Learning Forward Saturday

The meeting focused on classroom management and lesson planning, with teachers discussing the importance of incorporating relaxation exercises and establishing stable camera positions for effective communication. The group explored storytelling as an educational tool, with discussions about incorporating various activities to enhance language learning and teaching methods for both Hindi and English. Teachers shared experiences and ideas for creating engaging lesson plans, emphasising the importance of planning, collaboration, and incorporating different activities to support students' language development and overall learning experience.

Next steps

• Sunita: Send photos of textbooks to Neelashi after today's session and before the next session
• Sunita: Complete the story by writing on the back of the drawing in pencil, add a title page, and create a storybook
• All teachers: Complete LSRW lesson plan activities based on their stories by 3:30 and post photos to the WhatsApp group
• Sunita: Make corrections to the lesson plan and post an updated photo to the WhatsApp group after incorporating feedback
• Lalita: Contact Neelashi after class to discuss something personal
• All teachers: Bring 1-2 books from the school library for next week's session to use in lesson planning
• All teachers: Post their completed LSRW lesson plans to the WhatsApp group if not already done

Summary

Classroom Management and Mindfulness Training

Neelashi led a meeting with teachers to discuss classroom management and lesson planning. She instructed the teachers to set up their cameras in a stable position, similar to Sunita's setup, to facilitate communication during the session. Neelashi emphasised the importance of relaxation and mindfulness exercises, including deep breathing and focusing on positive thoughts. She encouraged the teachers to share their experiences and contribute to the group's collective goal of supporting each other and making a positive impact on children's lives.

Storytelling in Education Initiatives

The meeting focused on storytelling and its importance in education, with Diana from PYDS introducing the organisation's mission to provide quality education, nutrition, and support to underprivileged children, particularly girls. Sunita emphasised the significance of collaborative work among teachers and introduced a storytelling session, encouraging participants to create lesson plans and storybooks that incorporate listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Gulabee highlighted the importance of personal feelings and expressions in children's learning. At the same time, Neelashi emphasised the importance of modelling language skills and incorporating moral lessons into storytelling to enhance children's intelligence and confidence in their abilities.

LSRW Lesson Plan Development

Neelashi guided the group on creating lesson plans for Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing (LSRW) activities. She instructed everyone to develop their own stories and use them to plan activities related to each LSRW component. Gulabee and Sakshi confirmed their understanding, while Rahima was asked to create activities based on her story. Neelashi emphasised the importance of planning and set a deadline of 3:30 for submitting the plans, along with photos of the completed work.

Story Writing Activity for Teachers

Neelashi discussed a story-writing activity with teachers, explaining that they should write a story and then have students listen to it. She instructed the teachers to unmute themselves for the discussion and to avoid confusion. Sakshi asked a question about how to proceed with the activity, and Neelashi clarified that they should use the story as a basis for discussion with students in their age group.

Educational Exercises and Hindi Teachers

The meeting focused on planning educational exercises and activities for students, with discussions about incorporating Hindi teachers into the project. Neelashi emphasised the importance of including various activities and suggested that teachers could share their ideas through WhatsApp groups. She also requested participants to turn on their cameras during the session and post updates in the group. Neelashi mentioned that she would select one teacher to summarise the activities related to listening, speaking, reading and writing, and she asked for feedback from participants, such as Lalita, Rahima, and others.

Enhancing Language Learning Through Activities

Neelashi and Sunita discussed the importance of incorporating various activities into the LSRW (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) framework to enhance language learning. They emphasised the need for students to understand the context of what they read and to practice speaking by connecting with nature. Sunita suggested using many scripts and listening exercises to help students better comprehend and articulate their thoughts. Neelashi agreed on the importance of speaking and reading skills, emphasising the need for students to grasp the whole meaning of what they read and relate it to their personal experiences.

