assetscope july 2013

This Month’sIssue

The Power ......................

Duke TIP .........................

Eco Walk .........................

Arzoo ..............................

Student Debate ..............

Interview .......................

Teacher’s Bite .................

ASSET Poster ...................

T h e m o n t h l y n e w s l e t t e r

Issue 94 | July 2013 | www.ei-india.com

The Power of Forgiveness

It’s a natural tendency to hold a grudge radical absolution of any and all past and gone forever.against someone who angers us or hurts , no matter how egregious, Greeting your most challenging students those we care about. It’s an extension of is a powerful classroom management with a kind word, being in their company that initial surge of annoyance and strategy. with no strings attached, sharing a story frustration that comes over us when a with the one who spent the previous student repeatedly disrupts a lesson, afternoon in time-out . . . are all simple challenges authority, or ridicules a actions of power.classmate.

Radical forgiveness, which is given fully But the decisions made seconds after and freely with no expectation of these feelings occur distinguishes those anything in return, can be a remarkable w h o s t r u g g l e w i t h c l a s s r o o m tonic for your classroom.management from those who excel in it.

By ingraining a calm, methodical A moment’s pause will be most effective approach to misbehaviour, you learn to in not only curbing misbehaviour but also let go and forgive because it’s right for diminishing the possibility of it recurring. It has the power to soothe bitter, your classroom, for you and your career Taking a deep breath helps one realize vengeful hearts, melt away heavily as well as for those students who wear that an emotional reaction is always a fortified walls of distrust, and turn your the label of a “behaviour problem” like a mistake. If this is done often and most challenging students into everyday book-laden backpack slung over their consistently, it will become a habit, so members of your class. It allows you to shoulders.deeply ingrained that even a brief pause demand the highest standards of Although forgiveness is a gift on the will no longer be needed. behaviour without causing friction or house, what you receive in return can be

resentment.Frustration and annoyance, however, reason to springboard wide-eyed out of don’t simply dissipate into the clouds or So your students can both like and bed every morning feeling: the small, become internalized into stress. By respect you. Although forgiveness is a quiet, humble gestures of appreciation; allowing your classroom management remarkable de-stressor, it isn’t simply an the fulfillment in knowing you’re making a plan to do its job, fulfill its intended internal, personal decision you make and difference; and the life-purpose, and take the burden off you, keep to yourself. You must show your lessons learned and your classroom can be gloriously free of students, through your quick smile and passed on, rippling out to tension and resentment. open, welcoming body language that eternity.

every day is a new day and that the And you can be free to forgive. mistakes of the past are truly forgotten Forgiveness, in the form of complete and

misbehaviour

by Michael Linsin

Source: http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2013/01/19/why-forgiveness-is-a-powerful-classroom-management-strategy/ (modified)

The Duke Summer Studies Program for the year 2012-13 found time to relax and make new friends in a variety of social was held at Infosys, Mysore Campus from May 12 to June 1st and recreational settings. This opportunity to socialize and 2013. form bonds strengthened the TIP community both, in and

out of the classroom, and resulted in lifelong friendships.Working closely with the kids as their Residential Life Coordinator was really amazing! It is unimaginable HOW The Summer Studies Program provided these gifted students AMAZINGLY BRILLIANT they all are! Our days used to the opportunity to form peer groups with like minded begin at 7 a.m. and go on till 1 a.m. in the wee hours of the people. For many it was probably the first time that they morning! The days used to be a blend of very demanding interacted with a fellow student who understood them! I saw Academic life and equally demanding Social and Residential amazing friendships develop in just a few days! After a long life for the students and staff. day of classes, students were encouraged to participate in

recreational activities. Different activities are planned Academic Lifeeveryday to cater to all types of students- sports, debates,

Duke TIP courses are fast-paced and intense, equivalent to board games, theatre workshops, treasure hunts, etc.one semester of a college course. The students achieved

I learnt a lot from this whole experience. Every child and staff much in just 21 days! Some of the instructors had to member cried on the last day of the program. It was really drastically UP their syllabus as the students absorbed 3 emotional. The whole experience changed my life and within month's worth of syllabi in 10 days! a couple of days the program became a home away from

Residential Life home with all the 100 students and 30 staff members, my Outside the rigorous classroom atmosphere, TIP students extended family for life.

