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World at Isha Vidhya |
| Educating Rural India |
November 2013 |
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| Birthday Celebration:
Padmaja and Niveditha, 9th std students of Isha Vidhya Villupuram School, celebrated their birthday in a unique manner. Instead of splurging on sweets and cakes for their school friends, they along with other students of 9th std collected money to gift a school uniform to Michael Sachin of 4th std. Remarkably all the 9th std students have committed to gifting uniforms to others on their birthday rather than spending money on sweets. Kudos to Padmaja and Niveditha for starting a beautiful tradition in their class. |
Maths Training:
Newly appointed teachers and those who have been with Isha Vidhya for more than a year but missed attending the training earlier in May, underwent the Math training in September. Each newly appointed teacher was paired with an old appointee for most of the training,. This ensured that new teachers received support and help of the returning teachers.
The training covered usage of Maths Kits, self learning methodology, creation and usage of worksheets, correctly framing word problems, creating story problems and designing lesson plan.
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Joy of Giving Week celebration:
Cuddalore School Pupil leaders and group captains came up with novel idea for celebrating 'Joy of Giving Week' in the school. They decided to buy gifts for non-teaching staff members from the voluntary donation of Rs. 5 by students.
The students bought small gifts secretly from the collected money and honoured ayamas, drivers, watchman, vegetable suppliers and electrician in the morning assembly. The gesture touched all with the thoughtfulness. The school assembly resounded with thunderous claps as each staff member came forward to be thanked by students council members.
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Navratri Celebrations:
Navaratri is a nine day festival celebrating three aspects of feminine deities – knowledge, wealth and power. Durga, the epitome of power is revered the first three days of the festival. Next three days Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is worshipped and the last three days 'Saraswati', goddess of knowledge, art and literature, is celebrated.
A unique aspect of Navratri in Southern India is establishing of Kolu. Dolls made of wood, clay and other material are displayed on specially erected platform for the 10 days of the festivities. Puja is conducted every evening in front of the Kolu and the offered food distributed as prasad to visitors and family members.
On the ninth day of the festival, Ayuth puja is performed where weapons and tools of trade are worshipped by warriors and artisans. Kids are also initiated into learning during Saraswati puja on this day. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijaydashmi, the day when good triumphs over evil.
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Vanavasi School:Each day of the festival was celebrated with a different activity. On the 1st day, first std students created rangoli from flowers while KG students sang songs on themes like Veeram (valour), selvam (caring) and Kalvi on the 2nd day. On the 3rd day students from 1st and 2nd std spoke about Vijaydashmi and on the 4th day of the festival, the 3rd, 4th and 5th std students sang hymns. Of course the best part of the celebration for the kids was daily distribution of sweets! |
| Dharmapuri School:
2013 being the 1st year of operation, Dharmapuri School celebration was low key and yet beautiful. The students brought toys from home to display in the school 'Kolu' and one student even created a Ganesha idol especially for the festival. The program started with devotional songs and then the Principal spoke about the significance of Vijaydashmi. Aarti of the Kolu, followed by distribution of sweets, marked the end of the program.
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Erode School:
A beautiful Kolu was created with the toys brought by the students. Every afternoon teachers and students sang Kolu songs after which Navathaniyam, sponsored by the teachers, was distributed among students and staff members. The teachers also told stories related to the festival.
On the 9th day of the festival Ayuth and Saraswati puja was conducted where classrooms, school vans and the kitchen utensils were worshipped. The students were asked to submit their diaries which were also worshipped on their behalf. Later, a singing competition was organized for the students.
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| Nagercoil School:
The students brought dolls from home to keep in the Kolu. Puja was offered and puffed rice was distributed as prasad to the students.
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| Coimbatore School:
Ayuth Puja and Saraswati Puja was conducted at the school to honour the buses, books and equipments used in the school.
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| Villupuram School:
Saraswathi pooja was celebrated in a grand manner. The school, even the buses, were decorated. Sweets and poori (fired Indian bread) were served to all.
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Cell Charts:
The science teacher Mrs. Nagajothi asked 6th std students to draw animal and plant cell design on charts to learn the difference between them. Students used waster materials like thread, wire, colour paper, broken bangles, bindi, sticks, pepper etc to craft aspects of the cell.
After the students completed their charts, they were asked to explain cell components and its function in the classroom. The class activity helped them understand cell structure thoroughly.
