The monthly newsletter
SCOPE Issue 79 | December 2011 | www.ei-india.com
This Month’s Issue New Year Resolutions ..... 01 Joy of Giving ................... 02 Science and Society ........ 03
y p p a H ! r a e New Y
2012 Year Planner .......... 04 SMSL Quiz ..................... 06 Teacher’s Bite ................. 07 Video Review ................. 07 Duke TIP Test ........... ...... 08
New Year Resolutions Now that we’re in the last month of the year, and a new year is upon us, many of have resolved to exercise more, lose a few kilos, live a “greener” life style…or all of the above. As an educator we can make some New Year resolutions which will help teachers and students. There are specific things you can resolve to do starting now that will begin to make a huge difference in changing the education experience of kids in school. These are definitely not end-all solutions, but will be a significant step forward at a practical, grass-roots level. We’ve all heard stories of successful adults who faced what appeared to be insurmountable childhood, family and education disadvantages, who attribute their success to the one or two teachers who cared about them, believed in them, and pushed them to not give up. A million kids could be impacted for life, if just 1/3 (100,000) of educators made these New Year resolutions. I will inspire. Talk to one child per day about their dreams and tell them that you believe in their ability to succeed and reach their dreams. Discipline should not be the only time a child gets one on one attention and
capacity to do to help its kid. This in itself may be the difference between a kid dropping out or staying in school. You are changing lives when you do this. I will celebrate.
a very negative one sided relationship. Spend time focusing on what kids are capable of doing, it will surprise and inspire you as you inspire them. I will create positive memorable experiences. Do two significant things that will directly support or facilitate student-led projects to solve real-life problems that help kids learn how to learn, work in teams, critical, and give back. Give them something they will remember for the rest of their lives-a project that they will learn valuable life skills along with academics. I will not accept failure. Pick 10 of the most struggling kids you know and get to know them and their families by visiting them at their homes. Identify one thing each family has the
Look for and celebrate one amazing thing per day that a kid has done and make sure their peers know about it and can celebrate with them. Visit another teacher or school Perhaps you know an innovative teacher down the hall, across town, or even in another town. Spend an hour, an afternoon, or a day, watching the teacher in action, and sharing ideas. It will energize you to see and recalibrate your perspective about what is possible. Cheers to an amazing inspiring year as a progressive education leader! Happy New Year!
Joy of Giving Week Celebrations in Schools ‘There is no joy in having or in getting, but only in giving’
Celebrating the ‘Joy of Giving Week’, Saupin’s Community Service Organisation (SCSO) of Saupin’s School did their bit and spread joy once again, only this time it was for the speechless ones, the dogs. The young animal lovers of the school and the members of SCSO visited the People For Animals (PFA) in Sector 11 and donated goods like dog food, medicines and other accessories for dogs worth Rs 5000/- to the organization which would help a great deal to take care of
the canines who are given shelter there. The children interacted with the staff of the PFA and enquired how they could help to heighten care and understanding towards strays. SCSO will further collaborate with the PFA and sponsor their cause in different ways. Vibhor Aggarwal, ASSET Ambassador Captain, Saupin’s School, Chandigarh
Dr. Kalmadi Shamarao High School (Secondary Section), Pune In this world of I, Me, Myself…the joy of giving means a lot, especially to sensitize and develop a sense of empathy in the children and to empower them to be citizens of a caring world. We at Dr. Kalmadi Shamarao High School strongly believe in inculcating values by hands on experience and not merely by preaching. The ‘Joy of giving week’ has been a good platform for us to be focused in our endeavor. To give back to the society in a little way, our students visited St. Crispins Home (Nalstop), Trimurti Old Age Home (Karve Nagar), Jagruti Seva Sanstha (Shivaji Nagar), Mother Teresa Home (Pune Station) and Jeevandhara Vidyalaya (Rasta Peth), Pune and fulfilled some of the basic requirements requested by the individual organizations coupled with some entertainment programmes designed for the inmates. This exercise has brought about stark revelations in the minds of the students and touched their hearts. They have been awakened, enriched and enlightened to see the world in a more humane way. The ‘Joy of Giving Week’ concluded with the joyful activity of ‘Shram Diwas’.
