In Goodness We Trust

“The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.”

                                                        -Chanakya

          Goodness is not just a simple word for the general quality of being recognized in character or conduct but is also the most valuable gift one can impart.

         Below is a story which gives us an insight to the eminence of goodness:

          There was once a member of a school board who delivered a speech. He turned his back to the seniors on stage and faced the student’s parents in the audience. “If you had to send your kids off to college with only one of the following nuggets of wisdom,” he asked them, “which would you choose: Be successful? Be happy? Or be good?

          One of the students couldn’t recall his purpose for raising the question, but he vividly remembered his mother’s response. On the car ride home from the ceremony, He asked her which tidbit she would impart to him as he left for college. She paused for a moment and then said confidently, “I’d tell you to be good.”

The mothers’ choice was curious to the student at that time. Happiness and success are the stuff of life, He thought – the things that every parent wants for his or her child. He didn’t understand how she could so easily subordinate those two to being “good.”

Then the mother explained her reasoning. Happiness and success are important, she said, but she knew that her son would strive for those things without being reminded to. Being good, on the other hand, wouldn’t always come as naturally.

She was right. In college, he pursued success and happiness of his own accord. He pushed for competitive internships and worked hard in his classes to succeed. He sought satisfying friendships and hit up the best parties to ensure he’d have the happiest college experience possible. Being good, however, was not always as instinctive and rarely proved to be the easiest thing to pursue. Making time to give back to the community was difficult. Searching for recycling bins was infinitely more annoying than throwing away the bottles. Telling his professor the truth about his tardy paper was much scarier than claiming to be sick.

          As his mother predicted, morality had been the only one of those nuggets of wisdom that required a constant reminder.

          It’s clear that today’s graduates are fixated on achieving their own definitions of happiness and success. We want to thrive in the areas that we love. And why shouldn’t we? But being good while we pursue those endeavors deserves – perhaps requires – a special reminder.

        Even if the nature of our career isn’t selfless – if we’re teachers, bankers, lawyers, writers or advertisers – we all will face opportunities to be good, or to create good, at some point. We just need to embrace those moments.

       Our methods of charity may come in the form of being a good student, friend, or co-worker. Being honest or selfless in these roles won’t always come easily or intuitively. It is said that – The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do well anyway.

         So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. History is a perfect example as it stands as a witness for all the good done by various people in the past. One of them is Mother Teresa - Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

– Ms.Gabriella and Ms. Jeedith

MATHEMATICAL ANXIETY

     Mathematics is an important part or element for both, society as well as for an individual. It is important as it is used in so many other disciplines such as; sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, economics, psychology, and sociology), engineering fields (civil, mechanical, industrial), technological fields (computers, rockets, communications), and arts fields (sculpture, drawing, and music). It is very difficult to find any area of life that is untouched by Mathematics. Furthermore, Mathematics enabled us to learn how to think logically and to solve problems using that skill. It also helps us to be precise in thoughts and words. Due to the presence of procedures in Mathematics, it also helped us to organize our thoughts and make us to look into the things clearly and logically. It forces us to think differently and helps us to find new ways to solve a problem. It teaches us life skills (problem solving, logical reasoning, and flexible thinking).

As we know that, society becomes more technically dependent, there will be a huge requirement for people who know high level of Mathematics. There are high number of pupils avoiding Mathematics, and having difficulties in learning and understanding Mathematics (Mcleod and Adams, 1989; Ruffians, 2007; Tobias, 1993; Zettle and Houghton, 1998)[Reducing Mathematics Anxiety: The Ways Implemented by Teachers at Primary Schools by VesileAlkan, 2013]. In this global economy, technical skills become vital as technology continues to develop (Greenwood, M.R.C. and North K.K. ,1999). Therefore, it is important to understand why students struggle in Math and the problem solving strategies they use. In order to achieve equity, minority students must perform well in Math so that they can engage in the competitive world in lucrative careers that are available in engineering and science. Knowledge for Math is critical for society to continue to grow and develop, especially in the area of research and development (Gutstein, 2007)[Math Anxiety and Problem Solving Strategies for Early Middle School Math Performance, Chih Hung Chung and Lin Moore, 2013].

