ASSETScope November 2011

This Month’sIssue

Celebrating Childhood ....

Children’s Day Special .....

Children’s Day Special .....

SMSL Quiz ......................

Diwali Celebration...........

Rubric Way .....................

Book Review ..................

Thoughtful Story .............

Teacher’s Bite .................

ASSET Photo Contest ......

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08Photo courtesy : Anand Niketan School, Ahmedabad

We the Children: End-decade Review of the Follow-up to the World Summit for Children- Report of the Secretary-General (2001)

Children’s Day - Celebrating Childhood

The birthday of the first Prime children with a safe and loving

Minister of India, Pt. Nehru is environment in which to grow as

always celebrated as Children’s well as to give them ample and

Day in India and the day signifies equal opportunities through

the celebration of childhood. The which they can take great strides

association of children with and contribute to the progress of

Nehruji stems from the story that the nation. This day serves as a

a child pinned a red rose on his reminder to each and every one

jacket and he loved it so much of us, to renew our commitment

that he continued wearing it to the welfare of children and

always. His love and affection for teach them to live by their

children was immense and it was Chacha Nehru's standards and exchange and understanding among well reciprocated too. The day, example. children and secondly, to initiate action to however, comes for the children around benefit and promote the welfare of the We wish everyone ‘A Very Happy the world only on 20th November as it world's children. It was also chosen as the Children's Day.was the day when the UN General day to celebrate childhood. Assembly accepted the Declaration of

But amidst all this pomp and glory, we Children’s Rights in 1959. It was should not lose sight of Chacha Nehru's established to encourage all countries to real message. That is, to provide our institute a day, firstly, to promote mutual

T h e m o n t h l y n e w s l e t t e r

Issue 78 | November 2011 | www.ei-india.com

SCOPE

“We were all children once. And we all share the desire for the

well-being of our children, which has always been and will continue to

be the most universally cherished aspiration of humankind.”

CHILDREN’S DAY SPECIALCHILDREN’S DAY SPECIALChildren are the citizens, leaders, businessmen, doctors and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

The National Child Day in Canada, Día Del Niño in Chile, Kindertag in Germany, Kodomo no Hi in Japan or Children’s Day in India, is a tradition that is an extremely important event worldwide. These apart, there are many countries such as Mexico, Argentina and Egypt that commemorate Children’s Day.

In India we are fortunate that Children’s Day is celebrated on the 14th of November, the birthday of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. He was extremely fond of children and in his honour, this day is celebrated on his birthday. Chacha Nehru, as he was fondly called by children, is believed to have said that being with

children not only relaxed his mind, but also sharpened it.

Children are the citizens, leaders, businessmen, doctors and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. I feel that Children’s Day is society’s way to thank children for being their adorable selves. Children can make your day with a simple smile, and I believe this is why the whole world celebrates this day with such splendour.

On this day world over, children are given gifts and are treated with extreme importance, and in some places parades are organized as a tribute to them.

In fact, for children this day feels like a second birthday. They receive gifts from their teachers and parents, and are taken on fun field trips in school.

Every year, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and a whole bunch of other days are celebrated, but none with as much happiness as our day.

My opinion on Children’s Day is that it is extremely significant, and I am glad it is celebrated.

By Aditi Ramakrishnan, Delhi Public School, Bangalore – North

Children’s Day is the best day in a child’s life

Children’s Day is the best day in a child’s life. This day is celebrated on the birthday of our beloved Chacha Nehru. He loved children and that’s why his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day.

We celebrate so many days like Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, Father’s day, etc. In the same way we also do celebrate Children’s Day. This is a special day in a child’s life. Children’s Day is a national festival in our country. Each and every child waits for this day. The celebration of Children’s Day is done with joy and enthusiasm in our country. This also makes a child feel that he also has some importance in the society.

There are even fun fairs arranged in schools for the celebration of children’s day so that students can enjoy this special day with their friends and the school.

The best part of life is childhood, so to enjoy and celebrate our childhood, Children’s Day plays an important role. It is a special day in a child’s life. Even our elders enjoy this day by remembering the sweetest memories of their childhood. The most important phase of our life i.e., our childhood is enjoyed especially on this day.

Therefore, this festival is full of enjoyment, enthusiasm and is a very, very special day for a child.

By Anam Uttanwala, Royal Girls’ High School, Mumbai

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man

Children’s day is an event celebrated around the world on different days, all with the same cause; to honour children. The United Nations has declared November 20th as the Universal Children’s Day.

Here in India, it is well known that Children’s Day is celebrated on November 14th, i.e. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday, as he was very fond of children.

In my opinion, the idea of Children’s Day is wonderful. It is there to remind us all of the value of our childhood. It is there to tell us that children, too are citizens of the world, and they too have their

opinions, and is an opportunity for them to voice them, And of course, the children love the entertainment and goodies in store for them on Children’s day.

