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Ekya / July 22, 2021 Posted by : administrator

How can social studies be used practically?

I have been teaching social studies for over five years now and one thing that astonishes me is how fuzzy students are about why we teach social studies as a subject in schools? When I ask this question in my class, I usually get specific content-focused responses such as: to learn about history and geography, India and the world, other people and cultures, government and politics, or even current events.  True, we learn about history, geography, economics, and politics but does this bookish knowledge help one to understand the real world?The answer is YES! Let’s talk about history. What is history? In simple words, it’s our past put up in the present to think about our future. Today the entire world is experiencing a pandemic. Our history says we have experienced this earlier too and yes because of this experience of the past we can figure out our present. Researchers constantly warned us about the second wave and that it would be much deadlier than the first. How did they know about it? How did they manage to make such strong statements? This is because our history specifies so. I have been to 3-4 countries and have noticed that because of globalization, everything is available everywhere. I remember when I was in the United States; the first few days went fine but after a week I was craving my Indian food. We searched for an authentic Indian restaurant to have our lunch. The food acted as water on fire, but it still lacked the same taste that I was used to back at home. That’s when I realized that when I was taught geography in my school, my teacher once told me that our lifestyle, food, and clothing-everything depends on the geography of a place. Today because of Globalization it is possible to get everything everywhere, but one cannot get the same taste, same culture and same lifestyle. Travelling reminded me of another incident. I was traveling from Kolkata to Bangalore. I still remember it was raining heavily and because of some political rally I was late for my flight. I quickly checked my ticket for the closing time for boarding. It was mentioned half an hour before the scheduled time. Somehow, I managed to reach the airport 40 min before the scheduled time. But, as soon as I reached the counter, they said I cannot board as boarding is closed. I remember that day I could only manage to get my flight rescheduled for free because I knew as a consumer what my rights were and if things were to go the legal way the airline had to refund my money back. It was an interesting yet eye opening experience because as a citizen I knew what my rights were and how I can always fight for them. It is rightly said, “THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS IN LIFE ARE USUALLY NOT LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM.” It is essential for this generation to develop their young minds with thinking ability, innovate & function adequately in society. It is a social science- the science of understanding people’s needs and their unique relationship with art, literature, history, music, work, philosophy, community, technology, and psychology. All the knowledge we have of nature depends upon facts, for without observations and experiments our natural philosophy would only be a science of terms. 

By, Madhu Bharatia, SST teacher – Senior School, Ekya ITPL

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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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#StudentBlogger: Grade 9 Creates an Amazing Class Assembly – By, Neha S, Grade 9A, Ekya JP Nagar

Hello there! Have you ever wondered how a class assembly is made? How are the tasks segregated, and how the final performance must be as smooth as silk?

Well, explore with me, as I brief you on the process of how Grade 9 creates an amazing class assembly.

A class assembly is a gathering of students in a class, where several activities are held. Festivals, Music, Topics of Awareness, and Events in School are some of the themes that most class assemblies are based on. Though virtually, we, the students of Grade 9, focused on preparing our class assembly on the theme of ‘Father’s Day.’ The month of June holds various special days such as - International Yoga Day, International Olympic Day, Father’s Day, and so on. We, Grade 9, had decided to celebrate the unsung heroes in our lives - our Fathers.

This is how the assembly preparation went about. On the first day, we held a combined meeting and brainstormed on ideas that could work as the theme for our class assembly. After hours of contemplation, we settled on the theme of ‘Father’s Day.’ Our Fathers provide us with countless items throughout our lives and so, we decided to let them take the spotlight for this year’s class assembly. Now, how were the tasks and responsibilities divided? We wanted the entire of Grade 9 to participate in this class assembly so we could include everyone’s skills and talents. There were 5 groups created, - The Script Committee, The Planning Committee, The Editing Committee, The Music Committee, and The Message Committee.
The class was divided into these groups based on their preferences and abilities. The Script Committee dealt with the script-writing of the class assembly. They wrote the plot of the skits and arranged the order of the assembly. Next, the Planning Committee handled the entire assembly by giving updates and by maintaining the flow of the assembly. The Editing Committee assisted in editing all the raw skit scenes and collages. They also helped in enhancing the overall performance of the class assembly. Moving on to the Music Committee, all the musically talented students were brought to this group. Together, they had to compose a melodious song that would go along harmoniously with the class collage. 

And lastly, the Message Committee. I was put into this group and I had to create Father’s Day Messages! I started by taking two A4 sheets of paper and attaching them together to create a larger paper. Here, I selected a Father’s Day quote by Nelson Mandela and wrote it on a blank canvas. I also adorned the message with bright colours and annotations. “To be the Father of a nation is a great honour, But, to be the Father of a family is a greater joy.” This is the quote that was selected, and there were eight others in my group who also came up with captivating quotes. 
For the next two weeks, our class was busy preparing for the assembly. There was strenuous recording, editing, designing, and many rehearsals that took place. Despite the hard work, everything came into order perfectly. The MC’s were ready, the skits had been recorded and edited, and the messages were also displayed. 

On the day of the class assembly, we were all tense but excited to present what we had worked hard for. I was personally nerve-wracked and wished my classmate’s good luck. After fifteen minutes, our class took a deep breath and noticed the virtual round of applause given by the audience. The class assembly went seamlessly and ended on a good note. I was delighted to participate in this class assembly and make an observation on it. There was a lot of cooperation from my fellow classmates and my teachers, and together we were able to pull off this show! This was an amazing experience.

#InsideEkya: Virtual Assembly – Time Management By, Anshika, Grade 8, Ekya Byrathi

Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.‘

Virtual assemblies were started at Ekya in the last academic session as a way to motivate students in a fun and educational way. Each grade has the opportunity to participate and showcase their abilities, this last special assembly on Friday, July 11th, 2021 was orchestrated by our grade 5 students who chose the theme, 'Time Management.

The session began with greeting all the students and teachers followed by a short animated video on time management. After this, there was a brief sharing of time management followed by a conversational discussion on the benefits of time management. The news headlines on all the happenings around the world were shared to keep the students informed and aware of the happenings around the world. Thought was also shared to cheer up the students.

The significant part of the assembly was to motivate all the students to organize and use time wisely, tips to manage time were shared to help each and everyone organize time since Term 1 Reviews are right around the corner! A fun activity was conducted on Padlet to bring out student views on what activities make time fly versus activities that make time go by slowly. The Head of School addressed the students, motivating them to stay organized, and wished them luck for the upcoming exams. The session came to a close with the National Anthem. It was yet another meaningful and fun-filled session!

By, Anshika, Grade 8, Ekya Byrathi

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