Beyond the Classroom

Educational excursions are planned in such a way that the learning dove tails with classroom learning. The trips include day trips, night out at school and outstation trips to adventure camps, nature trails and historical cities.

These are organized on a regular basis as they get an opportunity to interact with various authors. This also includes the visit to the Bookaroo Festival.

A visit to Humayun’s tomb on World Heritage Day and participation in the Kids for Tigers Festival helped foster an appreciation towards our heritage.

From October to December, the students participate in the Writers’ Workshop.  It  provides an individualized curriculum that caters to all types of learners.  Adele Fiderer, Lucy McCormick Calkins and their colleagues developed this method in the USA. The  Writers’ Workshop encourages children to write original and personally meaningful pieces, which are then polished and improved upon, by drafting and redrafting. Publishing one’s work, i.e. being read by others is the motivation that drives children to do their best – no marks or grades!

The Discovery Room provides the children with ample opportunity to  learn, explore and discover beyond the confines of their regular classrooms. Equipped with a puppet theatre,  role  play facilities , tools to experiment and learn, books, puzzles and toys, the children look forward to their weekly visit to the Discovery Room.

The objective of Research and Referral is to develop questioning minds and creative thinkers for life. The focus is on imagination and creativity, logic and reasoning, conceptual thinking and reflection. Students brainstorm together to come up with research questions and then outline the methods of investigation. The teacher student ratio is 1:10. The  process culminates into a project report or model   which is unique in its conception and creation, carrying the individual imprint of every child.

The Reading Club in the Elementary classes is geared towards helping younger children develop language skills beyond the framework of an academic curriculum.  It entails activities that enhance creative expression, writing skills, fluency in reading, group dynamics and library etiquettes.

Reading is the bedrock of a learner’s success. Apart from its proven ability to enhance language skills, it increases knowledge and self esteem and boosts memory. It is with this in mind that we launched a ‘Reading Programme’ for the children of classes 4 and 5.
The objective is to ensure that every child reads four books which are identified by the English teachers. Each student receives a copy of the designated book with the number of pages to be read, specified for each week (students of course can read the book at one sitting, if they so wish) such that one book can be read within 6 weeks. There is a fortnightly discussion, focused on vocabulary, plot and characterization based on the reading ground covered. Closure is provided in the form of a series of fun activities.