This Month’sIssue

Enhancing Emotional ......

The Value of Sports .........

MHTP .............................

I Rise Everyday ...............

Thoughtful Story ............

Why Spend Time .............

Teacher’s Bite .................

Interesting Facts .............

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Learning a New Language

Bilingualism in childhood can significantly you More about Your Own these lags are typically small and don’t last influence the course and efficiency of for long periods of time. In terms of

A child setting out to learn a new language children’s cognitive development and is a general language proficiency, bilingual learns how languages work. The crucial concern in today’s society. children tend to have a smaller knowledge of English grammar is Research has shown that bilingualism vocabulary in each language than

does not trigger confusion; has no monolingual children. Nonetheless, their inherent negative impact on children’s understanding of linguistic structure is at development; and even has some socio- least as good as and often better than that cognitive advantages. Bilingual children of comparable monolinguals.not only understand others’ beliefs and

The ability to break words into their communication needs but also solve components, synthesize their sounds and problems, with two possible inter-learn their features, and to some extent pretations of the same stimulus at once. verbal working memory are some of the They also achieve higher scores than issues in reading development and monolingual children on a number of

commonly solidified by learning a foreign reading difficulties in monolingual cognitive ability tests, including mental language. These insightful discoveries children. These processing skills flexibility and non-verbal problem-happen as a child's speech and thoughts measured in monolingual and second-solving tasks.evolve from simple expressions of needs language children often correlate with

Bilingual Kids Don't Have to to dramatic narrations of events, each other. Second-language learners Reinvent the Alphabet overflowing with new and descriptive with decoding and spelling problems in

vocabulary. their first language have difficulties in The potential for the transfer of reading their second language as well. Finally, principles across languages is noticeable Second-language learners take a long second-language learners with serious when bilingual children use the methods time to develop their second-language problems in word-based reading skills and insights they've built up in one oral proficiency. Even after five to six and the cognitive processes necessary to language and apply them to advance years in a second-language environment, develop good word-much more rapidly in another language. children may not speak as fluently as their based skills in the second They don't have to relearn the concept of monolingual peers. In the early stages of language also have poor an alphabet in English if they've learnt it the acquisition of a second language, reading fluency, reading already in French. children learning two languages may comprehens ion and

show some developmental lags relative writing skills.Learning a New Language Teaches to children speaking only one. However,

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

Issue 90 | February 2013 | www.ei-india.com

Events

Every year we have a wonderful competition named "The Assembly Talk Competition”. In this competition, each class speaks and shares thoughts about various topics and a few ask questions. All the classes compete to be the best class of the assembly talk. Some of the students make charts and demonstrate their ideas by reading them out , some form questions and pose them to their audience, some of them read out news items, some form groups and speak, some play music, some draw and some of them sing songs. We all enjoy this competition and eagerly wait for our turn. This competition helps us to: speak fluently, improve our skills, talk without stage fear and boosts our general knowledge skills. We all love it and wish to have it till we pass out of school.

Assembly Talk Competition

Our school respects all people, irrespective of their social status. Balaswamy Sir, a member of the support staff retired on 31 December, 2012. The school staff arranged a retirement ceremony for him in the school. The event started with welcoming Balaswamy Sir to the school and reading out the ‘Prashansa Patra’ by Lailaja Ma’am. It was followed by a sweet song by Kedarnath Sir. Later, a speech was given by Prasanna Sir about his journey in school. Then Balaswamy Sir gave a speech thanking Ma’am and support the staff. In order to have fun and joy, in the grand ceremony, this was followed by games like ‘Tambola’ and ‘Lucky Dip’. Lunch was served to everyone and this ended the beautiful programme merrily.

Happy Retirement Balaswamy Sir!

Retirement Ceremony

Ankith N, Class 6, The East-West School, Bangalore

ASSET AMBASSADORS, Sanghamitra School, Hydrabad

Mr. L. Krishnamurthy, Principal of MEC Public school ICSE was recently conferred with the International Achievers’ Award for Education Excellence. This award was given on the occasion of the 3rd International Achievers’ Summit on “Global Business Opportunities” held on 28th December, 2012 at Bangkok, Thailand.

