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During the first workshop in week (1) I felt extremely nervous and uncomfortable. This was because it had been at least 6 years since I did any form of drama in front of a group of classmates. I felt out of my comfort zone when expressing myself in front of others I do not know. The most enjoyable part of the workshop was participating in the icebreaker drama activities, (where we had to say our name and add an action) and also going around the circle while others give their peers things to act out. These activities made me feel happy and were great for expanding communication, social skills, and one’s individual expression. These skills are crucial skills children must learn, and are expanded and strengthened through Drama. During This workshop I learned that if you commit to do something and go out your comfort zone, you will be strengthening so many areas such a social skills, communication skills, expression, and creativity. Which not only improves yourself as an Arts teacher and educates you on what students can gain from the Arts. But improves you as a person as well. I have always learned through doing, so these type of Art activities I believe, grow me the most. This week I was inspired by Sir Ken Robinsons speech in which he made me reflect on how my school years definitely killed my creativity. As school was always about getting the right answer. I was inspired by a quote in the readings that demonstrated how powerful Art forms can be. (Both are attached). Week 1 has opened my eyes to the world of Drama, and has shown me the social , communication, expression and creative skills children learn through the Arts.

“There is a weird alchemical effect when thousands of people focus on something strange and wonderful as this, a collective suspension of disbelief that can fuel the reimagining of an entire city” (Stephen Bevis, Arts Editor, West Australian).

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Do schools kill creativity? | Sir Ken Robinson

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During the third workshop I felt far more comfortable expressing myself. As it had became a regular thing. This was influenced by getting to know people more, but by also by placing myself out of my comfort zone, I felt I was gaining a lot from the workshops, in which was helping me feel more comfortable. I learned that drama encourages children to express their ideas and feelings about the world through an artform. I learned that when participating in make believe games when I was younger, I was conducting dramatic play which fosters creativity. I was surprised to hear that children are 90% more creative than adults. As children are constantly taking risks, innovating, and exploring their surrounding world. In which High school and the adult world does not allow for. I was able to see this week how Drama requires strong collaboration to express strong meaning, and I was surprised to feel how difficult nonverbal mime is as a form of communication, when your voice is removed. This week I was inspired by a mime video which showed me how effective mime can be as an expressive art form, and the power of strong facial expression. Students could learn through mime as it encourages the expression of feelings, creativity and meaning making. It also allows students to respond and reflect on Drama and its perceived meaning.  Knowledge of the Drama elements helped me focus on how I initiate my dramatic actions.

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During the sixth workshop we began dance. By now I felt confident to express myself, and the elements and activities I undertook in Drama aided in my dance abilities. I learnt the skills one can learn from dance including Kinaesthetic intelligence, Critical thinking, awareness of how the body moves, Movement vocabulary and Aesthetic understandings. I learned about what’s “BEST” in dance. Body, Energy, Space and Time. These conventions of dance aided in the making part of dance, and encouraged movement that was expressive and effective. It was enjoyable to dance on beats in workshops and It was awesome to see and feel the united atmosphere when everyone danced together. These understandings developed in dance enabled me to see dance in a way of moving how you feel and exploring how your body moves, rather than a set of learned movements. I was inspired to see how dance is strongly integrated into cultures as a way of keeping traditions and stories alive. Which is great at teaching children cross curricula, like Indigenous cultures and cultures around the world. This week I was inspired by the Russian folk-dance video, purely by the unique way in which they move their body. I was also able to see this week how dance is what ever you want it to be, so it greatly aids student’s creativity. I was able to see how safety needs to be considered before all dance performances and the plethora of skills gained through dance.  Leadership skills • Following instructions • Problem-solving • Negotiation • Cooperation • Interpersonal skills.

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Russian Folk  Dance "Berezka" "Березка". Ruso Danza Populare "Beriozka" .Russische Volk Tanz

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During our ninth workshop we began Media Arts. It was great to see more than just using technology. We were informed about e safety and how this must be considered when showing children media, and letting students use technologies. We learned about making effective Art using codes such as lighting, symbolism, font etc. And responding and reflecting to media arts work. We were informed that we will be teaching children that are very use to technology and increasing into the future. We learned about all the different apps we can use to create media e.g., iMovie, PowerPoint etc. Including the stages of media production. Pre-production, production, postproduction. We learnt about the different effects of camera angles and shots, and the effect they have on the viewer. I have learned that media arts allow for personalisation and allows students to see more than what is perceived by oneself. They can consider audience effects and produce personalised pieces of work which can display different meanings and interests. This week I was amazed by a piece of work shown to us that a primary year 1 student produced. I am able to see how media arts can be effective for creating assessments across all subject areas.

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media arts queensland department of education - Bing video

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Top suggestions for media arts queensland department of education

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Looking back my favourite activity in the unit so far has been the birthday dance to a beat, and the final group performance. It is just awesome creating a dance to beats and coming together to join it to others. The final group performance has combined all things together, which has been enjoyable creating. I have been surprised how creativity fades out as one gets older although while on prac it has been great to see the students conduct dramatic play at breaks and dance in lessons. I have now formed the belief that advocating for the arts is important as I think the purpose of the arts in school is a little miss understood. I can see as a pre service teacher how important it is to model dance, drama, and media arts to students, so they are willing to explore and take risks in their learning, through being a teacher in role. I am most excited to explore drama with students particularly mime, choral speaking, and exploring with group sounds like STOMP with the newspapers. While I am also very keen to explore cultural aspects of dance, and produce educational media. As a group when preparing a performance that incorporates all these forms, collaboration, and communication of everyone’s ideas are important. It is important to consider everyone’s ability and ensure all aspects are as effective as possible through using Dance, Drama, and Media codes. Smooth flowing and timing are very important, as well as connection with your peers when performing. It has been awesome participating in this unit and knew knowledge of things like freezes, tableaux’s, and synchronisation are all such interesting things to explore. All up, the Arts bring much meaning to ones life, and develop skills that you would never imagine.

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with newspapers performance stomp - Bing video

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Top suggestions for with newspapers performance stomp

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The chairs in my background picture are symbolic of myself (I am the audience). With the posts being symbolic of what I have been learning through the arts.

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The chairs in my background picture are symbolic of myself (I am the audience). With the posts being symbolic of what I have been learning through the arts.

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I am responding as an audience member to what I have have learnt.

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A helpful Drama resource website I discovered through my arts journey.

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A helpful Drama resource website I discovered through my arts journey.

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Drama Games - Drama Resource