This provocation is designed to connect my experience in place as I explored a variety of elements of sound, including tempo, pitch, expression, form, and texture (ACARA 2018). By immersing myself and the children in our surroundings, we had the opportunity to be able to create a unique soundscape that captured the various sounds and sensations of the environment around us. Ultimately, this provocation allowed the children to explore and connect with their surroundings in a new and exciting way, while also tapping into the power of sound to enhance the experience. 

The children were all enthusiastic and driven to participate and seemed to enjoy picking their own instrument. The children banged and made loud and fast expressions and some children made quite and intimate expressions using the instruments. 

2.     What did not go as expected?

I did need to reach out to the room next door to grab some more musical instruments. And the children were very calm and happy to wait to receive some new instruments to pick from.

3.     What might you do different next time?

I might incorporate some emotions with the music that the children create. Or I would even integrate working with soft and loud words and sounds and maybe even include a game such as, freeze with musical instruments. 

That the children wanted to join and participate in closing their eyes and listening to the sounds in their environment. The children were able to engage verbally about what they could see and hear. The children really connected well to their surroundings.   

2.     What did not go as expected?

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting all the children to participate - I wanted the children to be given the choice on whether they wanted to participate or not and every child joined. 

3.     What might you do different next time?

I might try to expand this experience and try for a longer time with the children. 

The children were very invested in the story, their eyes were peeled to the book and they were able to read the book along with me. 

 

2.     What did not go as expected?

I didn’t expect the children to create their own drama through this book. The children were able to create and incorporate their own ideas verbally as a group. 

3.     What might you do different next time?

As I reflect on this experience, I can’t see anything I would do differently as the children showcased how invested they were on the story as they created their own ideas and spoke to me about it throughout the day. The children also constantly asked me to go on a bear hunt with them each time we went outside and we also sang the song many times. Next time, I will chose a different book and see if the children can create their own drama through storytelling again.

From this unit, I gained insight from Schafer and Oliveros' videos on the value of listening and its impact on our lives. Oliveros (TEDx Talks, 2016) explains the significance of mindful, active listening that requires us to pay attention to the sounds we hear and be present in the moment. This approach allows us to establish a connection with our environment, raise awareness of our surroundings, and perhaps make it a habit. In essence, Oliveros views deep listening (TEDx Talks, 2016) as listening in every possible way to hear everything conceivable, which has therapeutic properties as well. Schafer echoes this sentiment by highlighting the importance of listening to the soundscape; an enormous and ongoing composition that surrounds us at all times. By actively listening to the soundscape, we can enhance our perception and appreciation of the intricate and stunning world surrounding us.