The monthly newsletter
SCOPE Issue 83 | April 2012 | www.ei-india.com
This Month’s Issue Summer Vacation ........... 01 School News ................... 02 ASSET Toppers ................ 03 ASSET Week Result ......... 04 ASSET Week Result ......... 05 Thoughtful Story ............ 06 Teacher’s Bite ................. 07 ASSET Ambassador ......... 08
How to Make your Summer Vacation Educative and Fun-filled The summer vacation is the longest stress-fee break in our school life. It is also the time to visit new places with your friends, relatives or family members. But in most cases our elders take decisions. But this time you can be a decision maker and make your vacation both joyful and educative. It will also help you develop and improve your skills on planning, researching, budgeting and many more. The following are a few tips on vacation planning. • The most important aspect of deciding a place to visit in the vacation is the understanding of the weather condition. India is a tropical hot country with temperature exceeding 45 °C at most places during the summer. However, there are a few places, located in high altitudes, which remain cool even during the peak summer. To select such a place, we must do an advance planning. Using the metrological data for the year, you can presume the tentative weather condition of the place during the month of your visit. This will help your understanding of geographical concepts in real life. • Once the place is selected, you must understand other critical aspects, such as its location, its distance from your city, various modes of transport that connect the place with your city, the cost, lodging, major attractions in the place and around it, the local mode of transport, banking
and hospital facilities, mobile and internet connections. You can either surf websites or read travel books/magazines. This understanding will enhance your enquiry skill, a must in the 21st century education scenario. • In the next stage, try to find information from friends, relatives and people you know who have intimate knowledge about the place. This will help improve your enquiry skill further, through interviews and interactions. • In the final stage you are required to book accommodation in a hotel, buy tickets, etc, with the help of your elders.
Activities at the Place: During your vacation, you should aim to develop a travelogue involving pictures, information and videos. Remember to carry a local map with you while visiting sites. You can categorise the sites as sites of historical importance, By Jitu Mishra, Educational Specialist, EI
religious places, sites of natural beauty and wonder, museums and other public buildings and human settlements. Gather information on each site and also note down your personal observations. Try to get the help of an authentic guide or a learned person. In the sites of natural beauty, observe local landforms, vegetation, and human impacts like pollution, encroachment, etc. This is the place where you can explore more of your geographical concepts. Write down and photograph each observation you make. A visit to the human settlement will help you explore the local culture and adaptation. Meet people and spend time with them at their homes, and work places. Record your observations and interviews. With this planning and travelogue your vacation will turn into a great event filled with fun and learning. At the end of your vacation you can create a journal highlighting your “real” summer vacation. You can write about your best summer vacation, even include details like, a possible location, what you did, who you were with, what educative things you learned out of your trip and so on. Have a Happy Vacation!!
School News TARANGINI - The Annual Production of Basava International School Basava International School celebrated its Annual Production ‘Tarangini’ on March 17, 2012. The pre-primary students of the school unfolded a beautiful panorama of their creativity. The Hon’ble Chief Guest on the occasion was ACP Samay Singh, Dwarka, New Delhi. The event began with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest and other distinguished guests present on the occasion. The Principal, Manimala Roy, extended a cordial welcome to the elite gathering. She introduced the guests and presented the Annual Report in her welcome address. The Chief Guest in his speech congratulated the little children for conveying a very powerful message of saving our environment through their wonderful show. The meritorious students received prizes for their excellent performances in academics.
The spectacular musical ballet-“Eighth Wonder of the World” presented by the pre-primary children mesmerized the audience. Through the ballet, the tiny tots highlighted the very need of the hoursaving the magic of our mother nature and conveyed how small children can play an important part in bringing about a change. In a subtle way the children communicated through their play how technological progress and Mother Nature can co-exist. The colourful and musical extravaganza came to an end with the vote of thanks and the National Anthem. By Kirti Garg
Annual Function – “PRERNA” With an effort to showcase the talent and achievements of the students in the co-curricular activities, Takshashila Vidyalaya, an English Medium school with a commitment, celebrated its 9th Annual Day with the theme ‘Prerna’ on 28th and 29th of February 2012. Song, music and dance were an amalgam which formed “PRERNA” – An Inspiration- the theme of the festivity. It was a step ahead to build the bridges of oneness by appreciating the cultural heritage of mankind. The function started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the honourable chief guest Dr. Pradip Patel, Director of Aribas, on 28th Feb. and by the distinguished Chief Guest, Dr P. K. Yagnik, Professor at Anand Education College, on 29th Feb., followed by Prayer Dance - an attempt to acquire blessings from the Almighty on both the days. On the first day, the tiny-tots from Nursery to Std. IV enthralled the audience with scintillating foot-tapping
performances by dancing to the tunes of various traditional and western notes. On the second day, the senior students from Std. V to XI held the audience engrossed with their colourful attire and heart throbbing performances as they presented folk dances, fusion dances, plays, and theme-based shows. Along with these, the learning from the co-curricular activities – Karate, Music, Skating, Yoga and Dance was also demonstrated on both the days. In a nutshell, the gala event was truly a wonderful effort with a mammoth 789 kids participating. The vibrant hues were spectacular and created a visual treat, appreciated by one and all who witnessed the programme. By Dr. Nitin Kumar Sharma, Principal, Takshashila Vidyalaya, Boriavi, Anand
Science Exhibition – Jain Public School, Barnagar
A science exhibition was held on 5th February, 2012 to celebrate the National Science Day in our school campus programme vibration 2012.
