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Ekya / June 04, 2018 Posted by : administrator

With summer passing by, all of us at Ekya School BTM Layout couldn’t help but notice our beautiful mariposas fluttering back into our garden of school. We indeed missed them the whole summer and were eager, on-our-toes, to greet familiar faces and the to-be familiar faces. The staff of Ekya School BTM Layout were well-prepared to receive our students with welcome boards for each class, shaking hands with kids in the most reassuring manner, and starting the day on a positive note.

The class teachers of the primary classes welcomed the smart, ever-smiling, enthusiastic tiny-tots with flashcards and guided them into their class line in an orderly manner. The middle and senior classes though looked nonchalant initially, developed the interest to listen to the speech of the Vice Principal, Ms. Harbinder Kaur.

The Vice Principal introduced every teaching and non-teaching staff to the students and then provided them with instructions about the culture at Ekya Schools. The classes began at 8:05 AM sharp, as we got to see our young minds eagerly awaiting to feast the knowledge meal! Besides the school being charged with the energy of students, we welcomed the academic year 2018-19 with an optimist vibe.

The week started off with a Dumb-Charades event conducted for Grades 5 to 9 and Listen and Draw event conducted simultaneously for Grades 1 to 4. The children showcased their creative side with acting skills and perceptive quality. To concise, we could see budding artists on a roll!

To sum up the week, Grade 6 to 9 enrolled into various clubs to enhance their skills on creativity, performing arts and visual arts. The stellar club was the photo-maniacs, trapping moments and glimpses in the camera.

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Ekya / April 03, 2024

The Power of Learning with Intent: A Guide to Purposeful Education

In a world brimming with information, the art of learning has evolved beyond the mere acquisition of facts. Learning with intent, a deliberate approach to education emphasises quality over quantity, depth over breadth, and purpose over passive absorption. It’s about cultivating a mindset that transforms knowledge into meaningful action and empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern age effectively.

At its core, learning with intent involves setting clear objectives and actively engaging with the subject matter. Whether exploring a new language, delving into scientific principles, or honing a creative skill, intentionality infuses each learning endeavour with purpose and direction. As Albert Einstein aptly said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." This quote amplifies the importance of active participation and hands-on learning, highlighting that true understanding arises from deliberate engagement with the material.

Furthermore, engaging actively with the material is paramount. Embrace challenges and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This proactive approach not only deepens your understanding but also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in any field.

Moreover, learning with intent emphasises relevance and applicability. Seek out opportunities to apply newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By contextualising learning within your personal or professional sphere, you enhance its significance and utility, making it more likely to stick.

In conclusion, learning with intent is a transformative approach that transcends traditional notions of education. By setting clear objectives, engaging actively, prioritising relevance, and fostering a growth mindset, individuals can harness the full potential of learning to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing world. So, embark on your learning journey with purpose, and let each lesson propel you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.

By Sweta Pradeep Rao

Senior English Educator

Ekya School JP Nagar

Ekya / April 02, 2024

Gadget-free Summer Break

With summer vacation around, I urge parents to explore various ways to facilitate children to make healthy choices during their vacation time.

Last week, when we asked our Early Years to visualise their characters and create a story, most of them came up with stories about ghosts and monsters attacking others.  When we had conversations about what gave them this idea, we understood that these story ideas emanated from their online games. While gaming per se develops specific skills and requires focus, it also stifles the imagination of young children. Since it is visually appealing, children tend to remember those images in their heads all the time.

I often see parents providing very young children (1 year to 3 year olds)  with gadgets as the means to keep children engaged and entertained. I see children watching phones in the waiting areas of clinics, hospitals, school lobbies and banks.

This brings us to a fundamental question “ Should children be engaged by parents all the time?” Not necessarily. What is likely to happen if children were not handed over gadgets at the waiting lounges? What would they do? Some of them may cry, some may throw a loud tantrum, and some may crib. If parents show resilience and allow children to settle down themselves, they will soon find ways to keep themselves engaged. Likewise, during summer vacation. What if this is a “no gadget” vacation and parents do not take up the responsibility to engage their children? What would children do? How can parents show resilience here and facilitate children to make healthy choices? I leave the readers with this thought for this summer vacation.

Mathangi R,

Head of School,

Ekya NICE Road.