Duke Summer Studies Program

by Ms. Pankhuri Nigam, Head, DUKE TIP, India

Eco Walk - Youth for Conservation

On 16th June 2013, 20 students and three green leaders from life , insect life, reptiles, birds, ants-ant hills, ecology, forest, MEC Public School ICSE and MEC English High School western ghat species, identification of a variety of plants and participated in the “Youth for Conservation” Programme at trees etc. This inspired the youth and nearly 200 and above Rama Krishna Mission Campus, Shivanahalli, Anekal Road, enrolled in “Save Tiger” Programme. A unique experience of Banneraghatta. The trip was guided by Prof. HARISH BHAT, saving the “Nadugadde-Netra Island near Bhatkal” to protect Dr. SANGUNNI of IISC , Swami Vishnumayanandiji of Rama its bio-diversity was the one of the courageous steps Krishna Mission, Shri A. M. ANNAYYA forest officer undertaken by them in the conservation of wild life. Our Shimoga, Shri k . T. BORAIAH, RFO, B.R.T Wild life Sanctury students talked about it and collected different leaves, and Shri CHANNABASAVANNA Deputy Police flowers, seeds etc. and noted their features.Superintendent The students were enlightened about plant

Thoughtful Story - Don’t Draw Conclusions

An old man was sitting with his 25 year old son in the train. The train was about to leave the station. All the passengers were settling down in their seats. As the train started, the young man was filled with a lot of joy and curiosity. He was sitting on the window side. He put out one hand and felt the passing air. He shouted, “Pappa, look all trees are going behind”. The old man smiled and admired his son’s feelings. Beside the young man, a couple was sitting and listening to all the conversation between the father and the son. They thought the attitude of the 25 year old man behaving like a small child was a little foolish.

Suddenly the young man again shouted, “Pappa see the pond and animals. The clouds are moving with the train”. The “Why don't you visit the doctor and get your son treated”?couple was watching the young man embarrassingly. Now it

The old man said, “Yes, we are just returning from the started raining and some water drops touched the young hospital, and today my son got his eyesight for the first time in man’s hand. He was filled with joy and he closed the eyes. He his life.”shouted again, “Pappa it’s raining, the water is touching me,

see Pappa”. The couple couldn't help themselves and asked Moral: “Don't draw conclusions until you know all the facts”.the old man,

MEC English High School, Bangalore

The Duke Summer Studies Program for the year 2012-13 found time to relax and make new friends in a variety of social was held at Infosys, Mysore Campus from May 12 to June 1st and recreational settings. This opportunity to socialize and 2013. form bonds strengthened the TIP community both, in and

out of the classroom, and resulted in lifelong friendships.Working closely with the kids as their Residential Life Coordinator was really amazing! It is unimaginable HOW The Summer Studies Program provided these gifted students AMAZINGLY BRILLIANT they all are! Our days used to the opportunity to form peer groups with like minded begin at 7 a.m. and go on till 1 a.m. in the wee hours of the people. For many it was probably the first time that they morning! The days used to be a blend of very demanding interacted with a fellow student who understood them! I saw Academic life and equally demanding Social and Residential amazing friendships develop in just a few days! After a long life for the students and staff. day of classes, students were encouraged to participate in

recreational activities. Different activities are planned Academic Lifeeveryday to cater to all types of students- sports, debates,

Duke TIP courses are fast-paced and intense, equivalent to board games, theatre workshops, treasure hunts, etc.one semester of a college course. The students achieved

I learnt a lot from this whole experience. Every child and staff much in just 21 days! Some of the instructors had to member cried on the last day of the program. It was really drastically UP their syllabus as the students absorbed 3 emotional. The whole experience changed my life and within month's worth of syllabi in 10 days! a couple of days the program became a home away from

Residential Life home with all the 100 students and 30 staff members, my Outside the rigorous classroom atmosphere, TIP students extended family for life.

