Mr. Sai Kumar, Speaker for the 29th. Wonderful experience!!

MR. SHANTARAM'S SUPERB TALK - USE IT OR LOSE IT !!

OUR DIRECTOR , MR. B. MAHENDER REDDY TELLS US ABOUT THE SOCIETY AND ITS GROWTH.

Lakshya - The Orientation Workshop of St. Mary's Educational Society

At Theatrix

Bloom's Taxonomy and Task Design

Hey Friends ! While browsing the internet for information related to Bloom's Taxonomy, I found something very interesting to share with you all. Please check out the following links:

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/skill-builder/lesson-plan/43190.html

and

http://www.geoffpetty.com/downloads/WORD/Differentiation/1BloomsTaxonomycopy.doc

Hola

yo, The Hombre Strikes Again...

The Jazz Buzz!

A few of us from Sancta Maria attended the Jazz Concert at the Taj Krishna on Saturday, 22.05.10. The Concert was organised by the US Consulate, Hyderabad. The 'Quartret' band from the US was invited to perform. Mrs.& Mr.Shetty, Pia, Paramjit, and Sandeep- all were swept off theit feet by the amazing beats and modulations in each instrument that was played. Charlie,at the trumpet was exorbitant and magical in his modulations of the tunes; the rhythm reached its zenith and came down to the silent low- and Wow! what a mesmerising journey was it! The Pianist, the Base Guitarist and the Drummer blended perfectly into the rhythm and came out with classic numbers in jazz music.
The audience was enthralled when the band played to the tunes of the A.R.Rehman hit 'Jai Ho'. Our hearts were touched, when surprisingly, we were asked to stand in the end and the National Anthem was played. The band really stole the show! Hats off to them! Hope to see more such inter-cultural events in future.
To end with I would add that the drummer in his floral shirt and incorrigible enthusiasm was my favourite!

Athira and the Mexican Hombre

Workshop - 22nd May 2010

Today’s workshop “How we Learn” was well designed, developed, and delivered, to enhance workplace productivity by combining the elements of research, course design, resource development and to appreciate each other's contributions to understanding the organization goals.
With many years of experience in the field, the latest methodologies and teaching tools used were applaudable.
The Session was divided into three main modules. The introductory session was facilitated by Ms.Shetty and introduced the participants to the elements of different ways of approaching their lessons.
The second session focused on Maths, and was facilitated by Mr. Arora. The session, which was conducted for less than an hour, left the participants asking for more, for it was fun calculating in a different way.
The next session tackled the 5 “W's” , leading to a deeper appreciation of the language, facilitated by Ms. Arora. With their exploration of the print media, participants became more attuned to collaborative and cooperative learning, assessing and evaluating according to their own perspective.
To conclude, as a participant the workshop was a success. Everyone acknowledged that they had gained additional learning experiences and tools for their teaching.

I personally experienced a different approach to learning and wish I could go back to school all over again.

Time-Out at Workshop (22/05/10)

Our Principal and teachers conducted a workshop ' The Way we Learn' on Saturday May 22, 2010. We decided to make the participants play a game between two work sessions.

The game we played in the workshop is called 'Tunnel Ball'. Let me describe how it is played.

It is a game played with two teams. Each team stands in single file. The players stand roughly a meter away with their feet half a meter apart. Each team is given a ball (preferably a basket ball). The game starts with the first player bending down and passing the ball backwards to the second player in the line.. The ball is rolled in between the feet of the players till it reaches the last player. The last player then picks up the ball and runs to the front of the line and rolls the ball backwards, thus repeating the cycle. . The process coutinues till all have stood in front of the line and have then reached their original positions. The team to finish first is the winner.

Profile: Mrs. Viji Sajeev Kumar

Hello! I’m Viji Sajeev. I have joined Sancta Maria International School as a Pre Primary teacher. I have always loved being surrounded by children, may be this is the reason why I have chosen to be a teacher.

Over the years I have worked in different methodologies. In one of these schools I got the opportunity to be trained for the ‘Letterland’ methodology, the British system of teaching English language. At a later stage I was introduced to IBPYP. I have gained a great understanding about early learning stage from all these wonderful experiences.

I’m now a part of Sancta Maria and I’m looking forward to a productive and exciting academic year.

Profile: Mrs. Kawaljeet Babra

Hi, I am Kawaljeet Babra and have joined Sancta Maria as a Computer Teacher. I have taught in a degree college. My previous job as a teacher was something I took up to learn more about computers; as it is rightly said that 'the best way to learn is to teach someone’. Little did I realize that what I did had a big impact on the students of my class.

I'd say that the children are definitely the most precious element in teaching. Nothing beats the feeling of knowing you have had a positive impact in the life of a child. When a child asks you a question that tells you he is listening and wants to know more, or doesn't quite understand so could I please repeat what I said...when she gives you a smile that says I find something to imbibe from you...when their faces light up with that ‘Ah Ha!’ glow that tells you have turned on the light for them.….nothing could match those moments.