Enhancing Engaging Lesson Plans

Neelashi and Sunita discussed lesson planning and teaching strategies, focusing on making lessons more engaging and interactive. They explored ideas such as incorporating interesting writing tasks and utilising visual aids to maintain student interest. Neelashi suggested making minor changes to Sunita's lesson plan and emphasised the importance of planning. Sakshi joined the conversation later, sharing her experience of adapting a lesson plan for a school and discussing the challenges faced by teachers.

Enhancing Student Engagement Strategies

The teachers discussed various teaching methods, focusing on activities like drawing, reading, and writing to engage students. Gulabee shared a story about an elderly woman and her relatives to illustrate how children can identify with characters in stories. They discussed how to incorporate speaking and writing exercises into the classroom, encouraging students to express their feelings and develop their language skills. Neelashi emphasised the importance of allowing students to work at their own pace and not focusing too much on perfectionism.

Enhancing Language Teaching for Children

The meeting focused on language teaching methods, particularly for teaching Hindi and English to children. Priyanka shared her experience learning the Ramayana and Mahabharata to children, emphasising the importance of connecting characters to natural elements and helping children understand and use vocabulary in everyday language. Neelashi emphasised the importance of teachers developing language skills beyond grammar, encompassing listening, speaking, reading and writing. The group also discussed the importance of libraries in schools and the need for teachers to share lesson plans and ideas with one another.

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Learning Forward Saturday

 

Teacher Lesson Plans and Engagement

ACTION ITEMS ✨ Prepare 7–8 balls for next session's tunnel-ball game Neelashi M Finish Hindi lesson plan; send photo to group Finish Math lesson plan; send photo to group Schedule 10–15 min post-session plan review w/ teachers Minakshi Prasad (2) Take photos next week during games, math, playing cards Minakshi Prasad (2) MEETING PURPOSE To review teacher lesson plans and model engaging, activity-based learning. Key Takeaways Connect learning to life: Lessons must explicitly link concepts to real-world use cases (e.g., counting for shopping) to build student awareness and motivation. Prioritise active learning: Replace passive work with hands-on activities. The session modeled games for balance and shapes (pen-on-head walk) and teamwork (ball-in-tunnel). Rethink pre-primary exams: The group debated the value of exams for young children, who should instead be assessed through observation of their active participation. Finalise plans immediately: Teachers will use the post-meeting time to complete their lesson plans and share photos in the group chat for review. Topics Lesson Plan Review: Counting to 5 Objective: Teach students to count to 5. Problem: The initial plan lacked a clear, real-world connection for students. Solution: Explicitly link counting to daily life. Examples: Counting items for shopping, counting ingredients for cooking. Activities: Finger counting Jumping while counting Coloring 5 stones Drawing 5 objects (e.g., boats) Outcome: Students will identify and write numbers 1–5. Activity Modeling: Engaging Games Pen-on-Head Walk Activity: Walk backward while balancing a pen on the head. Learning: Balance, shapes, and flat vs. non-flat surfaces. Ball-in-Tunnel Game Activity: Two teams form lines. The first child runs around the ball, then the ball is passed between the legs of the team's "tunnel." Learning: Teamwork and coordination. Pre-Primary Exams Debate: The group discussed the value of exams for pre-primary students. Rationale for exams: A current system requirement. Counter-argument: Exams are inappropriate for young children; observation of active participation is a better assessment. Decision: The current system will be followed for now, but the group will explore alternatives. Next Steps Rahima: Finalize Hindi lesson plan → share photo in group chat. Lalita: Finalize Math lesson plan → share photo in group chat. All Teachers: Use the post-meeting time to complete plans. Minakshi: Take photos of students playing the new games next week.

Learning Forward Saturday

Early Childhood Development and Joy of Learning For Teachers 

Neelashi and Minakshi discussed the importance of maintaining focus during breathing exercises and emphasised the significance of consistent practice for students. They explored suitable books and content for nursery classes, focusing on basic skills and developmental activities while analysing the appropriateness of educational materials for young children. The discussion concluded with plans for implementing educational activities through various methods and addressing concerns about teachers who were absent from completing their assigned tasks.

