The New 'Buzz Word' at Sancta Maria

Be updated, folks.....Bloom’s Taxonomy is the new ‘buzz word’ at Sancta Maria!!

It all started during a brainstorming session when we got together to mull over our lesson plans…and no matter which road we took, we would land up assessing our plans against Bloom’s Taxonomy and check whether our plans stood the test.

We wanted to dig our heels deep and learn more about Bloom’s Taxonomy. Ms. Shetty, Principal Sancta Maria, decided to keep this as topic for her Workshop at St. Mary’s College. The Workshop was aptly entitled ‘How We Learn’.

"Taxonomy” simply means “classification”, so the taxonomy of learning objectives is an attempt to classify forms and levels of learning. It identifies three “domains” of learning, each of which is structured as a succession of ‘levels’. It is suggested that one cannot effectively address higher levels until those below them have been covered…..it is ‘serial in structure’. It provides a basic sequential model for dealing with topics in the curriculum. It also suggests a way of categorizing levels of learning, in terms of the expected ‘ceiling’ for a given program.

Having brainstormed with Ms. Shetty and having got Bloom’s Taxonomy wrapped around my head, I set down to craft a question pallet around this format. I chose a well known childrens' classic book called ‘The Giving Tree’ written by Shel Stevenson. It revolves around the friendship between a tree and a little boy who gradually grows from a little boy to an old man; and how, at each step of the boy’s growth, the tree epitomizes a ‘giving’ friend.

The questions are set to the six levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy:

Knowledge: Find a passage that shows the boy or the tree befriending each other.
Comprehension: Identify all the ways the tree gives of itself.
Application: Tell about what it means to be a friend. Tell about a friend of yours.
Analysis: Tell about how you are a friend to others.
Synthesis: Rewrite The Giving Tree with a different beginning, middle and ending.
Evaluation: Is it acceptable to continue ‘taking’ from a friend? If so, for how long? If not, why not?

Setting our eyes on Excellence has made us more aware of time-tested, solid options we believe, will give our students a definite edge in learning. Bloom’s Taxonomy caters to all brain domains and helps in structuring lesson plans.

Mr. Abhirama Krishna, Director South State Business School, informed me that Bloom’s Taxonomy is used at The Institute of Management Studies by Ms. Ann Herrmann, a lady who is a ‘thought leader’ and frequent keynote speaker about thinking and learning in today's changing environment.

We, at Sancta Maria, believe that it is prudent to groom our students to think on these different levels and prepare them for a future where they will be called to be individuals capable of higher order thinking!

It's Great to be a Part of Sancta Maria !

Hello ! I am OIga Suri and have joined Sancta Maria as an Administrative Assistant – Front Office and Student Affairs. I would like to share my wonderful experience with Sancta Maria Team. I met the enthusiastic and dynamic individuals of Sancta Maria during the Summer Camp ‘Around the World’ and observed that they are always ready to help and share their experience and knowledge . I noticed their passion towards work and great attention they pay to the children .I was quite impressed by the well-planned activities and the eagerness of the children to learn about the cultures of different countries. And so, I am very happy to be a part of Sancta Maria International School.