the function was Mr. Abhay Chajlani, Chief Editor, Naidunia and Mr. Narayan Satam, Director, Mohinder Amarnath Cricket Academy, Baroda.
Class 6 and 8 students made some working models for the exhibition. Thousands of spectators visited the exhibition and appreciated the creativity of the students. The Chief Guest for
Compiled by the ASSET Coordinator Rajesh Mali and the ASSET Ambassdors, Rishabh And Samkit Jain.
ASSET Toppers 2011 – Winter Round ASSET Toppers 2011 – Winter Round
It is our greatest pleasure to share with you the ‘TOP 10 performing students of ASSET 2011’. These students proved their excellence when they were put to test with 1.3 lakh other students across the country.
City
Student Name
Class
GEAR Innovative International School
Bangalore
Yash A Lothe
3
GEAR Innovative International School
Bangalore
Theresa Soni
4
Mumbai
Suraj V Phalod
4
New Delhi
Peehu Agrawal
4
TGS Implementing TFU
Rajkot
Shubhanshi N Gaudani
4
TGS Implementing TFU
Rajkot
Soham N Changani
5
Sharada Mandir School,Miramar
Panaji
Deep P Dessai
5
The Shishukunj International School
Indore
Vaishnavi Gupta
5
Chengalpattu
Priyanka R Pottigari
5
Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam
Chennai
Siddharth Sridhar
6
Ahmedabad International School
Ahmedabad
Kaavya Sahay
7
GEAR Innovative International School
Bangalore
Anuvind Bhat
8
Delhi Public School
Bangalore
Utkarsha Agwan
10
School Name
Lokhandwala Foundation School The Mother’s International School
Mahindra World School
A Hearty Congratulations to all these students from the ASSET Family! These students are awarded with a Gold Medal each from Educational Initiatives. To check the other top 10 performing students nationally, visit our blog: www.blog.ei-india.com
ASSET Topper Awarded with Book Prize M. Tarun Prasad of Class V, Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School, T. Nagar, Chennai, Receiving the Book Award from Mrs. Chandra Nagarajan, Senior Vice-Principal for being in the Overall Top Ten Students in ASSET Winter 2011.
ASSET WEEK 2011-1 For years the debate has been on – ’Is a classroom the only place the students get to learn?’ We thought of taking this a step further and asking the students to step out of the classroom and explore the world around them. The theme ‘All the World is a Laboratory to the Inquiring Mind’ was an appropriate one to challenge the students and give them an opportunity to notice the issues that surround them and hunt for possible solutions. We wanted children to become explorers, and explore the world beyond their classroom. The activities for the ASSET Week 2011 were planned for the students from class 3 to class 10. Class 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 All Classes
Activities Drawing Collage Making Riddles Photography Jingles Graffiti Street Play Movie Making – Compulsory Activity
The ASSET Week 2011 saw an overwhelming participation from schools across the country and abroad. The theme generated some very innovative and creative ideas, making it difficult for the evaluation panel to choose the best entry in every category.
Here we are with the winners’ details: Category Drawing Collage Making Riddles Photography Jingles Graffiti Street Play Compulsory Movie Making
School Name Army Public School Army Public School Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalam Sunbeam School, Varuna Bombay Cambridge School, Andheri (West) DAV Public School St. Michael’s School The Christel House India
City Bangalore Bangalore Chennai Varanasi Mumbai Gurgaon Secundarabad Bangalore
Overall winner: Army Public School, Bangalore The winners in different categories are: –
Class 3 (Drawing) - Army Public School, Bangalore Congratulations to ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL for winning the best category award in the Class 3 Drawing competition. This entry shows how learning happens with a ‘Love - Hate Relationship’ with animals.
