Self-directed learning – what comes to mind when we hear this? It sounds like a complex pedagogical concept. In simple terms, it is the process of a learner learning independently. Imagine a scenario where you choose what to learn, how to learn, when to learn and go about it without…
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Water Water everywhere “What! Is it time to drink water again? Why should I drink so much water?” Does this question sound like one your child would ask? It surely does to me. I know of many parents who need to constantly remind children to drink water throughout the day.…
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The Montessori method Nowadays, the Montessori method is a familiar name to parents, educators, and the public alike. The Montessori method has gained widespread application all over the world, including India. I have been reading the book, The Secret of Childhood by Maria Montessori, over the last few weeks. The…
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Learning from teaching Last week in Biology class, matters of the heart were the main topic of discussion. The structure and function of the human heart, I mean! I teach Biology rarely, once in 2-3 years. Every experience gives me food for thought. During our discussion, I made an erroneous…
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Questions and discussions surrounding schooling at home have increased in the last few months in our network. The year of the pandemic has provided an unprecedented opportunity for children attending school from home. This situation has made parents think about schooling children at home. At the least, curiosity on this…
View More Are you considering schooling at home? Ask yourself these 6 critical questions
Two weeks ago, I wrote about the Elephant Toothpaste experiment I did with my students. A few readers who read that post were curious about how to conduct the experiment and what happens in it. Hence, this follow-up post on the Chemistry behind the experiment. Incidentally, my lesson plan for…
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Expectation Elephant Toothpaste – does it sound absurd? On the contrary, it is quite a popular Science experiment. I have conducted it many times, watched it even more times, and enjoyed every single experience. However, it has been some years since I did this experiment. Last week in my 9th…
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Kitchen is a Science lab My husband is very fond of experimenting, especially conducting experiments in the kitchen. A few days ago, while I was away from home, he got the idea to set home-made ‘curd’ (yogurt, ಮೊಸರು, दही). When I returned home in the evening, I saw a vessel…
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Out of thin air Have you ever wondered what we are all made of? Many years ago, I attended a seminar in my office. The speaker was a visiting delegate from the USA. His expertise was in K12 education. He had carried a thick wooden log with him to use…
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What is my method? I have been a teacher for 2 decades now, I have not consciously reflected on my teaching method often. Lately, I have been watching the early seasons of the TV series Grey’s Anatomy. In one episode, a character (a senior surgeon) asks a new resident in…
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