Apart from all that, I feel that Children’s day generates a sort of unity within the nation. An event celebrated nation-wide dedicated to the country’s future generation lets all the children forget their differences and enjoy this common event together. Children’s Day is like a tribute to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru who contributed immensely to the freedom of India.

As Rabindranath Tagore says, “Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.”

By Taruni Sunder, GEAR Innovative International School, Bangalore

Children's Day with not only a happy mind, but with a happy heart as well

As we all know, Children's Day is celebrated on Nehruji's birthday, a man who loved children so much, he wanted his own birthday to mark such a day. A child brings light into everyone's life, always winning the admiration of even the strictest adults. Saying a child is a treasure is an understatement of massive proportions. If this is so, then why are children being forced to work around the world, working in unclean surroundings. In this case, all work and no play makes Jack not only a dull boy, but one with a dull life, body, and mind. During Children's Day, not only should all the bright Jacks celebrate Children’s Day, all the other children should be freed from their burden of work at such a tender age. For this, we must

create an awareness and ask everyone to stand up for what is right. Let us make Children's Day not a day of allowing kids to reign over, but to help other suffering children who have not even heard of such a day. Let us not stop child labour, but wipe such a thought off the face of this earth and celebrate Children's Day with not only a happy mind, but with a happy heart as well!

By Rukmoni Balasubramanian, PSBB Millennium, OMR, Chennai

It is a special day in the life of many children

Children’s day is one of those days when celebrations are in the school, while life at home is just normal and routine.

On the 14th of November every year, schools all over India celebrate Children’s day in memory of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India and a favourite of all children so much so that they lovingly called him Chacha Nehuru.

It is a special day in the life of many children in school because they are treated specially on that day. For one, we are allowed to wear civil dress. There are no classes and only games, special events and learning through fairs, puzzles shows etc. The icing on the cake is that all these events are organized by the teachers for the children. To begin with the table is turned when the early morning assembly is organized and presented by the teachers. The prayer, news, thought for the day, songs, skits, dances etc. add gaiety to the programme. The games, fairs, movie screenings etc. are fun. The party and music are mind boggling. There is a surprise gift for all of us at the end of the day.

But I doubt whether urban Indian homes celebrate Children’s Day. There a few attractions and special discounts in game parks, pizza joints, burger plazas, malls etc. Also Children’s film fest is organized. But in rural Indian homes, the scenario is quite different. Even in poor urban homes, the children do not get a chance to celebrate. Can we make it possible to celebrate? Why not? Think now!

By Nishtha Sinha, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavans, Atmakuri Rama Rao School, Hyderabad

Students sharing their thoughts about Children’s Day

CHILDREN’S DAY SPECIALCHILDREN’S DAY SPECIALChildren are the citizens, leaders, businessmen, doctors and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

The National Child Day in Canada, Día Del Niño in Chile, Kindertag in Germany, Kodomo no Hi in Japan or Children’s Day in India, is a tradition that is an extremely important event worldwide. These apart, there are many countries such as Mexico, Argentina and Egypt that commemorate Children’s Day.

In India we are fortunate that Children’s Day is celebrated on the 14th of November, the birthday of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. He was extremely fond of children and in his honour, this day is celebrated on his birthday. Chacha Nehru, as he was fondly called by children, is believed to have said that being with

children not only relaxed his mind, but also sharpened it.

Children are the citizens, leaders, businessmen, doctors and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. I feel that Children’s Day is society’s way to thank children for being their adorable selves. Children can make your day with a simple smile, and I believe this is why the whole world celebrates this day with such splendour.

On this day world over, children are given gifts and are treated with extreme importance, and in some places parades are organized as a tribute to them.

In fact, for children this day feels like a second birthday. They receive gifts from their teachers and parents, and are taken on fun field trips in school.

Every year, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and a whole bunch of other days are celebrated, but none with as much happiness as our day.

My opinion on Children’s Day is that it is extremely significant, and I am glad it is celebrated.

By Aditi Ramakrishnan, Delhi Public School, Bangalore – North

Children’s Day is the best day in a child’s life

Children’s Day is the best day in a child’s life. This day is celebrated on the birthday of our beloved Chacha Nehru. He loved children and that’s why his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day.

We celebrate so many days like Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, Father’s day, etc. In the same way we also do celebrate Children’s Day. This is a special day in a child’s life. Children’s Day is a national festival in our country. Each and every child waits for this day. The celebration of Children’s Day is done with joy and enthusiasm in our country. This also makes a child feel that he also has some importance in the society.

There are even fun fairs arranged in schools for the celebration of children’s day so that students can enjoy this special day with their friends and the school.