2 - RESULTS Class 4 (Collage Making) - Army Public School, Bangalore Congratulations to ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL for winning the best category award in the Class 4 Collage competition. This entry depicts how learning happens in several areas where classrooms are not required. This is a perfect example of learning beyond the classroom.
Class 6 (Photography) - Sunbeam School, Varuna - Varanasi Congratulations to Sunbeam School, Varuna for winning the best category award in the Class 6 - Photography. This entry is a perfect example of how adults should also learn from children. This gives us the motivation and encouragement to learn.
Class 8 (Graffiti) - D A V Public School, Gurgaon Congratulations to D A V Public School for winning the best category award for Graffiti. This entry shows a picture of real life learning life to everybody.
Class 5 (Riddles) - Hari Shree Vidyalam, Chennai 1. Meera was born on December 27th, yet her birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible - She lives in the Southern Hemisphere. 2. What do you throw out when you want to use it but take in when you don't want to use it? – An Anchor. 3. Only two backbones and thousands of ribs? – Railroads. 4. How do energy-conscious people feel about wind power? – They are blown away. 5. What is a renewable energy source that is used every day at your school? - Brainpower Congratulations to Hari Shree Vidyalayam for winning the best category award in the Class 5 – Riddles competition. The entry provides us with though-provoking riddles where the answer is really tricky to find and matches the theme as well. Class 7 (Jingles) - Bombay Cambridge School, Andheri (West) – Mumbai Congratulations to Bombay Cambridge School, Andheri (West) for winning the best category award for jingles. This entry is a perfect example of how learning happens through musical sounds and adds the fun element to learning. Class 9 (Street Play) - St. Michael's School, Secunderabad Congratulations to St. Michael's School for winning the best category award for a Street Play. This entry displayed on the basis best audio and video clarity, with children showcasing how learning happens beyond the classroom. Check out the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Sht-I64b8 In the coming issues of ASSETScope, we will be covering the top entries from schools who submitted the report.
Thoughtful Story: An Imperfect Pot A water bearer in India had two large pots; each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it to some extent. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.” After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke... “Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?” "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value for your efforts." The pot said.
bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house." Each of us has our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Fathers table. In Gods great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.
COLUMN: Round 7 We are sure you would be as eager to know the answers of last month’s quiz question and the winner’s Name. Last month’s answer for the quiz question is D and the winner is M. Nivedita, BVM Global@ Bollineni Hillside, Chennai.
Congratulations! This month’s question is from Maths subject.
QUESTION OF THE MONTH Shown here is a poster of the movie "Jodha Akbar". Which of these could be the amount earned by the film in the first week in Ahmedabad? A. B. C. D.
`93250 `912500 `1090500 `9225000
Running successfully in theatres in India... Earned more than `90 lakhs in Ahmedabad in the first week of release.
If you know the correct answer to the question Send us a mail at assetscope@ei-india.com with the correct answer along with your name, your school’s name, city and contact number. The subjectline of the mail should be “SMSL Quiz Round 6 Answer”. Last date to send the entries is 15th May, 2012. Answer this question and get a chance to win SMSL goodies from the ASSET Team.
Teacher’s Bite Ms. Suniti Sharma, Principal, Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls’ School, Jaipur
Q:
Who has most influenced you to become an educator, and how did they influence you?
I believe teachers are born, so it was instinct more than anything else. I have certainly been influenced by the many good teachers I had in school and college. Sincerity, compassion and honesty are the values they represented, and these have influenced me greatly.
Q:
What is your approach to classroom management and student discipline?
Classroom management is automatic: if your lessons are stimulating enough, the class remains ‘managed’. The teacher’s role is to make sure every child is included and valued. Discipline involves making expectations clear. I think good noise in a class is a healthy sign as is the absence of fear.
Q:
What are your views regarding the 'Importance of Teacher Training and Development' in educating Students?
I learned a lot in my B.Ed. course, whether it was theories of learning or how to prepare audiovisual aids or sociometric skills. A teacher must be aware of a lot of things beyond subject content, and that is where teacher training is essential. A teacher deals with very impressionable age groups and must know how to relate to them. And with the kind of research going on in education, professional development is important to guard against becoming obsolete. A teacher cannot afford to believe she knows everything.
Q:
What is your view regarding the ASSET and Detailed Assessment (DA) Tests ?
I think the ASSET test is an eye opener in many ways. It makes children think and apply what they have learned, so it is a good indicator of ability. No preparation is required to take ASSET because it tests understanding of concepts. Memory can fade, facts can be forgotten, but you cannot lose understanding of a concept. The DA Test is excellent because it provides immediate feedback and also suggests remedial measures and exercises. Children enjoy using mobiles to enter their answers. The DA Test is most effective when teachers use the analysis and make sure the paper is discussed in the classroom. The tests are ideally suited for Formative Assessment. I have seen strong learnings emerge from the tests.
