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Ekya / September 24, 2021 Posted by : administrator

Does catering to individual differences mean teaching 30 different curriculums to 30 different students in one classroom? Or does it mean aiming at the “average” and taking the middle ground in content? In practice, it is impossible to devise a curriculum for each student in a class. However, education aims to enable each student to attain all-around development according to his/her abilities. To achieve this, students should be provided with suitable assistance and guidance by their learning needs, so that they can develop their potential to the fullest.
Each student is a unique individual, different in cognitive development, social maturity, motivation, aspiration, learning styles, and potential. Apart from this, there are other factors underlying student differences. These include innate differences in intelligence, differences in social and economic background, and variations in past learning experiences. The ultimate goal is to stretch the potential of all students whether they are gifted or among the low achievers. Hence, finding out why students do not learn well and why some learn better than others, will help in using appropriate intervention and adopt effective strategies.
Student diversity can be embraced as a useful way of adding variety to classroom practice. To address the needs of all categories of students, we as teachers should provide them with a variety of learning opportunities such as using diversified resources, a spectrum of intelligence, and multi-sensory experiences.
The “Educator Tools” have a great influence in supporting the teaching process. Our Ekya Tool kit has a great collection of effective learning strategies to bring out the best in students. A student who is engaged in class is likely to learn more than the ones who are not and hence it is very important to plan for engaging content.
The Entry Ticket and Do Now tool helps the students to focus on key concepts and ideas that need to be delivered for the day.  The “Round Table “ discussion tool as part of Engage and explore is an amazing tool that works both online and offline. The most effective thing about this strategy is that each student within the group has an equal opportunity to participate in the discussion. Group activities always help in student-student communication which is very important and contribute to effective learning. However, the fact that some students work in a group and others do not, can affect the participation level in the class. Hence it is important to form groups keeping individual differences in mind.
The Organise and Reflect tools such as 3-2-1 summarizer , I used to think and now I know, Exit ticket help students to record their comprehension and summarize their learning.
Laboratory and experiments are indispensable elements of science education. Experiments provide opportunities for students to develop hands-on skills and cognitive-level thinking skills by providing an active learning environment. Being a Science teacher I always lookout for opportunities to introduce experiments that can be done at home/lab.
Assessments give feedback to the students about their learning. Keeping the diversity of the class in mind, I sometimes allow students to produce different types of work for a given assessment. It could be a written report, a leaflet, a brochure, a script for a commercial, a meme, PowerPoint slides, a poster, or even come up with the lyrics of a jingle to fulfill the objective of the assignment.
The “one-size-fits-all” approach to curriculum development and education is outdated. Individual difference is not a burden but an opportunity to develop more constructive, active, and interactive pedagogy. Schools should not only cope with and cater to diversity but bring and encourage difference too. So let’s celebrate the differences among our students and become creative educators.

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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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#ParentBlogger: The magnificent Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Bali, Indonesia By, Mr. Vignesh Kumar, Parent of Ananya Vignesh Grade 1A, Ekya JP Nagar

The magnificent Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Bali, Indonesia

Situated at around 20-25 minutes' drive from the central Ubud district, Tegallalang Rice terraces is famous for its scenic and photogenic views. The area has become one of the most sought-after tourist destinations around Ubud and many tourists who are visiting Kintamani stop to witness the beauty and serenity of the verdant terraced rice fields.

While planning my Bali itinerary, I had kept half a day to explore the beautiful rice terraces. While reading up on the travel portals about the places to visit, most of them highlighted how a trip to Bali would be incomplete without venturing into these rice terraces. We did have our reservations about visiting this place with a toddler but went ahead.

Note: If you are visiting this place with a toddler it would be tough to explore the entire area. We had to stop beyond a point as the slopes were very steep and extremely challenging and risky to be negotiated with a kid. We made a mistake by not taking our baby carrier, though I feel even with that it is risky.

Drive from Ubud to Tegallalang rice terraces

The Tegallalang rice terraces is a 30-minutes drive from Ubud. You can either hire a self-drive car or a Taxi or rent one of the bikes to reach this place. Since we had booked our vehicle through the resort, we had a guide to help us explore the entire Island. We started at around 9 Am after having our breakfast from Nusa Dua and it took us a good 2 hours to reach the rice terraces at Tegallalang.

The greenery all around is so pleasing to the eyes. We had a perfect day with clear blue skies to visit the rice terraces.

Parking is a major problem at this place as the roads are narrow and one can hardly find any parking spot. Our driver dropped us at the entrance of the rice terraces and had to park his vehicle almost a kilometer down the road.

Tips:

  • Try to reach the place early in the morning to avoid the harsh mid-day sun. We reached at 11 AM which was pretty late and the sun was beating down the slopes. Add to this the humidity and you have a perfect recipe for dehydration. Try to reach the rice terraces, max by 9 AM
  • Parking is a major problem here if you are driving your own car. Be prepared for a decent walk from the parking lot to the entrance if you are driving your car. If you are on a bike, you can manage to park pretty close to the entrance.
  • Carry a hat, sunscreen, and a bottle of water. You will need them.
  • Needless to say, wear comfortable walking shoes. Since the terrain is not that friendly on the knees and legs, you should wear sports shoes or floaters with a good grip. Some of the slopes are very steep and a fall can cause serious injuries
  • If you have any medical conditions or a toddler, do not venture too deep into the farms. The slopes get steeper and paths muddy as you venture deeper into the slopes

After reaching the Rice Terraces

The area/ road where the entrance of the rice terrace is located is pretty commercialized. Locals have understood that they can make good business as there are many hungry and thirsty tourists coming back from the trek

The hike just started – notice the wooden bridge in the backdrop, one has to cross to explore the fields. Took the photo just before crossing the wooden bridge. Notice the steep slopes that we had to walk down before crossing the bridge.

