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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 / October 10, 2023

The Truth of Time

The mountain tops shiver As the snow begins to shower The water flows to cover The secrets of the river.

The birds trill near the lake As the morning sun awake The lion cub to take The crown for the sake.

The windows patter The things clatter The world scatter As our deeds matter

Isana G K

Grade 7

Ekya Schools, ITPL

Ekya / October 10, 2023

Financial literacy from an early age

It’s Jan 2022, I am in grade 6 as a substitute teacher. I ask the students to introduce themselves. They also get curious to know about me. As soon as I tell them that I am a senior grade teacher and I teach Accounts and Business studies, they are intrigued. The word Business catches their attention and some of them express their interest in Finance.

Now, I was fascinated to hear the word finance from such young children. Particularly fascinated by a young student Ms Ahaana Shetty, who explained how she manages her pocket money, as taught to her by her father. She had a clear understanding of creating a balance between saving and spending.

This was not the case in the earlier times. We can quote examples of celebrities who, despite having earned a fortune, burnt their hands at poor financing decisions. Amitabh Bachan’s ABCL took on more than it could handle, like the Miss World pageant, and exhausted all money. Then it took bank loans which it couldn't repay. Mr. Bachchan had retired, so there was no income and no savings. The moral of the story is, that even if people earn astronomical sums, they need to invest it so that it keeps growing.

Having said that, it boils down to the fact that financial literacy at an early age is pivotal for building a strong foundation for financial well-being throughout life. Teaching children about money, budgeting, savings and investments from a young age will help them make informed financial decisions. They can avoid the financial perils faced commonly by people.

The challenge in educating young children about finance would be the financial jargon which they may find overwhelming and difficult to understand. Hence it becomes important to use age-appropriate terminology.

As parents, we can give a reasonable amount of allowance to our children and ask them to use it wisely for needs, and wants and also save a part of it. This will help them to understand the concept of budgeting. We must also encourage them to make informed purchasing decisions, look for discounts and become a smart shopper.

A simple step like opening a savings bank account for the child and making them understand how a bank account works will introduce them to the importance of keeping money safe. They will understand how regular savings will grow over some time due to the compounding of interest.

Children must be taught about loans too. They need to understand that loans should not be borrowed if one is not sure of financial ability to repay. Also, they need to be taught that loans must be repaid timely, or else they will keep becoming bigger due to accumulating interest.

Older children can be introduced to the concepts of stocks and mutual funds. They can be encouraged to follow investments over time and learn about the dynamics of stock markets.

Schools can introduce financial literacy programs and take initiatives to incorporate financial education as part of the curriculum.

I would like to conclude by saying that it is essential for everyone to be financially literate and wisely invest money to grow it. It is equally important to keep track of investments. One should not spend more than what one earns, even if the earnings are enormous, otherwise, the money will not last very long. Remember, it is your money.

Ekya / October 10, 2023

A Guide To Navigating Academic Stress

Academic pressure and impending board exams can feel like an overwhelming storm, but as a 10th-grade student who's been through the burnout ringer, I've discovered effective strategies to stay afloat. When stress creeps in, I lean on a toolbox of coping mechanisms that help me maintain balance and clarity.

Understanding my panic patterns has been key. I've learnt that giving my all is important, but the outcome isn't a mirror of my worth. I remind myself of this and reframe my perspective. To escape my study-clogged mind, I turn to books – they whisk me away to new worlds, however briefly. Music acts as a soothing balm; I limit panic to 5 minutes and then channel my energy into finding solutions.

Engaging in physical activities is another lifesaver. Running or spending time outdoors channels my pent-up energy, allowing my mind to reset. Moreover, taking up hobbies like painting or playing a musical instrument provides a welcome distraction and cultivates a sense of accomplishment beyond academics.

Remember, you're more than your grades. Embrace your unique strengths, employ these strategies, and watch stress lose its grip. With determination, self-awareness, and a dash of escapism, you'll breeze through the academic whirlwind.

Written By: Ahaana Singhal Student of Grade 10

#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.”

Find A World Beyond Boundaries

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