Those difficult conversations – 2

Thejaswi Shivanand and Rohan D’Souza This is the second and last part of the article on teaching about caste in urban schools. The course The Centre for Learning (CFL) curriculum for senior school students (Eleventh and Twelfth standard) has a Read More …

What’s up with parent WhatsApp groups?

Pooja Birwatkar A few years back There was a time when parents would wait for their children to return from school. All that happened in school, the highlights, the challenges of the day, activities that happened, home work that was Read More …

Chemistry through activities

Yasmin Jayathirtha

The first lesson in the chemistry class is to define what chemistry is! Students when asked what chemistry is, say; ‘reactions’ ‘acids’,’stuff in the lab’ and for some the ultimate bad word ‘chemicals’. We need to point out that we are all made up of ‘chemicals’ and the subject is the study of changes that substances undergo – as when you eat a banana and it becomes you.

Observing the classroom

Gopal Midha If you have been teaching for many years, at some time or another, you may have had an observer in your room. Usually sitting at the back of the classroom, she would be looking closely at what you Read More …

What makes a question paper tick?

Usha Ravi

Another academic year is coming to a close and examinations are round the corner. Teachers are busy preparing question papers for the final exam and this article covers certain important features of how a question paper should be set. A standard question paper can be prepared if the teachers put their heart and soul into it.

Speaking from the heart

Kirthi Jayakumar Children are highly impressionable. Think of them on the lines of a sponge: the propensity for absorption of influences from around them is exceptionally high. They, therefore, emulate and incorporate behavioural proclivities through observation. If a parent is Read More …

Preparing students for exams

Ruchira Ghosh Preparing students for exams takes time and dedication on a teacher’s part. Helping your students to feel confident will give them the best chance of success. Below are a few tips to ensure that your students are up Read More …

Creating a safety net for the mind

Lakshmi Karunakaran

Here are some questions that most schools need to ask : Is there value in having a school counsellor? Is there understanding of the role of the counsellor? Should teachers be trained as counsellors too or should there be trained counsellors different from the teachers ? Since the teacher is the first point of contact and can reach out to the child easily, simple issues and mentoring can be handled by the teacher and this could be the way forward in future. But, there is also a significant need for a professional counsellor whom children can approach in confidence and without fear of any social stigma. Our cover story is a call for the entire school community to create a culture that is committed to treating all students with respect and sensitivity.

Restoring human connections

Amit Deshwal I am part of a small community learning space for children called ‘A Little Grove’. Currently we are a group of 20 children, the youngest being a four year-old and the oldest 19. At ‘A Little Grove’ we Read More …

There’s someone to talk to

Chintan Girish Modi Yashvi Gada loved her counsellors at school, and there are a number of reasons for that – from how young they looked to how pleasant their voices sounded to her, from the vibes they gave off to Read More …