This award has been acknowledged as one of the absolute best in the category of “International Achievers Award for Education Excellence” for the Year 2012. The award has been awarded by H.E. Mr. Korn Dabbaransi, Former Dy. Prime Minister of Thailand. This Award was given in recognition of Mr. L. Krishnamurthy’s distinguished services in the field of quality professional education..

Sri L. Krishnamurthy says that “I wish to nurture the talent of the students at the school, by providing them with facilities

EI congratulates Mr. L Krishnamurthy for this achievement.which include the best teaching staff and world class equipments for them to carve their future.”

Felicitation

There once was a woman who woke up one "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did, morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed and she had a fun, fun day.she had only three hairs on her head. "Well,"

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." So

that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YAY!" she she did and she had a wonderful day.

exclaimed. "I don't have to fix my hair today!"The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that

Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, for she had only two hairs on her head. "Hmmm..," she said, "I

everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live think I'll part my hair down the middle today." So she did and

simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.she had a grand day.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed

learning to dance in the rain.that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said,

Thoughtful Story

The 3 Hairs

News Bite

99% Fail Test for School Teachers

In an alarming indictment of the quality of training given to prospective school teachers, over 99% aspirants failed to clear the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2012.

The results of the competency test conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), declared on December 27, 2012, showed that less than 1% of the 7.95 lakh who appeared managed to clear the exam. In fact, since the exam was introduced in 2011, the pass percentage has been consistently declining. Educationists described the situation as alarming and "a wake up call for the quality of BEd degree being granted in the country."

The CTET was introduced in 2011 by the human resource schools. All CTET applicants need to be BEd graduates.development ministry to improve the quality of teaching in

About 9.40 lakh aspirants registered for the test, conducted schools after the enactment of the Right to Education Act. in November 2012. Some 7.96 lakh finally appeared for the CTET certification has been made mandatory to become a test, of which only 4,849 managed to clear either Paper I or II teacher for classes I to VIII in any central government school, or both. Clearing Paper I is mandatory for those wishing to while CBSE-affiliated schools can either recruit teachers teach classes I to V while Paper 2 is for those wishing to teach based on CTET or the respective test conducted by states. In classes VI to VIII. Aspirants who wish to get certified for fact, the Delhi government too decided to adopt CTET for classes I to VIII need to clear both the papers.the recruitment of teachers for government-run and aided

Pakistani Education Activist Malala Wins International Peace Award

Pakistani teenage woman education activist Malala Yousafzai Meanwhile, the 15-year-has been awarded the 2012 Tipperary International Peace old activist is recovering at Award from Ireland. the Queen El izabeth

Hospital in Birmingham, Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban,

where she was brought was awarded for her courage and determination to speak

from Pakistan on October out in support of equal access to education for children.

15.Malala was one of five nominees, including U.S. Secretary of

The teenager was shot State Hilary Clinton, President of Indian National Congress

while she was on her school bus in northwestern Swat in Sonia Gandhi, former Kenyan journalist John Githongo and

October by Pakistani Taliban gunmen for promoting girls' Pax Christi International, the Catholic human rights and

education and speaking against the militant group.peace organization, the Dawn reports.

Events

Every year we have a wonderful competition named "The Assembly Talk Competition”. In this competition, each class speaks and shares thoughts about various topics and a few ask questions. All the classes compete to be the best class of the assembly talk. Some of the students make charts and demonstrate their ideas by reading them out , some form questions and pose them to their audience, some of them read out news items, some form groups and speak, some play music, some draw and some of them sing songs. We all enjoy this competition and eagerly wait for our turn. This competition helps us to: speak fluently, improve our skills, talk without stage fear and boosts our general knowledge skills. We all love it and wish to have it till we pass out of school.

