Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student's Achievement
Proper development of a child is based on interplay of influences from parents, teachers and communty. The above tree so very beautifully shows the trait development in a child as a result of ecosystem which eventually develops in a tripolar environment ( teacher, student and parents).
When teachers form positive bonds with students, classrooms become supportive spaces in which students can engage in academically and socially productive ways. Positive teacher-student relationships are classified as having the presence of closeness, warmth, and positivity.Students who have positive relationships with their teachers use them as a secure base from which they can explore the classroom and school setting both academically and socially, to take on academic challenges and work on social-emotional development. This includes, relationships with peers, and developing self-esteem and self-concept. Through this secure relationship, students learn about socially appropriate behaviors as well as academic expectations and how to achieve these expectations.
Children thrive in the classroom when parents and teachers work together to provide a nurturing and stable learning environment. It's a "Partnership which begins with communication," between both parties, ideally through face-to-face contact, but also through notes and e-mail. Parents and teachers should work together with the idea that they are helping the child. Parents should inquire about what is happening in the class so they can capitalize on any teachable moments at home."It makes a big difference in the effort and performance of students when they know their teacher and their parents are a team and have the same expectations regarding their progress in school". Teachers also learn more about student's needs and home environment, which is information they can apply towards better meeting those needs accordingly.
Teacher as an individual plays an important role in the overall development of a child.
When teachers form positive bonds with students, classrooms become supportive spaces in which students can engage in academically and socially productive ways. Positive teacher-student relationships are classified as having the presence of closeness, warmth, and positivity.Students who have positive relationships with their teachers use them as a secure base from which they can explore the classroom and school setting both academically and socially, to take on academic challenges and work on social-emotional development. This includes, relationships with peers, and developing self-esteem and self-concept. Through this secure relationship, students learn about socially appropriate behaviors as well as academic expectations and how to achieve these expectations.
Children thrive in the classroom when parents and teachers work together to provide a nurturing and stable learning environment. It's a "Partnership which begins with communication," between both parties, ideally through face-to-face contact, but also through notes and e-mail. Parents and teachers should work together with the idea that they are helping the child. Parents should inquire about what is happening in the class so they can capitalize on any teachable moments at home."It makes a big difference in the effort and performance of students when they know their teacher and their parents are a team and have the same expectations regarding their progress in school". Teachers also learn more about student's needs and home environment, which is information they can apply towards better meeting those needs accordingly.
Teacher as an individual plays an important role in the overall development of a child.
KEN ROBINSON’S TALK
Beautiful thoughts of Ken Robinson on “creativity”.
Beautiful thoughts of Ken Robinson on “creativity”.
Our system provides a structured and processed education. There is no scope of creativity. We are just following the norms and regulations in the education field. In doing so, we have lost our creativity and also we keep hammering the minds of the students to follow those norms and regulations and not giving space to their creative brains thus killing their creativity also. We are not providing them an environment where they can think out of the box. We should provide an environment where students can think, explore, discover, imagine and express themselves. Creativity is not about doing something better than others.
We expect the same regular routine things from them like, behave in an appropriate manner, score good marks and choose mathematics and science as main stream subjects. We never encourage a child who is inclined towards art, music, dance or any other field. In our society all these are non preferred streams.
A child when starts crawling and walking he explores the world around him without any fear as he is unaware of the results his mind come across, many thoughts. But as he starts growing he steps in a world which is full of expectations and result oriented and where everything is bounded in structure. We ask repetitively that child to follow that structure, which slowly and steadily kills his creative mind. He then also starts thinking the same way and stops experimenting with new thoughts and new ideas. Our education system is producing only structured human beings and the creative ones.
There is a need for a BIG CHANGE in our education system to provide an environment in which a child’s creativity flourishes and not suppresses. We need to bring that change to conserve the creative and curious nature of our children.
An eminent artist Devi Prasad says-
“An artist is not a special kind of man but everyman is a special kind of artist”.