-Mrs. Kamini Saxena, Principal, Dr. Kalmadi Shamarao High School, Pune
Science & Society
Never did any idea change the fabric of human society as has been done by the advances of science. Scientific truth is in the nature of things, man-made or natural, that they produce negative aspects with positive ones; and that they interact to bring about unexpected and inevitable results. The nature of scientific truths has been moulded, sometimes brilliantly. The march of events connected with human history brings before us the various phases of development of science, its constructive use as well as its devastating misuse by powerseekers of all time. Society has been keeping pace with the latest developments. Albert Einstein has defined the purpose and meaning of science in these words: “Science as something existing and complete is the most objective thing known to man. But science in the making, science as an end to be pursued, is as subjective and psychologically conditioned as any other branch of human endeavour – so much so, that the question – ‘what is the purpose and meaning of science’ receives quite different answers at different times and from different sorts of people.” It is in terms of the following ideas that the impact of science on society is unmistakably felt: • Science applies a particular method for various investigations. • It has brought about a new attitude to the universe. • It has become an institution within society.
indefinite. Science: Its Contribution to Literature Science is a consistent philosophy of life. Born of necessity and brought up by social aspirations, science has re-shaped human destiny by its ability to penetrate into all areas of human experience. With the advent of science, truth became the very essence of literature. The beginning of objective thinking had been stressed by Shakespeare in his tragedy, Hamlet. When Hamlet, after the visit of his father’s ghost, begins to tell Horatio about villainy in Denmark, Horatio checks him by saying: “There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave, to tell us this”. John Keats sharply reacted to the discoveries of Newton, called him a cool-minded philosopher. He felt that science is a destroyer of colour and beauty. Yet it was him only who said, “Life is like a multi-coloured dome of glass”. With industrialization came material prosperity as well as economic disparity. Literature adopted a new art form, the novel that could handle the subtleties and complexities of this new human situation. The novel draws substantively on science but it is to be remembered that an authentic literary creation draws as much on the truth of science as on selfexperience. Literature has therefore become much more meaningful, relevant and satisfying than what it was before its contact with the spirit of scientific inquiry.
• It is a major factor in its large scale production and maintenance. Scientific Temper Scientific temper represents a spirit of query involving the process of logical reasoning. It tries to find out the cause and the rational justification of an event objectively and is free from all prejudices and make-believe. Thus a man with scientific attitude would not like to take for granted and believe in irrational beliefs and superstitions. It is the scientific knowledge alone which provides a body of verified and tested truth and always tries to eliminate what is vague, ambiguous and
Mr. Sanjay Yadav, Vice Principal, Fahaheel Al Watanieh Indian Private School (DPS), Ahmadi, Kuwait
2012 YEAR PLANNER JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
MON TUE
1
WED
1
THU
2
1
3
FRI
3
2
4
1
SAT
4
3
5
2
2
SUN
1
5
4
1
6
3
MON
2
6
5
2
7
4
TUE
3
7
6
3
8
5
WED
4
8
7
4
9
6
THU
5
9
8
5
10
7
FRI
6
10
9
6
11
8
SAT
7
11
10
7
12
9
SUN
8
12
11
8
13
10
MON
9
13
12
9
14
11
TUE
10
14
13
10
15
12
WED
11
15
14
11
16
13
THU
12
16
15
12
17
14
FRI
13
17
16
13
18
15
SAT
14
18
17
14
19
16
SUN 15
19
18
15
20
17
MON 16
20
19
16
21
18
17
21
20
17
22
19
WED 18
22
21
18
23
20
THU
19
23
22
19
24
21
FRI
20
24
23
20
25
22
SAT
21
25
24
21
26
23
SUN 22
26
25
22
27
24
MON 23
27
26
23
28
25
TUE 24
28
27
24
29
26
WED 25
29
28
25
30
27
THU 26
29
26
31
28
27
30
27
29
SAT 28
31
28
30
TUE
FRI
SUN 29
29
MON 30
30
TUE
31
Celebrating 10 Years of creating 窶連 World W
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
1
ASSET
2
1
Test Dates
3
2
August 6th - 10th
4
1
5
2
3 4
1
6
3
1
1
5
2
7
4
2
2
6
3
8
5
3
3
7
4
9
6
4
4
8
5
10
7
5
Test Dates
5
9
6
11
8
6
December 3rd - 7th
6
10
7
12
9
7
7
11
8
13
10
8
8
12
9
14
11
9
9
13
10
15
12
10
10
14
11
16
13
11
11
15
12
17
14
12
12
16
13
18
15
13
13
17
14
19
16
14
14
18
15
20
17
15
15
19
16
21
18
16
16
20
17
22
19
17
17
21
18
23
20
18
18
22
19
24
21
19
19
23
20
25
22
20
20
24
21
26
23
21
21
25
22
27
24
22
22
26
23
28
25
23
23
27
24
29
26
24
24
28
25
30
27
25
25
29
26
31
28
26
26
30
27
29
27
27
31
28
30
28
28
29
29
29
30
30
30
ASSET
31
31
Where Children Everywhere are Learning with Understanding’.
SMSL Quiz Contest: 2011 This children’s day has been very special in some of the schools across the country and abroad. Schools have conducted ‘Stop Mugging, Start Learning’ quiz contest. We got an overwhelming response. The questions and guidelines for the quiz were provided by EI.
COLUMN: Round 3 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 JAHNAVI PADAVALA, The Deens Academy, Bangalore.
Congratulations! This month’s question is from Maths subject.