Video Series Review The Story of Science – Power, Proof and Passion BBC Series – 2011 (Episodes: 1 – 6), Presented by Michael Mosley In our school education, there is a great deal of thrust on remembering and applying scientific theories and discoveries in our day-to-day life. Conventionally we take these discoveries for granted without showing any inclination on how these discoveries were made. The ‘Story of Science – Power, Proof and Passion’, an excellent BBC series, presented by Michael Mosley, is an attempt to expose how history has made science and how science has made history. For thousands of years we have wrestled with great questions of existence; Who are we? What is the world made of? How did we get here? The quest to answer these is the ‘Story of Science’. In this series, Michael Mosley, a medical journalist traces the roots of our rational mind. From recreating a famous alchemist’s experiments, to following in Galileo’s footsteps, Mosley delves with the story of how science has changed the way we see ourselves and the way we see our world. The story of science is a story of courage, fear, hope and disaster, persistence and success. This is the story of how history made science and how science made history, and how the ideas which emerged made the modern world. Episode 1 – ‘What Is Out There’ – embarks on a journey to unravel how we came to understand that our planet was not at the centre of everything in the cosmos, but just one of billions of bodies in a vast and expanding universe. Episode 2 – ‘What Is the World Made Of’ – explores what makes up everything, in the natural world, and how scientists
have created theories from elements to atoms and the strange concepts of quantum physics. Episode 3 – ‘How Did We Get Here’ – deals with the question of human origin. While delving with this question, Mosley unravels the story of how scientists came to explain the beauty and diversity of life on earth, and reveal how its evolution is connected to the unsettled and violent history of our planet. Episode 4 – ‘Can We Have Ultimate Power’ – tells the story of how humanity has harnessed power – from the wind, steam and from inside the atom – the essence of our modern survival. The episode reveals the fundamental laws of nature, which apply across the universe, including the most famous equation in all of science, e=mc2. Episode 5 – ‘What is the Secret of Life’ – delves with the complex system of the human body including the structure and working of DNA. Episode 6 – ‘Who We Are’ – explores the twin science of brain anatomy and psychology in order to understand what really shapes our thoughts, feelings and desires. Most of the episodes can be downloaded in parts from ‘You Tube’ and also the DVD can be purchased from the BBC site. http://www.bbcshop.com/science+nature/the-story-ofscience-dvd/invt/bbcdvd3157/ By Jitu Mishra, Educational Specialist, EI
ASSET Ambassador of the Year 2011
ASSET Ambassador Team, Yavatmal Public School, Yavatmal The ASSET Ambassador journey, 2011 was a great learning experience for all the students who were involved. It was an exciting year for us as well. Interacting with these students on a regular basis, conducting events and contests. The best part of the ASSET Ambassador program this year was that we had asked the schools to nominate 5 students from classes 5 to 9 as ASSET Ambassadors. This gave an opportunity for 5 students from a school to be a part of it. The online site www.assetambassdor.com is now India’s only Student Social Network with 6000+ members from different parts of the country and abroad. It is now India’s only Student Social Network with 6000+ members. Activities like ‘Teachers’ Day Quiz Contest’, ‘Children’s Day Quiz Contest’, Joy of Giving were powered by ASSET Ambassadors, with regular discussions that happened on the www.assetambassador.com. Children’s power of sharing information like interesting riddles, debates, sharing school events, etc. gave awareness to other fellow students.
The ASSET Ambassador Captain of the Year - Tamanna Elizabeth Chacko, the ASSET Ambassador Captain of 'The High Range School' has been selected as the ASSET Ambassador Captain of the Year for the continuous and enthusiastic participation in all the ASSET Ambassador Activities. The ASSET Ambassador TEAM of the Year - Sanchay Jaiswal, Tanish Lad , Sakshi Agrawal, Swaraj Sable & Nitesh Rajwani (ASSET Ambassador Captain), ASSET Ambassador Committee Members of 'Yavatmal Public School' has been declared as the 'ASSET Ambassador Team of the Year' for continuous and enthusiastic participation in all ASSET Ambassador Activities, Discussions, etc as a team. The ASSET Ambassador of the Year is announced on the basis of regular interaction of these students, sharing of information with fellow ASSET Ambassadors, and their participation in all the activities which we conducted for them. A Hearty Congratulations to all these students from the ASSET Family!
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