Fun in Learning & Learning is Fun

Brewing Knowledge Friday, April 25th 2025

Quick recap

Sandeep led a Friday evening session focused on book reading, introducing "My Good School" and discussing its content with various schools. The session covered topics such as the importance of incorporating fun elements in education, maintaining enthusiasm in teaching, parental involvement, and creative learning strategies. Sandeep also introduced resources, such as the "Brewing Knowledge" Google sheet and the Learning Forward India Foundation, encouraging participants to engage with these materials and share their thoughts on educational blogs.

Next steps

• Nidhi requested us to read the chapter "Why teachers are averse to change" for the next session on May 2nd. We have read the chapter, and details are there in the Friday Book Reading sheet; you will find a video and reference point.

• All participants are to access and review the Google Sheet containing the reading schedule and covered chapters.

• Suman to continue encouraging teachers at her school to discuss the book and participate in the reading sessions.

• All participants to explore the Learning Forward India Foundation blog (learningforward.in) and the Happy Teacher blog (happyteacher.in) for additional resources and discussions.

• Participants are asked to leave comments on the blog posts related to the reading sessions they attend.

• Reena and other Hindi-speaking participants to attempt reading "My Good School" in English, focusing on understanding the key concepts chapter by chapter.

• All participants are to reflect on the three core elements discussed —reading, reflection, and relationships —in their teaching practice.

Summary

Fostering Love for Reading Through Stories

Sandeep led a Friday evening session focused on book reading, introducing the book "My Good School" and emphasising the importance of stories in our lives. The session was attended by various schools, including Ashwani's from Varanasi. The group discussed the book's content, with Manisha and Sandeep guiding the discussion. The session aimed to foster a love for books and reading, to cherish the art of reading.

Incorporating Fun Elements in Education

Sandeep discussed the importance of incorporating fun elements in education to make learning effective. He highlighted the need for teachers to go beyond the five senses and use colour, sound, touch, smell, and taste to engage students. Sandeep also emphasised the significance of creativity and innovation in teaching, particularly at the kindergarten level, where the teacher's role is crucial in introducing students to the learning process. He suggested that teachers should strive to make learning fun and exciting, as this can have a lasting impact on students' educational journey.

Maintaining Enthusiasm in Teaching and Parenting

In the meeting, Sandeep discussed the importance of maintaining enthusiasm throughout one's teaching career, emphasising the need for continuous zeal and passion. He also highlighted the significance of parental involvement in a child's upbringing, stating that what parents do at home has a greater impact than what happens at school. Sandeep stressed the importance of routines and consistency in parenting, as well as the need for parents to be actively involved in their children's lives. He also mentioned the role of teachers as caring adults in children's lives. The conversation ended with Sandeep reading another chapter from the book and inviting questions.

Encouraging Enthusiasm in Teaching

Sandeep discussed the importance of enthusiasm and passion in teaching, emphasising that a teacher's enjoyment of their work can create a positive classroom environment. He suggested that teachers should be patient and encouraging, building relationships with students and using activities to motivate them. Sandeep also highlighted the need for creative learning and the role of fun in education, suggesting that teachers should engage with students and not rely solely on traditional methods. He concluded by encouraging teachers to be eager and industrious, which leads to a great learning experience for students.

Tracking Chapters in "Brewing Knowledge

Sandeep discusses using a shared Google sheet called "Brewing Knowledge" to track the chapters read during their sessions. He updates the sheet with the chapters covered in the current session and mentions that the link to this sheet is available in the WhatsApp group. Sandeep encourages participants to read the chapters at their own comfort, either with teachers, students, or by themselves. Suman confirms that teachers are engaged with the book, discussing it and asking about reading sessions in advance.

Implementing Change in Educational Practices

Sandeep discussed the challenges of implementing changes in educational practices and policies, particularly among teachers. He suggested that resistance to change could stem from a lack of skills, fear of failure, or a need for more support. Sandeep also introduced the Learning Forward India Foundation, which aims to improve schools through governance, training, and learning. He encouraged participants to read more about these topics and to engage with the foundation's resources.

Brewing Knowledge Sessions and Blogs

Sandeep concludes the session by discussing the blog that inspired the book they've been reading, highlighting its reach and practical content. He explains the concept of "brewing knowledge" sessions, which combine books and participants' knowledge to build a collective knowledge system. Sandeep encourages participants to share their thoughts about the session on the Happy Teacher blog (happyteacher.in) and mentions Learning Forward (learningforward.in) as a valuable resource for educators.

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