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Ekya / September 25, 2020 Posted by : administrator

“The most incredible beauty and the most satisfying way of life come from affirming your own uniqueness.” 

Ekya School, Byrathi conducted a special assembly on 25, September 2020. The theme of the assembly was ‘This is Me!’ This theme was chosen to cater to the students about how each one is created to think, process and function in a unique fashion, and how Ekya as a platform for learning encourages students to be unique and works towards unraveling the same. 

The assembly began with an invocation song followed by Grade 5 students Prarthana and Anika sharing What it means to be Unique. They explained how two flowers are created with no same fragrance and how no two vegetables are created with the same type or amount of nutrients. The same way humans, even if they are twins living and experiencing the same life are still different from each other. Hence, it is very important to be authentic to oneself and enjoy being you, being unique and different. 

Thereafter students read unique news occurring around the world such as the discovery of Pi-Planet, 13- million-year-old fossil fuel in Uttarakhand, Chandrayaan, Venus having a potential sign of life beyond Earth, and the celebration of ‘National engineers Day.’ Post which Grade 6 student, Prisha shared ‘the thought for the day’ regarding the same theme. Next up was a poem recitation by the students of Grades 5 and 6. They recited a poem titled ‘All of me.’ The poem conveyed the importance of accepting the way we are and celebrating all of us, Both strengths and weaknesses.  

This was followed by a presentation of students, parents, and teachers sharing what inspires them to be who they are. Where students shared their unique skills such as practicing contortion, playing keyboard, drawing, baking, and fitness. The parents and teachers shared their skills in baking, painting, fitness, museum curation, and theatre art form.  It was indeed an inspiring and encouraging experience to watch each one of them share their abilities.

Up next was a presentation by Grade 6 Student, Prisheta which was titled ‘An Original Copy of You.’ This presentation reiterated the thought of being original and believing in yourself. How when we excel being our version it is not advisable to settle for a mediocre version of someone else.  Students then watched a video titled, “I am Human” which emphasized on the importance of embracing the unique and imperfect self of each one of us.  Soon after the presentation, the students were encouraged to share their stories of being unique. Where Students across the grades shared how helping nature, being kind and loving towards everyone, and painting is what makes them unique. 

The assembly was concluded by Ms. Shubra Sinha, the Head of school addressing the school. The speech insisted on identifying strengths and shortcomings in ourselves and embracing it. It also shared how it is wise to adapt skills and good habits from people around us rather than being disheartened by comparison of how we are not good enough or lacking. Finally, the school stood up in respect for the National Anthem. This was indeed an inspiring assembly that refilled the strength to embrace the unique and imperfect me! 

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Ekya / March 26, 2024

The Hot Garlic Soup Inspired by ‘The Last Leaf’ by O. Henry

Sue and Johnsy, two young artists, shared a small flat on the third storey of an old house.
Johnsy fell ill in November. She was diagnosed with pneumonia. She would lie in her bed, gazing out of the window. Sue sent for the doctor. The doctor said to Sue, “Johnsy’s condition is not so serious yet. It seems she is unable to recover because she has lost the will to live.”
Sue became extremely worried for Johnsy’s well-being and mental health. She tried to make Johnsy interested in the things around her, but Johnsy never replied with more than a noncommittal hum.
One day, Sue was painting when she heard Johnsy counting backwards. Sue looked out of the window and saw an old ivy creeper climbing on the brick wall. The ivy was shedding its leaves in the strong gust of the wind.
“They are falling faster now,” whispered Johnsy. “Three days ago there were so many leaves. Only five are left now.”
“It is autumn,” said Sue, “and the leaves will fall.”
“When the last leaf falls, I will die” said Johnsy with finality. “I have felt this for the last three days.”
“Oh, that’s nonsense,” replied Sue. “Why do you believe your fate is tied to those old ivy leaves?”
“Human life is fleeting, just like those ivy leaves,” said Johnsy. “I got sick just as the ivy started shedding its leaves. It must be an omen. The last leaf will fall, and I will slip into slumber forever.”
Sue sat on Johnsy’s bed, kissed her and said, “You are not going to die. Plenty of people fall sick in autumn, and they recover soon enough. Do you want some soup?”
“I don’t want any soup. My time is almost up, I’m sure of it,” murmured Johnsy.
Sue decided to change tactics. She was not going to give up on Johnsy.
“It is true that human life is somewhat fleeting, but that’s exactly what makes life valuable. Do you not want to see what life has to offer before you slip into slumber? Will you not miss the cool breeze waking you up, the warm embrace of sunlight? Do you want to give up the feeling of the paintbrush gliding over the canvas?” Sue quavered.
“Look beyond the ivy to that tree over there,” Sue continued. “Even that tree is shedding its leaves, but it is also growing new leaves. It is going to live for many more years, just like you.”
Johnsy contemplated for a while. Then, she looked out of the window and smiled.
“Perhaps I will have some hot garlic soup. You made me realise that life is worth living after all.”
Written by Aahana,
from grade 9A

