Unity and Caring - Laxmi Kant Bhatt

Unity is a state of mind which keeps a group bound with each other keeping their significant differences aside by compromising. It means staying together in the worst situations without stabbing each other in the back. If people understand the meaning of unity, they can withstand any condition.

In our everyday world, through struggles and hardships, caring can help us overcome many problems. Caring is a feeling or showing concern for or kindness to others. It can create a beautiful environment and help people feel happy and memorable.

In our school, the principal arranged an interclass competition for the students in which they had to decorate their classes according to the theme assigned to them. The theme decided was caring about the endangered species of the world. The time set for the competition was one week. The next day I got some important work and took three days off. I could not inform my class regarding the interclass competitions and be already behind.

On returning from my leave of absence, I informed the students about the competition and discussed the plan I had come up with them. The students improvised the idea, and they made certain groups for different purposes. The first group would do research, the Second would do the art and craft work, the Third group would do the writing work, and the fourth would do the presentation. As the time and resources were limited, I offered my maths lessons, and the students offered their personal stationery. The students used their time wisely, and within two days, they were done with their class decoration. The next day the judges visited every class, and the students in my class gave informative and formal presentations. During this period, the kids learned to work in a team without putting their differences in between. As the theme was about caring, they learned a lot about how caring can evolve a person's personality. They also discussed the issue with the judges and told them all the things they got to know and experience while working on this assignment.  

Therefore unity is a great thing which can make things possible over a short period, and how caring can help lift up people's moods and evolve people's personalities.

L K Bhatt
The Doon Girls' School

Unity and Caring - Shalini Solanki

Unity brings power, and caring gives the power of being in the company of people who love, care, understand, and stand with you in good and bad times. We must have heard the quote, ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall’. Such a short quote has a powerful meaning and feeling. I still remember the award-winning song on the Doordarshan channel, ‘Ek chidiya, anek chidiya’. No matter how small or weak we are together, nothing is impossible.

I got to experience ‘Unity and Caring’ with my students outside the classroom.

All Grade 2 sections went for an excursion to Zoological Park, New Delhi, under the theme ‘Animals Around Us’. I started discussing the trip with my class two days before the departure date to get their ideas and expectations. We decided to make groups of 2 students each in a queue. The partners were accepted on the approval of each student as per the requirements. 23 students were present on the final day, so I made a queue of 11 groups + 01 with me (He needed special care☺). I was surprised to see their unity and caring for each other here. They sat in groups on the bus and counted each other. Students were even concerned about each other’s bags and water bottles. I was so happy to see their belongingness and care for each other.

We finally reached the zoo, and before I counted till 11 to ensure that every group was present after getting off the bus, they counted themselves and told me they were all with me. Each one has taken responsibility. Even if one child had to go to the washroom, the whole class would wait without complaint. We went to see different categories of animals, and I observed that my students wanted to experience everything with their entire group. They were holding hands, walking and enjoying together, sharing caps and giving places to their peers to stand and see the animals. Children made space for the entire class to see the ‘Malaysian Bird’ and ‘Jaguar’ together. They also ensured the shorter ones could get in front and experience the complete view.

What else could a teacher desire? This is itself an achievement to see our children reflecting the behaviour desired by us. Sometimes I feel powerful as I have little contribution to shaping the lives of our future leaders. This feeling is beyond anything that exists.

           

Shalini Solanki
Gyanshree School, Noida

Unity and Caring - Nitin Sharma

When you have unity, it’s fantastic. When you don’t, it’s awful. Unity lightens the heart and brightens the day, an abundant source of joy and optimism, allowing even the most difficult tasks to be enjoyable. Unity represents togetherness. Therefore, it is standing together for every thick and thin matter. When we work together, we are motivated and encouraged to work harder. Also, we push each other to accomplish our goals, which is a significant motivational factor.

In this context, we have done a challenging activity in our classes IX and X. The move was that some groups were made from classes IX and X, and students were supposed to decide the best place for an excursion. All groups were given one week, and each group leader was supposed to prepare various pros and cons for an excursion to that place along with all the details. To my surprise, students had prepared excellent information for that place, such as location, travelling expenses, and refreshments. They beautifully linked that excursion to the related topics mentioned in their curriculum. So an excursion to Maple Camp was decided, full of adventurous activities. This excursion was full of joy and excitement, as this was possible only because of the unity of the students.

I am very thankful to the JOL Cohort for allowing me to share the experience of this beautiful activity.

