Hope & Friendship - Adhya RPKM

 

Dealing with a student who has lost all hope

In the session of 2022, when I became the class teacher I found a girl who always remained quiet, didn't respond to the teacher's questions and always got scolded. After a few days of the same behaviour, I asked her what is the problem, but she wasn't able to explain. Some of her old classmates told me that she had lost her mother due to a long-term illness last year. 

Since then she seemed to be hopeless in her life. Being a teacher, I wanted to help her, so I encouraged her to participate in different activities first. I also tried talking to her for 15 minutes to learn her ideology every day. 

In the beginning, she hesitated but gradually started talking about different things. She also participated in different activities and started improving. Then, I started giving her tips about rapid improvement and she started following the tips. Slowly, she came out of the phase of hopelessness and passed her grade with flying colours. 

Helping a student make friends

This year when I got to teach Mathematics in a class, I faced an unusual situation with a boy who always stayed alone and sat on the last single seat. I thought it must be his fixed seat, but he was continuously sitting there for two weeks and never talked to any of his classmates. 

When I asked others, they told me that he always used to remain solitary with no friends. But as an educator, I knew the importance of having friends. So one day, I talked to him and told him about the importance of having friends. I also asked some students to break the ice with him. But he did not respond and started to ignore. 

At last, with regular trials, he had to give in, and he talked to some of his classmates. And gradually he started talking a little bit, regularly. The boy who looked boring turned out to be the most amazing with the other students. He became popular and also tried to become friends with other students in the class. 

Impact on Students 

Both students became cheerful and tried to remove their obstacles of hopelessness and loneliness by themselves. Hope and Friendship had a great and powerful impact on their life. 

Advice 

As an educator, I advise that these values are significant for students as they are the future of our planet. To be confident and successful, both qualities should be inculcated in students. We should remember that students are also part of society and these values will help them in improving society.

Adhya RPKM

Deepa Khanna, Rachna Bisht, Asma Ali, Farida  Sushma Paul, Kulmeet Madan, Krishangi Sharma

Humility and Appreciation - Samridhi RPKM

When someone has humility, it means that they have a humble or modest view of themselves. In other words, they don’t think they’re the centre of the universe.

A famous quote about humility reads, “Humility is not denying your strengths, humility is being honest about your weaknesses.” Our students can do a self-reflection exercise on humility by journaling about their strengths, weaknesses, and humility.

We can give our students a lesson on intellectual humility. This humility type is the acknowledgement that you don’t know everything. Developing this type of humility can be especially important for our students who are constantly expanding their knowledge.

Be an example of humility: As in anything, our students will imitate our behaviour. The more we can live in a humble way, the more our students will absorb from us.

We can build our students up and teach them where their true value lies: most of the time, when students are looking for attention, it is because they are not receiving enough feedback or positive attention. The more that we can give them honest, positive feedback, the better. 

Also, teach them that their value does not lie in what they have or what they do, but in who they are. This way, we can teach our students the truth about themselves. Coach them on how to respond to praise. Just as we teach them to say “Please” and “Thank you,” we need to teach students the appropriate, humble response to praise. The more prepared they are, the more graciously they can respond.

Don’t confuse “humility” with “humiliation.” Try not to humiliate the students. Humiliation does not help, since it is something that can hurt a child rather than help teach the lesson of humility. If the students need correction, be sure to correct them, but in a way that is as loving, patient and personal as possible. This can help prevent the harm and resentment that intentional humiliation breeds.

We need to teach our students to serve. Among the many activities we do with our students are some that imply service. There are so many ways we can serve, and so many people that need simple acts of service: the poor, the elderly, family members, friends or classmates. If you are able to incorporate various “service projects” into your life, service will become a habitual behaviour for your students, and they will be more sensitive and open to the needs of others.

Appreciation is the act of recognizing and valuing someone's efforts, qualities, or achievements. In the classroom, it can be a powerful tool for fostering a positive learning environment and encouraging student growth. 

Here's how we can use it in the classroom:

• Encourage Effort: Appreciate students for their hard work and perseverance, even if they haven't achieved perfect results. This motivates them to keep trying.
• Recognize Achievements: Celebrate students' successes, both big and small. Acknowledge their accomplishments to boost their self-esteem.
• Feedback: Provide specific and constructive feedback, highlighting what students did well. This reinforces positive behaviour and helps them understand their strengths.
• Peer Appreciation: Encourage students to appreciate each other's contributions, creating a supportive and inclusive classroom atmosphere. Appreciation can have a significant positive impact on students in various ways:
• Motivation: When students feel appreciated for their efforts and achievements, it can boost their motivation to excel academically and socially.
• Self-esteem: Genuine appreciation can help students develop healthy self-esteem, as they learn to value themselves and their abilities.
• Engagement: Students who receive recognition for their contributions tend to be more engaged in the learning process and are more likely to participate actively in class.
• Confidence: Appreciation can build students' confidence in their abilities, making them more willing to take on challenges and persevere through difficulties.

Teachers play a crucial role in showing appreciation towards students. Here are ways in which teachers can effectively express appreciation:

• Celebrating diversity: Recognize and appreciate the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and talents that each student brings to the classroom.
• Positive reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement techniques to reward good behaviour and academic achievements.
• Open communication: Keep the lines of communication open, allowing students to express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas freely.
• Empathy: Show empathy and understanding towards students' challenges and difficulties, offering support and encouragement.
• Surprise gestures: Occasionally, surprise students with small gestures of appreciation, such as handwritten notes or awards for outstanding performance.

By actively practising these strategies, teachers can create a classroom environment where students feel valued and appreciated, which can have a profound impact on their motivation, self-esteem, and overall learning experience.