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| Anvesha:
Anvesha, a 5th std student at Villupuram school, won the 1st prize in Villupuram district level swimming competition held by Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. She received a cash reward of Rs. 1,000 for her win, which she immediately contributed for Isha Vidhya in the recently concluded India Giving Challenge 2013!
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Eye Donation:
Cuddalore School teachers chose to pledge their eyes as part of Joy of Giving week, celebrated 2nd to 8th October every year throughout the world. Aravind Eye Hospital, which has been aggressively campaigning about eye donation with local communities, were approached to facilitate the donation in the school.
A short program was conducted where students were briefed about the eye donation process and the urgent need for it, . The students were urged to spread the message of eye donation among their friends and family which they immediately committed to do. All the adults working in the school including School Principal, Vice Principal, teachers, ayamas, drivers and office staff pledged their eyes for donation at the end of the program.
We are proud to say Cuddalore Isha Vidhya School is 100% eye donating school!
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Space Science and Technology Exhibition:
Liquid Propulsion System Centre, Mahendragiri, Tirunelvli District organized the exhibition “Space science and Technology” as part of World Space Celebration held yearly. They invited school students from three district of Tamil Nadu namely Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin.
Ten students from Tuticorin School participated in the exhibition. They were divided into 5 teams and each team presented a model. Participating students received certificates for their effort.
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Market Place:
Market Place activity activity based on a textbook lesson was organized for 2nd std students, Villupuram School, to give them better understanding of the lesson. The students were asked to get an item that are generally sold in a market. They could get a vegetable, fruit, toys or daily use items.
The students arranged the things they had brought from home in various shops. Each shop was given a name which was printed on a chart paper and displayed in front of the shop. The students got into the spirit of attracting customers by calling out and hawking their ware to the audience. Though nothing was sold or bought, the students loved the act of selling and bargaining. Towards the end, fruits were cut and distributed to the 2nd grade students.
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Zonal Sports Competition:
Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Tuticorin district organized a sports competition in which 30 schools from the district participated. Five students from Isha Vidhya Tuticorin School competed in the Shotput event in under 14 category. Susil Abishake from 8th std won the silver medal in the competition.
Other students who had done well are - C. Deepin Promoth Sudhan (9th std) came 7th, R. Arun Kumar (8th std) came 8th in 800m race; G. Akash came 6th in long jump event. PET teacher Shantha Kumar played a big role in training the students.
Chess competition was also held which was open to all up to the age of 35. Tuticorin students Aravind (8th std) got 3.5 points, Gopalakrishnan (7th std) got 5 points and Jeyamadhavaraja (6th std) got 3 points. They too received participation certificates.
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Birthday Gift:
Most of us are raised to expect gifts on our special day, but R.K. Sri Vishnu, from 5th std Coimbatore School, presented the school with an Indian National Flag on his birthday. Best wishes to him for his birthday and the thoughtful gesture.
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Cities and Villages:
Sixth std students of Coimbatore school made models of cities and villages as part of their social science lesson. They were learning about the difference between villages and cities, missed options and opportunities in both these places and the steps that should be taken by the government to uplift life in villages. Through the models, the students tried to depict these aspects of the lesson.
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Medical Checkup:
Tuticorin School organized a medical checkup for the students. The students were informed about the camp two weeks before the camp date and instructed not to be absent on the day. Four specialists - Dr.Sadhiq (Pediatrician), Dr. Pethukani (Gynecologist), Dr. Selva Kumar (Dentist) and Dr. Pitchu Mani MS – led the camp.
The students underwent Development Assessment and Physical Examination. They were tested for Nutritional Status, Congenital Defects, E.N.T. (Tonsillitis / Aural Discharge / hearing Impairment) and Speech Defect. Some students were called for a follow up at the hospital while students with serious problems were referred to appropriate doctors.
Good news is that the health condition of the students has shown tremendous improvement compared to the previous year. This is largely thanks to nutritionally balanced, minerals fortified mid-day meals available at Isha Vidhya schools. Heartfelt gratitude to Subiksha medical, Thoothukudi for sponsoring iron tonic and tablets for the students.
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Skeletal System:
Eighth std students of Coimbatore School made models based on animals' skeletal system and movement. Ms. Thilagavathi asked the students to translate the science lesson into models to demonstrate their understanding.
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PTA Meeting:
A parents teacher interaction was organized at Aragonda School. Charts and Models made to teach lessons in classes were also displayed for the parents.
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© Isha Vidhya 2013 14, C.A. Theyvar Layout,
Kannaperan Mills Road, Udayampalayam,
Coimbatore – 641 028, TN, India
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