Caring:
No other experience better than this excursion can be there to share the best example of caring for each other. Each group leader was very concerned about his/ her team members and their teachers. It was a tremendous hand-holding for all of us. Each student came ahead to help another student, and how they motivated each other.

In the end, I would like to end with a quote -

Thanks!

Nitin Sharma Kamla Nehru Public School, Phagwara

Unity and Caring - Jaspreet Kaur

Unity:- The quality or state of not being multiple, the quality or condition of being one single whole, or the same if there is a unity of ownership of the immovable and movable.

In Grade V, I conducted one activity it is based on Unity. There are twenty students in my section. I divided the class into four groups and allotted them a  biography from an English book, asked them to prepare a PowerPoint, Sway Presentation,  Adobe Lesson and one with Nearpod.

Group 1- Made a exciting introduction PowerPoint on Malala Yusufzai. One student gathered the pictures, one student made the slides, and the other two students presented the slides.

Group 2- Made a Sway presentation at the beginning of the biography. They have shared the childhood events and the early life of Malala Yousafzai.

Group 3- Made an Adobe webpage on the contribution of Malala Yousafzai and which awards she has received. Why did she receive the Nobel prize at such a young age?

Group 4- Made the presentation on the Nearpod tool and shared the ending of the biography and what they have learnt from Malala’s life. 

I acted as a facilitator and guided the students about the topic, and I also told them how to work as a team. Students worked as a strong team and showcased their best communication and linguistic skills.  

Caring: - During the ‘Talent Hunt’ in our school, students of Grade V gave the duty to welcome and take care of all the esteemed guests and the kids who came for the Fancy Dress and Healthy Baby Show. Students took care of all the students from various schools in the city. Grade V students did their duty wholeheartedly. They helped us maintain discipline and distributed tokens to all the participants before their turn. On stage, they held the little hands of little champions and allowed them to stand in front of the mike. I guided the students to perform their duties. All teachers from other schools appreciated and thanked the Grade V  students as they performed their duties in a befitting manner. 

Jaspreet Kaur

Kamla Nehru Public School, Phagwara 

एकता और देखभाल - ज्योति तड़ियाल

 

एकता और देखभाल
मिलजुलकर एक समूह में कार्यरत होना एकता की भावना है। हम सब एक साथ मिलजुलकर, एक दूसरे को समझते हुए कार्य करते हैं, तब यह एकता की भावना कहलाती है। एक साथ मिलकर किसी भी कार्य को सुंदरता और कुशलता से किया जा सकता है।

प्रसिद्ध काव्य पंक्तियां हैं –

दो एक एकादश हुए किसने नहीं देखे सुने,
हां शून्य के भी योग से हैं अंक होते सौ गुने।

अर्थ साफ हैं? एकता की भावना ही सर्वोपरि है और असंभव को भी संभव बना देती है। एक समूह में कार्यरत रहने की क्षमता ही एकता की भावना है। जब हम इस भावना को सीखते हैं तो सहयोग व सामंजस्य की भावनाओं का उदय भी हमारे भीतर होता है। रिश्ते सुदृढ़ होते हैं और आपसी मनमुटाव व झगड़े की संभावनाएं क्षीण होती जाती है। कक्षा कक्ष में भी यह एकता की भावना प्रायः विद्यार्थियों के मध्य बलवती रहती है। इसका उदाहरण अक्सर हमें दृष्टिगत होता है । जब कभी कक्षा में कोई भी परीक्षा का दिन निश्चित होना हो । वैसे यह भावना सकारात्मक ही है क्योंकि विद्यार्थी अपने मनोनुकूल समय प्राप्त कर लेते हैं। कक्षा कक्ष में निश्चित तौर पर यह एकता का भाव शांत अवस्था में रहकर अप्रत्याशित प्रभाव डालता है।

सहायता

जिसे चिंता करना, देखभाल करना भी कहते हैं। दूसरों की सहायता करना भी इसी श्रेणी में आता है। शारीरिक व भावनात्मक रूप से दूसरों की सहायता करना भी इसी श्रेणी में आता है। जब भी हम कुछ कार्य करने के इच्छुक होते हैं तो उसे पूर्ण समर्पण भाव से करते हैं, उस समय हमारा मन मस्तिष्क इसी में एकाग्र रहता है। एक सीधा सरल हृदय सदैव दूसरों की भलाई में रत रहता है। दूसरों के लिए परोपकार की यह भावना इतनी महत्वपूर्ण है कि १८ पुराणों में महर्षि व्यास ने कहा है –

