories.
In the future, 2P, 3N and 3S will go into role as the characters from
'The Three Little Pigs' and other fairytales to experience and discuss the life
of that character.
THE DOG'S JUST BEEN SICK IN THE
HONDA
The dog's just been sick in the Honda
And my Dad says he's phoning the vets
And if he lives to a hundred and fifty
We're not having any more pets.
The dog hung its head and
looked guilty
Something went through its thick brain
Mum cleaned it up with some tissues
Then it turned round and threw up again.
Dad nearly drove up a
lamppost
He screamed and threw open the door
We all got out onto the pavement
But the dog stayed inside and did more.
Dad tore his hair and went
purple
Mum said 'Don't make a fuss.'
And while Dad was having a breakdown
I took the dog home on the bus.
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