Next steps

• Rahima is to write down the four points from the National Mission document in her notebook.
• Rahima will create a weekly lesson plan that includes math activities, drawing activities, and an introduction to Hindi stories.
• Rahima plans to implement circle time in her class starting next week.
• Rahima is to create and implement the math game activity with students divided into equal teams.
• Rahima is to establish rules for the art corner in her classroom.
• Minakshi to ensure Rahima implements circle time and the math activity.
• Minakshi to ensure Rahima creates and follows a lesson plan.
• Minakshi to try to get a portable microphone from Sandeep sir or purchase one from AFA.
• Minakshi to ensure absent teachers take notes from Rahima and implement the same activities before next Saturday.

Summary

Breathing Exercise and Team Support

Neelashi and Minakshi discussed the importance of maintaining clarity and focus during a breathing exercise, emphasising the need to clear one's mind and feel relaxed. They stressed the importance of consistent practice and its impact on students. Neelashi expressed gratitude for Minakshi's efforts in organising and supporting teachers, stating that her presence is a boost for the entire team.

Nursery Education Content Review

Neelashi and Minakshi discussed activities and tasks related to teaching nursery classes, focusing on identifying suitable books and content for young children. Neelashi emphasised the importance of understanding nursery expectations and making informed decisions about what to teach, including activities like colour and number recognition. She instructed Minakshi and Rahima to analyse the books together, assess their suitability for nursery students, and discuss developmental activities typically taught to young children. The task involved evaluating the books' effectiveness and deciding whether they were helpful in nursery education, with Neelashi expecting a detailed analysis and discussion from both participants.

Early Childhood Education Standards Discussion

Minakshi and Neelashi discussed the appropriateness of books for young children, noting that while some books help set standards, they may be too advanced for nursery students. They agreed that children should focus on basic skills, such as writing curves and straight lines, rather than covering extensive number ranges. Neelashi emphasised the importance of children using books independently and encouraged Minakshi to explore a document related to the National Mission for Education, which aims to improve literacy and numeracy among children.

Early Childhood Education Concepts

Minakshi and Neelashi discussed the importance of teaching basic concepts to children, including recognising letters and corresponding sounds, as well as understanding numbers, objects, and sequences. Neelashi emphasised the need to go beyond rote teaching and ensure children understand the logic and reasoning behind concepts. They also discussed the lack of awareness about what needs to be taught and the need for improved educational resources, including books. Minakshi mentioned the potential benefits of teaching history and regulations, highlighting the importance of understanding different systems prevalent worldwide.

Educational Activities for Children Implementation

Neelashi and Minakshi discussed implementing educational activities for children, focusing on introducing concepts through finger rhymes, stories, and math exercises. They emphasised the importance of creating lesson plans and establishing rules for the classroom corners. Neelashi suggested using simple math activities, such as addition, and teamwork exercises involving objects. They also discussed the need for teachers to take notes from Rahimaji and implement the activities by next Saturday. Minakshi raised the issue of absent teachers not completing assigned tasks, and Neelashi agreed that action would be taken if teachers continue to miss activities without valid reasons.

AI-generated post, E.&.O.E.

Learning Forward Saturday

AI-generated image for representation purposes only.

Quick recap of the introductory session for Early Years and early teachers.

The session began with technical discussions about audio and video connectivity issues, followed by introductions of teachers from Vimukti Girls School and Arthur Foot Academy who shared their experiences and professional backgrounds. The group then focused on storytelling techniques for teaching young children, with participants collaborating on creating engaging stories and discussing the importance of understanding rather than writing for children. The conversation ended with discussions about creating nature tables in classrooms and exploring methods for teaching language to young children, with teachers sharing their challenges and ideas for improvement.