Challenging? It can be these very children, when they're not listening, when they don't like you (because even the ones that love you don't always like you!), when you see that blank look that says “Are you speaking the same language as me”? Oh well! A good teacher will struggle to find a way to use the current method, current trend, and current politically correct philosophy and blend it with the traditional to benefit the child.

The thing that I liked about Sancta Maria is their attitude towards children ‘I love you and I care for u'........the child comes first and is prioritized over EVERYTHING.

I know that it was my destiny to be the part of a revolutionary education system in India. I am privileged to be a part of the Sancta Maria International School. In Sancta Maria, where the only gateway to a good life is through good education, I would, along with the institution, serve for the well-being of the students.

Profile: Mr. Sajeev Kumar

I am Sajeev Kumar, Visual Art Mentor. I have a professional degree in fine arts [painting] from Kerala University. Soon after my graduation in 1992, I got the opportunity to be in this wonderful field. Since then I have been with children and the learning still continues…. I strongly believe that each child is an individual who is to be respected. I perceive children as, not mere pupils, but as God’s miracles!

Children are the same everywhere. Hence, at Sancta Maria I eagerly look forward to set up an environment of enthusiasm and confidence for the children I love.

Profile: Mrs. Ruchi Arora

Hello! I am Ruchi. I am an inquiring person by nature and hence have entered into the field of education. Now you may ask why education? Education is the only field where you find inquisitive people i.e. children! I discovered this when I started my career as a teacher seven years back.

My Experience: I am an English Mentor faculty in Sancta Maria International School at present. Over the period of my journey as a facilitator I have taught in Kerala, Madhya Pradesh( Bhopal), Punjab and now am settled in Hyderabad.

My Belief: I believe that English should be taught not as a subject but as a means of expression. The children learn language when they are given a well-planned and a methodical exposure to it in the classrooms and inculcated in them a fondness for reading. Once this goal is achieved children are smart enough to explore the world around them. The aim is also to make them independent ‘seekers who can lead’.

My Passion and Pursuits: My passion obviously is being with kids and figuring out the world with them. Apart from that I also love to read books, watch movies and reflect in solitude. One of the best books I have read during my schooldays was ‘The Good Earth’ by Pearl.S.Buck,which left a lasting impression in my life.

Profile: Mr. Paramjit Singh

Hi, I am Paramjit and I am the PE Mentor in SMIS. Apart from being a Black Belt holder in Karate, I have coached the students for various national and international sports competitions that include Cricket, Basketball, Softball and Table Soccer. My achievements as a coach include preparing a team for 20-20 Cricket tournament held at Sri Lanka and for a Table Soccer tournament at Malaysia.

My teaching experience include working in The Gurukul School, Panchkula, Alpine school, Panchkula, Dikshant International school, Panchkula, GEMS Cambridge International school, Hoshairpur. The discipline that got inculcated in my students in the process of becoming a good sports person has also helped them do well in their academics. I also take the credit for preparing a group of students for a Samurai Dance, in which I used karate as a performing art.

My other hobbies include cooking and listening to music.

Profile: Mr. Sandeep Arora

Hi! I am Sandeep. I am a Mentor Teacher of Mathematics in Sancta Maria International School. I am a teacher by choice and I thank Mirambika (A Sri Aurobindo School in Delhi) and thoughts on education by J. Krishnamurti for helping me to choose this noble profession.

I have been teaching for the last ten years and have taught in Mirambika, Rajghat Besant School( a Krishnamurti School in Varanasi), DPS (Bhopal), The Sanskaar Valley School, Bhopal and GEMS Cambridge international School, Hoshiarpur.

It is enriching to be with kids and I feel that to teach is to live.

My subject Mathematics is plain commonsense and it is the responsibility of all of us – parents, teachers and anyone interested in the teaching/learning of kids to develop a positive outlook for the subject in which we all want our kids to excel.

Apart from my passion for Mathematics, I love to spend time with myself (reflect), play all kinds of games and indulge in Origami.

Interesting one liners----

Interesting one liners----
Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter This one I caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and called the Editorial Room and asked who wrote this. It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible!! ! They put in a correction the next day.

I just couldn't help but sending this along. Too funny. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says No crap, really? Ya think?
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers Now that's taking things a bit far!
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over What a guy!
Miners Refuse to Work after Death No-good-for- nothing' lazy so-and-so's!
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant See if that works any better than a fair trial!
War Dims Hope for Peace I can see where it might have that effect!

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile Ya think?!

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures Who would have thought!
Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide They may be on to something!