Ekya / March 22, 2024

Importance of Literature in a Classroom.

"Literature is one of the most interesting and significant expressions of humanity" - P.T.Barnum

We as humans are social beings. We can't imagine our lives to be solitary. Literature facilitates us to understand and communicate with one another in society. It helps us explore the world around us and is a medium to express our views and experiences. So it is of vital importance that the students are introduced to literature at a young age.

Literature is necessary for students as it helps them to develop imagination, improves vocabulary and language skills and even enhances creativity. Literature helps them understand the world outside their home and school.

It is disheartening to see that literature is often not put on the same pedestal as other technical subjects like Math or Science. where it shouldn't be the case.

Literature includes different types of texts like stories and fables, myths

and legends, poetry and drama or even informational texts that help them explore other subjects. It prepares students to read and understand the real world.

There are one too many benefits of including literature at a young age. It is like an exercise for the brain, keeping an individual mentally active and stimulated.

Exposure to cultures from different countries brings in a sense of respect and tolerance, a feat possible through literature. It motivates one to appreciate different lives and their ways and also to graciously disagree with something that may not be right. The different characters the students are introduced to become a source of inspiration. They start to imagine themselves in varied situations. they learn different solutions to problems they come across.

More importantly, reading is fun and literature develops an inclination toward reading and makes them self-learners.

It can be concluded that literature is a gateway to nurturing a child’s life skills more than any assignment or task

can ever do.

Written By:

Shruthi Prakash

English Educator - Primary

Ekya Schools BTM Layout

Ekya / March 22, 2024

A Day to Remember: Juniors Bid Goodbye to Seniors with a Spectacular Farewell Party.

As the academic year draws to a close, emotions run high at our beloved school. The time has come for the juniors to express their gratitude, love, and affection for their departing seniors.

And what better way to do this than by throwing an unforgettable farewell party?

The air was buzzing with excitement as the juniors meticulously planned every detail to make it a night that their seniors would cherish forever.

The audio-visual room was transformed into a place of nostalgia and celebration, adorned with decorations to welcome the seniors. Each performance was filled with energy, enthusiasm, and dedication. Each video played, spoke volumes about the memories shared and the bonds formed throughout their academic journey, blanketing the atmosphere with a mix of joy, laughter, and a hint of bittersweet anticipation.

Our seniors were all dressed up to the nines for the occasion with the girls in a blue and white saree and the boys in black suits.

But how did all of this come to be? I am a grade 11 student and let me take you through behind the scenes of this event and how we prepared for this event.

  • Many girls formed a group and decided to dance to “Paint It Red” and “All Is Well”. Everyone’s efforts are to be appreciated as they come up with new steps and formations. Well-coordinated teamwork led to an amazing performance that got everyone cheering.

  • Meanwhile, my batchmate, Lara,  and a few teachers were preparing to sing songs dedicated to the seniors. Lara sang a melodious rendition of “When You Believe” and the teachers sang a medley of songs which got the seniors singing along as well!

