The most dangerous animals are two-legged

Sadhana Ramchander

This author’s trip to the popular Jim Corbett National Park has left her in no doubt that the most dangerous and destructive animals are those that walk on two legs– the human beings.

Let my teachers awake

Steven Rudolph

Here the author picks up from where he left off in the last article and talks about how he got his teachers excited to try out an “open day” in school– a day when teachers could plan and organize their time the way they want to with little inteference from the administration. If this experiment works with the teachers, the author plans to allow students in his school to chalk out their own schedules instead of following a pre determined time table. Wait and watch as to how the teachers’ open day turned out.

Open up. Live a little.

Aditi Parekh

Do you learn only when you go to school? At 16, this author dropped out of school because she believes that she has a lot more to learn from life. Read her experience so far.

Passing impaired or deferred success?

S Upendran

Are you a ‘uniquely proficient’, ‘least best’ student who takes ‘remedial courses’? Find out the politically correct terms for ‘fail’, ‘stupid’, ‘lazy’ and more.

Failure is not a full stop

Chintan Girish Modi

When a child fails, to a large extent he ends up getting blamed for the failure. Sometimes fingers are pointed at the teacher. An already upset child is labelled ‘lazy’, ‘dumb’, ‘stupid’ and we succeed in demoralizing the child. Instead have we ever asked, ‘Why is the child not interested?’, ‘How differently can I teach to create an interest?’, ‘How can I encourage my child and commend him for what he can do?’ As parents, teachers, and schools who have an interest in the child we have to take equal responsibility and help a child overcome his failure.

Sleepless excitement

A first time teacher, this author shares her excitements and problems with the readers.

Nurturing the self

Sometimes the routine pattern of our lives does not allow us to see things in a different perspective. Teachers, particularly, need to pull back and take a break. This Teachers’ Day, our contributors explore the idea and the benefits of a getaway.

The incubation of ideas

Sinny Mole

A math class always has scope for testing new ideas and activities. In this article, the author explains how children have difficulties in understanding the concepts of perimetre and area. Perimetre and area are often taught in isolation which does not encourage children to create connections. Teachers must therefore teach these concepts together and should provide different activities so that the children can construct their own understanding.

I believe I can change

Aditi Mathur and Ratnesh Mathur

How can teachers help children to differentiate between good and bad habits? What happens when teachers constantly correct a child’s habit? How does the child feel? This article calls upon teachers to think about their own belief systems and see if they can consciously try to change their own beliefs.