The best part of life is childhood, so to enjoy and celebrate our childhood, Children’s Day plays an important role. It is a special day in a child’s life. Even our elders enjoy this day by remembering the sweetest memories of their childhood. The most important phase of our life i.e., our childhood is enjoyed especially on this day.

Therefore, this festival is full of enjoyment, enthusiasm and is a very, very special day for a child.

By Anam Uttanwala, Royal Girls’ High School, Mumbai

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man

Children’s day is an event celebrated around the world on different days, all with the same cause; to honour children. The United Nations has declared November 20th as the Universal Children’s Day.

Here in India, it is well known that Children’s Day is celebrated on November 14th, i.e. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday, as he was very fond of children.

In my opinion, the idea of Children’s Day is wonderful. It is there to remind us all of the value of our childhood. It is there to tell us that children, too are citizens of the world, and they too have their

opinions, and is an opportunity for them to voice them, And of course, the children love the entertainment and goodies in store for them on Children’s day.

Apart from all that, I feel that Children’s day generates a sort of unity within the nation. An event celebrated nation-wide dedicated to the country’s future generation lets all the children forget their differences and enjoy this common event together. Children’s Day is like a tribute to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru who contributed immensely to the freedom of India.

As Rabindranath Tagore says, “Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.”

By Taruni Sunder, GEAR Innovative International School, Bangalore

Children's Day with not only a happy mind, but with a happy heart as well

As we all know, Children's Day is celebrated on Nehruji's birthday, a man who loved children so much, he wanted his own birthday to mark such a day. A child brings light into everyone's life, always winning the admiration of even the strictest adults. Saying a child is a treasure is an understatement of massive proportions. If this is so, then why are children being forced to work around the world, working in unclean surroundings. In this case, all work and no play makes Jack not only a dull boy, but one with a dull life, body, and mind. During Children's Day, not only should all the bright Jacks celebrate Children’s Day, all the other children should be freed from their burden of work at such a tender age. For this, we must

create an awareness and ask everyone to stand up for what is right. Let us make Children's Day not a day of allowing kids to reign over, but to help other suffering children who have not even heard of such a day. Let us not stop child labour, but wipe such a thought off the face of this earth and celebrate Children's Day with not only a happy mind, but with a happy heart as well!

By Rukmoni Balasubramanian, PSBB Millennium, OMR, Chennai

It is a special day in the life of many children

Children’s day is one of those days when celebrations are in the school, while life at home is just normal and routine.

On the 14th of November every year, schools all over India celebrate Children’s day in memory of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India and a favourite of all children so much so that they lovingly called him Chacha Nehuru.

It is a special day in the life of many children in school because they are treated specially on that day. For one, we are allowed to wear civil dress. There are no classes and only games, special events and learning through fairs, puzzles shows etc. The icing on the cake is that all these events are organized by the teachers for the children. To begin with the table is turned when the early morning assembly is organized and presented by the teachers. The prayer, news, thought for the day, songs, skits, dances etc. add gaiety to the programme. The games, fairs, movie screenings etc. are fun. The party and music are mind boggling. There is a surprise gift for all of us at the end of the day.

But I doubt whether urban Indian homes celebrate Children’s Day. There a few attractions and special discounts in game parks, pizza joints, burger plazas, malls etc. Also Children’s film fest is organized. But in rural Indian homes, the scenario is quite different. Even in poor urban homes, the children do not get a chance to celebrate. Can we make it possible to celebrate? Why not? Think now!

By Nishtha Sinha, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavans, Atmakuri Rama Rao School, Hyderabad

Students sharing their thoughts about Children’s Day

How do you make an instructional rubric? discussion of good and poor models, sketch out four levels of quality for each criterion. Try using those four terms as

Designing an instructional rubric could be a great opportunity sentence stems. For example, if the criterion is “Briefly

to involve the students. Since it is time consuming, use some summarize the plot of the story”, the four levels might be the

class time and create the rubric with your students. Thinking following:

and talking about the qualities of good and poor work is powerfully instructive. Your students will not only help you • Level 4 – “Yes, the student briefly summarized the come up with a rubric; they will also learn a lot about the topic plot.” at hand.

• Level 3 – “Yes, the student summarized the plot, but 1. Look at Models: also included some unnecessary details or left out key

information”. Review examples of good and poor work on a project like the one your students are about to undertake. Ask students what • Level 2 – “No, the student didn’t summarize the plot, makes the good one good and the other one weak. Record but did include some details from the story”. their responses on the blackboard during the discussion.

• Level 1 – “No, the student didn’t summarize the plot.”2. List Criteria:

5. Don’t Worry about Getting it Exactly Right:Tell students that you’re going to ask them to do a similar

Just capture some of the language, describing strong work and project and you want to think together about how you should

the problems that students typically encounter. Ask students to assess it. Students will draw on the list generated during the

tell you about the kinds of mistakes that they have made in the discussion of the models. Track their ideas under the heading

past. “Criteria”or “What Counts”. If they haven’t listed criteria that you think are important, such as thinking-centred criteria, add 6. Create a Draft Rubric:them yourself, and explain why they’re important.