Assembly Talk Competition

Our school respects all people, irrespective of their social status. Balaswamy Sir, a member of the support staff retired on 31 December, 2012. The school staff arranged a retirement ceremony for him in the school. The event started with welcoming Balaswamy Sir to the school and reading out the ‘Prashansa Patra’ by Lailaja Ma’am. It was followed by a sweet song by Kedarnath Sir. Later, a speech was given by Prasanna Sir about his journey in school. Then Balaswamy Sir gave a speech thanking Ma’am and support the staff. In order to have fun and joy, in the grand ceremony, this was followed by games like ‘Tambola’ and ‘Lucky Dip’. Lunch was served to everyone and this ended the beautiful programme merrily.

Happy Retirement Balaswamy Sir!

Retirement Ceremony

Ankith N, Class 6, The East-West School, Bangalore

ASSET AMBASSADORS, Sanghamitra School, Hydrabad

Mr. L. Krishnamurthy, Principal of MEC Public school ICSE was recently conferred with the International Achievers’ Award for Education Excellence. This award was given on the occasion of the 3rd International Achievers’ Summit on “Global Business Opportunities” held on 28th December, 2012 at Bangkok, Thailand.

This award has been acknowledged as one of the absolute best in the category of “International Achievers Award for Education Excellence” for the Year 2012. The award has been awarded by H.E. Mr. Korn Dabbaransi, Former Dy. Prime Minister of Thailand. This Award was given in recognition of Mr. L. Krishnamurthy’s distinguished services in the field of quality professional education..

Sri L. Krishnamurthy says that “I wish to nurture the talent of the students at the school, by providing them with facilities

EI congratulates Mr. L Krishnamurthy for this achievement.which include the best teaching staff and world class equipments for them to carve their future.”

Felicitation

There once was a woman who woke up one "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did, morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed and she had a fun, fun day.she had only three hairs on her head. "Well,"

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." So

that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YAY!" she she did and she had a wonderful day.

exclaimed. "I don't have to fix my hair today!"The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that

Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, for she had only two hairs on her head. "Hmmm..," she said, "I

everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live think I'll part my hair down the middle today." So she did and

simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.she had a grand day.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed

learning to dance in the rain.that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said,

Thoughtful Story

The 3 Hairs

News Bite

99% Fail Test for School Teachers

In an alarming indictment of the quality of training given to prospective school teachers, over 99% aspirants failed to clear the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2012.

The results of the competency test conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), declared on December 27, 2012, showed that less than 1% of the 7.95 lakh who appeared managed to clear the exam. In fact, since the exam was introduced in 2011, the pass percentage has been consistently declining. Educationists described the situation as alarming and "a wake up call for the quality of BEd degree being granted in the country."

The CTET was introduced in 2011 by the human resource schools. All CTET applicants need to be BEd graduates.development ministry to improve the quality of teaching in

About 9.40 lakh aspirants registered for the test, conducted schools after the enactment of the Right to Education Act. in November 2012. Some 7.96 lakh finally appeared for the CTET certification has been made mandatory to become a test, of which only 4,849 managed to clear either Paper I or II teacher for classes I to VIII in any central government school, or both. Clearing Paper I is mandatory for those wishing to while CBSE-affiliated schools can either recruit teachers teach classes I to V while Paper 2 is for those wishing to teach based on CTET or the respective test conducted by states. In classes VI to VIII. Aspirants who wish to get certified for fact, the Delhi government too decided to adopt CTET for classes I to VIII need to clear both the papers.the recruitment of teachers for government-run and aided

Pakistani Education Activist Malala Wins International Peace Award

Pakistani teenage woman education activist Malala Yousafzai Meanwhile, the 15-year-has been awarded the 2012 Tipperary International Peace old activist is recovering at Award from Ireland. the Queen El izabeth

Hospital in Birmingham, Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban,

where she was brought was awarded for her courage and determination to speak

from Pakistan on October out in support of equal access to education for children.

15.Malala was one of five nominees, including U.S. Secretary of

The teenager was shot State Hilary Clinton, President of Indian National Congress

while she was on her school bus in northwestern Swat in Sonia Gandhi, former Kenyan journalist John Githongo and

October by Pakistani Taliban gunmen for promoting girls' Pax Christi International, the Catholic human rights and

education and speaking against the militant group.peace organization, the Dawn reports.