VISIT TO JODO GYAN SCHOOL
The visit to ‘JODO GYAN’ was a great and valuable experience. In the morning, when we were heading towards Shakurpur I was wondering and discussing with my peers what kind of exposure we are going to get and how it’s going to help us in our teaching lives and how relevant it will be? At that moment, going there was not making sense to me. When we reached at the Jodo Gyan office I was not comfortable as it was in a different social context. I pondered over it and presumed it to be imperative for which we have come so far. We all gathered at the Jodo Gyan office and met Shaji. We had upma which was so ‘yummy’ in the breakfast and got a brief idea about the schedule of the day.
The visit to ‘JODO GYAN’ was a great and valuable experience. In the morning, when we were heading towards Shakurpur I was wondering and discussing with my peers what kind of exposure we are going to get and how it’s going to help us in our teaching lives and how relevant it will be? At that moment, going there was not making sense to me. When we reached at the Jodo Gyan office I was not comfortable as it was in a different social context. I pondered over it and presumed it to be imperative for which we have come so far. We all gathered at the Jodo Gyan office and met Shaji. We had upma which was so ‘yummy’ in the breakfast and got a brief idea about the schedule of the day.
Then we went to the Jodo Gyan School and observed that it is a primary grade school and the classes in the school are structured according to the age groups from 3-4 years, 4-6 years, 6-9 years and 9-12 years. It was a different kind of setting and in a different context. I happened to observe the class of children of age group 6-9 years. After observing the class I was aghast to see the way teachers were teaching in the classrooms where no major resources were available in the absence of any financial help. The way they were teaching in the classes was commendable. Students were self disciplined, clear with their thoughts and concepts that they were doing. They were very helpful to each other.
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Elder students were helping the younger ones in different activities that they were doing in the class.All the students were self motivated for learning new things and minimal distraction was there in the class. I have never imagined such a classroom even in my thoughts but I could see that happening in front of my eyes. I got a deep understanding and I concluded after the visit that it’s the “Teacher’s attitude which makes the learning experiences interesting and purposeful for the students and leads to success”. |
It’s not the money and resources which makes the classroom teaching effective and meaningful but it is the teacher who makes it meaningful and resources can be created. It was a worth visit and after that my opinion changed about these schools where learning is happening in a meaningful way. Now , I have a doubt whether the so called fancy schools will also be having teachers with such an attitude who can provide a meaningful learning environment to the students and guide them in their growth and learning. |
VISIT TO MIRAMBIKA SCHOOL-SRI AUROBINDO ASHARAM, NEW DELHI
On my recent visit to Mirambika- a free progress school in Hauz Khas, I was exposed to the practical implementation of Aurobindo’s educational philosophy.
A complete training including heart, body, mind and soul is the key of Mirambika. Every child is important and learns things at his own pace. Every child is responsible for his own growth as well. Starting the day with physical activities followed by prayers and meditation sets, gives a positive start for the rest of the day.
The classrooms in the school are without walls and one can sit any where. There isn’t a structured timetable and no bells to mark an end or start of the day. Teachers are referred to as either ‘didi’ or ‘bhaiya’ for a simple reason to avoid the hierarchical authoritarian barrier between student and teacher. All the philosophical theories, I read at the start of the course I can see getting implemented in Mirambika. |
EXPEDITION-SDMC SCHOOL
MOTI LAL NEHRU CAMP
MOTI LAL NEHRU CAMP
We went to the SDMC School Police Colony for four days to understand and study a different context altogether. The day we went there, we were not aware of what we are going to do in these four days. Expedition unfolded each day with some of the interesting and challenging facts. First day, we tried to understand the school culture, physical space, teacher and student relationship in the class and few facts about the history of the school. After that we went to the communities from where children are coming to that school. We were allotted different areas to study and understand the community and their thought process. I was with a group which was being allotted Moti Lal Nehru Camp. I went to the community with few of my assumptions which I had earlier, but after delving deeper in my inquiry questions about why people migrate and how schools can be brought closer to these communities few of my assumptions got challenged and few of them were reinforced. After our inquiry and understanding of the community we came up with the following information.
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Our inquiry
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What are their aspirations?