 

Me crossing the wooden bridge with the kiddo – really missed the baby carrier. I had to be extremely slow and careful!!!

The small refreshment stall that you can find during the hike.

You will find rows and rows of eating joints where you can grab something to eat and drink. Even while trekking inside the rice terraces, there are small outlets set up by the locals where you can grab refreshments and quick bites. There is no entry fee for the rice terraces and it is up to you to “tip” locals. As you enter the rice terraces, keep following the signs which direct you through the hiking trail. The slopes are challenging to negotiate and do not have railings. It is best advised to walk through slowly and cautiously as help is not that easy to get in case of any misadventure. There is a wooden bridge inside the farm which is maintained by the locals, and it is good practice to give a small donation – to keep the bridge functional.

Finally, the rice terraces started to appear. up close among the rice terrace slopes.

The climb gets steeper as you go deeper into the farms…

The steps do not have any railing and as you can see can become challenging while coming down… ensure that you do not miss your footing while coming down these steep slopes.

You can pay whatever you wish, but our guide mentioned that it is usually 5,000 IDR per person. Do carry a good amount of change before you venture into the farms, as you cannot expect change for higher denominations. You can also get photos taken with the villagers and try out their hats and equipment – again you need to be generous with your tips!!

The view of from the other side – notice all the pubs that have come up at the entrance. A perfect spot to grab a cool refreshment and gaze at the rice slopes.

Another shot of the trails that take you deep into the fields.

Reached the vantage point and beyond this, the slopes were very steep and tough to navigate with the little kid. We decided to call it a day and get back.

The way back was tiring as we had to come down the steep slopes. Was a bit concerned about the little one whom I was carrying? It was a slow walk back to the entrance. Took this photo after an hour of hiking back to the entrance.

The visit to the rice terraces in Bali was a unique experience as I have never seen anything of this in the past. You will need around half a day to explore the entire terrace in detail. I will recommend this place to everyone who is travelling to Bali. 

#StudentBlogger: Technology and Nature – Finally Balanced By, Vipin V Lokesh Grade 10 A, Ekya JP Nagar

Thanos would be proud. We have cracked the code to balance the yin and yang of human life. Technology and nature now stand shoulder to shoulder to pave the way for the future. The environment has been something that has both gained importance and seen neglect over the past few years. But the question running on everybody’s mind is whether the environment will ever stand shoulder to shoulder with technology and rising infrastructure. I believe I have the answer to that question. With countless companies pushing the boundaries of science and technology, the importance of the environment has somewhat been on the chopping block as every new advancement in technology has always pushed mankind a step back in terms of environmental concern. But that has changed now. Environmental concerns have been the driving force for the majority of the innovation that takes place today. The first instance being renewable fuel sources in countries like Denmark (also known as the ‘nation of the wind’), Sweden, and Croatia, who are now bigwigs in the innovation sector with environment-friendly companies like Rimac and Ikea, who have revolutionised the automobile and furniture industry respectively. Rimac is now the first company to have created an electric supercar capable of giving companies like Ferrari or Lamborghini a run for their money. Even in the United States, Companies like Tesla reigns with an iron fist ( or should I say aluminium fist) in terms of innovation and creativity. The company is pioneered by Elon Musk, one of the geniuses of the 21st century. The idea of the electric car, which was once impossible to fathom, is now a reality, with the option of ordering one. If the 7.2 billion people on our planet are capable of such greatness, then the ecological balance would be well restored by the next 20 to 30 years. Unfortunately, the environment faces other problems too. The most momentous being global warming. The world’s temperature is constantly rising and it is not a matter to turn a deaf ear to. To quote an excerpt from oscar-winning actor Leonardo Dicaprio’s speech at the 2015 Oscars, “ climate change is real, and the most urgent threat that the planet has to face eventually. Thus, we humans must stop procrastinating and act. 2015 was the year that had the highest ever recorded average worldwide temperature during the summer season.” This stands as a testament to the exploits that man has caused over the centuries that he has dominated this planet. This exploit will potentially lead to the melting of the ice caps, thus raising the world’s sea level by approximately 70 meters. This will disrupt the antipodal system in which the continental separation of Pangaea occurred as the north pole’s water content balances the massive landmass that we call Antarctica. Along with the icecaps goes the massive biodiversity that this planet unfolds. Most importantly, the Polar bears will have lost their habitat and their way of survival. To conclude, I would like to quote an excerpt from 2020 Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix’s speech at the Oscars, “ Humans fear the idea of personal change because we think we need to sacrifice something; to give something up. But human beings at our best are so creative and inventive, and we can create, develop and implement systems of change that are beneficial to all sentient beings and the environment.”

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