LocationsMindspark Evolution

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Mindspark is an adaptive learning solution that helps:

1. Students learn Maths and language by employing a constructivist theory of learning by answering questions that are appropriate to their current understanding.

2. Remediates misconceptions identified through 10 years of ASSET tests with more than 2 million data points.

3. Supports teachers in schools to teach to where the need is as opposed to a regular rehearsal based on his/her own intuition on what kids don’t know.

EX

PE

CT

ED

Number of students Number of schools

2009

Number of students Number of schools

2010

Number of students Number of schools

2011

Number of students Number of schools

2012

in other Languages

Mindspark Gujarati

Mindspark Hindi

In 2011, EI started a new product called, Mindspark Gujarati to teach Maths and Gujarati language in some government schools of Gujarat. The project is sponsored by the Torrent Group. The aim of this Program is to obtain visible and measurable improvement in students of classes 3-8 over a period of 5 years. Children are taught Maths and various skills like Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Spelling, Vocabulary, Syntax, Logical Reasoning etc. through Mindspark.

EI is expanding its focus to marginalised communities by piloting Mindspark Learning Centres in slum neighbourhoods in Delhi. Mindspark is provided in Hindi and implemented in dedicated learning centres located in vulnerable communities. In addition to Mindspark, students also benefit from small group instructions designed to bring them up to grade-level learning at these centres.

Two pilot Mindspark Learning Centres have been operational at Govindpuri and Chattarpur in Delhi, since July 2012 in partnership with the Central Square Foundation. Each child spends three hours a week at the Mindspark Centre. Half this time is spent on Math and the other half on literacy. For Math, 75% of the child's time is spent on Mindspark software that pitches learning at the level of the particular child. The remaining 25% time is spent on focused remedial instruction. For Language, the breakup is 50% computer-time and 50% small group instruction.

For more information on Mindspark visit

or write to us at

www.mindspark.in

mindspark@ei-india.com

LocationsMindspark Evolution

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Mindspark is an adaptive learning solution that helps:

1. Students learn Maths and language by employing a constructivist theory of learning by answering questions that are appropriate to their current understanding.

2. Remediates misconceptions identified through 10 years of ASSET tests with more than 2 million data points.

3. Supports teachers in schools to teach to where the need is as opposed to a regular rehearsal based on his/her own intuition on what kids don’t know.

EX

PE

CT

ED

Number of students Number of schools

2009

Number of students Number of schools

2010

Number of students Number of schools

2011

Number of students Number of schools

2012

in other Languages

Mindspark Gujarati

Mindspark Hindi

In 2011, EI started a new product called, Mindspark Gujarati to teach Maths and Gujarati language in some government schools of Gujarat. The project is sponsored by the Torrent Group. The aim of this Program is to obtain visible and measurable improvement in students of classes 3-8 over a period of 5 years. Children are taught Maths and various skills like Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Spelling, Vocabulary, Syntax, Logical Reasoning etc. through Mindspark.

EI is expanding its focus to marginalised communities by piloting Mindspark Learning Centres in slum neighbourhoods in Delhi. Mindspark is provided in Hindi and implemented in dedicated learning centres located in vulnerable communities. In addition to Mindspark, students also benefit from small group instructions designed to bring them up to grade-level learning at these centres.

Two pilot Mindspark Learning Centres have been operational at Govindpuri and Chattarpur in Delhi, since July 2012 in partnership with the Central Square Foundation. Each child spends three hours a week at the Mindspark Centre. Half this time is spent on Math and the other half on literacy. For Math, 75% of the child's time is spent on Mindspark software that pitches learning at the level of the particular child. The remaining 25% time is spent on focused remedial instruction. For Language, the breakup is 50% computer-time and 50% small group instruction.

For more information on Mindspark visit

or write to us at

www.mindspark.in

mindspark@ei-india.com

Teacher’s Bite

environment

What are your views regarding the 'Importance of Teacher Training and Development' in educating Students?

