Journal #4

What did you learn?
These last few weeks I have learned such definitions as binary form, dynamic. I learned new instruments as well as a butterfly song and a dance to go along with it. We have also been learning different songs and dances that go along with other cultures.
• How did you learn those concepts/skills?
Most of these concepts were learned through games and hands on activities. When I learned to play an instrument Dr. Wang put it in my hands and showed me how to play correctly. When learning definitions we weren't just given the terms and told to memorize them, but instead we listened to songs and were told to identify the different terms in the song. We even incorporated a game were the class was split into two teams told to circle up and given a ball. The ball was to be passed around the circle until something dramatic changed which caused the class to change direction of the ball being passed.
• Why is it important for you to learn those concepts/skills
Personally I dont feel any need to learn these concepts we have been learning lately unless I find myself teaching a music class.
• Why is it important for children at that age level to learn those concepts/skills
If children were to learn these skills at their specific age level it would be better as to just widen their knowledge base.
• Problems or difficulties encountered in this week.
The most problems I encountered this week was keeping up. We are at the end of the semester and I have began to lag a little bit. These last few weeks I will work diligently to stay on task and learn the needed materials. I also have been learning the piano. This has given me a challenge because it is a new instrument and I generally know nothing about it.

For my culture project I would like to do jamaican music. I am into reggae and would really enjoy digging deeper into the culture and learning more about it.