Mathematics depends not only on cognitive abilities but also on emotional factors and attitudes. Relationship between Mathematics Anxiety and Performance may also in the other direction. Poor Mathematical attainment may lead to Mathematical anxiety, as a result of repeated experiences of failure. Indeed, there is likely to be a vicious circle, where anxiety and performance affect each other negatively (Attitudes to Mathematics in Primary School Children by Ann Dowker, Karina Benett, and Louis Smith; 2012)

Pupils, who struggle to understand Mathematical concepts, subsequently find themselves frustrated by their lack of success in Mathematics. This situation then may develop a phobia due to fear or even antipathy towards Mathematics (Hembree, 1990; Izard, 1972; Zettle and Houghton, 1998). Dislike and fear of Mathematics in turn, can cause pupils to develop ‘Mathematics Anxiety’. Mathematics Anxiety is a fear of Mathematics and an intense negative reaction to it (Sherard, 1991) [Reducing Mathematics Anxiety: The Ways Implemented by Teachers at Primary Schools by VesileAlkan, 2013].

Mathematics Anxiety describes states of mind developed through personal experiences, and individual emotional responses to these experiences. Negative feelings towards learning school Mathematics arise as a consequence of a range of encounters relating to the way Mathematics is presented taught and learnt by individuals (Mathematics Anxiety amongst primary QTS Students, Stuart Green and Mike Allerton, 1999). Tobias (1993) proposed a definition of Mathematics Anxiety. Mathematics Anxiety is one person’s feelings of tension and interfering with operating numbers and resolving Mathematical problems in various life and academic situations [Math Anxiety and Problem Solving Strategies for Early Middle School Math Performance, Chih Hung Chung and Lin Moore, 2013].

Mathematics Anxiety refers to feelings of tension or worry that interfere with Mathematical performance in daily life and school setting (Richardson and Suinn, 1972; Wigfield and Meece, 1988). The negative impacts of Mathematics Anxiety have far reaching consequences: compared to their less anxious peers, Mathematically anxious students enjoy Mathematics less, have perceptions of their Mathematical abilities, and do not see the value of Mathematics in everyday life (Ashcraft, Krause, and Hopko, 2007; Ashcraft and Moore, 2009; Hembree, 1990). Indeed, Mathematics Anxiety students participate less in Math class in middle school and steer away from Mathematical majors (Hembree, 1990; Meece, Wigfield and Eccles, 1990). These patterns are particularly troubling given that Mathematical proficiency is becoming increasingly important for full economic opportunity and meaningful participation in society (Mosses and Cobb, 2001; Peterson, Woesmann, Hanusnek, lastra-Anadon, 2011)[Mathematics Anxiety in young children: Concurrent and Longitudinal Associations with Mathematical performance by Rose K. Vukovic, Michael J. Kieffer, Sean P. Bailey, Rachel R. Harari, 2012).

Mathematics Anxiety has several negative effects on children’s and adult’s Mathematics education. For example, people who experience high levels of Mathematics Anxiety are likely to develop negative attitudes towards tasks involved Mathematics, drop out of elective Mathematics classes or avoid taking them altogether. In addition, those with high Mathematics Anxiety avoid pursuing careers that require quantitative skills (Gender Differences in Mathematics Anxiety and the relation to Mathematical Performance while controlling for Test Anxiety, Amy Devine, Kayleigh Fawcett, Denes Szucz, and Ann Dowker, 2012).

This means a pupil who is anxious has a fear of not gaining the knowledge or skillful to be successful in doing a Mathematical problem even it is simple or complex. This state of mind occurs among many pupils at all levels of the education. For example, research has shown that pupils suffer from Mathematics Anxiety across all levels from kindergarten through college (Betz, 1978; Furner and Duffy 2002; Hembree, 1990; Ma,1999; Ryan and Ryan,2005; Woodard, 2004) [Reducing Mathematics Anxiety: The Ways Implemented by Teachers at Primary Schools by VesileAlkan, 2013].

There has been Math anxiety research conducted, but its primary focus has been on high school students; however, elementary in middle school students also struggle with Math anxiety as well (Newstead, 1998). The transition from elementary to middle school often times creates a major anxiety of its own. “Mathematics anxiety is a feeling of tension and anxiety that interferes with the ‘manipulation of Mathematical’ problems in varied situations” (Kahtoon and Mahmood, 2010). Anxiety can affect student performance in the classroom. Therefore, social emotional perspective and conditions also impact academic performance (Meadows, 2006). Often, children develop negative feelings and higher levels of anxiety toward Math and Math anxiety they develop creates a negative relationship with Math and negatively impacts academic performance (Newstead, 1998).Ma (1999) also reported that children grade 4 and above all had Mathematics anxiety. The major elements of affective domain were emotion, belief, and attitudes (Ashcraft and Moore, 2009). The emotional element is the trigger for Math anxiety because it involves fear, panic, anxiety, and embarrassment which the students’ showed in situations involving Math (Ma, 1999) [Math Anxiety and Problem Solving Strategies for Early Middle School Math Performance, Chih Hung Chung and Lin Moore, 2013].