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Our Inferences
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How can the school use these inferences to become a center of learning for the larger community?
What is our philosophy behind the recommendations?
ORGANISED BAL MELA AT SDMC SCHOOL
On our last day at SDMC School we organized a ‘BAL MELA’ in the school. We invited children of different communities with their parents to come and enjoy the mela. We did all preparations of that mela starting from the planning till execution part and that too in a very short span of time. We all were surprised with what we could do and made it a happening event in such a short span of time. It was such a fun filled and good learning experience in different socioeconomic strata.
We started our planning with making teams who would be catering to the different responsibilities. I participated in almost every activity and took the lead for decoration part of the event. We created our own resources for the decoration, made strings of Toran, of children work so that we can display children’s work also in the event, planned and did prepare sports activity, song to sing, a dance to perform in front of students, and also planned our own stalls to engage children in different activities, games and to give them the feel of a mela.
We started the day with different sports activity where we made children play different games. Then there were stage performances where students of the school also performed and we also performed. After that children went to the different stalls. I put the stall of rangometry where children of different age groups came and made different patterns. Younger children made different objects by using the blocks. Children were highly enthusiastic to make the patterns. Not only children even their mothers were very keen to make the patters and display it on the board at my stall. I was so happy to see their interest and curiosity to do new things. At the end all the children who came with there parents were served food. It was a short but profound learning experience for me. Few of the glimpses of the mela we organized at school.
- Provide vocational training. for eg-Silai center
- Invite mothers to get involved as volunteers/contract basis for work.
- Hold nutrition and hygiene camps/drives for educational purposes
- Create awareness through nukkad natak on social issues
- Teachers to do home visits- to discuss about the child and know about the home environment more
What is our philosophy behind the recommendations?
- School being actively involved in creating awareness amongst the parents will establish the school’s position more strongly within the community.
ORGANISED BAL MELA AT SDMC SCHOOL
On our last day at SDMC School we organized a ‘BAL MELA’ in the school. We invited children of different communities with their parents to come and enjoy the mela. We did all preparations of that mela starting from the planning till execution part and that too in a very short span of time. We all were surprised with what we could do and made it a happening event in such a short span of time. It was such a fun filled and good learning experience in different socioeconomic strata.
We started our planning with making teams who would be catering to the different responsibilities. I participated in almost every activity and took the lead for decoration part of the event. We created our own resources for the decoration, made strings of Toran, of children work so that we can display children’s work also in the event, planned and did prepare sports activity, song to sing, a dance to perform in front of students, and also planned our own stalls to engage children in different activities, games and to give them the feel of a mela.
We started the day with different sports activity where we made children play different games. Then there were stage performances where students of the school also performed and we also performed. After that children went to the different stalls. I put the stall of rangometry where children of different age groups came and made different patterns. Younger children made different objects by using the blocks. Children were highly enthusiastic to make the patterns. Not only children even their mothers were very keen to make the patters and display it on the board at my stall. I was so happy to see their interest and curiosity to do new things. At the end all the children who came with there parents were served food. It was a short but profound learning experience for me. Few of the glimpses of the mela we organized at school.
SHEETLAKHET RETREAT
Since the time I heard of going on the camp I kept wondering why, what for, objective etc. etc. Kept thinking and thinking but in vain and could not get answers and finally the day arrived to go.
After reaching the camp I got a wow feeling. Great setting in the lap of nature. There was a bit of disappointment also when I found that bathrooms are not attached with the tents and i will have to walk down to the specified areas to avail those basic facilities. |
Waking up to the natural alarm of the chirping birds is altogether a different feeling. Being habitual of city living, queuing up for the morning chores was pretty uncomfortable but interesting as it threw my thinking back to my hostel days. We left the camp for some mountain trail walks. As I was quite familiar with the mountain tracks and trails so was confident but curiosity was there that for what and where we are going? We reached at a spot where there was a big rock face. Again I was questioning to myself now what? |
As I came to know that we have come here for rappelling I was excited as I had never done it before and might not get the chance in future to do it. I had decided to go in the first few people. The excitement turned into nervousness and fear, the moment I went up to the height of eighty feet. I stood there for few moments, took deep breaths and gathered courage to break the psychological barrier and took off. In the middle, cheers from my peers were also lifting my spirits and finally was down to the landing spot. It could be simple task for the others but I had a sense of accomplishment as I managed to break free from the inner fear and pushed forward beyond my barrier. Don’t even remember when I had such an exciting experience of overcoming the fear factor in my life. After doing it I felt like doing it again as I found it really thrilling.
