Classroom Chronicles: Celebrating Innovative Practices

  Have you ever wondered why the Sun seems to rise in the morning and set in the evening?  Imagine a classroom buzzing with excitement as young minds embark on a captivating journey to understand the Sun's movements. This isn't a scene from a science fiction movie; it's a real-life learning experience of Grade-1 learners at  AIMEE International School led by the science team. The idea for this activity stemmed from a simple conversation with a colleague about engaging in activities to demonstrate the Earth's rotation and its impact on the sun's apparent movement. Inspired by this discussion, I embarked on planning an interactive session that would not only captivate the children's attention but also integrate various subjects seamlessly. Sparking Curiosity by DIY Sundial: Instead of a traditional lecture, we made a giant sundial using readily available materials: chart paper, cardboard, and a stick. – The moment I revealed our "Sun Sundial," the classr...

  Imagine a room filled with vibrant energy, not just from the bright colours splashing across sheets of paper, but from the young minds creating them. This wasn't a typical art class; it was a culmination of a year's journey in Global Perspectives for first graders. Here, the focus wasn't on grades or following specific instructions. Instead, it was about reflection , a crucial skill in this subject. Through art, these young learners showcased their understanding of the world around them. Children used whatever they had in their hands to fuel their imaginations. Bangles became Venn diagrams, shapes on rulers transformed into suns and clouds and fingers became paint brush. Soon plain paper transformed into a canvas of knowledge. One drawing at a time, the details emerged. Children revealed in mixing colours, discovering new hues, and using their creativity to express their learnings. Animal shapes came alive from fingerprints, landscapes took shape with strips of cut paper ...

  “ Money can't make us happy, it can only make us happy in the short term ”, “ Being kind and helpful makes me happy” , and “ Happiness makes us healthy and gives long life ” - are just a few of the insightful responses I got from my grade 3 students. These demonstrate perfectly how such a big topic can be thoughtfully explored by young minds. A class on happiness shouldn't make children unhappy or bored. They should feel joyful while learning about “happiness”. Keeping this in mind, we embarked on the Global Perspectives unit on ‘Happiness’. The key questions to explore were:  a) What is happiness? b) What makes people happy? c) Can money make you happy? d) How can we make other people happy? What is Happiness? What makes people happy?: Simply giving straight answers to these questions wouldn't provide a rich learning experience for kids. Therefore, the students were tasked with researching these questions in their homes. They asked their family members, " What is h...

  We often hear that “A good learner is a good listener”. If we have to learn something we need to be a good listener first. But in the context of listening and sharing thoughts, we see the classes are different in school scenarios. Here all the students are learners and explorers. Young students today have a lot to say because they are always learning from the internet and their experiences. They are eager to share their thoughts and knowledge among their friends and teachers.  However, as a facilitator, I have observed how this enthusiasm can inadvertently overshadow the quieter, more introspective students, who long for a supportive nudge to express their ideas and stories. During a recent class discussion on lunar observations, I closely observed my students' participation dynamics. Several students monopolized the conversation, captivating their peers while unintentionally eclipsing others' opportunities to contribute. As a teacher, I always take SEL (social-emotional lea...

  Engaging grade 4 students in an online safety mime and dance session was an innovative and effective approach to imparting essential digital literacy skills. Through expressive movements and rhythmic choreography, we transformed abstract concepts into tangible, memorable lessons. The session began with a discussion on the importance of online safety in today's digital age. We explored topics such as safeguarding personal information, recognizing cyberbullying, and navigating online risks. Then, we seamlessly transitioned into the creative aspect of the session, where students were encouraged to express these ideas through mime and dance. In pairs or small groups, students choreographed routines that depicted various scenarios related to online safety. Some portrayed the dangers of sharing personal information with strangers, while others showcased strategies for dealing with cyberbullying. Through collaborative brainstorming and experimentation, students tapped into their creativ...

  I have always wondered why so many students struggle with Algebra. Students have a tough time with algebra for several reasons. First, they find it hard to understand symbols like x or + because they're used to working with only numbers in math. Algebra is different from regular math because it involves figuring out unknowns, which can be tricky. Setting up algebraic equations is tough because students might not know where to put the numbers and symbols. Algebra also deals with abstract ideas that are difficult to picture, making it hard for some students to get it. If students aren't good at basic math skills like adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, algebra can be even harder. Some students are scared of getting things wrong, so they don't ask questions or try new things. Solving algebra problems requires logical thinking and breaking down big problems, which isn't easy for everyone. Some reasons why students have issues with Algebra Two broad approaches ...

Did you have a student in the age group of 6-7 years who couldn't read the big words and understand the text? That's exactly what happened to me recently. During a parent-teacher meeting, a concerned parent mentioned their child's difficulty in reading complex words in Science and Global Perspectives. I knew I had to find a way to help this student, and ideally, all my grade 1 learners, develop strong reading skills across the curriculum. Reflecting upon my early childhood education training, the phrase "High Expectations, High Support" popped into my head. It was time to put that principle into action! But how? I reflected upon my experience of working as an Home Room Teacher. I used to teach the subjects by making cross- curriculum connections i.e. by integrating the subjects. So, I decided to team up with my colleague, Silga, who teaches Global Perspectives. We discussed the challenges students faced in understanding the content due to reading difficulties. See...