As a teacher I feel that we should provide opportunities to students to understand the Mathematical concepts in a better way by using concrete material, visuals etc. It is also very important to check learners’ prior knowledge before working on the lesson plan. We should inculcate a sense among learners and parents that high or low marks in exams do not label learner as intelligent or stupid. Exams are not for teachers to judge learners but to help.

-        Ms. Nidhi & Ms. Megha

Stop Comparing, Start Creating

We’ve all been there. We’ve all done that. At least once in our life.

You draw something which you just love, or a dress of yours that you just can’t stop adoring or a project that you’d really worked hard on. And suddenly, you see someone else’ work and you feel that your work is not that upto the mark. You feel your work could have been better. You feel your work is not good as compared to the other person’s work. And there is where creativity stops.

Comparison doesn’t let creativity survive. Never.

 “You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That's the only thing you should be trying to control.”

Appreciate the good work!

Good work should always be appreciated and encouraged but don’t allow somebody else’s good work to hamper your self- confidence. As there is no type or category of good work. There are no specifications or parameters for good work. So, there is no chance for any good work being less than the other good work.

Sometimes, however, we get lost in ourselves. Our own personal worlds become so small and important that we forget what else is out there. We forget that there are 7 billion other people on this planet with 7 billion other combinations of personalities and experiences and upbringings. We become the center of our own personal universe and we define our own definitive truths. We form opinions and become steadfast in them. Who can blame us?

But what’s just as important as managing our own qualities and personality traits is the ability to understand someone else’s. What’s just as important as focusing on bettering ourselves is focusing on bettering our ability to connect with others. And that’s where open-mindedness comes in.

To be open-minded means to remove your personal biases and prejudices from any situation.

Open-mindedness does not mean that you must change who you are. It requires asking questions, being genuinely interested in peoples’ thoughts, and accepting people for exactly who they are, differences and all. Open-mindedness doesn’t even mean that you agree with something. It means you are willing to adjust your own conclusions and take someone else’s into consideration when creating a final verdict.

Learn from others’ work!

Learning is something which takes one to various heights. You should always learn from others. The world has a lot to teach all of us. We hardly know a percent of it. But that doesn’t mean you should start comparing and losing confidence in your work.

Human learning is often concerned with adapting to sequential regularities. Written language, spoken language and even behaviour in different social environments are skills we learn through experience that can be characterised by sets of complex rules concerning sequences of events.

Applying best practice means learning from and through the experience of others. One way of doing this is through benchmarking, which allows you to compare your work with other successful works to highlight areas where your work could improve.

Do not take ideas on rent, OWN them!

I don’t have any doubt on this that whenever we own our ideas, we give our best. An idea is a sort of trigger. Once you get the trigger, you are good to go. That’s why whenever our ideas are original and they don’t have any other source, the result comes off better. When we own our ideas, we are fully confident about them. We execute them with a zeal and try our level best to make them work successfully. It’s the same we do whenever we own anything. We put our best in proving it the best. We show our whole belief in them. And belief is what makes it work. Thus, it reduces half of the chances of failure.

“Working smart means wringing maximum production from your work schedule. It’s coming up with new ideas to bring that about.” Robert Terson

Value your efforts and hard work!

Do not let your self-confidence go down to the extent that you start demeaning the value of your hard work. We all have insulted our efforts because of comparing with someone once or more. Why do you want to compare your uniqueness with someone else’? We all are different as well. We have to show faith in ourselves as well as our uniqueness. We have to respect the work that we have done. The moment you start valuing your efforts and hard work, the world starts noticing them.

You’re capable of more than you know. You can do more than you think. Give yourself a chance. Accept your work with all the flaws. Take your scars and make it a tattoo. It’s then when you have accepted yourself. It’s then when you have embraced yourself in true ways. Now, stay like that Forever.

In the end there always should be a self Performance Recognition.

-      Ms. Sirisha & Ms. Joanna

Republic Day of India

Republic Day is very important day of the year for the people of India so we celebrate it annually on 26^th of January since 1950. Let your kids and children know about the history of celebrating Republic Day in India

In India 26th of January is celebrated as Republic Day every year because constitution of India came into force on this day. It is celebrated as the national festival of India which has been declared as national holiday. Gandhi Jayanti and Independence Day are two another national holidays. On 26th of January in 1950 our country became fully democratic republic after reinforcement of the Constitution of India in the Indian Parliament.