Samridhi @ RPK Moradabad

Seema Kulshreshtha, Rakhi Gupta, Saraswati, Gurpreet, Meeta Gulati, Anju Gupta, Saloni.

Courage and Patience - Samriddhi RPKM

To enjoy the fruit of life, we need to learn how to “SOW” the seed of patience, “GROW” the plant of courage which will bear the “FRUIT” of victory as shown in the picture. 

Situation 1:- A fearful student 

As an enthusiastic and passionate educator, I found myself facing a unique challenge in my teaching career. In my classroom of diverse and talented students, there was a little girl named Arushi who was a new student.

I noticed the fear in her eyes and the unease in her body language. During the first few days, she always used to tap her pencil and look restless. I understood that her fear might be due to the desire to fit in with her new classmates.

Instead of reprimanding her, I decided to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. One morning, when the class settled down, I gathered the students in a circle and initiated an activity named "Welcome circle". Each student was encouraged to share something about themselves that others might not know. This activity not only helped Arushi feel included but also allowed the other students to see her as more than just a new student. 

During that activity, I also shared a personal story about my struggles with my fear when I was young. I explained how I overcame it with the support of my teachers. Arushi seemed intrigued by my story and appeared to find solace in the fact that she wasn't alone in feeling this way. 

I occasionally organised mindfulness exercises into my class routine. These activities and exercises not only helped Arushi manage her fear but also allowed the entire class to develop a sense of calmness and focus. 

As the days passed, she began to open up more and became an active participant in class discussions. I noticed that she started to ask questions and express her thoughts, even if she hesitated at times. I praised her efforts by encouraging her to continue sharing her ideas.

 

At the end of the year, she flourished academically and developed strong bonds with her classmates. During a farewell ceremony, Arushi stood in front of the class with a confident smile and delivered a heartfelt speech, thanking me for being a teacher who truly cared and believed in her. 

Situation 2: An impatient student 

Patience helps us to develop a healthy attitude. It improves our ability to accept setbacks and enjoy life more. There is a saying; “Good things come to those who wait.” It allows us to persevere and make more productive decisions, often leading to success. 

In my teaching career, I remember the year I faced a class filled with unusually impatient students. I noticed that my students couldn't sit still during lessons and were always eager for the next activity. Determined to help them cultivate patience and focus, I decided to embark on a unique teaching journey. 

One sunny morning, I announced a special project called "The Patience Quest." I explained that the students would have to participate in a series of challenges designed to test and improve their patience. 

The first challenge was called "The Waiting Game." Each student had to water a tiny seedling every

day and wait for it to grow into a beautiful plant. They learned that growth takes time and effort, just like learning. 

Next came "The Art of Silence." The students were asked to meditate for a few minutes every day, concentrating on their breath and calming their minds. At first, it was tough for the restless bunch, but with time, they started to appreciate the peace and focus that silence brought. 

As the weeks passed, I noticed a change in my students. They began to listen more attentively, complete their tasks diligently, and show understanding towards their peers. The class even started to encourage each other during challenging moments. 

For the grand finale of "The Patience Quest," I organised a scavenger hunt. The students were given clues that led them all around the school. They had to work together and solve riddles, testing their patience and teamwork. At the end of the hunt, they found a treasure chest filled with personalised certificates praising their newfound patience and perseverance. 

The once impatient students were now transformed into a more disciplined and focused class. They appreciated the value of patience and how it positively impacted their learning journey. It not only helped them academically but also nurtured their character. 

Conclusion:

Dealing with fearful and impatient students can be a challenge, but as an educator, you can implement various strategies to help them feel more comfortable and engaged in the learning process. Here are some tips to address the needs of fearful and impatient students: 

• Built trust and rapport. 
• Understand their concern by talking with them. 
• By providing constructive and encouraging feedback. 
• Incorporate different teaching methods and activities to accommodate various learning styles.
• Foster peer Interaction through collaborative learning activities, group projects and discussions. 
• Be Available for One-on-One Help. 
• Be patient and empathetic. 

Remember! Each student is unique, so adapt your approach to suit their needs. You can help fearful and impatient students thrive and develop a positive attitude towards learning by creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Education post COVID19: Rajeshree Shihag

Technology has stepped into the breach and will continue to play a key role in educating future generations. 

It is a good time to reflect on how this disruptive crisis can help us define what learning should look like. Our curriculum should address; what kids like, what they don’t like, what they are curious about, what they value more, what their dreams are or what their dreams could be. Let’s weave the curriculum with self-awareness and self-reflective assignments, fostering independence.

Collaborative and Blended learning will be more engaging and interesting, learning with Blackboard, Whiteboard, Learning Management Systems and Zoom or Hangout will yield significant benefits when these will be layered up into face-to-face instruction, it will be learning for life. Online education will not become obsolete so it's better that we get accustomed to it to stay in the race.

COVID-19 has taught us that there are no isolated issues and actions. We should look at more opportunities to build Learning Collaboratively. Plan activities that give students the opportunity to work and collaborate together to learn and grow from each other. Collaborative learning helps develop higher-level of thinking skills, boost confidence and self-esteem. Students learn how to work with various types of learners and develop their leadership skills.

Life Skills will prepare students for the real world. “Students’ social and emotional skills are not personal attributes, but are dependent on teacher support.” Life skills are the building blocks or framework that allows students to apply knowledge to the real-world. Skills that employers will be looking for will be creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, interpersonal skills.

Values, educating children to become thinking, confident, responsible and caring citizens. The main principles that guide us in our thoughts and actions.

How about teaching Financial Literacy; to teach wants and needs. To prepare students for sustainable livelihood.

Let’s alter the future of teaching and learning.

Rajeshree Shihag
Principal at The Fabindia School