Ekya / April 02, 2024

The Eye of the Storm

In the hushed embrace of an Indian evening, our journey began, a symphony of anticipation orchestrated by the hum of jet engines and the flutter of boarding passes. The promise of adventure beckoned from distant shores as we boarded our flight bound for the United Kingdom, our hearts aflutter with dreams of far-off lands and newfound horizons. But as we soared through the velvet sky, a foreboding shadow loomed on the horizon, a harbinger of the chaos that was soon to unfold. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil serenity of our airborne sanctuary was shattered by a deafening crack, a burst of purple lightning that danced across the heavens with an otherworldly fervour. The air crackled with electricity as the plane shuddered beneath the force of the storm, its metal frame quivering in defiance against the tempestuous onslaught. And then, in a heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, the heavens unleashed their fury upon us, casting our fragile vessel into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The sky darkened to a shade of ominous charcoal as the winds howled with a primal ferocity, tearing at the wings of our faltering craft with savage intent. The cabin was awash with panicked cries and frantic prayers as we clung to our seats with white-knuckled desperation, each passing moment stretching into eternity.

And then, as if mocking our feeble attempts at control, the plane tilted almost 180 degrees, its nose plummeting towards the earth with a sickening lurch. Time seemed to stand still as we hurtled towards the ground, our fate hanging in the balance as the world spun wildly out of control. But just when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of salvation emerged from the chaos, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mighty roar, the engines surged to life once more, their thunderous symphony drowning out the cacophony of the storm as we clawed our way back from the brink of oblivion. As the storm clouds parted and the sun cast its golden rays upon the horizon, we emerged battered but unbroken, our spirits buoyed by the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. And though our journey had been fraught with peril and uncertainty, we emerged from the crucible of the skies stronger and more resilient than ever before. For in the crucible of adversity, we discovered the true measure of our strength, our courage, and our unwavering determination to defy the odds and chart our course through the tempestuous seas of life. As we touched down on solid ground once more, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the world around us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.

Arjun Narasimhan Kuppuswamy

Grade 8C

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Are Exams Needed or Not? [ Parents of Ekya Feature ]

Are Exams Needed or Not? By Rajesh Acharya, Parent of Ms. Dhwani and Ms. Dhriti, Montessori, Ekya School JP Nagar
Pedagogy today has undergone a paradigm shift and educational institutions as much as students have adapted themselves to the changing times. While more and more technology is being used to change the way students learn, I have been ruminating on the way the students are being assessed on how much of the content and skills of the course they have actually assimilated. Examinations at the end of the year, is currently how the students are being assessed, which in my opinion needs to undergo a complete overhaul.
Assessments by teachers should be more inclusive instead of sticking to standard answer keys.
Questions asked in a test paper are limited and have always been following a particular structure from times immemorial where multiple choice questions are asked for objective exams and essay questions for subjective examinations. The stress that is created on the students due to these examinations is rather large. The reason is that the students need to memorize the entire year’s curriculum and ensure that they remember everything on the D-day as that is the only chance they’re given to showcase their understanding of the course material and their future depends on how they have performed in those 3 hours. This leads to all the students having a singular line of thought which restricts the thinking capacity. The essence of these examinations, which, should be to assess the learning, is lost. Teachers who mark the answer sheets, more often than less, use standard answer keys and this does not bring out the actual caliber of the students. The radical change which is the need of the hour is to ensure that the students are assessed in a stress-free environment which will bring out the best in them and also help the teachers assess where the student needs to pay more attention to or requires additional focus. A robust form of assessment is to periodically engage with the child as well as the parent to analyze the progress of learning. Creating a healthy environment for learning, both at home and school without a knife dangling on the child’s head will surely lead to more imagination helping the child in retaining the knowledge imparted. Asking the child to prepare a project on the curriculum will help in practical assessment and also stretch the creativity within the child making it easier for the assessment whilst also making the child confident to face the future. Secondly, assessments by teachers should be more inclusive instead of sticking to standard answer keys. In my opinion, creating tough questions does not bring out the best answers from students. Difficulty has a point of diminishing returns. If a student feels that cramming for extra hours is not going to fetch better grades, they may end up skipping a particular module resulting in incomplete learning. A low score cannot be conclusive – i.e, the questions could have been tough or the student could have skipped the module and hence unable to answer. Answers to questions should be thrown open for discussion in class which would lead to healthy debates and exchange of thought processes. This will increase the confidence among the students as they learn something new instead of being told that their understanding is wrong. This will have a huge psychological impact on the child. So to conclude, I believe that examinations should be abolished and instead, in its place, assessments should be made fun, relaxed and more engaging by conducting projects, plays, practical experiments whilst also assessing the soft and behavioural aspects of the students. A student may be polite, aggressive etc. which will be on display when they’re allowed to showcase their skill in a relaxed atmosphere instead of being pitted against each other in the garb of examinations. The resultant strengths and weaknesses can then be assessed and worked upon by the teachers helping students become more confident and strong in taking decisions for the future ensuring that they have learned and mastered the curriculum and retained most of the knowledge imparted to them.
Mr. Rajesh, parent of Ekya, was invited to be our guest writer on the Parents of Ekya feature. Interested parents who would like to write for us can shoot us a mail on communications@ekyaschools.com