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Third day, we left the camp for some activity which we were not being told. While going on the way inquisitiveness gripped my mind again that what will unfold as a task for the day. After reaching the destination we were told to make a bridge and fifteen people were also supposed to cross that bridge in ninety minutes. Initially when I was in the small group I was clear about the instructions given to us and was confident that whatever be the task I can manage. But after fifteen minutes when all the three groups merged my energy levels went little low as no one was ready to listen and there was a complete chaos. It also was an immense learning that to achieve success in a larger group you require a lot of coordination and communication with in the group.
Few minutes later we decided to select two members from each team and I nominated myself. After sometime I got the feel again that we might be able to complete the task. Though it was still chaotic but there was some order in the chaos. I put all my efforts to complete the task in whichever way I could have helped the team .But I felt that there was lack of planning and strategy formulation at the initial level and lack of coordination in the team. We completed the task but not within the timeline given to us. But anyhow I was satisfied with my contribution.When I was in the smaller group I was much more comfortable and confident. As we merged together I felt bit suppressed as some bold personalities tried to overshadow. But I kept on pushing myself for further participation and I was able to manage.
Few minutes later we decided to select two members from each team and I nominated myself. After sometime I got the feel again that we might be able to complete the task. Though it was still chaotic but there was some order in the chaos. I put all my efforts to complete the task in whichever way I could have helped the team .But I felt that there was lack of planning and strategy formulation at the initial level and lack of coordination in the team. We completed the task but not within the timeline given to us. But anyhow I was satisfied with my contribution.When I was in the smaller group I was much more comfortable and confident. As we merged together I felt bit suppressed as some bold personalities tried to overshadow. But I kept on pushing myself for further participation and I was able to manage.
After reaching back the camp we were told that we will be going for the night out. Mix of feelings gripped my mind. I was excited and scared too as it was first night out of this kind. We were given the stuff which we were supposed to carry with us for the night out which again was a big task for me. I was feeling like to quit but as there was no such option available so I had to push. Initially, I felt that I won’t be able to carry this much weight but anyhow I managed and stretched myself to reach the destination. It was really worth going there and getting that experience. Second time I felt like breaking my psychological barrier and going beyond my limits.
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Cooking over there was also an amazing experience. Have always heard that too many chefs spoil the recipe but we proved it wrong, the food was too good which we cooked together. I thoroughly enjoyed all the activities starting from the collection of woods till packing of the tents the next morning. It was the first experience for me to cook food in the dark and staying in the tents. After this I felt that once you have taken the first step towards any situation and you are determined then you can achieve results. Singing and listening to the songs by the bonfire was an enthralling experience. Lot of talented people in the group we discovered that day.
Finally, the time arrived to head back and I was filled with fresh feeling and energy meter was up. I was carrying a positive vibe of strong will power and determination to face new challenges in my life. Above all, I picked up a bunch of good friends in this trip and life time memories to cherish.
Finally, the time arrived to head back and I was filled with fresh feeling and energy meter was up. I was carrying a positive vibe of strong will power and determination to face new challenges in my life. Above all, I picked up a bunch of good friends in this trip and life time memories to cherish.
Started our journey back from Shitlakhet to Delhi. While on the move I was remembering all the questions I had before starting for the camp and interestingly all seemed to be answered. Now, have a fully rejuvenated and fresh mind with a belief that I can face any challenges in my life.
“I believe I can fly……
I believe I can touch the sky….
NOW…..I think about it every night and day….
Spread my wings and fly away”
“I believe I can fly……
I believe I can touch the sky….
NOW…..I think about it every night and day….
Spread my wings and fly away”