At this day a great Indian army parade takes place which generally starts from the Vijay Chowk and ends at India Gate. Indian army (Army, Navy and Air-force) salutes the President of India while parading on the Rajpath. The Indian army display the power of India through the parade and by demonstrating all the great inventions like tanks and big guns. After the army parade, every states of India show their Jhankis displaying their culture and tradition. After that, a tri colour (our honourable National Flag colors like saffron, green and white) flowers showering takes place in the sky by the aero planes.

Students celebrate this day in the schools and colleges by organizing great events like parade, Flag unfolding, singing National Anthem, read speech, play roles of freedom fighters, dance, singing, drama play, helping in social campaign, quiz competitions, essay writing, poster display, magic, comedy activities, etc. At this day every Indian should take an oath to make this country peaceful and developed country. At the end, every student gets sweet and savoury and goes back home happily.

Let us take this opportunity to educate our children on the significance of Republic Day and importance in respecting our National Heroes who sacrifice their life for our TOMORROW.

Few Other Countries Who Celebrates Republic day

On the glorious occasion of the Indian Republic Day we wanted to look at the other republic days around the world. Just like India, these five countries celebrate a Republic Day- a custom that is not typical to most countries.

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

On March 23, 1940, the All-India Muslim League adopted a resolution calling for a Muslim 'homeland.’ On the same day, 16 years later in 1956, Pakistan also declared itself an Islamic Republic.

This is not a republic in the typical sense of the word as it a mix of a pure, Islamic caliphate with a more secular, liberal from of government. As such, Pakistanis celebrate this day with a national holiday and traditional celebrations.

Republic of Italy

After World War II the Italian population was called upon as a whole to decide what form of government should be given to the country since fascism had fallen. And after 85 years of oppressive monarchy, Italy became a republic.

June 2 has become a day of immense importance in Italy as it celebrates the birth of a whole new nation. They commemorate it with grand military parades and other stately celebrations.

Republic of Turkey

Ruled by the Ottomans for a long time, it was only on October 29, 1923 that the Turkish constitution was finally amended and the country became a republic. Events begin from the previous afternoon and schools, government offices, etc. remain closed for the day.

Fireworks light up the skies and the whole of Turkey and Northern Cyprus can be seen partaking in the annual festivities.

Republic of China (Taiwan)

Celebrated throughout the tiny island nation, government-organized activities, such as firework displays and concerts, October 10 is marked as the Republic of China’s National Day.

It represents the start of the Chinese Revolution (beginning with the Wuchang uprising) which brought about Taiwan's republic government. It is also referred to it as ‘Double Ten Day.’

The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

When Yugoslavia fell apart, a territorial battle ensued as the Serbs in Bosnia wanted to remain with Serbia and Montenegro while the Croats and Bosniaks wanted to create their own independent state. Thus, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was formed and it is now referred to as Republika Srpska.

It is a separate republic, which commemorates the anniversary of its creation as its Republic Day--on January 9. 

-      -Jyoti Singh & Shalini Suresh

O Womania - Celebrating the womanhood, once again

I recently came across a newspaper commercial that said: “While women direct all their angst towards men for putting labels on them, do they realize that they themselves tend to be judgemental of other women and their life choices?”

Take a minute and think. Shouldn’t there be a sisterhood of support and understanding? Isn’t it great to come across a woman who understands the challenges of other women? Wouldn’t you like to be that “understanding women” for someone?’

I am sure many women do think about this ‘women equality’ at some point. They may read inspiring stories of how women are reaching the pinnacle of heights in various fields today. But what happens next? Just like a bubble, it bursts or we sit over it and just forget all about it as we become intertwined in our day-to-day mundane tasks.

India has been a land of many a great men and women. “Sita” from Valimiki’s Ramayana, has become an inspirational character in today’s India. Every father wants to see a “Sita” in his daughter and every husband wants to see “Sita” in his wife. I have a question as to why did “Draupadi” from the great Mahabharata did not become a role model like “Sita”? Maybe a better question could be, should Draupadi be the role model for the modern woman?

The point I am trying to emphasize here is that, women need to look up to someone who took a firm stand in tough times. This can then give women the courage to believe in themselves enough to say that sometimes, it is perfectly alright or justified to take a stand. Draupadi is one such woman who while doing all her rightful duties, is willing and bold enough to take a stand. Draupadi actually declared a war with the Kauravas long before it really happened in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Draupadi, in ancient times decided to take a stand against the injustice, not as a woman, but as a human being.

All the atrocities against the women do take place simply for the reason, the way we are shaping up today’s society. We tend to ignore and not understand the fact of life which is,

‘Today is the future I created yesterday.’

We have the future generations at our disposal; as mothers, as teachers. It is up to us how we want to shape them. What kind of thought processes we want to inculcate in them? The day we will depart with the thought; “it’s okay for a boy to do certain things while not following any norms of the so-called society, but not okay for a girl to even express herself boldly”, that day, we will be able to witness the true woman empowerment.