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces BatteryCharge He probably IS the battery charge!
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group Weren't they fat enough?!
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft No comment.
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks Do they taste like chicken?
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half Chainsaw Massacre all over again!
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors Boy, are they tall!
And the winner is.... Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead Did I read that right?

I try to take one day at a time...but sometimes, several days attack me at once! Happy weekend!

Mathematics, collaborative learning and much more...

Yesterday while preparing a lesson on collaborative learning I opened the site http://www.nrich.com/. It has a lot of amazing stuff on mathematics. It has enough material for all level of students of logic.
Though it is a site mostly useful for the teachers and students of mathematics, there is enough useful material for others who are interested in using collaborative learning as a methedology for teaching. Even if you are new to the methodology, you will be convinced by the merits of it. The site also helps us to understand how to go about using it for the first time.
We ( teachers) were fortunate to have attended a CIE workshop at Chennai and the resource person Mr. Charlie Gilderdale is a key person behind the Nrich site. He showed us the treasures for everyone on the site. So go ahead and challenge your limits.

Defining Moments in My Life

Throughout our lives, we all have a number of defining moments. It could be a lesson from our early life or something we learned from experience. Defining moments have a significant impact and they develop and shape the person we are.

My defining moments have been subtle, but profound; as the one I have related below.

In the third grade, I was one of the back benchers in my class. Science, math could not hold my attention. As Sister Conrad, my Science Teacher droned on about the number of bones in the human body, I could scarcely keep my eyes from closing. I knew something had to be done! I looked around for a solution. It came in the shape of an Enid Blyton book. It was lying on the top shelf of our class library cupboard. At that moment even an old, tattered book looked more interesting than the labeled skeleton structure drawn on the board. I started reading. …page 1, 2, 3, and on I went. I did not get caught by Sister Conrad, but I sure was caught hook, line and sinker by the reading bug!!

I soon became a voracious reader, reading everything and anything I could get my hands on. When most kids my age were talking about the movies, out playing hop scotch, or aping the 70’s Rock and Roll singers, I had my face buried in a book. I would pick a book, climb up a tree in our backyard; hidden by the thick bushes, and be lost in a world of stories, legends and poems.

So, as a teacher, I encouraged children to read, read and read! And I read along with them!! When students feel the spell cast by books, the corridors are hallowed. There is something special here that one would not dream of disturbing!

Yes, such moments have been crystallized in my mind as truly defining moments. These times have defined who I was and later came to be; that I choose to be a teacher; that I am, even at this stage, a learner.

Celebration Lunch

Sancta Maria Family had a sumptuous lunch to celebrate being a part of the big SANCTA MARIA dream . This day will remain as one of my best days at Sancta Maria. The lunch helped in building a bond and making a long lasting relationship with each other. This also taught us to work as a team and help eachother. Hahaha.....we also proved that we are not only good teachers but also good cooks!!!!

Learning at Sancta Maria

Along with the curriculum, the teachers at Sancta Maria are learning from each other. Preparing model lessons on Collaborative learning, worksheets on various topics, critiquing the lessons, figuring out what works the best in the classroom, the body language of teachers in the class, homework policies, games to be played at school..... Whew! the list seems endless. The Sancta Maria office is bubbling with energy!

Traditional or Western....

An interesting debate line:

Do we let go completely the good values of the way we were educated?

Be blind to new developments?

hmm... why not best of both - Traditional and Western approach ?

The current efforts put by everyone, is a step towards this direction which I am confident will define the next generation of education in India. I am fascinated by how we are planning to get children understand (and not "by-heart"... the term I heard a lot when I was learning) the world around them. And, with the rapidly changing world, change becomes imperative to our Education System also.

Then, how was the traditional methodology better? I think it depends upon the philosophy of education, teacher-student relationship and the practice driven approach towards perfection.

In short, our children truly become "World Citizen".

There have been some great discussions amongst the Sancta-Marians with respect to the same and I am looking forward to a path breaking year ahead.

A great site for science!

Hey teachers out there! Check out this link for some cool activities related to teaching Hygeine in Primary Grades.
http://www.hygiene-educ.com/en/learn/personal/guide/

Ruchi Arora

My adventures of house hunting

In our pursuit of a house in Hyderabad, Mr.Arora and me, both of us are out in this heat and its great fun as well. Hyderebad being a multicultural hub, we meet people of various cultures and personalities. Some are amusing, some are serious, some are welcoming, some are cautious and so on. Its really not very easy to find a house....um.... not a house; a good, comfortable house in a new city. But we have caring people in our institution who guide us and are always ready to help. Thanks to our loving Sancta Maria family!

Do not be afraid of the unknown

It was not easy for me and Ruchi to decide to settle in yet another new place, Hyderabad. But I can now say with lot of conviction that CHANGE in most of the cases is good for one's growth. So listen to your inner voice, think only twice(not more, not less) and go ahead... and the world is the limit.