I believe in lifelong learning for myself as well as others. As educators it is of utmost importance that we keep ourselves updated with all the developments in our field. Today’s youth Who has most influenced you to become an has much more exposure to information than what we, as educator, and how did they influence you?youngsters, had. A teacher must keep pace with all the

I have been inspired by my own teachers to follow developments and be aware of the latest innovations. Ongoing their footsteps. I remember as a kid I was a very shy person. It professional development keeps teachers up-to-date on new was my Chemistry teacher who pulled me out of my shell and research on how children learn, emerging technology tools for encouraged me to ask questions in the class. He gave me the the classroom, new curriculum resources, and more. The best confidence and above all ‘believed’ in me. Then later it was my professional development is ongoing, experiential, Professors in the University and Teacher training college who collaborative, and is connected to and derived from working encouraged and motivated me. And above all my students are with students and understanding their culture.my inspiration.

What is your view regarding the ASSET Test?What is your approach to classroom

The ASSET test is a very well prepared test which management and student discipline?allows a teacher to know and analyse the strengths

I believe in a class room which is student centric and is and weaknesses of her individual students and class as a whole. led by the students. A teacher should be a facilitator. A class in She can then restructure her teaching methodology according which the students are kept constructively engaged is by itself a to individual and collective needs of her class. Similarly it assists disciplined class. A proactive approach to classroom a student to improve her performance in academics and helps management focuses on structuring and organizing the them to learn to apply their knowledge.classroom in ways that create a positive physical and emotional

Q:

Ms. Meera Sain,Head &Principal,The Cathedral Vidya School,Lonavala, Pune.

Q: Q:

Video Review

The world today is home to billions of human beings, all lion’s kill to find out how belonging to a single species, the Homo sapiens. We are upright the tape warms in lion’s apes, have much evolved brains and the most complex animal food reveal our ancestors in the planet. Yet becoming the Homo sapiens did not happen were eating the same diet overnight. It was a product of 6 million years of struggle for of big game 1.7 million survival. years ago. She puts her

teeth to the test to reveal In this BBC three episode series, ‘Origins of Us’, Dr. Alice

that our teeth have evolved Roberts reveal how our body tells the story of human

to shear through meat. But evolution.

by comparing her saliva In the first episode, Dr. Robert looks at how our skeleton with that of chimpanzees she demonstrates that our body is as reveals our incredible evolutionary story. Trekking through the much designed to eat stomach as it is to eat meat.forests of the Rift Valley in Africa, she goes to meet the

In the final episode, Dr Alice Robert explores how our species, chimpanzees, our closest evolutionary cousin. In six million

Homo sapiens developed large brain, and ask why we are the years we have become very different and the roots of our being

only one of our kind left on the planet today? The evolution of different from chimpanzee can be found in an extra ordinary

our mind is one of the greatest mysteries. We are special, fossil – Sahelanthropus. A single hole where the spine was

because of our extra ordinary brain, and to understand why we attached suggests that our ancestors started the journey to

think and act the way we do, we need to look at where and why becoming human by standing upright. We take it for granted,

our brain evolved. Drawing on research on social position in but standing up and walking is surprisingly complex – each step

chimpanzees, the cognitive development of children and the involves the coordination of over 200 muscles. New research

tools that have been littered across the rift valley, Alice has uncovered clues in our ankles, waists and necks that show

explores how and why our ancestors’ brains became so big. how our ancestors were forced to survive on the open plain by walking and running for their lives. The video series is available on DVD from Amazon and BBC

shop and also available in YouTube in parts. The series is highly In the episode 2, Dr. Robert discusses how our ancestors’ hunt

recommended for serious senior students interested in biology for food has driven the way we look and behave today – from

and human evolution.the shape of our face, to what we see. Alice goes in search of a

BBC Series: Origins of Us; Presented by Dr. Alice Roberts

Q:

Video Reviewed by Jitu Mishra, Educational Specialist

Learning to Communicate

Linda Thornton and Pat Brunton explore ways to use the children’s curiosity about their world to become self-motivated, independent learners.