After class, draft a rubric that includes the list of criteria that 3. Pack and Unpack Criteria: you generated with your class and expands on the levels of

quality. Don’t get too attached to this draft—you are likely to You are likely to end up with a long list of criteria, many of

revise it more than once. which may relate to one another or even overlap. After class, take time to combine criteria. Avoid creating categories that 7. Revise the Draft:are too big, and don’t bury criteria that you want to emphasize.

Show the draft to your students and ask for their comments. For example, if you are assigning a written essay and teaching

They will probably ask you to make a few revisions. After students about the formatting of a paragraph, you may want to

revision, the rubric is ready to use. Hand it out with the state proper formatting as a separate criterion.

assignment and have students use it when assessing their own 4. Articulate Levels of Quality: and their peers’ first and second drafts. It’s important that you

use the rubric to assign grades.When drawing again on students’ comments during the

Assessment Made Simple the Rubric way - Part 2

Imagine 300 children from classes 1-5 staging up a spectacular grand festive ambience was created aptly by beautiful props show of Ramayana before their loving grandparents, parents and melodious chaupais sung by the school choir. Children also and other esteemed guests and enthralling them all! Basava exhibited their paintings inspired by the Ramayana. The play International School kickstarted Diwali festivities by an was entertaining to the core as it had all the elements of music, outstanding performance in the play ‘Bal Ramayana’ on well choreographed dance sequences and great acting and October 20th. The Principal, Mrs. Manimala Roy in her narration complimented by colourful costumes. Little actors welcome address to grandparents said, “It was not the staging gave a befitting performance and were true to their characters. of the show but the learning part that was more important to The grandparents, to whom the show was dedicated, were our children. The great epic teaches us the strength of mesmerized watching their grandchildren perform and relationships, the joy of self- sacrifice and renunciation and the become the ambassadors of our rich culture as various role of truth in everyday life. This is very important for our characters in the play. The play, ‘Ramayana’, exhibited great children to know.’’ team work among small children of the primary wing. As for

the teachers, it was yet another challenge of ensuring mass The students participated in great strength enthusiastically in

participation accomplished successfully.the play and gave the message of victory of good over evil. A

Can Help How Their

Should be

Students Decide Work Evaluated?

If you know the correct answer of the questions Send us a mail at 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 2 Answer”. Last date to send the entries is 21st December.

Answer this question and get a chance to win SMSL goodies from the ASSET Team.

[email protected]

Subscribe the e-copy of the NewsletterRegister your email ID by visiting

www.ei-india.com/forms/assetscope-subscription

Diwali Celebration at Basava International School, Delhi

We are sure you would be as eager to know the answers of last month’s quiz question andthe winner’s Name.

Last month’s answer for the quiz question is B and the winner isPRANAV RAVI ASRANI, Presidency School, RT Nagar, Bangalore.

This month’s question is from Maths subject.Congratulations!

Shown below are 3 squares with side length 14 cm each.

In which of these squares is the shaded area the maximum?

A. square I B. square IIC. square III D. (The shaded area is equal in all the 3 squares.)

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

COLUMN: Round 2

14 cm 7 cm 7 cm 7 cm 7 cm

7 cm

7 cm

square I square II square III

Experts from EI introduce rubrics to teachers in schools, through workshops

How do you make an instructional rubric? discussion of good and poor models, sketch out four levels of quality for each criterion. Try using those four terms as

Designing an instructional rubric could be a great opportunity sentence stems. For example, if the criterion is “Briefly

to involve the students. Since it is time consuming, use some summarize the plot of the story”, the four levels might be the

class time and create the rubric with your students. Thinking following:

and talking about the qualities of good and poor work is powerfully instructive. Your students will not only help you • Level 4 – “Yes, the student briefly summarized the come up with a rubric; they will also learn a lot about the topic plot.” at hand.

• Level 3 – “Yes, the student summarized the plot, but 1. Look at Models: also included some unnecessary details or left out key

information”. Review examples of good and poor work on a project like the one your students are about to undertake. Ask students what • Level 2 – “No, the student didn’t summarize the plot, makes the good one good and the other one weak. Record but did include some details from the story”. their responses on the blackboard during the discussion.

• Level 1 – “No, the student didn’t summarize the plot.”2. List Criteria:

5. Don’t Worry about Getting it Exactly Right:Tell students that you’re going to ask them to do a similar

Just capture some of the language, describing strong work and project and you want to think together about how you should

the problems that students typically encounter. Ask students to assess it. Students will draw on the list generated during the

tell you about the kinds of mistakes that they have made in the discussion of the models. Track their ideas under the heading

past. “Criteria”or “What Counts”. If they haven’t listed criteria that you think are important, such as thinking-centred criteria, add 6. Create a Draft Rubric:them yourself, and explain why they’re important.

