9 Dec 2022

Dear Parents,

This is an update of the last two weeks. 

Project Day

The quality of the project presentations over the past several months have been deteriorating. We do our self assessment in the end, where everyone admits that they should have started the project work earlier. Many admit that their performances were poor and mediocre. 

Listening to their reflections used to soothe us, aren’t they mature to develop this understanding of self? But if this happens every time without any major improvement, that’s when we observed that this is becoming a pattern or is this a strategy? Admitting one’s work as shoddy, potentially avoids all kinds of conflict. 

So the very next day we decided to set up a process. A system that is rigorous enough that if followed properly will at least yield a decent outcome. Work that doesn’t meet the minimum requirements will not be accepted for presentations on the project day. Those kids will have to sit at home.

After we explained all of this to children, we asked them to vote. We conducted anonymous voting, so we could avoid any pressure from facilitators and peers. Can you guess the outcome? Everyone unanimously voted yes. I wonder why? Anyhow, the rigour has already started. 

Shantaba Vidyalaya 

The visit was an extreme one on several accounts. To begin with, their whole campus is sprawled across a few acres. While we were 21 they were 686 children. Their children were very well disciplined, while ours were running amok. They have a routine and everything runs like clock work while our facilitators looked like shepherds tending their cattle. 

All the children looked well nourished and were very happy to interact with us. They took really good care of us and planned several activities, like farming, music sessions, tending the cows in the goshala, yoga, games and dance activities. Our children and facilitators also took a few sessions for them. 

Children at the school come from the nearby tribal villages. These children come from very poor families, many for them don’t have their parents and live with their other family members. Largely all of them are first generation learners. So this is their home. It is an inspiring story, hope to write in detail about it later.

Judiciary

We didn’t have any Judiciary but had a circle time about the Bilimora trip. What we have observed during our trip is that few children were not interested in any of the activities that we were doing. They were simply doing things that pleased them, upon asking them to come forward they were conveniently avoiding being called for any participation. So we all decided to vote these people out from the next trip. 

Coding session 

Barring a few everyone attends the coding session. Right now they are doing a simple activity with Scratch. They started making a calculator and after that they made a ball/paddle game. All of them seem committed to the class. At least till now. 

Math session for the Adolescents 

After the initial highs now this session seems to be hitting the road block. Mind you, its not because the sessions are not entertaining and engaging but because now it’s time for them to do real work and not just sit and listen. They are becoming very irregular towards finishing their homework. Even after multiple reminders, seriousness is not trickling in.

Geography, Language, Body systems, History and People & Places are those sessions which our pups voted for but occasionally two or three of them are show up. When asked why the change of heart/mind? None of them had any answers, we suspect doing more than two sessions will eat up their play time. 

This week during the sessions meant for 10+ many had to step out because they didn’t complete their homework. 

Singing sessions are going great. They learning basics and new songs. Everyone seems to be enjoying.

Movie Club

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 movie that tells a story of an all boys school. Where an inspiring teacher tells them to “Carpe Diem” which means seize the day. Under his influence they start standing up for their wishes against the expectations of their parents, the institution and thereby society in general. 

That’s all for this week, until next week.