  • The boys planned on dancing to the song “Galti Se Mistake” and their performance was full of creativity and humour. The choreography was inspired by the original music video of the song and they worked hard together and taught each other the steps. This performance got everyone giggling and cheering so loud!

  • It did not end with the students, even the teachers chose to step into this grand celebration. They danced on a variety of songs and each song made the seniors hoot louder. Even though they had a very busy schedule they would still take time and dedicate it to the dance practice during after-school hours. Huge kudos for their coordination and effort!

  • Mohana and Arshia came up with a very engaging script which had the attention of the audience. A small game was organised for the students where they had to write something good about one of their batchmates. Everybody put their hands together and made 32 crowns of appreciation for their seniors. A video of the seniors was made including photos and videos of their dearest memories. Last but not least, our teachers also prepared a video message for the seniors bidding farewell and wishing them the best for their future endeavours.

The day finally came. The 10th of February came. It was the day - the day for which we had been preparing for days. The graduation.

The place was set, the background screen was ready, the mic was ready and the sound system was ready. Our seniors came one by one and the auditorium was filled with chatter until the anchors came in and the event started.

After a few minutes, the head boy gave a heartfelt speech, followed by the chit game of affirmations then Lara’s beautiful performance.

The girls donned black kurtis and sunglasses and danced to “Paint It Red”, which got a round of applause. The seniors loved the “Galti Se Mistake” dance by the boys for its creativity and comedic execution and what made it better was the shorts with shirt and tie combination. The dance finale was to the song “All Is Well” which got the audience cheering for the dancers with lots of enthusiasm.

Then a video filled with the memories of the seniors was shown which made most of them emotional. The dance which everybody was eagerly anticipating started - it was our beloved teachers who completely rocked the stage with their amazing performance.

Then a few teachers gave a very emotional message followed by songs dedicated to their students. The event came to an end with video messages by the teachers,  a crowning ceremony and high tea.

In conclusion, the event was successful, and enjoyed by all the students - juniors, seniors and teachers. It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s contribution and teamwork. It was an emotional roller coaster for everyone and a day which will never be forgotten.

Written By:

Stutee Samantray

(Grade 11, Ekya BTM)

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Poets@Ekya: कभी न सोचा था

 "कभी न सोचा था"

कभी न सोचा था ऑनलाइन पढ़ाऊँगी,

मुस्कुराते बच्चों से इतना दूर हो जाऊँगी,

कभी न सोचा था ऑनलाइन पढ़ाऊँगी।

चाॅक-डस्टर छोड़कर कंप्यूटर में सिमट जाऊँगी,

उड़ते पंछी छोड़कर पीपीटी दिखाऊँगी, 

कभी न सोचा था ऑनलाइन पढ़ाऊँगी।

समय के साथ बच्चों में भी बदलाव लाऊँगी, 

कागज़ की जगह गूगल टेस्ट बनाऊँगी, 

कभी न सोचा था ऑनलाइन पढ़ाऊँगी।

गई थी एक दिन स्कूल देखने वह इमारत, 

सूनी बैंचें खाली मैदान, आँगन सुनसान कॉरिडोर वीरान, 

फिर भी उम्मीद का परचम लहराऊँगी, 

कभी न सोचा था ऑनलाइन पढ़ाऊँगी।

उम्मीद अभी टूटी नहीं, लहर अभी रुकी नहीं,

सपना अभी टूटा नहीं, हाथ अभी छूटा नहीं, 

वह दिन जल्द ही आएगा, हर चेहरा फिर मुस्काएगा, 

हर कक्षा शोर मचाएगी, हर शिक्षक के हाथ में लाल कलम आएगी।

अपनी कोशिश से आत्मविश्वास सबका बढाऊँगी, 

कभी न सोचा था ऑनलाइन पढ़ाऊँगी।

नम्रता सूद

एक्या स्कूल 

जे.पी. नगर

#TeacherBlogger: How to get children to develop a growth mindset?

