Schools are zen houses that provide tools and foundation to instill curiosity, creativity, logical thinking and expanding the dimension of learning and awareness in this universe. Any time I come across interesting patterns and practices, I feel like sharing them.. more as an individual and not so much as a mother. Recently we moved to the USA from Bangalore and my kids joined the elementary school here in Grade 2 and Grade 5. Each school has its own strengths..I would like to highlight a few practices which had appealed to me and wish some of this is incorporated in the Indian Schools and syllabus. Several parents from both sides of the continents had asked me for my opinion and hence this blog... Mostly focussing on grade 5.
ENGLISH - Call for Creative Expression
Back in Bangalore, we have grammar, creative writing, text books, Q&As etc.. My son was an avid reader but not quite interested in creative writing.. Here it totally changed gears.. English was only about creative writing.. Every few weeks different categories and tips were introduced and the children had complete freedom in picking up topics they were passionate about. They did personal narratives, poem for Mother's day, memoir about their science camp, debate writing, exploratory writing, wikipedia posts. The entire focus is on writing and expression all by themselves in school. May be not so much on spellings and literary styles. They did a 4 month genius hour project where they pick up an area they are passionate about like art, technology, coding or sport and make a trifold presentation to the audience, just like in trade shows.
Kids are also encouraged to read 30 minutes of a library book everyday and parents sign off the log sheet every month.
For my second grader, he was introduced to different genres of books like science fiction, informative, biographies, autobiographies etc. Each month his teacher would read books in that genre and give them simple project to illustrate a book in that genre. She would provide the template and instructions for the project which I think is a stark difference from schools back in India.
ART CLASSES - Re living the Historical and Geographical Diversities
Hailing from the land of art and culture, I wish I wish the Chitrakala Parishads and art colleges integrated Indian Art lessons into the school curriculums.
The art class is a 90 minute session conducted once in 2 weeks. Roughly 30 minutes of theory and 60 minutes of practise. Different techniques like 2 point perspectives, human figures, birds, clay pots, glazing, photography is introduced. At the same time the theory class illustrates famous painters/paintings from different eras, geographic areas, paintings from museums, whitehouse as appropriate to the geography and history curriculum.
Infact before the science camp, they had lessons on sketching and photography basics to enhance their skills.
Back in India, students could be exposed to Warli, Madhubhani, Jaipur like templates and connect to the 25 states.. Very simple mediums like stone, glass, cloth could be used.. I wonder if any school is giving thought to this..
SCIENCE
Back in India, I think Environmental Science is sort of looped in grade 1,2,3 and 4. Here in grade 2, they have glimpses of science like Force, Gravity, Centre of Mass, Insects, study of Rocks etc. No tests or home work though.. In grade 3, My younger one watched Tesla movie in his class and was so fascinated by AC current working principle..
In Grade 5, they have variety of topics like circulatory, respiratory systems, venetion of leaves, diffusion etc. They have laboratory access to check their facts..
A weeklong science camp in the woods is the much awaited event for every 5th grader. The students are prepared almost 6 months for this nature camp where they trek and learn about marine life. I was taken back by the passion in the teachers for making this a memorable event in the life of their children.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION - A Must
This is so very mandatory here by the school district. Every week, the students get trained for 2 hours on fitness aspects like pushups, crunches, body conditioning, endurance etc.. They have to pass the expected criterion set up by the district. They are introduced to techniques for playing different sports. Children also use the 1 hour lunch break to play a sport with friends.
Back in India, infrastructure could be a problem. Schools should take fitness and sports more seriously even in the allotted time.
HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY - The Art of Story Telling
Like the art teacher had once described, Geography is a graphical study of the world around us. Back in India, my son was not very interested.. I remember the mothers sighing relief when the states of India was finally done is grade 4. Too much of facts and very less projects.. A few thoughts on making Social Sciences interesting for kids by sharing our first experience in the US elementary schooling.
This year, he is studying US history and geography.. A mammoth initially as everything sounding new.. To quickly get started with the 50 states and capitals, they have a 50 nifty song for girls and a rap version for the boys.. After one month of classes in US, my son started complaining the other way.. Not fair..We have only these many periods in a week.. Thanks to his teachers, it turns out to be his favorite subject now.
National Geographic conducts geobee.. Similar to math olympiads and it is a good way to keep the kids who like quizzing engaged.. And fun apps like Stack the States and Stack the Country..
The art class took care of visually introducing the diversity.
Apart from sharing videos and presentations in the classroom, the teacher uploads an interesting jeopardy quiz matrix for every chapter. It is hosted in https://jeopardylabs.com/ I think it is a nice way to summarise and quiz..
A few projects that I can recollect..
Teachers here are assertive and friendly to the children. It amazes me how tactically they use people management skills without loosing their cool.. Teachers are multidisciplinary.. They are equipped to teach Math, Science, Languages and Physical Education with equal passion in all.
Teachers are Tech Savvy... From hosting websites, generating word maps, giving updates on nasa for kids to sending picture updates to parents..
