A Grahamstown musician is offering to share some musical inspiration with Foundation Phase teachers in the town.
A Grahamstown musician is offering to share some musical inspiration with Foundation Phase teachers in the town.
Supported by the Diocesan School for Girls, where she began teaching this year, Liz Campbell will start free teacher development workshops on using music in the classroom next week.
Campbell will introduce the well-tested Orff method, empowering and enabling Grade R-Grade 3 teachers to use music effectively and simply in their classrooms.
Orff-Schulwerk, also known as the Orff Method, Orff Approach or Music for Children, is a way of introducing music on a level children can easily comprehend.
Musical concepts are learned through singing, chanting, dance, movement, drama and the playing of percussion instruments.
Improvisation, composition and a child's natural sense of play are encouraged. This approach was developed by Carl Orff, a German composer, conductor and educator during the 1920s and 1930s.
His ideas were based on his belief in the importance of rhythm and movement.
"It requires minimal resources, and no special musical training on the teacher's part, although a confident voice and willingness to move is helpful," Campbell told Grocott's Mail last week.
"The teachers will learn a variety of simple musical games, songs and dances, some of which they will hopefully carry through into their classrooms."
Campbell says music-based activities are an invaluable resource in young children's learning.
"They facilitate development of speech, motor co-ordination, listening skills, sequencing, numeracy, social skills and countless other faculties so important to essential childhood development," Campbell said.
The activities come from several Orff courses that she has attended under expert presenters from Europe and the US.
"I'm very excited that this is finally a reality – I've been dreaming about it for some months, along with two teacher friends I've worked with for years in township schools," Campbell said.
"There's a limit to how many classes I can run, but I can maybe show teachers how to do some of it themselves… help spread the word, and get others to do this essential job with our kids."
The sessions will run on Thursdays from 2pm-3pm at the Community Library hall off Middle Terrace (near George Dickerson Primary School). The first session starts next Thursday, 31 January.
Participation is free, except for a nominal contribution towards photostats.
Teachers working with children from Grade R through Foundation Phase are invited to attend.
For more information or to RSVP please email l.campbell@dsgschool.com or call 072 834 8920.
