Poet of Ekya – Maya Kubher

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Shanthi Sivaram / October 22, 2019 Posted by : editor

Maya Kubher of Grade 4 published her own book of poems at the age of 9.

It all started when Maya was about 7.5 years old. Her first poem was about nature and she had written it down on a piece of paper along with a picture. She was inspired by the “Poetry Magic” book which was part of our School’s prescribed book that contained simple but elegant poems for children. Maya started jotting down ideas and verses in her rough notebook as and when they occurred to her.

When she revealed her poems to her family, they gave her a diary to record the poems. When she had a collected about a dozen, it was time to publish it. Maya aspired to be an artist she wanted to illustrate them herself, thus her first book “Poetree” was born.

Below is the poem she wrote about how she became a poet;

I got inspired from a book at school,

Then I decided to write everyday hot or cool.

Poetry magic was the name of the book,

And a pencil and paper was what I took.

And I started writing no matter what the topic may be.

I wrote down ideas that occurred to me.

When I finished writing my first one,

I thought yay Iam done.

I showed it to my mother and said,

Poetry Magic is what I read.

She read it, and said it was good.

Happy and excited, there I stood.

Later, I wrote more.

My mother, looked at them on the floor

To publish a book, she picked the best few.

And I kept it a secret to surprise you.

Inspiration was what I needed;

And in publishing this book, I succeeded.

By Maya Kubher, Grade 4C

Ekya School, JP Nagar

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Shanthi Sivaram / 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

Shanthi Sivaram / 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.

Shanthi Sivaram / 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

Fruit Salad Day At Ekya BTM

Kids love to help in the kitchen. So why not teach them food safety while talking with them about the great places the foods actually are grown?

Our students enjoyed creating a neat recipe with their teachers and learned more about the origins of the foods that they were busy preparing.

This salad activity consisted of ingredients that had to be sliced or peeled and then tossed into a bowl. Afterward, a whole tin of condensed milk mixture was poured over the salad and served. They also had notes handy as a reminder to keep up with their talking points or interesting facts about the foods. This helped to keep both the conversation and fun rolling. Questions popped up, brainstorming the teachers with their answering ability.

While preschool children were preparing the food, there were some things the teacher wanted to discuss with them. They discussed how the food reached their local grocers or why it is best to clean all fruits and veggies before consuming them. There were many other topics they discussed during this fun preschool lesson – for instance, the shapes of the foods and their colors.

Papayas: Are grown in Hawaii and are a large herb that grows on a stalk- color, deep yellow.
Red grapes: Are grown in almost every country and they grow on a vine, three years after being planted- color deep red or purple
Kiwi: Are grown in China and in the USA. They grow on a vine- color, green and brown.
Pineapple: Originally from Brazil, they grow like a plant- color, yellow
Coconut: Originally from South Asia or South America, they grow on a large palm tree about 30m tall usually- color, white.
They had total fun singing the song Fruit Salad........yummy......yummy......, also marked the places on the map or globe before starting for quicker reference.

We understand that spending time with our kids is valuable, but teaching them at the same time ensures that they are healthy and smart.

Author Visit at Ekya JP Nagar – Mr. Ken Spillman

Meeting an author, illustrator, poet or storyteller in real life and hearing them convey their passion for their work can fundamentally alter a child relationship with books. This helps ignite a life-long love of reading.

Ken Spillman, one of Australia’s most prolific and versatile authors, editors and critics had visited Ekya School JP Nagar and our students of Grade 3 and 4 had an opportunity to meet him. He spoke about his latest novel, The Absolutely True Adventures of Daydreamer Dev.

Albert Einstein once said: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world.” Ken Spillman and his fictional characters – among them the astonishing Daydreamer Dev – directly engage young readers with this concept, allowing them to embrace the idea that imagination is a gift we all have.

Using his ability to connect with young audiences, Ken made big concepts simple and delivered them in memorable ways. He encouraged children to develop confidence in their imaginative selves, leaving them with a belief that we are happier, more successful and more resilient if we value imagination and exercise it by the reading of fiction whenever possible. This was an inspiring presentation for the students.

The session was highly interactive, humorous and fun-filled. It closed with Mr. Ken Spillman answering interesting questions from students about, when he started writing and his favourite books. The lively session came to an end with a vote of thanks by Tanav. Mr. Ken Spillman was kind enough to autograph the books for the students.

Find A World Beyond Boundaries

We intend to build progressive K-12 schools that provide technology-rich and immersive learning experiences. Facilitated by passionate educators, we want to prepare our students for a rapidly evolving future.