Educational Enrichment Days 2021

During the last couple of weeks, the different departments at TISB have been busy planning and carrying out Educational Enrichment Days for Middle School students. The aim of the days has been to engage and motivate students in learning until the end of term. Distance learning has offered many new ways and techniques for online teaching and learning, and the Educational Enrichment Days have added to the learning in all departments. We contacted a few departments to find out what they have been up to.

Mathematics

The teachers in the TISB Mathematics Department engaged in Kahoot quizzes and maths riddles. The activities made up a comprehensive review of concepts covered during the term, in a fun and interactive way. “Kahoot quizzes encouraged a competitive spirit in the students, and the maths riddles promoted out of the box thinking and real-life application”, says Ms Shobhita. To further the learning and engage students, Aditi and Stavan from Grade 12, held a day of Mathematical exploration, where they played truth and dare games with students, and used Kahoot to check their understanding in innovative ways.

 “The challenge was to keep the students motivated and involved given these activities were conducted virtually”, says Ms Shobhita, explaining that this was why the activities were fast-paced and questioned students in different ways to invigorate their interest. “We can incorporate these activities into our regular teaching and reviewing of concepts”, continues Ms Shobhita, saying that it helps students to develop a new outlook on Mathematics as a subject, steering the subject from being purely academic, to something that applies to real-life situations.

English

Grade 6 students have been busily involved in creating news presentations, where they were given headlines and asked to present the story as if through a news channel. Students in Grade 7 worked collaboratively to write their own scripts, perform comedy sketches, and puppet and mime shows, as well as producing media campaigns on social issues. Grade 8 students chose their favourite films and books and condensed them into a five-minute skit performance; working in groups on a life-skill game, where they were given situations and had to come up with survival strategies.

The activities also focused on multidisciplinary skills, such as communication, and critical and creative thinking. “The students were given time during their asynchronous lessons to discuss their ideas within their groups, and to practice and rehearse”, says Ms Prerna. It is also important to shed light on societal challenges and ways to overcome them. “As students of an international school, it is important they are aware of the struggles faced by different people, and the power that they have to help those in need”, says Ms Archana, who stressed the importance of educating students to think about their messages and receivers, and how they can most effectively accomplish their purpose.

“Perhaps students could engage more with the world around them and try to apply what they learn in class to address issues outside the classroom”, says Ms Archana. Ms Prerna agrees, and believes that these kinds of activities may increase student engagement throughout the year. 

Geography

Geography classes have been connecting activities to what students previously have learnt. Grade 6 students designed their own country and presented it to the class. The country had to be on earth, but students were creative in their choice of location, with floating and underwater cities, and with weather to create crop cycles or frozen countries with artificial forests. “Grade 6 was learning about climate and urbanisation, and therefore the activity made them culminate their learning by creating their own country”, says Ms Moumita, Head of the Geography and Global Perspectives Department.

Grade 7 presented a section of a Travel show called 'Forever Hippie'; and the show with the most votes was awarded ‘Travel Show of the Year’. As Grade 7 started the year learning about tourism, this year was wrapped up with a travel show, giving students a chance to travel virtually, despite the home-bound situation. Watch the Grade 7 Travel Show, and travel around the world with the students.

 “Grade 8 have been learning about ‘Development’ as their last concept this year, and we thought this activity would be a good way to wrap it up and expose them to economics, as many of them are going to take economics next year”. Therefore, students in Grade 8 worked on a ‘JAM Session’, to present their proposals on an idea, such as ‘Climate Change is a Myth’, ‘Artificial Intelligence Will Bring 21st Century Development’, and ‘Indigenous People Hold the Key to Protecting Nature’ that can be discussed at, for example, the UN or in their own Parliament. 

History 

In History many of the activities have possibly paved the way for the future within the department. “Our activities can be useful as a project for the next academic year in other Grades”, says Ms Arpita, explaining that themes and concepts that have been covered, can introduce new topics to students.

During the course of the Educational Enrichment Days, students have created their own city states and explored family trees, enacted conversations and interviews with historical figures, played guessing games, word puzzles and performed medieval feasts in online breakout rooms, all with a historic perspective.

All topics and tasks given by the History Department, were designed to develop students’ creative and soft skills, while applying their historical knowledge. “As each class had a group activity, it was a great opportunity for them to develop their social skills”, says Ms Arpita, explaining that activities were planned in a way for students to enjoy themselves, and not look at it as homework.

Other subjects and departments

In Computer Science, students brainstormed ideas to produce new devices for the current world and the future. They have also played Tech Hang Man based on current affairs in latest technology and solved logical reasoning puzzles. “These activities made students think, innovate and solve problems”, says Ms Priya, explaining how this has offered students the opportunity to research the latest developments in the field. “These activities brought in some fun and out of the box thinking unlike the normal practical activities”, says Ms Priya, who believes the department might include design and innovation parameters to these exploration project activities in the future. 

During the past week Spanish teacher, Ms Laura, has worked with the film ‘Inside Out’ with Grade 7. After watching the film, they created a poster in English and Spanish talking about and understanding emotions. Grade 8 students have created their own crossword puzzles using new vocabulary. They then held a competition with the whole class to see who was able to discover more words without even knowing the word. “This was really interesting, and they were guessing a lot”, says Ms Laura, explaining that students made connections by just reading a hint and creating associations with their knowledge in Spanish.

In Biology, students have been carrying out group activities, and brainstorming creative writing, exploring case studies, and learning and performing science-based songs. “Case studies help bring home the real-world significance of textbook knowledge”, says Ms Grace. Students have taken ownership of their projects and made it a success. “Breakout rooms seem to be an effective tool for constructive learning”, says Ms Grace, who would like to use them more often next year. Students have really enjoyed the independent learning experience, and many have gone above and beyond the basic requirements.

The TISB Physical Education Department has conducted fun and challenging activities during the Educational Enrichment Days. “During these testing times, it is important that we focus on not only on physical fitness but also mental well-being”, says Mr Tarun, Head of the PE Department. Having sessions that are fun is a great way of learning, and many students participated to the be of their ability. “They enjoyed watching each other perform and at the same time, they wanted to compete to win”, says Mr Tarun, explaining that students were given multiple attempts in each challenge. Not being at school means that resources might not be available at home. “We ensure that we stick to requirements which are easily available”, says Mr Tarun.