After class, draft a rubric that includes the list of criteria that 3. Pack and Unpack Criteria: you generated with your class and expands on the levels of

quality. Don’t get too attached to this draft—you are likely to You are likely to end up with a long list of criteria, many of

revise it more than once. which may relate to one another or even overlap. After class, take time to combine criteria. Avoid creating categories that 7. Revise the Draft:are too big, and don’t bury criteria that you want to emphasize.

Show the draft to your students and ask for their comments. For example, if you are assigning a written essay and teaching

They will probably ask you to make a few revisions. After students about the formatting of a paragraph, you may want to

revision, the rubric is ready to use. Hand it out with the state proper formatting as a separate criterion.

assignment and have students use it when assessing their own 4. Articulate Levels of Quality: and their peers’ first and second drafts. It’s important that you

use the rubric to assign grades.When drawing again on students’ comments during the

Assessment Made Simple the Rubric way - Part 2

Imagine 300 children from classes 1-5 staging up a spectacular grand festive ambience was created aptly by beautiful props show of Ramayana before their loving grandparents, parents and melodious chaupais sung by the school choir. Children also and other esteemed guests and enthralling them all! Basava exhibited their paintings inspired by the Ramayana. The play International School kickstarted Diwali festivities by an was entertaining to the core as it had all the elements of music, outstanding performance in the play ‘Bal Ramayana’ on well choreographed dance sequences and great acting and October 20th. The Principal, Mrs. Manimala Roy in her narration complimented by colourful costumes. Little actors welcome address to grandparents said, “It was not the staging gave a befitting performance and were true to their characters. of the show but the learning part that was more important to The grandparents, to whom the show was dedicated, were our children. The great epic teaches us the strength of mesmerized watching their grandchildren perform and relationships, the joy of self- sacrifice and renunciation and the become the ambassadors of our rich culture as various role of truth in everyday life. This is very important for our characters in the play. The play, ‘Ramayana’, exhibited great children to know.’’ team work among small children of the primary wing. As for

the teachers, it was yet another challenge of ensuring mass The students participated in great strength enthusiastically in

participation accomplished successfully.the play and gave the message of victory of good over evil. A

Can Help How Their

Should be

Students Decide Work Evaluated?

If you know the correct answer of the questions Send us a mail at 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 2 Answer”. Last date to send the entries is 21st December.

Answer this question and get a chance to win SMSL goodies from the ASSET Team.

[email protected]

Subscribe the e-copy of the NewsletterRegister your email ID by visiting

www.ei-india.com/forms/assetscope-subscription

Diwali Celebration at Basava International School, Delhi

We are sure you would be as eager to know the answers of last month’s quiz question andthe winner’s Name.

Last month’s answer for the quiz question is B and the winner isPRANAV RAVI ASRANI, Presidency School, RT Nagar, Bangalore.

This month’s question is from Maths subject.Congratulations!

Shown below are 3 squares with side length 14 cm each.

In which of these squares is the shaded area the maximum?

A. square I B. square IIC. square III D. (The shaded area is equal in all the 3 squares.)

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

COLUMN: Round 2

14 cm 7 cm 7 cm 7 cm 7 cm

7 cm

7 cm

square I square II square III

Experts from EI introduce rubrics to teachers in schools, through workshops

We all learn about the laws of Science, but are there similarly ing incident, estranged relationship laws of life – laws that help us lead a happy, healthy and etc. We do not have much control balanced life?! over these situations and we

cannot do much to prevent their According to this very interesting book by Mr. K. D. Thomas,

occurrences and these can happen not only is the answer a clear “Yes”, but many of the laws we

to anybody.learn in science correspond to laws we can use in our day-to-day life. I must say I enjoyed reading the book and also found it very insightful. I believe both students and teachers will find it invaluable.

It is an emotional state or fear, anxiety, despair, anger, shame, Mr. K. D. Thomas has been a science teacher at St Xavier’s revenge etc. that may accompany the above mentioned stress-School, Delhi for over 33 years. I had the opportunity to be causing situations. These emotions in themselves are neutral as taught by him almost 20 years ago. I remember him as a role they are neither good nor bad; but they have the potential to model both for his teaching of Physics, as well as on values in life become good or bad.– so I cannot think of a better person than him to pen this book.

Every chapter in the book examines a scientific principle first It is a state of mind where a person is incapable of accepting and

and then links this principle to a value in day-to-day life. Some of coping with such emotions as mentioned above and finally

the concepts covered in the book and very nicely linked to ‘real succumbs to them and becomes a slave or a victim of these

life values’ include ‘receiving precedes giving’, ‘cooperation – emotions.

the secret of success’, ‘conflict is a necessary evil’, ‘life begins with risk’, etc.