Opportunities for Communication

For children, learning to communicate is a very significant step towards independence and self-reliance. Young children have a naturally investigative style of learning and an equally natural urge to communicate their discoveries. By communicating their ideas, children are able to demonstrate their curiosity and express their creativity. The science and technology aspects of Knowledge and Understanding of the World provide an ideal opportunity to help children develop communication skills starting from their own ideas about their world and how it works.

Communicating through Science vocabulary and communicate through oral, graphic and mathematical representations.Although our image of science may be about ‘doing’ things, in

fact it is far more about communicating theories, both to Languages for Communicationourselves and to others. This becomes clear when we look at

Scientific and technological ideas can be communicated the processes of science which involve:through speaking, drawing, writing, constructing, music and

• observing dance, each of which will be of value in different situations.

• raising questions In every group of children there will be ‘experts’ – children who are fascinated by machines, by construction, by the • hypothesisingplanets, by plants and animals – with knowledge, skills and

• predicting experience to communicate. Creating opportunities for ideas to be shared will help children develop the skills to • planning and carrying out an investigationcommunicate scientific ideas effectively. This will help them

• interpreting results to learn how to:

• sharing findings. • express their ideas clearly

A wide range of oral communication skills can be developed • take turns in discussionthrough scientific exploration. Children will have

• listen to the points of view of othersopportunities to experiment with language and practice the skills of explaining, questioning, hypothesizing and • negotiatepredicting. They will be keen to find ways to influence others

Explorations and investigations provide many opportunities and persuade them to accept the ‘correctness’ of their for using mark-making and writing skills. Capitalise on these findings. All scientists need the acknowledgement of others by creating reasons to produce labels, to sequence events to confirm whether what they have discovered is ‘true for and to write instructions. Drawings and pictures convey the time being’. Scientific discovery, from the Nobel Prize meaning and can be used to initiate, develop and winner to the toddler investigating jelly, needs to be shared communicate ideas. Children who find using language with others in order to be validated.difficult may prefer to express their ideas through drawings,

Communicating through Design Technology but all children will benefit from the challenge of trying to convey their thinking through graphic representation using Design technology is all about communicating ideas. The pictures, plans, maps and diagrams. When a child represents process of design technology involves:his ideas and thoughts in a drawing he is also re-presenting

• identifying a need or problem them to himself. In doing this he modifies his ideas and develops his reasoning skills. By then going on to explain his • proposing a solutiondrawings to a group he has a further opportunity to revisit,

• realising a design (making something) revise and enrich his understanding.

• evaluation and testing of the design. Remember to recognise and value the very wide range of languages which young children use to communicate. Some As it is often a cooperative activity involving more than one children may prefer to express their design ideas and child, a design technology activity can help children to see scientific theories using the language of the body as well as how individual decisions contribute to a larger group project. the brain. They will communicate their ideas and thinking They will begin to appreciate the value of clear and accurate through models, construction, music, dance and re-explanations, and learn to appreciate feedback from their enactment.group. There will be many opportunities to use ‘specialist’

Teacher’s Bite

environment

What are your views regarding the 'Importance of Teacher Training and Development' in educating Students?

I believe in lifelong learning for myself as well as others. As educators it is of utmost importance that we keep ourselves updated with all the developments in our field. Today’s youth Who has most influenced you to become an has much more exposure to information than what we, as educator, and how did they influence you?youngsters, had. A teacher must keep pace with all the

I have been inspired by my own teachers to follow developments and be aware of the latest innovations. Ongoing their footsteps. I remember as a kid I was a very shy person. It professional development keeps teachers up-to-date on new was my Chemistry teacher who pulled me out of my shell and research on how children learn, emerging technology tools for encouraged me to ask questions in the class. He gave me the the classroom, new curriculum resources, and more. The best confidence and above all ‘believed’ in me. Then later it was my professional development is ongoing, experiential, Professors in the University and Teacher training college who collaborative, and is connected to and derived from working encouraged and motivated me. And above all my students are with students and understanding their culture.my inspiration.

