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Ekya / August 09, 2022 Posted by : administrator

 Travel Diary  “Field Trip to Kidztopiaa”

We, the teachers along with the second graders, departed to Kidztopiaa, Bangalore Children’s Museum. The students commenced to travel by 8:30 am and reached the campus within 2:00 pm.

The students explored different places in the museum. I would like to mention a couple of them. The laser room, frozen shadow, dodging, and laser music, well all these were integrated into the laser. Students got to examine a part of science in this domain.

The students got an opportunity to examine distinctive specimens like moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, and beetles as well !!

Students engrossed themselves in glass paintings, trampoline, zipline, and building blocks. The fun didn’t end here, there were other activities too which they were entranced.

The students got to delve into noteworthy role plays, some of them were stupendous like the post office, radio station, hospital, police station, fire station, pottery, supermarket, and whatnot. The foremost part was that the students got to characterize themselves in role plays, where they were able to assimilate them too.

The environment was friendly and clutter free indeed.

I would like to mention that the kids were ecstatic about the trip and they would also enforce the same in their academics and co-curricular activities.

This was certainly an awe-striking educational field trip. Envisioning more such trips.

-Agnes Priya.R
(Class teacher of 2B)

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Ekya / April 03, 2024

The Power of Learning with Intent: A Guide to Purposeful Education

In a world brimming with information, the art of learning has evolved beyond the mere acquisition of facts. Learning with intent, a deliberate approach to education emphasises quality over quantity, depth over breadth, and purpose over passive absorption. It’s about cultivating a mindset that transforms knowledge into meaningful action and empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern age effectively.

At its core, learning with intent involves setting clear objectives and actively engaging with the subject matter. Whether exploring a new language, delving into scientific principles, or honing a creative skill, intentionality infuses each learning endeavour with purpose and direction. As Albert Einstein aptly said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." This quote amplifies the importance of active participation and hands-on learning, highlighting that true understanding arises from deliberate engagement with the material.

Furthermore, engaging actively with the material is paramount. Embrace challenges and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This proactive approach not only deepens your understanding but also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in any field.

Moreover, learning with intent emphasises relevance and applicability. Seek out opportunities to apply newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By contextualising learning within your personal or professional sphere, you enhance its significance and utility, making it more likely to stick.

In conclusion, learning with intent is a transformative approach that transcends traditional notions of education. By setting clear objectives, engaging actively, prioritising relevance, and fostering a growth mindset, individuals can harness the full potential of learning to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing world. So, embark on your learning journey with purpose, and let each lesson propel you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.

By Sweta Pradeep Rao

Senior English Educator

Ekya School JP Nagar

Ekya / April 02, 2024

Gadget-free Summer Break

With summer vacation around, I urge parents to explore various ways to facilitate children to make healthy choices during their vacation time.

Last week, when we asked our Early Years to visualise their characters and create a story, most of them came up with stories about ghosts and monsters attacking others.  When we had conversations about what gave them this idea, we understood that these story ideas emanated from their online games. While gaming per se develops specific skills and requires focus, it also stifles the imagination of young children. Since it is visually appealing, children tend to remember those images in their heads all the time.

I often see parents providing very young children (1 year to 3 year olds)  with gadgets as the means to keep children engaged and entertained. I see children watching phones in the waiting areas of clinics, hospitals, school lobbies and banks.

This brings us to a fundamental question “ Should children be engaged by parents all the time?” Not necessarily. What is likely to happen if children were not handed over gadgets at the waiting lounges? What would they do? Some of them may cry, some may throw a loud tantrum, and some may crib. If parents show resilience and allow children to settle down themselves, they will soon find ways to keep themselves engaged. Likewise, during summer vacation. What if this is a “no gadget” vacation and parents do not take up the responsibility to engage their children? What would children do? How can parents show resilience here and facilitate children to make healthy choices? I leave the readers with this thought for this summer vacation.

Mathangi R,

Head of School,

Ekya NICE Road.

Ekya / April 02, 2024

The Eye of the Storm

In the hushed embrace of an Indian evening, our journey began, a symphony of anticipation orchestrated by the hum of jet engines and the flutter of boarding passes. The promise of adventure beckoned from distant shores as we boarded our flight bound for the United Kingdom, our hearts aflutter with dreams of far-off lands and newfound horizons. But as we soared through the velvet sky, a foreboding shadow loomed on the horizon, a harbinger of the chaos that was soon to unfold. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil serenity of our airborne sanctuary was shattered by a deafening crack, a burst of purple lightning that danced across the heavens with an otherworldly fervour. The air crackled with electricity as the plane shuddered beneath the force of the storm, its metal frame quivering in defiance against the tempestuous onslaught. And then, in a heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, the heavens unleashed their fury upon us, casting our fragile vessel into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The sky darkened to a shade of ominous charcoal as the winds howled with a primal ferocity, tearing at the wings of our faltering craft with savage intent. The cabin was awash with panicked cries and frantic prayers as we clung to our seats with white-knuckled desperation, each passing moment stretching into eternity.

