LIBRARY MUSIC

Year 3 and Year 4 students participate in a program within the Resource Centre in a stimulating environment designed to achieve two main goals.

The first goal is to develop a lifelong interest in and love of reading, through exposure to a wide range of children’s literature. Year 3 and 4 students participate in weekly Browse and Borrow Sessions, where they are involved in discussions about books, authors and illustrators. They learn about the variety and features of genre available to the reader and how to make appropriate choices in their reading material while challenging themselves to experience a range of books. The Year 4 students also participate in a Book Chat program designed to encourage wide reading and discussion in an informal setting.

The second goal is to further develop the set of skills introduced in Prep, Year 1 and 2, to enhance their Information Literacy, based on their information needs and skill development, so that they become confident independent lifelong learners. Information Literacy is transdisciplinary – an integral part of the whole learning process which is embedded in all of our learning and is used whenever information is required. Students in Year 3 and 4 have flexibly timetabled Inquiry sessions relevant to the stage of their Unit of Study and are taught in the Resource Centre along with the classroom teacher.

There are six steps which help define the Information Process and guide the teaching of the skills needed for the students to apply in their learning. Each of these steps is addressed explicitly to help students become aware of the process of accessing information and always builds on what is already known and understood, at their appropriate level.

Step 1. Define - What do I want to find out? Step 2. Locate - Where can I find the information I need? Step 3. Select - How can I search these sources effectively? Step 4. Organise - How can I organise the information so I can understand it better? Step 5. Present – How can I share this information with other people? Step 6. Evaluate – What have I learned from this? The students participate in Book Week and Writers’ Festival activities in addition to incursions involving authors and/or illustrators, where the students gain a better understanding and appreciation of the literature process.

Year 4 students participate in a number of sessions in the Senior School Resource Centre as part of their transition to the Middle School during Term 4. In Years 3 and 4 students have music lessons each week. Through participation in music, students gain the knowledge and skills to critically analyse, compose and perform music.

Vocal and performance skills are further enhanced through participation in ‘Les Chanteuses’.

The Year 3 and 4 Music program allows students to explore and understand music concepts through vocal and instrumental repertoire and activities. Through a Kodaly program, students are provided with a complete program that allows each student to experience success. Students apply their knowledge and thinking skills to creatively and thoughtfully engage in music discussions and solve music problems through visual, aural and kinesthetic means. They express ideas and information confidently and creatively, working in collaboration with others. They are exposed to music from different eras, styles, genres and nationalities.

Students who learn a stringed instrument have the opportunity to perform in the Junior School Ensemble, Mitiamo Strings and the Junior School Quartet. These girls perform at a range of assemblies and Junior School occasions.

Overall Objectives

— To assist with the development of the whole child — To foster a participatory approach where students are able to learn and understand through experience — To foster an environment where individual ideas and self expression are valued and respected — To provide opportunities for performance in order to consolidate learning, foster a sense of team spirit and develop confidence — To develop a music program that complements and supports other curriculum areas — To teach music in a manner that is accessible to all learners — To provide sequential music education that adheres to current pedagogy — To provide a complete music education that develops knowledge and music skills — To utilise movement, dance, drama and playing to reinforce music concepts.