Assessment pattern at Ekya

At Ekya, we have various assessment systems that give children multiple opportunities to express what they know and understand. This is crucial because, in the end, final or term end exams require the application of learning rather than a simple reproduction of facts. Hence, Ekya’s assessment pattern is designed to keep track of the learning pulse of each child which helps teachers fortify learning as and when gaps are observed. – click here to know more about our assessment.

Topping Grade X CBSE Boards – Aditya Kanthi

Aditya Kanthi of Grade X, Ekya School ITPL just did us proud by topping his batch in the CBSE board exams. With the excitement of results at an all-time high, we managed to get in touch with Aditya to have an informal chat with him about this achievement. 96.4% and a centum in Science is an achievement for sure, but our topper downplayed the entire story by being extremely grounded and happy yet raring to go all out for the next two years that will shape his career. This aspiring engineer has dreams of making it big in the field of Computer Science or Nuclear Physics in the years to come. Did he really expect to top the school? “I hadn’t really thought about that. I just wanted to do well. I, however, expected a centum in math,” is what he had to say. Did he have a fixed pattern of study? How did he prepare for the exam? Aditya mentions that he studied regularly from the start of the academic year. “I studied from the beginning. So, there was no pressure when it actually came to the day of the exams.” However, Aditya was unfortunately ill during the Boards. He had a high fever and was really unwell the day before Social Science – but this resilient student says, “the fact that I had prepared from the beginning ensured that I could do well in my papers even when I couldn’t revise for it the day before.” What was his day like during the study holidays? “I did not study the entire day. I ensured that I played for an hour every day. This gave me the break I needed. I love to play Squash, go go-karting and spend some time in the gym” Studies were just a daily routine in his day. What was the highlight of his success? Aditya credits his mother for being a huge support during this time. He says “My mother did not pressurize or push me at all. She just told me to do my best and that it was ok. I cannot do anything well under pressure and so it was great not to have that. I just was regular, and I knew this was enough.” He also mentioned that having friends living nearby helped him discuss subjects easily and also have a sense of healthy competition.
How did Ekya help in his preparation for the Boards?
Aditya, being a self-starter did most of the prep work by himself. He, however, acknowledges his Hindi teacher. "My Hindi teacher helped us a lot, especially since Hindi was a tough subject for me".  He also clarified his doubts with his teachers who were always willing to help. 
Since the pattern of the exam papers was different this year, it helped to have more practice papers. Using Question banks to solve different questions helped predict the questions for the exams. And our teachers helped by taking us through the additional preparation material. I ensured that the 40 days of study holidays was dedicated to revising the entire syllabus and being prepared for the exams ahead.
How did it feel with the spotlight on him? “It does feel weird but it’s ok.” He does admit that he would like to put it all away now and get on with his life. This student is really not fond of all the attention.   His mantra for the students of Grade IX Aditya has just 3 things to say to his juniors.
  1. Don’t really worry – It will be ok
  2. Study a bit – every day – Being regular helps
  3. Play more and study less – Yes, that’s right - you should balance the two and go on
What are your best memories from Grade X? Aditya was quick to talk about friends and how they all played together regularly and had a lot of fun. He did also mention that the flip side of going to school was the fact that they had to study a lot. However, what really was top of mind and caused him some fun anxious moments were his teachers constantly telling him to get a haircut. This teenager is fond of beaches and motor vehicles. His favourite holiday destinations are Goa and the United States. He loves cars and bikes and would love to own a Ducati Master one day. He also follows Politics ardently especially the Indian political scene and that of the United States and finds it interesting to watch the news updates. Here is what Ms. Jyothi Menon, Vice-Principal, Ekya ITPL, and his class teacher had to say about Aditya, Kudos to this focused and resilient teenager and wishing him all success in the future.

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