Saturday, November 29, 2025

Learning Forward Saturday


ACTION ITEMS ✨

Run wrapper-label activity w/ Class 4; report to Neelashi next session

- Gulabee (2)

Run shop activity w/ Class 4; share photos w/ Neelashi

- Mamata devi

Run shop activity w/ Class 1; share photos w/ Neelashi

- Saroj

MEETING SUMMARY ✨

Review recent teaching experiences and introduce a new, immersive activity.

Key Takeaways

Active learning is effective: Teachers shared successful activities using manipulatives (math balls), real-world objects (English wrappers), and spontaneous "teacher moments" (a butterfly for Hindi).

Behaviour management requires empathy: understanding a child's home environment (e.g., a grandfather's language) is key to addressing disruptive behaviour constructively rather than through punishment.

"The Shop" activity integrates subjects: A new role-play activity was introduced to teach math (money), English (vocabulary), and Hindi (writing) through a single, engaging experience.

Topics

Weekly Activity Review

Teachers shared recent successes, highlighting the power of active learning.

- Gulabee (Class 4, English)

Activity: Collected wrappers to list product info (price, dates, slogan).

Insight: A disruptive Class 1 student was using language learned from a grandfather. The teacher's empathetic response fostered cooperation.

- Mamata (Hindi)

Activity: Used a live butterfly ("Titalia") to teach a poem, turning a spontaneous moment into a lesson on observation and vocabulary.

- Sunita (Class 1, English & UKG, Math)

English: Used animal masks and role-play to teach vocabulary and movement.

Math: Used balls as manipulatives to teach number concepts (e.g., 3 + 2 = 5), proving more effective than abstract methods.

- Saroj (KG)

Insight: A student memorised a complex Sanskrit slogan, demonstrating a high level of observation and active learning.

Behaviour Management & Teacher Role

  • Circle Time: A strategy was introduced to address misbehaviour by asking, "Why did you do it?" This prompts reflection and respect, shifting the dynamic from punishment to understanding.
  • Teacher as Facilitator: The teacher's role is to guide students, not just deliver content. This was demonstrated by Sunita's "What's in my hand?" game, which built student engagement and observation skills.

New Activity: "The Shop"

A multi-day role-play activity was introduced to integrate subjects through a fun, real-world scenario.

Setup (Days 1–4):

Students bring simple, inexpensive items from home (e.g., kitchen utensils, toys).

Students form groups to set up "shops" with their items.

Role-Play (Day 5):

Each student receives play money (e.g., ₹50).

Students act as customers and shopkeepers, negotiating prices and making purchases.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Math: Money management, addition, subtraction.
  • English: Vocabulary ("How much?"), singular/plural ("a ball" vs. "two balls").
  • Hindi: Writing and drawing about the shopping experience.
  • Teacher Role: Facilitate the activity, guide interactions, and ensure learning objectives are met.

Next Steps

  • All Teachers: Implement "The Shop" activity this week.
  • All Teachers: Share photos and experiences from the activity in the next session.
  • Gulabee: Report back on the wrapper-collecting activity.
  • Rahima: Test the "What's in my hand?" game.

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