As an attempt at removing the clouds surrounding the notion of it is a state of mind where a person is capable of not only stress and to bring in a certain amount of clarity, I would like to accepting and coping with these emotions but is also able to go look at the issue of stress from four different perspectives. beyond them and transform them into a positive energy of

love, compassion, forgiveness, hope, courage, motivation etc.

It is a stress-causing situation-real or imagined –like death, disease, accident, financial loss, competition, failure, humiliat-

2. Subjective or Potential Stress:

3. Negative Stress:

4. Positive Stress:

1. Objective Stress:

Once, Buddha asked one of His disciples to fetch some water to drink from a nearby water body. The disciple immediately set out to bring the water. On reaching the water body, he found a man washing his clothes in the water. As he stood pondering, he saw a bullock cart treading through the waters, making it a muddy mixture. The disciple decided not to take the water for Buddha and explained to His master that the water was impure to drink.

The enlightened one after a while asked the same disciple to fetch water from the same water body. This time when he reached the place, he found clear water which, he found it to be fit for his master to drink. When he handed over the water to Buddha, Buddha came up with a beautiful teaching that when one is troubled, all one had to do was to give it some time to settle. In due course, it would settle down and peace would be restored.

Book Review

Science Can Teach You,The Art of Living Too

By Sridhar Rajagopalan, MD, Educational Initiatives

Thoughtful Story

Teacher’s Bite

he/she has something to offer which the kids are looking forward to, then there is no room for any disciplinary issues, and learning will certainly be fun.

Also, if the classroom norms and expectations, and the possible consequences too, are framed in concurrence with the kids, then such norms are seldom violated. Further, for an effective classroom management, a teacher has to be firm, fair and

Who has most influenced you to become an consistent, too.educator, and how did they influence you?

What are your views regarding the impor-My father, an inspiring teacher, to tens of hundreds of tance of teacher training and development

people in the tiny Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, was my source in educating students?of inspiration. He firmly believed, and practised, that work is

Teaching is an art and certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, for worship, and devotion to duty is the highest form of worship of those who have no passion for teaching and kids. Teachers God. The respect he commanded as a teacher, from members always need to remember that they are dealing with the most of all walks of life, leave alone his students and teachers, was precious thing in the world, the human mind. Hence the nitty-the motivating factor for me to venture into this noble gritty of the art of teaching can be mastered only with suitable profession, teaching.training which is a must for any prospective teacher, at any

What is your approach to classroom man- level.agement and student discipline?

What is your view regarding the ASSET I always believed education to be child centric, Test?

learning to be fun, and that true learning takes place only in a ASSET is a Comprehensive Assessment Test which non-threatening environment. My school of thought is that,

purports to test the understanding and application level of a once the kids like the teacher, they certainly will like his/her concept, where rote learning is nullified. ASSET is certainly a teaching too. Classroom management is a cakewalk when the boon to those kids aspiring for excellence, especially in subjects teacher is liked by the kids, and hence first and foremost, a like Maths and Science. The ASSET analysis reports certainly teacher must honestly attempt to build a sense of feeling provide an insight for the teachers, and serves as a catalyst for among the kids that he/she is passionate, approachable and academic excellence.caring. Once the teacher creates a feeling among the kids that

Q:

Mr. Ramesh G R,Principal,BVM Global,Marg Swarnabhoomi, Chennai

Q:

Q:

Q:

PSBB Learning Leadership Academy, BangaloreAdbutha Suryaha - An Annual Education Project

Every year it is customary, for the school to choose a theme Navagraha and the sun god with the seven horses was and all the school activities revolve around the chosen theme. displayed and explained by the students.The theme for this academic year 2011-12 being the sun, the Kala Suryaha (Art, Music and Dance) - The room was event was aptly titled ‘ADBHUTHA SURYAHA’ which made vibrant with artwork. The children sang songs and means wonderful sun. sthothras about the sun.It was a much awaited day, as the children Yogamitram (Yoga, Sports) - Students looked forward to show their learning to performed and explained the benefits of the guests. Dr Y G Parthasarthy, Dean & Surya Namaskar.Director, PSBB Group of Schools,

Snehithaha Suryaha (Class III) - The Chennai, graced the occasion. The theme students of Class III demonstrated how was well researched by the little ones and mankind uses the sun in daily life and for his they had collected a wealth of information. survival.Each department showcased the theme in

different titles. Suryakshetrani (Class II) - The little ones of Class II took the visitors on an Surya Vigyanam (Science) - displayed exciting tour round the globe to places models of sun and its layers. The solar city

associated with the sun, Not to miss the Land of Rising Sun, the and models that use solar energy received much appreciation.Land of the Midnight Sun, Konarak, the Brihadeeshwara

Maya Suryaha (Social Science) – explained the sun’s temple and Kanyakumari!rotation and revolution and its effect on earth. Students

The performance of Surya Namaskara by the tiny tots of Class I performed the shadow show with great enthusiasm.and II in the formation of the sun’s rays stole the show!