What is your view regarding the ASSET Test?What is your approach to classroom

The ASSET test is a very well prepared test which management and student discipline?allows a teacher to know and analyse the strengths

I believe in a class room which is student centric and is and weaknesses of her individual students and class as a whole. led by the students. A teacher should be a facilitator. A class in She can then restructure her teaching methodology according which the students are kept constructively engaged is by itself a to individual and collective needs of her class. Similarly it assists disciplined class. A proactive approach to classroom a student to improve her performance in academics and helps management focuses on structuring and organizing the them to learn to apply their knowledge.classroom in ways that create a positive physical and emotional

Q:

Ms. Meera Sain,Head &Principal,The Cathedral Vidya School,Lonavala, Pune.

Q: Q:

Video Review

The world today is home to billions of human beings, all lion’s kill to find out how belonging to a single species, the Homo sapiens. We are upright the tape warms in lion’s apes, have much evolved brains and the most complex animal food reveal our ancestors in the planet. Yet becoming the Homo sapiens did not happen were eating the same diet overnight. It was a product of 6 million years of struggle for of big game 1.7 million survival. years ago. She puts her

teeth to the test to reveal In this BBC three episode series, ‘Origins of Us’, Dr. Alice

that our teeth have evolved Roberts reveal how our body tells the story of human

to shear through meat. But evolution.

by comparing her saliva In the first episode, Dr. Robert looks at how our skeleton with that of chimpanzees she demonstrates that our body is as reveals our incredible evolutionary story. Trekking through the much designed to eat stomach as it is to eat meat.forests of the Rift Valley in Africa, she goes to meet the

In the final episode, Dr Alice Robert explores how our species, chimpanzees, our closest evolutionary cousin. In six million

Homo sapiens developed large brain, and ask why we are the years we have become very different and the roots of our being

only one of our kind left on the planet today? The evolution of different from chimpanzee can be found in an extra ordinary

our mind is one of the greatest mysteries. We are special, fossil – Sahelanthropus. A single hole where the spine was

because of our extra ordinary brain, and to understand why we attached suggests that our ancestors started the journey to

think and act the way we do, we need to look at where and why becoming human by standing upright. We take it for granted,

our brain evolved. Drawing on research on social position in but standing up and walking is surprisingly complex – each step

chimpanzees, the cognitive development of children and the involves the coordination of over 200 muscles. New research

tools that have been littered across the rift valley, Alice has uncovered clues in our ankles, waists and necks that show

explores how and why our ancestors’ brains became so big. how our ancestors were forced to survive on the open plain by walking and running for their lives. The video series is available on DVD from Amazon and BBC

shop and also available in YouTube in parts. The series is highly In the episode 2, Dr. Robert discusses how our ancestors’ hunt

recommended for serious senior students interested in biology for food has driven the way we look and behave today – from

and human evolution.the shape of our face, to what we see. Alice goes in search of a

BBC Series: Origins of Us; Presented by Dr. Alice Roberts

Q:

Video Reviewed by Jitu Mishra, Educational Specialist

Learning to Communicate

Linda Thornton and Pat Brunton explore ways to use the children’s curiosity about their world to become self-motivated, independent learners.

Opportunities for Communication

For children, learning to communicate is a very significant step towards independence and self-reliance. Young children have a naturally investigative style of learning and an equally natural urge to communicate their discoveries. By communicating their ideas, children are able to demonstrate their curiosity and express their creativity. The science and technology aspects of Knowledge and Understanding of the World provide an ideal opportunity to help children develop communication skills starting from their own ideas about their world and how it works.

Communicating through Science vocabulary and communicate through oral, graphic and mathematical representations.Although our image of science may be about ‘doing’ things, in

fact it is far more about communicating theories, both to Languages for Communicationourselves and to others. This becomes clear when we look at

Scientific and technological ideas can be communicated the processes of science which involve:through speaking, drawing, writing, constructing, music and

• observing dance, each of which will be of value in different situations.

