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Ekya / May 13, 2022 Posted by : administrator

The debate of whether we should let our young generation access the internet no longer exists, thanks to the pandemic that swept us by surprise and left us shocked and dependent on online tools and platforms.

Online schooling has exposed children to the ocean called the “ Internet” and this exposure is here to stay. What parents and educators can do is empower them to navigate through this ocean appropriately.

Before we delve deeper into this, here is a set of questions for parents and educators to ponder about.

  1. Is it important to teach your child to stay safe on the road? Why? What are the risks?
  2. Do we need to equip our children to deal with strangers on the road?
  3. Are there all kinds of people in our neighbourhood, town or city? Helpful? Harmful? Do we empower our children to face all kinds of dangers in the real world?

Most of us would answer a “Yes” to all these questions. If so, then we need to empower our children to navigate through the vast “online/digital world”.

Here are ways to support your child in inhabiting the online world safely :

  1. Empower them to ask questions when they come across any kind of online information. This will ensure that they are objectively evaluating information that comes their way. This may be demonstrated by asking them questions when they pass on digital information to you.

Who said this? What is the source of the data? Which website/organization has posted this information? Are they authorized to comment?

For instance, My child comes up to me and says “ I saw a video which states that Paris is the best place to live.” I hear the child out and ask “ What are the parameters based on which the video recommends Paris as the best place? Who has posted the video? Are they authorized to evaluate and comment? Is it an opinion or a fact? Do you also subscribe to that opinion or do you want to evaluate it independently?” This sets them to think that they need to evaluate information objectively and distinguish between fact and opinion before buying any argument passed on as a fact in the digital world.

  1. Once children are equipped to evaluate online data/information objectively, the chances are less that they will get carried away with “ Hate Stories” and “calls for action” that provoke emotion or a community sentiment toward doing unlawful or age-inappropriate activities.
  2. Instruct children not to pass on personal information online to any individual/website/organization either on social media or through emails unless permitted by you, List out the possible risks of sharing such information. Ask them if they would be willing to pass on personal information (like address and phone number) to strangers on the road? If No, then the same rule holds good for the digital world as well.
  3. Equip them with the Dos and Don’ts of making friends online. It is advisable to avoid making friends with online strangers. Sensitize children about the risks of making friends with strangers.
  4. Last, but not least, educate them about the viruses and hackers and how they need to consult you before downloading any information onto their devices. Explain the consequences of a virus attack for them to understand the magnitude of the problem.

While most of the above pointers appear to be guidelines for parents, they are relevant for educators too. Students are spending time online to gather data and information for their learning experiences as well as assessments. Educators need to sensitize students about the rights and duties of being a digital citizen.

Parenting and educating children of this millennium was never an easy task and that challenge has grown manifold post COVID. Having said that, we must educate and empower our children so that they can inhabit both the online and offline world safely and responsibly. Best wishes to all the parents and educators out there!!!

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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: Experienceing Visual Arts by, Karthik E, Visual Art Facilitator, Ekya Schools