Bhasha Baskaraha (Language) - The English department The event drew to a close with the Valedictory Function, showcased models and stories on the sun from mythology presided by Chief Guest Mr. Natarajan from TATA BP SOLAR across the world. Children recited poems which personifies and Vishnuteerth Agnihotri and Deepali Sinha from the sun and explained idioms on the sun. The puppet show Educational Initiatives.performed by the students was indeed crowd pulling! The

Hindi, Kannada and Sanskrit department portrayed and It was an exhilarating experience as the students glorified the explained the relation between the sun and the lotus. Sun – our Life – Supporting spectrum of energy.

Author: K. D. Thomas

We all learn about the laws of Science, but are there similarly ing incident, estranged relationship laws of life – laws that help us lead a happy, healthy and etc. We do not have much control balanced life?! over these situations and we

cannot do much to prevent their According to this very interesting book by Mr. K. D. Thomas,

occurrences and these can happen not only is the answer a clear “Yes”, but many of the laws we

to anybody.learn in science correspond to laws we can use in our day-to-day life. I must say I enjoyed reading the book and also found it very insightful. I believe both students and teachers will find it invaluable.

It is an emotional state or fear, anxiety, despair, anger, shame, Mr. K. D. Thomas has been a science teacher at St Xavier’s revenge etc. that may accompany the above mentioned stress-School, Delhi for over 33 years. I had the opportunity to be causing situations. These emotions in themselves are neutral as taught by him almost 20 years ago. I remember him as a role they are neither good nor bad; but they have the potential to model both for his teaching of Physics, as well as on values in life become good or bad.– so I cannot think of a better person than him to pen this book.

Every chapter in the book examines a scientific principle first It is a state of mind where a person is incapable of accepting and

and then links this principle to a value in day-to-day life. Some of coping with such emotions as mentioned above and finally

the concepts covered in the book and very nicely linked to ‘real succumbs to them and becomes a slave or a victim of these

life values’ include ‘receiving precedes giving’, ‘cooperation – emotions.

the secret of success’, ‘conflict is a necessary evil’, ‘life begins with risk’, etc.

As an attempt at removing the clouds surrounding the notion of it is a state of mind where a person is capable of not only stress and to bring in a certain amount of clarity, I would like to accepting and coping with these emotions but is also able to go look at the issue of stress from four different perspectives. beyond them and transform them into a positive energy of

love, compassion, forgiveness, hope, courage, motivation etc.

It is a stress-causing situation-real or imagined –like death, disease, accident, financial loss, competition, failure, humiliat-

2. Subjective or Potential Stress:

3. Negative Stress:

4. Positive Stress:

1. Objective Stress:

Once, Buddha asked one of His disciples to fetch some water to drink from a nearby water body. The disciple immediately set out to bring the water. On reaching the water body, he found a man washing his clothes in the water. As he stood pondering, he saw a bullock cart treading through the waters, making it a muddy mixture. The disciple decided not to take the water for Buddha and explained to His master that the water was impure to drink.

The enlightened one after a while asked the same disciple to fetch water from the same water body. This time when he reached the place, he found clear water which, he found it to be fit for his master to drink. When he handed over the water to Buddha, Buddha came up with a beautiful teaching that when one is troubled, all one had to do was to give it some time to settle. In due course, it would settle down and peace would be restored.

Book Review

Science Can Teach You,The Art of Living Too

By Sridhar Rajagopalan, MD, Educational Initiatives

Thoughtful Story

Teacher’s Bite

he/she has something to offer which the kids are looking forward to, then there is no room for any disciplinary issues, and learning will certainly be fun.

Also, if the classroom norms and expectations, and the possible consequences too, are framed in concurrence with the kids, then such norms are seldom violated. Further, for an effective classroom management, a teacher has to be firm, fair and

Who has most influenced you to become an consistent, too.educator, and how did they influence you?

What are your views regarding the impor-My father, an inspiring teacher, to tens of hundreds of tance of teacher training and development

people in the tiny Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, was my source in educating students?of inspiration. He firmly believed, and practised, that work is

Teaching is an art and certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, for worship, and devotion to duty is the highest form of worship of those who have no passion for teaching and kids. Teachers God. The respect he commanded as a teacher, from members always need to remember that they are dealing with the most of all walks of life, leave alone his students and teachers, was precious thing in the world, the human mind. Hence the nitty-the motivating factor for me to venture into this noble gritty of the art of teaching can be mastered only with suitable profession, teaching.training which is a must for any prospective teacher, at any

What is your approach to classroom man- level.agement and student discipline?