• raising questions In every group of children there will be ‘experts’ – children who are fascinated by machines, by construction, by the • hypothesisingplanets, by plants and animals – with knowledge, skills and

• predicting experience to communicate. Creating opportunities for ideas to be shared will help children develop the skills to • planning and carrying out an investigationcommunicate scientific ideas effectively. This will help them

• interpreting results to learn how to:

• sharing findings. • express their ideas clearly

A wide range of oral communication skills can be developed • take turns in discussionthrough scientific exploration. Children will have

• listen to the points of view of othersopportunities to experiment with language and practice the skills of explaining, questioning, hypothesizing and • negotiatepredicting. They will be keen to find ways to influence others

Explorations and investigations provide many opportunities and persuade them to accept the ‘correctness’ of their for using mark-making and writing skills. Capitalise on these findings. All scientists need the acknowledgement of others by creating reasons to produce labels, to sequence events to confirm whether what they have discovered is ‘true for and to write instructions. Drawings and pictures convey the time being’. Scientific discovery, from the Nobel Prize meaning and can be used to initiate, develop and winner to the toddler investigating jelly, needs to be shared communicate ideas. Children who find using language with others in order to be validated.difficult may prefer to express their ideas through drawings,

Communicating through Design Technology but all children will benefit from the challenge of trying to convey their thinking through graphic representation using Design technology is all about communicating ideas. The pictures, plans, maps and diagrams. When a child represents process of design technology involves:his ideas and thoughts in a drawing he is also re-presenting

• identifying a need or problem them to himself. In doing this he modifies his ideas and develops his reasoning skills. By then going on to explain his • proposing a solutiondrawings to a group he has a further opportunity to revisit,

• realising a design (making something) revise and enrich his understanding.

• evaluation and testing of the design. Remember to recognise and value the very wide range of languages which young children use to communicate. Some As it is often a cooperative activity involving more than one children may prefer to express their design ideas and child, a design technology activity can help children to see scientific theories using the language of the body as well as how individual decisions contribute to a larger group project. the brain. They will communicate their ideas and thinking They will begin to appreciate the value of clear and accurate through models, construction, music, dance and re-explanations, and learn to appreciate feedback from their enactment.group. There will be many opportunities to use ‘specialist’

Educational Initiatives Pvt. Ltd.302 & 613, J. B. Towers, Opp. Doordarshan Tower,Drive-In Road, Ahmedabad - 380054Phone : 91-079- 40269696Fax : 91-079-26841400 Email : info@ei-india.comWebsite : www.ei-india.com

We would like to receive your feedback on the contents of ASSETScope and the activities of EI. Please send your com-ments / opinions / suggestions to bindu@ei-india.com, assetscope@ei-india.com or to the postal address men-tioned on the left. This is a platform meant for you and it would be great to exchange ideas with you.

Assessed

students

over1.5 million

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ASSET Stands for Assessment of Scholastic Skills through Educational Testing.

It is a scientifically designed, skill-based assessment test. Rather than testing rote learning, through multiple-choice questioning, it focuses on measuring how well SKILLS and CONCEPTS underlying the school syllabus have been learnt by the student. The test provides information on the strengths and weaknesses of individual students and also entire classes.

International Benchmarking & Diagnostic Test

Register your school Now! For more details visit or write to us at www.ei-india.com info@ei-india.com

Salient Features of ASSET

• For students of classes 3-10

• Core Subjects: English, Maths and Science

• Optional Subjects: Social Studies and Hindi

Students

With ASSET, students can obtain an accurate feedback on their strengths and weaknesses and further improve their skills by themselves being involved in the learning as well as evaluation process.

With ASSET, teachers can monitor and evaluate each student of their class and benchmark the performance with other divisions as well as schools in the country. Based on progress reports, teachers can get a better insight into the progress of each child and aim towards continuous skill improvement.

ASSET enables schools to keep an eye on the overall progress of the students and scale their performance in comparison to other schools in the country. The performance and effectiveness of the teachers can also be tracked through the detailed.

Teachers

Schools

Benefits