"The benefits of the visual arts are lifelong. Visual art does not have boundaries. It enables people to play with materials, to express their thinking, to problem solve and make sense of emotions," Dr Lindsay said. In line with the quote above I strongly believe that “sharing knowledge is gaining knowledge”. Teaching was never a dream or a wish for me! It all started when I volunteered to facilitate artwork among students, and in that process, I learned a lot. The opportunities gave a whole new perspective to the world of art. I realized that working with students is fun and gives immense joy. Their creative ideas and activities are so spectacular that it always paves the way to learn and discover more. Visual art helps in the holistic development of a child and it makes them resilient, it is great for problem-solving and understanding the world. It helps us develop our creativity across every aspect of our lives." Whenever we attempt to teach something to someone in the process we also learn, to cite an example while handling the stitching activity I have learnt a lot as this subject was very new to me and the patterns presented by the students after the introduction class helped me learn the innovations of this subject and paved way for me to learn something new and that is the beauty of teaching especially the young minds like these. Visual art is the best way to bring out the imaginary world within. It is a wonderful platform for the students to try their hands on different media and to think out of the box to create more new and unique artworks that they enjoy. In the visual art classes, students develop a sense of teamwork and also connect with their emotions. The way students understand and the collaboration of sharing knowledge and working together is always fun, relaxing, and more creative, which means learning and enjoying Visual arts. My student Anagha always comes up with very new and innovative art tools and always ensures to share the usage of this with all the students. Also, Akhil is very good with pencil shading and shares his knowledge with his classmates. One way to learn visual arts is to experience them. My classes both offline and online have been pleasant and have been very knowledgeable too. It is a very good opportunity to learn and teach new skills. A few topics covered in this programme like paper weaving, stitching, etc develop the students' creative skills. The students are thrilled to attend the classes and I always can vouch to say that the curriculum is designed in such a way that it allows students to go and explore various options easily after attending the VA class. The activities are very well planned and involve students' active participation especially the stitching & paper weaving attracted full attendance. The lockdown due to the pandemic in certain ways became a blessing in disguise - On one hand, we all had to go through a lot of difficulties as compared to our earlier days and routines. But, on the other hand, it helped us take our creative side to the next level. This was possible with the use of digital media. Working with digital media was new for many of us. And, this led to devoting time more productively towards learning new skills for teaching and accommodating all students across campuses. To talk about this in detail while running the clubs offline my knowledge was harnessed only to the students on our campus but thanks to the online classes which helped me teach & communicate with the students from the other campuses too. This would not have been possible otherwise. Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that as Visual Art facilitators we are helping students develop emotional, social, and mental skills to interact with the real world efficiently. Art and craft are an excellent way to increment a young child's ability to problem-solve and analyze in myriad ways. With every stroke of a paintbrush, kids are improving their motor skills. Teaching visual arts to young students has taught me many things and new skills and has always been fun & enjoyable. Looking forward to teaching and learning.

#StudentBlogger: Digital Citizen By, Ribhav Nair Grade 7, Ekya Schools, Byrathi

It’s been three years since online school started, and since then, most have improved their dynamics with how best to use the internet, and become more aware of the true meaning of digital citizenship. We have learnt how we can use the internet to our advantage, to stay informed, engaged, balanced, and alert.
Over time we have all learnt that the internet can be a dangerous place, whether it be related to cyberbullying or hackers, identity theft, or your privacy being invaded in other ways; even things that people post on social media could haunt you later on. The internet cannot adapt to you; you have to adapt to the internet. As digital citizens, we have a digital footprint, so what we do or say could have a big effect on the community and the people around us. Students have been taught about online etiquette and how the effect of a digital footprint could last a long time, and one must be mindful of what one does or say. Another must is to protect our privacy by securing our passwords and in doing so we are protecting our online identity. We should stay cautious about scams or suspicious looking websites as they are known to hack your private information.
Cyberbullying is another concern and one must stay vigilant and report offenders so that the problem can be solved before it causes more emotional and psychological harm. Most of all, we have been made aware to protect our creative rights and make sure that our work remains ours so that nobody, not even our family members or friends can plagiarize and steal our work.
Plagiarism is a serious offence, it includes sharing or taking credit for something that isn’t yours without permission since in professional environments plagiarizing could cost you jail time and a hefty fine.
Just as there are things we should do as digital citizens, there are also things we should refrain from. For instance, online etiquette requires us to show kindness online, just as we would in the physical world. One should also be mindful of how one consumes information online. A lot of information you see on the internet is propaganda and the majority of world leaders use it so they can stay popular amongst citizens. Finally, don’t spend all of your free time online because living off the internet also helps you build social and interpersonal skills, and develop other interests and hobbies.
The internet is influential; it could either be good or bad for you. They could use it in positive ways such as engaging in society or politics, or negative ways mentioned. It is up to students whether to use it or abuse it. This is the reason why the school has stressed the importance of being responsible digital citizens and worked at creating a safe and engaging platform for students to learn, share and grow as accountable members of a digital community.

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