A few years ago I would have been tempted to write something along the lines of, why Indian women selectively are oppressed in many situations compared to their male counterparts. However, things are now changing for the better with intentional diversity awareness being created by both, the Government as well as the private sector. 

The good news is that the world is changing – for the better. More women are taking up bigger & more impactful roles. The most recent example is our Indian Air Force (IAF) to get their first batch of women fighter pilots. There are similar many more examples of where women are raising the bar and challenging themselves, may it be Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, managing director of Biocon or for that matter Hillary Clinton who is creating waves by aspiring to be the leader of the ‘most powerful’ nation of this planet.

We have the future generations at our disposal; as mothers and as teachers. It is up to us how we want to shape them. What kind of thought processes we want to inculcate in them? I would say, this is one of the best times and history is being written where for the first time ever with so much intentional efforts are being spent by so many to ensure women equality is given its due attention. It is up to us mothers & teachers now, to seize the opportunity and ride the wave.

- Ms. Rakhi Karnik & Ms. Asha Kiran

What is Animation About ?

Animation is fun, and watching cartoons is something that all of us have done when we were kids and even now we all love to watch an Animation movie.

The art of animation goes way back to Paleolithic cave paintings. The early examples of attempts to capture the phenomenon of motion into a still drawing can be found in Paleolithic cave paintings, where animals are often depicted with multiple legs in superimposed positions, clearly attempting to convey the perception of motion.

 One of the very first successful animated cartoons was Gertie the dinosaur (1914) by Winsor McCay. It is considered the first example of true character animation.

 

The golden age of Animation is from 1920’s to 1960’s.

 Disney, MGM, Paramount pictures were the largest studios producing these 5 to 10-minute "shorts." Walt Disney’s 1928 cartoon Steamboat Willie starring Mickey Mouse was the first to use a Click track during the recording session, which produced better synchronism.

"Mickey mouse" became a term for any movie action (animated or live action) that was perfectly synchronized with music.

Disney produced the first cartoon in 3-strip Technicolor.

 Later, other movie technologies were adapted for use in animation, such as multi-plane cameras with The Old Mill (1937), stereophonic sound in Fantasia (1940), widescreen processes with the feature-length Lady and the Tramp (1955), and even 3D with Lumber Jack-Rabbit.

In 1937, Disney created the first sound and color animated feature film

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Today, animated cartoons for all audiences are produced mostly for television.

Television animation for children flourished on cable channels like Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network, PBS Kids, and in syndicated afternoon time slots.

The book which is called bible of animation is the “Illusion of life”.

Making of Animation (2D)-

Story board:  The story is developed as a "storyboard", a giant-sized comic strip. As the story develops, new drawings are added to the storyboard. Since the drawings are pinned onto a cork board, it is easy to make alterations to the story.

Backgrounds: The backgrounds are painted on cardboard or celluloid with tempera, acrylic or sometimes even oil paints. The backgrounds are the "landscape" in which the characters are moving, and they are often made into large-size panoramas, "pan backgrounds", considerably larger than the picture format. The camera follows the characters as they move across the background. This background is painted in a format suitable for a vertical camera move.

Dialogue and Music: Before the tedious drawing work can begin, the dialogue is recorded on tape and then transferred onto magnetic film. This filmstrip is analyzed in a sound reader, and every syllable is registered on an "exposure sheet" - necessary to obtain perfect synchronization between sound and picture. The sheet is divided into many rows, each corresponding to one frame of film. An optical sound track is then prepared and printed onto the film.

Animation: Every second of finished film consists of 24 frames, requiring 12 to 24 drawings, depending upon the speed of movement - faster movements need more drawings per second, slower moves can be animated with less, with three or even more frames shot of every drawing. The animated drawings are filmed on black & white film to check the smoothness of the movements. Effects are also added by drawing. Animation was done using the 12 principles.

Ink & Paint: In order to superimpose the animated characters on the backgrounds, the drawings are copied onto transparent sheets of celluloid or plastic, usually called "cells". The lines are traced in ink, and the colors are filled in on the reverse side of the cells, in order to get completely even colors when viewed from the front.

Filming: The filming is carried out on an "animation stand". Sometimes the picture is divided into several levels (4 on this "multi -plane" stand), separated by about 30 cm, or 12".
Today, the 2D Animation industry is taken over by the 3D Animation industries, but we definitely get to see more and more good movies getting made.
Animation will be cherished in the years to come.

- Ms. Deepa & Mr. Sukayan