Duke Summer Studies Program

by Ms. Pankhuri Nigam, Head, DUKE TIP, India

Eco Walk - Youth for Conservation

On 16th June 2013, 20 students and three green leaders from life , insect life, reptiles, birds, ants-ant hills, ecology, forest, MEC Public School ICSE and MEC English High School western ghat species, identification of a variety of plants and participated in the “Youth for Conservation” Programme at trees etc. This inspired the youth and nearly 200 and above Rama Krishna Mission Campus, Shivanahalli, Anekal Road, enrolled in “Save Tiger” Programme. A unique experience of Banneraghatta. The trip was guided by Prof. HARISH BHAT, saving the “Nadugadde-Netra Island near Bhatkal” to protect Dr. SANGUNNI of IISC , Swami Vishnumayanandiji of Rama its bio-diversity was the one of the courageous steps Krishna Mission, Shri A. M. ANNAYYA forest officer undertaken by them in the conservation of wild life. Our Shimoga, Shri k . T. BORAIAH, RFO, B.R.T Wild life Sanctury students talked about it and collected different leaves, and Shri CHANNABASAVANNA Deputy Police flowers, seeds etc. and noted their features.Superintendent The students were enlightened about plant

Thoughtful Story - Don’t Draw Conclusions

An old man was sitting with his 25 year old son in the train. The train was about to leave the station. All the passengers were settling down in their seats. As the train started, the young man was filled with a lot of joy and curiosity. He was sitting on the window side. He put out one hand and felt the passing air. He shouted, “Pappa, look all trees are going behind”. The old man smiled and admired his son’s feelings. Beside the young man, a couple was sitting and listening to all the conversation between the father and the son. They thought the attitude of the 25 year old man behaving like a small child was a little foolish.

Suddenly the young man again shouted, “Pappa see the pond and animals. The clouds are moving with the train”. The “Why don't you visit the doctor and get your son treated”?couple was watching the young man embarrassingly. Now it

The old man said, “Yes, we are just returning from the started raining and some water drops touched the young hospital, and today my son got his eyesight for the first time in man’s hand. He was filled with joy and he closed the eyes. He his life.”shouted again, “Pappa it’s raining, the water is touching me,

see Pappa”. The couple couldn't help themselves and asked Moral: “Don't draw conclusions until you know all the facts”.the old man,

MEC English High School, Bangalore

Arzoo - Ek Aasha (Together We Shine)

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk

Student Debate Deepens Thinking and Engagement

Fun Zone

Teacher: Papu, name one important thing we have today that we did not have

10 years ago.

Papu: Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can share your favourite joke/s at [email protected]. We will be glad to publish it.

around their tiny, yet imaginative world. Some even have written their names.

One of main thrust areas of Arzoo is teaching and practising tolerance or communal harmony. Immediately after the riot Sulekha was working in a Muslim dominated area. When she came to work in a Hindu neighbourhood, which had also been affected badly in the riot, she was sceptical about her being accepted. She brought a carom board, some puzzle games and waited for children to come and play with her. They came first out of curiosity and slowly got involved. She made them perform small skits on tolerance, the value of education and so on. All these ideas worked miraculously and It is not a posh school. Neither do its children come from a led to the birth of Arzoo. hefty middle class background. Instead, it is a centre of

humble appearance and flexible structure, yet imparting high From then on, both Hindu and Muslim children come to the quality learning after school hours, similar to many of India’s centre and together they sing and dance. Sulekha is the only top level alternative schools. member of her family who is college educated. In fact she is

an MBA from a community where the gender divide is very Located in a space that can be often missed out by strong. educational enthusiasts, Arzoo was envisioned by Sulekha

Ali, a young woman in her late 20s way back in 2002, when she was a teenager. Sulekha, a Muslim woman was deeply affected by 2002 riot in Gujarat, both physically and emotionally. For six months, she lived in a refugee camp at Shah Alam in Ahmedabad. After the riots, relief camps were set up in many parts of Ahmedabad to take care of the victims who had lost everything in the carnage. Sulekha’s fate was in Shah Alam camp, which had sheltered nearly 15,000 affected people including children. Her interest in education was boosted when she got involved with children, who were moving around aimlessly.

Living in the camp for 6 months was a life changing Today, Arzoo has evolved as a driving force to provide moral experience for Sulekha. After her return home, she felt and value-based education to under-privileged children from emptiness around her and decided to do something diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and the nurture them, meaningful. Before the riot, Sulekha used to be a simple building their skills for a bright future. It also strongly highly religious girl. She was good at drawing and embroidery encourages female literacy, which is very low among local and loved to rear goats. But the riot changed her destiny. She Muslim communities. In order to increase the female literacy, broadened her understanding on religions, an idea that lies Sulekha and other members of the centre work with the deep in our psyche. No religion should become a cause for families to help them understand the importance of literacy. killing people of other religions.