What is your view regarding the ASSET I always believed education to be child centric, Test?

learning to be fun, and that true learning takes place only in a ASSET is a Comprehensive Assessment Test which non-threatening environment. My school of thought is that,

purports to test the understanding and application level of a once the kids like the teacher, they certainly will like his/her concept, where rote learning is nullified. ASSET is certainly a teaching too. Classroom management is a cakewalk when the boon to those kids aspiring for excellence, especially in subjects teacher is liked by the kids, and hence first and foremost, a like Maths and Science. The ASSET analysis reports certainly teacher must honestly attempt to build a sense of feeling provide an insight for the teachers, and serves as a catalyst for among the kids that he/she is passionate, approachable and academic excellence.caring. Once the teacher creates a feeling among the kids that

Q:

Mr. Ramesh G R,Principal,BVM Global,Marg Swarnabhoomi, Chennai

Q:

Q:

Q:

PSBB Learning Leadership Academy, BangaloreAdbutha Suryaha - An Annual Education Project

Every year it is customary, for the school to choose a theme Navagraha and the sun god with the seven horses was and all the school activities revolve around the chosen theme. displayed and explained by the students.The theme for this academic year 2011-12 being the sun, the Kala Suryaha (Art, Music and Dance) - The room was event was aptly titled ‘ADBHUTHA SURYAHA’ which made vibrant with artwork. The children sang songs and means wonderful sun. sthothras about the sun.It was a much awaited day, as the children Yogamitram (Yoga, Sports) - Students looked forward to show their learning to performed and explained the benefits of the guests. Dr Y G Parthasarthy, Dean & Surya Namaskar.Director, PSBB Group of Schools,

Snehithaha Suryaha (Class III) - The Chennai, graced the occasion. The theme students of Class III demonstrated how was well researched by the little ones and mankind uses the sun in daily life and for his they had collected a wealth of information. survival.Each department showcased the theme in

different titles. Suryakshetrani (Class II) - The little ones of Class II took the visitors on an Surya Vigyanam (Science) - displayed exciting tour round the globe to places models of sun and its layers. The solar city

associated with the sun, Not to miss the Land of Rising Sun, the and models that use solar energy received much appreciation.Land of the Midnight Sun, Konarak, the Brihadeeshwara

Maya Suryaha (Social Science) – explained the sun’s temple and Kanyakumari!rotation and revolution and its effect on earth. Students

The performance of Surya Namaskara by the tiny tots of Class I performed the shadow show with great enthusiasm.and II in the formation of the sun’s rays stole the show!

Bhasha Baskaraha (Language) - The English department The event drew to a close with the Valedictory Function, showcased models and stories on the sun from mythology presided by Chief Guest Mr. Natarajan from TATA BP SOLAR across the world. Children recited poems which personifies and Vishnuteerth Agnihotri and Deepali Sinha from the sun and explained idioms on the sun. The puppet show Educational Initiatives.performed by the students was indeed crowd pulling! The

Hindi, Kannada and Sanskrit department portrayed and It was an exhilarating experience as the students glorified the explained the relation between the sun and the lotus. Sun – our Life – Supporting spectrum of energy.

Author: K. D. Thomas

Educational Initiatives Pvt. Ltd.302 & 613, J. B. Towers, Opp. Doordarshan Tower,Drive-In Road, Ahmedabad - 380054Phone : 91-079- 40269696Fax : 91-079-26841400 Email : [email protected] : www.ei-india.com

We would like to receive your feedback on the contents of ASSETScope and the activities of EI. Please send your com-ments / opinions / suggestions to [email protected], [email protected] or to the postal address men-tioned on the left. This is a platform meant for you and it would be great to exchange ideas with you.

Bookpost

‘CELEBRATION’THROUGHMY EYES

PHOTOCONTEST

Last year, we received more than 150 contest entries submitted by students across the schools in India and abroad. Well, it's that time of year again – send us your winning shots on the theme ‘Celebration’. Please submit images that accurately reflect

the captured moment in time. In other words, keep it real.

Rules of the Contest:• The photo format should be in JPG form• The size of the photo should not be more than 3MB• Only online entries will be considered for the contest• Students of classes 5 to 10 can participate• Only one entry per student will be considered

All the photos should be mailed to [email protected] before the 25th of December, 2011 with Name, Class, School Name, City and Contact Number. The entries will be judged on ‘Creativity and Photographic Quality’.

The winners will be declared in the coming issue of ASSETScope.

1stPrize

2ndPrize

Tiled Mug Mindspark Clock Pencil Stand

3rdPrize