ENGLISH - Call for Creative Expression
Back in Bangalore, we have grammar, creative writing, text books, Q&As etc.. My son was an avid reader but not quite interested in creative writing.. Here it totally changed gears.. English was only about creative writing.. Every few weeks different categories and tips were introduced and the children had complete freedom in picking up topics they were passionate about. They did personal narratives, poem for Mother's day, memoir about their science camp, debate writing, exploratory writing, wikipedia posts. The entire focus is on writing and expression all by themselves in school. May be not so much on spellings and literary styles. They did a 4 month genius hour project where they pick up an area they are passionate about like art, technology, coding or sport and make a trifold presentation to the audience, just like in trade shows.
Kids are also encouraged to read 30 minutes of a library book everyday and parents sign off the log sheet every month.
For my second grader, he was introduced to different genres of books like science fiction, informative, biographies, autobiographies etc. Each month his teacher would read books in that genre and give them simple project to illustrate a book in that genre. She would provide the template and instructions for the project which I think is a stark difference from schools back in India.
ART CLASSES - Re living the Historical and Geographical Diversities
Hailing from the land of art and culture, I wish I wish the Chitrakala Parishads and art colleges integrated Indian Art lessons into the school curriculums.
The art class is a 90 minute session conducted once in 2 weeks. Roughly 30 minutes of theory and 60 minutes of practise. Different techniques like 2 point perspectives, human figures, birds, clay pots, glazing, photography is introduced. At the same time the theory class illustrates famous painters/paintings from different eras, geographic areas, paintings from museums, whitehouse as appropriate to the geography and history curriculum.
Infact before the science camp, they had lessons on sketching and photography basics to enhance their skills.
Back in India, students could be exposed to Warli, Madhubhani, Jaipur like templates and connect to the 25 states.. Very simple mediums like stone, glass, cloth could be used.. I wonder if any school is giving thought to this..
SCIENCE
Back in India, I think Environmental Science is sort of looped in grade 1,2,3 and 4. Here in grade 2, they have glimpses of science like Force, Gravity, Centre of Mass, Insects, study of Rocks etc. No tests or home work though.. In grade 3, My younger one watched Tesla movie in his class and was so fascinated by AC current working principle..
In Grade 5, they have variety of topics like circulatory, respiratory systems, venetion of leaves, diffusion etc. They have laboratory access to check their facts..
A weeklong science camp in the woods is the much awaited event for every 5th grader. The students are prepared almost 6 months for this nature camp where they trek and learn about marine life. I was taken back by the passion in the teachers for making this a memorable event in the life of their children.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION - A Must
This is so very mandatory here by the school district. Every week, the students get trained for 2 hours on fitness aspects like pushups, crunches, body conditioning, endurance etc.. They have to pass the expected criterion set up by the district. They are introduced to techniques for playing different sports. Children also use the 1 hour lunch break to play a sport with friends.
Back in India, infrastructure could be a problem. Schools should take fitness and sports more seriously even in the allotted time.
HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY - The Art of Story Telling
Like the art teacher had once described, Geography is a graphical study of the world around us. Back in India, my son was not very interested.. I remember the mothers sighing relief when the states of India was finally done is grade 4. Too much of facts and very less projects.. A few thoughts on making Social Sciences interesting for kids by sharing our first experience in the US elementary schooling.
This year, he is studying US history and geography.. A mammoth initially as everything sounding new.. To quickly get started with the 50 states and capitals, they have a 50 nifty song for girls and a rap version for the boys.. After one month of classes in US, my son started complaining the other way.. Not fair..We have only these many periods in a week.. Thanks to his teachers, it turns out to be his favorite subject now.
National Geographic conducts geobee.. Similar to math olympiads and it is a good way to keep the kids who like quizzing engaged.. And fun apps like Stack the States and Stack the Country..
The art class took care of visually introducing the diversity.
Apart from sharing videos and presentations in the classroom, the teacher uploads an interesting jeopardy quiz matrix for every chapter. It is hosted in https://jeopardylabs.com/ I think it is a nice way to summarise and quiz..
A few projects that I can recollect..
- Native American Totem Pole - . Each animal represented certain qualities.. So make a colourful totem pole stacking multiple animal cutouts vertically representing your parents, siblings, grandparents etc on a pringle box..
- On the explorers topic, the entire class was divided into pairs.. Each pair had to make a presentation in google docs on one Explorer.. By the end of the presentations, the kids get to know abt 15 plus explorers.. I only heard of Cpt Cook Salt but did not know he discovered island of Hawaii :) I wished we had such teachers in our times.. I always dreaded Social Sciences..
- For Christmas break, a very interesting linear optimisation project.. Santa wants to visit 26 places/attractions from east coast to west coast in alphabetical order.. He should maximise the number of states visited and use as less reindeer food ie fuel.. So come out with the list of 26 places and states..
- Apprentice Project - Kids had to make an colonial apprentice avataar of their self on a cardboard
- Colonial Day - A fun filled day for children reminiscent of colonial; each teacher hosts an activity like colonial dance, handicrafts, carpentry..
Teachers here are assertive and friendly to the children. It amazes me how tactically they use people management skills without loosing their cool.. Teachers are multidisciplinary.. They are equipped to teach Math, Science, Languages and Physical Education with equal passion in all.
Teachers are Tech Savvy... From hosting websites, generating word maps, giving updates on nasa for kids to sending picture updates to parents..