Orientation at St. Mary’s College…..on 27th May 2010

“Orientation process was well designed to introduce all new employees to their employment with St. Mary’s College, familiarize with the broad mission and function of the organization, history, products, policies and procedures so the new employee not only sees his or her job as an important part of the mission but also be integrated into the SMC work environment as Best People, Best Place” And I’m sure this will help ensure that all new employees have an equal chance to succeed and employees are more likely to succeed if they understand their responsibilities and rights, the values and ethos, norms and beliefs held by members of the organization. It also makes us develop a sense of pride in the organization and will adapt to new demands of the job.
Mr. B.M.Reddy, Director, welcomed the gathering and it was wonderful to learn how St. Mary’s Junior College conceptualized in 1981 by our dear Chairman, Mr. B A Reddy and realized his dream in 1998 with a humble beginning. Based on the motto of Wisdom, Virtue, and Service coined with “Future Begins Here” and made way to “In Omnia Excellentia” the most powerful yet simple ”pebbles of action towards building a mountain of success.”
Mr. Ebenezer, professor in English dept for 22 yrs, as the MC of the day, took us down the memory lane on the History and Heritage of St. Mary’s College, and I found this place as a treasure trove of knowledge.
Dr. Joseph, with vast knowledge and experience of 15 yrs also from the English dept, spoke on the teaching skills, demands and regular up gradation, how to make a difference, building student teacher relationship, understanding the child, to be a good class manager, which was very informative.
There is no doubt that the remarkable achievements of St. Mary’s College will support in their vision to have Autonomous Body and also a Deemed University very soon and all our best wishes go along.
I feel very proud and privileged to be part of family of St. Mary’s College and wish to grow with them as well.

A Glimpse into my Daily Schedule

Helping in the Administration Department is a hands-on experience. There is so much to complete within a days time that I wish I could stretch the day further. Walk through a day with me..........

The first thing I do as I get to work is to Schedule my day. My day includes contacting Caterers, Facility Service Providers for the support staff. While I am doing this, the phone is consistently ringing and I have to multi-task by giving different information over the phone while collecting different information from the Facility Service Providers, both over the phone and online.

While I am in the middle of all this a couple of Sancta Maria students run in with excited and expectant faces wondering whats in store for them for the day! I am still wrapping my head around the children, the phone and the online inquires, when Olga, the Front Office Personnel walks in with a set of questions on Bloom's Taxonomy..... and this is just the beginning of the day!

I am sure you get a gist of how my day goes. I would write much more, but my PHONE IS RINGING!!!!!

I joined Sancta Maria International School team yesterday.
I will be a french teacher.
I am very happy and enthusiastic. I am sure that it will be a wonderful experience to work with the Sancta Maria family.
Together, we will help all the children to grow up to be adults with an open mind and global perspective.
I wish all my colleagues a happy life in Santa Maria International School.
CARPE DIEM (Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future).

And Growing ....
The workshop ‘Lakshya’ made us reflect. If the words can help anyone reflect, let me try to recollect some of the stuff that touched me at the workshop.
· If you chase money, it will invariably not lead you to happiness. But does that mean that you run away from money????
· Take care of your real ASSETS and the so called assets will chase you.....................
· So ......... do you love your work?
· Are you growing?
· Are you growing in efficiency?
· Are you happy?
· Are you making use of your ability to make others smile?
· Are you waiting for a breakthrough? Small steps taken regularly will give you one.
· The choice is yours .......USE your ASSETS or LOSE your ASSETS.

Lakshya- The Orientation Workshop@St.Mary's

True to its name 'Lakshya' was indeed a workshop which acquainted us to the Vision and Mission of the St.Mary's Education Society. Motivation, dedication, lifeskills, being great teachers, a collective dream for the institution- all these topics were taken up.

Mr.Joseph talked about effective teaching and our route from being a good teacher to a great teacher.

Mr. Shantaram's mantra " Use it or Lose it" heightened our spirits. He is a vibrant and an involving presenter.

Mrs. Shetty left us pondering over the basic lifeskill of EMPATHY as a part of being a great teacher. The question was "How can you make a child understand unless you have understood him/her?"

Mr. Shetty took us down the memory lane when we as students were influenced by our teachers. I was very nostalgic to recall my favourite teacher during my school days- Sr. Ancy, whose empathy and care I carry with me.

Mr.Sai Kumar's energetic presentation reiterated in us the importance of values and general awareness in the field of education.

Mr.Abhiram gave us the motto of 'Synchronicity' which is an important ingredient of a cohesive and an efficient workplace. His symbolic game of 'crossing the rope' as a team made the concept of 'Synchronicity' very clear.

To conclude with Mrs. Shetty literally handed over all our commitments and dreams (written in papers) to Mr. Reddy who promised to preserve it and obviously monitor its implementation!

Finally the Motto-

HUM HAIN!( We are together )