And then, as if mocking our feeble attempts at control, the plane tilted almost 180 degrees, its nose plummeting towards the earth with a sickening lurch. Time seemed to stand still as we hurtled towards the ground, our fate hanging in the balance as the world spun wildly out of control. But just when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of salvation emerged from the chaos, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mighty roar, the engines surged to life once more, their thunderous symphony drowning out the cacophony of the storm as we clawed our way back from the brink of oblivion. As the storm clouds parted and the sun cast its golden rays upon the horizon, we emerged battered but unbroken, our spirits buoyed by the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. And though our journey had been fraught with peril and uncertainty, we emerged from the crucible of the skies stronger and more resilient than ever before. For in the crucible of adversity, we discovered the true measure of our strength, our courage, and our unwavering determination to defy the odds and chart our course through the tempestuous seas of life. As we touched down on solid ground once more, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the world around us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.

Arjun Narasimhan Kuppuswamy

Grade 8C

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#ELCBlog: Using Practices of Scientists and Engineers in the Science Classroom By, MS Aarthi V B Instructional Designer, Science Curriculum, Ekya Learning Centre, Ekya Schools & CMRK – 12

Using Practices of Scientists and Engineers in the Science Classroom 

Science, engineering, and technology control nearly every aspect of modern life, and they hold the key to solving many current and future challenges. Children who grow up in an increasingly technologically and scientifically advanced world need to be scientifically literate to succeed. At Ekya and CMR National Public School, we believe in teaching students how to think, learn, problem solve, and make informed decisions.

So how is Science learning different in Ekya and CMR Schools?

The Science curriculum at Ekya Schools and CMR National Public School is designed to equip students with key skills - Thinking Scientifically and Design & Making. The curriculum inculcates the habit of thinking scientifically right from Grade 1. The first unit, “Skills in Science” for primary and middle school, equips students to think and work like a scientist through scientific inquiry. The unit inculcates important scientific skills such as observations, curiosity, asking questions, creating a hypothesis, and designing experiments through tactile activities, videos, worksheets, and laboratory activities.

1.Making Observations 2.Asking Questions 3.Formulating Hypothesis
     
4. Testing Hypothesis  5. Analyzing Results 6. Iterate where required
   

Designing & making involves looking for practical solutions to problems and then using this information to plan, design, make, and evaluate scientific models. Engineering Process Design is part of Design & Making that encourages open-ended problem solving and helps students to learn from failures. The curriculum facilitates engineering design challenges across all grades - Whether it is creating a house for a pet dog and testing the best material for the roof in grade 2 or designing a catapult in grade 6 or testing different materials for conduction of heat to keep a beaker of water warm in grade 7, students work through the steps of the engineering design process that is used by engineers in the real world. The creation of the prototype becomes a solution-finding crusade armed with scientific knowledge!  When students invent, they take ownership over an idea, then face real-world problems en route to making their idea come to life. They act, think and work as real scientists and inventors.

Engineering design projects are done by students at Ekya/CMR NPS!

Grade 5 students create solutions to solve the problem of a banging door in the classroom.  
  Students of Grade 4 created solutions using their learning about properties of magnets: Magnetic holder for keys grade grade
Grade 7 students used their learning about making materials stronger, creating solutions to make the flexible paper strong: a table made of newspaper to hold books. 

Solving real problems as part of the curriculum provides students with opportunities to identify issues that matter, diagnose, defend an argument with evidence, give and receive feedback, and utilize and critique internet resources.

Students use hands-on activities to construct explanations of concepts

Grade 7: using Gems and Skittles to understand Lewis Dot Diagrams  
Grade 5: Understanding states of matter using lentils.  
Grade 2: Understanding air has mass through a hands-on activity.

To ensure students learn what is important, rather than allowing textbooks to dictate the learning in a classroom, we use resources that support concepts. The focus is to deepen the level of student understanding beyond traditional teaching methods. At Ekya and CMR National Public School, we stay true to this quote- “Education is not the learning of facts but the training of the mind to think”, Albert Einstein.

Aarthi V B
Instructional Designer
Science Curriculum
Ekya Learning Centre

#TeacherBlogger: Field Trip To HAL By, Sheba Lal Bhatia Teaching Staff, Ekya School, ITPL

Field Trip  to HAL

Field Trip as the name suggests is a trip for the students or researchers to give a new perspective on a topic or a theme. It enhances their critical thinking skills and creativity.

It helps children to enhance their observation and perception skills. It provides them with first-hand experience and adds real value to their knowledge base.  

Along with the skills, it also helps the teachers and students to take the extra mile towards a deeper bond between them.

I would also like to consider the essence of the museum and how it pertains to the overall development of students. Museums tell us stories about our nation, communities, and cultures. HAL helped our students to enrich their learning in the field of aerospace. They gained experience in a new environment. Teachers also had an opportunity to teach students by setting live examples.

Such educational trips keep the motivational spirits high and boost students' confidence. And I am proud to be a part of it. 

Sheba Lal Bhatia

Grade 3 English Teacher ( Ekya ITPL)

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