Recently, my class went on a field trip to the Venkatappa art gallery on the 16th Oct 2019. There were many magnificent paintings, sculptures, statues and inscriptions. We were interested in making inferences on what we saw and making connections with what we think.
Inferences on Materials Used
We saw many trumpets of bronze; so perhaps this meant that these instruments were made during the Bronze Age [a time when bronze was extensively used]. We also saw that some pots were made out of stone instead of clay. Probably, iron was used a lot during 5-7 century BCE as many of the iron artifacts were dated then.
Inferences about the artists.
We saw paintings with inscriptions. This could have meant that the artist probably wanted the future generation to know something unique about these paintings. We saw statues carved out of sharp tools which is very tough to do. This proves that the artists were very hard working and patient.
Inferences about the economy and trade.
We saw weights and measures; so this meant that the barter system was carried out based on these weights and measures.
Inference about language
We saw an inscription showing a dog fighting an elephant. The inscriptions narrate the story. It was made in 960 AD. I bet it would have taken a long time to decode as it is written in a different language.
Another inscription on war scenes made me think about the various war strategies that might have been used then. This too is in a different language.
The last but not least was an inscription about king Nitimarga performing a ritual while giving up life. This dates back to 869 AD.
As you can see, this field transformed us into historians; we made inferences, asked questions and found answers. While doing all this, we had loads of fun.
Grahesh Gautam
Grade 6B, Ekya School JP Nagar
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.
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