Today Arzoo beckons with hope for a new secular India The Arzoo centre is located in a hotel basement in one of through education. Truely it is an inspiration for all who Ahmedabad’s Muslim dominated area, Jamalpur. The walls of believe strongly in tolerance and communal harmony.the centre are sketched by children showing life that revolves

An Inspiring Story

UID Must to Participate in Interschool Sports

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has now The decision is part of a broader made it mandatory for every student to have their own set of initiatives taken by the Unique Identity Number (UID) if they wish to participate in board's sports department in an interschool sports competitions. The UID has to be ef fort to streaml ine i ts generated online by schools using their login and password operations. The upcoming on a special page created within the board's website. academic session will be the

first time CBSE participates in The UID is not 'game-specific' but a generic one, which allows the national games organized by the student to participate in every competition organized by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) in an the board across the country. The schools will print the UID independent category. Earlier, CBSE students would card, which will have the student's photograph, and attest it participate as part of the state team where their schools are with the Principal's signature. The UID will be a permanent domiciled. With the independent status being given to CBSE, one and won't change even if the student shifts to a new the Maharashtra state has banned the CBSE students from school. The UID will remain with the student till he/she participating in the local district sports office (DSO) games.moves out of the CBSE system.

corners have been chosen, then the teacher gives the students five minutes to create their discussion platform for supporting their position. The debate, or pseudo-debate, begins with each team presenting their opening argument then in turn; each team has time for presenting evidence and rebuttals, and then the closing arguments.

Technique #2: Partner. In training for debates, some students are extremely shy and may work better with just one partner rather than a whole group. The process is the same as the four corner technique, but the debate is between two people, not the whole class.

Technique #3: Devil's Advocate. This is a twist on the Student debate has the capacity to both deeply engage the debate positions preparation. Instead of supporting their students in relevant learning, and to encourage students to be own opinion and platform, the students will also try their best deep thinkers. Debate is more than simply arguing. It has to throw kinks into their supporting argument, so that, in structure and rules that are designed to keep both sides calm.essence, instead of preparing just one argument "pro," they

A wise teacher will also avoid generic, trite, or over-debated also have to prepare one "contra."subjects that engender racial and ideological bias (marriage,

Technique #4: Worst-Case Scenario. This is another marijuana, discrimination, etc.) and make the debate topics take-off of debate platform preparation. Students preparing relevant to specific content that has been learned during the to support their position look into the future at the worst year. Done with a little bit of forethought, classroom debates possible thing that could happen as a result of the opposing will engage even the students that normally do not participate argument, and prepare their defense from that point on.in class.

Technique #5: Glass Half Empty or Full. This is a Below is the debate strategy and the associated debate technique to help the students view the different techniques I outline in my book, Teaching Students To Dig perspectives and prepare for arguments from each. Students Deeper: The Common Core in Action.look at their platform from a positive point of view and from a

Strategy: Debate pessimistic point of view.

The Great Debaters, a marvelous movie with Denzel Technique #6: Magic Wand. As discussed earlier, the Washington, which demonstrates the power of debate as an magic wand can eliminate the constraints of reality. Also, the educational tool to prepare students to be college-ready teacher can bestow wands that have certain limitations. For communicators. Aside from showing the drama and conflict example, a wand may make people less than 25 years of age, of the times, it displays the rigorous training the debate team 20 percent smarter than they were before. The students had to embrace in order to be prepared intellectually, to would then have to adjust their platform argument to argue a point of view, to speak clearly and authoritatively, and accommodate this peculiar restriction. The restrictive wands to think critically on a moment's notice. Below are techniques can work only for green eyes or other student that you can use in your classroom to make debate a college- characteristics, or only for those students from a particular readiness tool. class or teacher.

Technique #1: Four Corners. An effective debate mixer is Hopefully, these will give you some ideas of how to make the four corners method. The teacher displays a topic on the debates interesting and challenging in your classroom. What white board/overhead/interactive whiteboard and assigns a kind of debate techniques have you found to be successful? different position relative to that topic to each corner of the Please share with us in the comment section below.room. Students then choose to stand in the corner that best

Source: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-debate-reflects their personal opinion on the matter. Once the deepens-thinking-engagement-ben-johnson

Ben Johnson HS Principal, consultant, author and instructional learning coach

by Jitu Mishra, Educational Specialist