Next steps

• All teachers: Keep cameras on during sessions
• All teachers: Participate actively in discussions by unmuting and sharing their thoughts
• All teachers: Prepare to discuss how children in their specific age groups learn
• All teachers: Prepare short stories incorporating the current season and small animals/creatures for their kindergarten/nursery classes
• All teachers: Implement storytelling techniques in their teaching approach
• All teachers: Bring a notebook and a pen for future sessions
• Shahana: Follow up with Kanika and teachers from the satellite branch in Malvia Nagar regarding their participation
• Kanika: Ensure proper audio setup for better communication in future meetings

Summary

Teacher Introductions and School Roles

The meeting focused on introducing teachers from Vimukti Girls School and Arthur Foot Academy. Shahana, the coordinator for Vimukti Girls School, introduced several pre-primary and primary teachers, including Mamta Sharma, Priyanka, and Ekta Rawat. The teachers shared their experiences and reasons for choosing teaching as a profession. Neelashi emphasised the importance of comfort and preparation for the teachers during the meeting. The meeting also highlighted the school's role in providing education and vocational training to students from slum areas in Jaipur.

Teaching Experiences and Multi-Level Learning

The meeting focused on introducing participants and discussing their experiences working with various age groups, particularly in educational settings. Neelashi led the discussion, encouraging participants to share their experiences and introduce themselves, with several teachers, including Mamta, Rahima, and Lalitha, contributing their insights. The group discussed the importance of understanding and catering to the needs of multi-level learners in India, emphasising the use of games, repetition, and storytelling in educational settings. They also addressed technical issues related to audio and introduced additional teachers who were present but had not yet spoken.

Engaging Storytelling for Kids

Neelashi discussed storytelling techniques for teaching young children, focusing on creating engaging stories that don't require extensive preparation. She shared a story about a family of elephants, including a young elephant named Emily, who gets lost in the jungle. Through a series of events, Emily learns to navigate the jungle and eventually becomes the jungle's queen. Neelashi emphasised the importance of using simple language and incorporating interactive elements, such as songs and movements, to make the story engaging for children.

Children's Story: Elephant in the Jungle

The group discussed creating a story for children, focusing on a small animal or creature in a fictional environment. Neelashi suggested using a story about an elephant and its role in the jungle, while Priyanka and Mamta shared their ideas. The participants agreed to switch off their cameras and collaborate on developing the story, with Neelashi emphasising the importance of engaging children with the narrative.

Storytelling for Children's Understanding

Neelashi led a storytelling session with teachers, emphasising the importance of understanding rather than writing stories for children. Kanika and Manisha shared stories about children interacting with nature, teaching lessons about respecting plants and animals. Neelashi encouraged the teachers to trust children's intelligence, allowing them to understand stories without explicit explanations.

Nature Tables and Language Teaching

The group discussed creating nature tables in classrooms to help children learn through seasonal and natural elements. Neelashi assigned teachers to prepare nature tables using items such as stones, leaves, and sticks, which the children would maintain daily. Nisha raised a question about teaching grammar to young children, and Neelashi suggested exploring methods that don't rely on formal grammar rules. The teachers were asked to share their challenges and ideas for improving language teaching, with a plan to compile their thoughts and send a photo of the list to Neelashi via WhatsApp.

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Wanted a Primary School Principal!

FOLLOW YOUR HEART
Lady with the lamp, where art thou?

Primary years are your first 💕.
You love a breath of fresh 💨.

Want to settle at Dehradun?

We have a job to involve you for 10+ years, and the school will grow with you from Primary to K12.

Prior experience is welcome; if you want this to be your first shot as a principal, give it a try!

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With passionate educators, EBD is setting up a school at Dehradun. Amidst a legacy campus that opened its doors in 1947 to give newfound freedom to young people. 

This is the new India; we decided to re-invent the wheel, building on a solid foundation with a sense of service to the community and a commitment to values.

Verdant greens, sounds of silence, birds chirping, water body, tree house, blue skies,  amphitheatre, pick-up from home...and even an area for parents to lounge in!

My Good School welcomes you with an open heart! No CV is needed; email LF@ebd.in and tell us why you are best suited.

OFFER CLOSES 31st July 2022

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