My tryst with the concept of growth mindset started when I was on a journey of self-discovery. I was at that crossroads of life when material gains and fame were not on my cards anymore. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. But who would they be? A young mother then, I enjoyed exploring educational avenues for my young child. 

Akin to how Buddha gained his wisdom under the Bodhi tree and Archimedes his “Eureka moment”, I had my “ This is what I want in my life” kinda moment. I knew I had this natural orientation towards children and that’s the space where I could unleash my passion. The child in me resonated with the innocence, curiosity, and purity in these young hearts. From then to now, I have dabbled and experimented with(myself and children) several concepts and one such concept was the growth mindset. From a facilitator of after school activities to now as a full-time educator at Ekya school, “growth mindset” fascinates me as nothing else has. 

“Growth mindset” sets a person free: freedom from fear of failure, freedom from poor self-esteem, freedom from “perfectionist” syndrome, and freedom from putting oneself down. 

A growth mindset sets one on the path of exploration, grit, and perseverance; all these are the qualities that one needs to achieve one’s goals. So, what is a “growth mindset”, anyway? -A mindset that encourages one to keep trying despite failures, a mindset that enables one to learn from one’s mistakes, a mindset that allows one to learn at his/her own pace, a mindset that allows one to learn best practices from others and so on. 

Having a growth mindset is a liberating experience and is worth inculcating. The challenging and changing environment of the 21st century necessitates a growth mindset to be able to handle them successfully. Is it then not necessary to impart a “growth mindset” along with our curriculum? 

Classroom scenarios offer amazing opportunities to inspire students in developing a growth mindset. Here are a few examples of how educators can facilitate students in developing a growth mindset:-

  1. Finding learning opportunities in mistakes: -  Encourage students to participate. Tell them not to fear making mistakes. Tell them it is okay to have some ideas that do not work than not to have any ideas at all. (courtesy: Edward De Bono). If their answer is incorrect, an encouraging response could be “ I am glad you participated. It takes courage to do so. Your participation has given you and the class a wonderful opportunity to learn the correct answer and I am sure you would do a great job the next time.”  

Allowing oneself to make mistakes and learn from them is a Growth Mindset. 

  1. Teach them self-reflection:- After a review or a TEE, ask students to write down what went well for them and what did not. If they are dissatisfied with their performance, facilitate them to identify the root cause, and encourage them to draw up an action plan.

Learning from failures and moving on with an action plan is a growth mindset. 

  1. Catching them with a growth mindset:  Students unknowingly demonstrate a growth mindset in classroom scenarios. Just the other day, a 6th-grade student of mine incorrectly answered a question posted for oral discussion. I told her “ I am glad you stuck your neck out and answered. But, I want you to read the question once again and reflect upon your answer.” She did reflect and attempt another answer. That turned out wrong as well. But the child kept trying till she got the right answer. What an opportunity to showcase a growth mindset.  I jumped with joy and quipped “Ananya showed a growth mindset. She would not give up until she got it right.” 

Catching them with a growth mindset and highlighting it goes a long way in fostering it. 

Last, but not least, follow it yourself. Show how you learn from your mistakes. A” Thanks for pointing the spelling error on the board, Ayan” will demonstrate how receptive you are for feedback. Not giving up on your students and telling them “ I am sure you will do better next time” is a great way to demonstrate your growth mindset. 

The above was certainly not meant to be an exhaustive list for “ How to inspire children into a growth mindset?”. It just gives a sneak preview of the sea of opportunities for educators to inspire their students into a growth mindset. It does not end here.It just starts here…… Wishing all my fellow educators a great time exploring their own mindsets and inspiring their students into developing a growth mindset. Cheers

Credits : 

  1. Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology Stanford University (for researching deep into this concept) 
  2. Subha Parthasarathy. Founder Magichive for introducing this concept to me. 

By

Ms. Mathangi R

Social Science Educator, Grades 5 to 7

Ekya JPN

 

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