QUESTION OF THE MONTH A paper strip spiral was hung from a stand in a closed room as shown below. A candle placed below it was lighted. As the candle started burning, the paper moved because of the movement of air. This movement occurs due to
A. B. C. D.
radiation. convection. conduction. evaporation.
If you know the correct answer of the questions 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 3 Answer”. Last date to send the entries is 20th January, 2012. Answer this question and get a chance to win SMSL goodies from the ASSET Team.
Teacher’s Bite Mrs. Surya Kumari, Principal, Sri Shenbaga Vinayagar Mat. High. Sec. School, Sivakasi
Q:
What has most influenced you to become an educator, and how did they influence you?
To be very frank and honest, I happened to be a teacher. But now I really feel proud and privileged to be an educator. I do understand the responsibility I hold and work with great enthusiasm and sincere heart to educate the future generation.
Q:
What is your approach to classroom management and student discipline?
I believe, if children are allowed to enjoy their freedom, knowing their limitations, there is no requirement to the question of classroom management. In the name of restrictions, we prune down the talent, creativity of our students. After all, Newton was let free in the garden. He happened to observe an apple falling and this event gave the world, the great theory of earth’s gravity. Let us open the doors of knowledge and let students discover, invent and rejuvenate. None can teach discipline. It should come along with oneself. Let us teaching community be good role models to the students and then automatically students will reflect those qualities in their lives too.
Video Review: I am Kalam ‘I am Kalam’ is a Hindi movie that revolves around a poor Rajasthani boy, Chhotu. The film is directed by Nila Madhab Panda. Chhotu is inspired by the life of the former President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The film revolves around his desire to learn to read. The character of Chhotu has been performed by Harsh Mayar, a Delhi slum boy. Born into poverty, Chhotu is forced to find work at a roadside food stall in rural Rajasthan, where his quick learning ability impresses Bhati, the owner of the food stall. Near the food stall is a heritage hotel. Chhotu develops a friendship with the lonely prince of the royal family who still live in a part of the palace. The prince however is forbidden by his father from mixing with common people. One day Chhotu watches President Dr. A.P.J. Kalam and is inspired by his personality. Chhotu changes his name to Kalam. He studies in his spare time and writes a speech for the prince for a contest in the school. The speech wins the first prize for the prince, but soon after the palace guard searches Kalam’s room and finds prince’s clothes. Kalam is labelled as a thief and the rest of the story deals with how his actions lead to his destiny. The film was premiered at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in May 2011 and has bagged various awards and honours. Times of India writes “its inspirational, intelligent, topical and entertaining too. Here importantly, it brims over with heart and soul leaving no one untouched with its simple message of providing an equal opportunity”.
Q:
What are your views regarding the ‘Importance of Teacher Training and Development’ in educating Students?
To cater to the needs of students of today and to update the teaching methods and teaching tools that has emerged recently, thanks to the technology development, every teacher has to undergo Training and Development program at regular intervals of time. And updating their knowledge in their areas of subjects is mandatory. New techniques like virtual class room; virtual lab; understanding concepts through animations; through activities, through project work etc. gain much momentum these days. Teachers of today are to be equipped with these developments.
Q:
What is your view regarding the ASSET Test?
Many concerns emerge from the diagnostic test. As it is one of the prime requirements of an institution to evaluate the students’ standards, students are encouraged to take up such tests to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. I find ASSET is different. As stated by the famous personality Shive Kera “Winners don’t do different things; they do things differently” ASSET has got its own unique feature, different from any other diagnostics test. The way, the questions are set is really appreciable. The follow up activities are awesome. In addition to this, teacher-sheets which help to uproot the misconception that happened or may happen in classroom is an excellent support. “ASSET is really an asset to our students.”
Jitu Mishra, Educational Specialist, EI
Above Level Test for Duke TIP
Conducted on 27th November, 2011 Around 1500 participated across 8 cities
Close to 1500 gifted students appeared for the Above Level Test to secure their place in the Duke Talent Identification Programme (TIP) 2012. These are students who have scored over 95 percentile in Maths, Science or English in the ASSET, which qualifies them for this Above Level Test. They constitute a mere seven percent of the Class 7 ASSET taking population across the country and abroad. ASSET (Assessment of Scholastic Skills through Educational Testing) is an international benchmarking test conducted by Educational Initiatives (EI), an educational research organisation, working towards improved assessment for effective learning among school students. The Above Level Test for Duke TIP was also organised by EI. This test was conducted across eight cities -
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Bangalore, Chennai and Dehradun. Duke TIP is a special programme offered by Duke University, USA for extremely intelligent and gifted students. The programme is a three-week residential programme and will be conducted in the summer vacation of 2012. The programme is special because it is conducted by faculty invited from the Duke University. Duke University has chosen EI as the official partner to conduct the selection process so that 100 students who are the most gifted, can be offered this programme. Last year the programme was conducted at Infosys Campus, Bangalore. Duke University also offers considerable scholarships and fee waivers for needy students. The results for the Above Level Test will be declared in January 2012.
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