अष्टादश पुराणेशु व्यासस्य वचन द्वायम।
परोपकाराय पुण्यया। पापय परपीडनम।।

कक्षा कक्ष में भी यह भावना सभी को प्रेरणा देती है और आगे बढ़ाती है। प्रत्येक विद्यार्थी एक दूसरे की चिंता करता है और सभी को साथ लेकर आगे बढ़ने का प्रयास करता है। देखभाल की यह भावना कई स्तरों पर दिखाई देती है, जहां मित्रता, निस्वर्थता, सकारात्मकता आपस में जुड़ी रहती है। इस प्रकार आदर्श विद्यालय सहयोग की भावना पर आधारित होता है, जहां सभी स्तरों पर सहयोग दिखाई देता है और सफलता का मार्ग प्रशस्त होता है।

ज्योति तड़ियाल 
दून गर्ल्स स्कूल

Unity and Caring - Mridula Renjit & Preeti Mahajan

                                       

Unity

The children were given the task of decorating the class for Christmas. Initially, each of them was in the mood for competition. Each wanted their Santa, bell, and streamer to be in the centre. Then I told them the story of ‘one stick can be broken easily, but a bundle of sticks is difficult to break.’ It was explained to them that they should plan and see how everyone’s work can be displayed to enhance the overall look of the class.

Children really understood the beauty and strength of Unity. The scenes that followed were a treat to watch. First, they made an overall plan of the materials and how these can be placed. Then, the tallest girl stood on the chair, others passed on the material, stapler, and tape, and in a well-coordinated manner, the task was accomplished.

The students said that they enjoyed picking out things made by their classmates and putting them up for decoration. Even the ones whose work was kept in reserve for next time did not feel left out. Finally, it was a united team effort.

Then students discussed how working for one united team, they enjoyed the task, and beautiful work was displayed in the end. As the teacher there, I realised that the finer qualities are there in all the children. We have to try to bring it out in classroom situations. We innately try to be united as it gives security and brings out appreciation from the group. This innate quality sometimes needs a push to find expression.

Caring

The children were divided into three groups, each given a situation to act out.

Group 1

One child of the group forgot to carry lunch for a picnic. The children acted out as if that child was quiet and did not even tell his teacher that he was without lunch. And then, one child finds out and tells the entire group. Then they share their favourite eatables with the child, and not just that, they all ensure he does not feel left out or hungry or misses his home.

Group 2

The students find an injured puppy. The children acted out that they picked up the dog. Foremost they try to find out if its mother is around. They didn’t find it, so they took the pup to one of the child’s homes. They feed the hungry puppy. Then they make an appointment with the nearest vet and get the necessary treatment.

Group 3

There is a lonely elderly person in their lane. The children acted out how they visited the elderly lady, talked to her regularly, and asked her to act as a referee in their badminton match. They try to give her company and ensure she does not feel lonely. After the tasks the teacher tells them in each situation, they displayed an extreme sense of caring, and this is how we should behave in real-life situations.

Mridula Renjit & Preti Mahajan
Ahlcon Public School

Unity and Caring - Roopa Bhattacharyya

Unity is the foundation of teams. One of the most important lessons to be learnt by children is to function in groups. The unit converts ideas and dreams, big or small, into reality. While individuals can create excellence in terms of art or even individual sports and often academics. It is only through teams that the larger vision can be realized, whether it is team sports, collective projects, dramatics, or even a musical program, it is through the teams that the children learn this.

In class 4, the students were given an SST project in which they had to represent one state of India. 4A decided to represent Punjab. Initially, there were differing views on how to carry out this project. As the teacher, the role was to steer the conversation to a fruitful outcome. After a lot of discussions, it was decided to do a) a folk dance of Punjab, b) a Punjabi song, c) foods of Punjab, and d) decoration. The class then divided themselves to do the activities.

Everyone helped learn songs and dance by sharing videos and teaching each other. Even the parents helped with the food and the preparation of dishes. This project was fun for all children, almost like a picnic, even though it was in the class. Children learnt how to cooperate, help each other, and work as a united team.

Caring is a natural instinct in almost all living beings. Even the most ferocious wild animals take care of their young ones. However, what sets human beings apart is their ability to care for even those unrelated and strangers. Caring is an emotion that can be and should be developed in all children in the school. A positive recognition and reward system would propel the children towards acts of caring and kindness.

As a teacher, I have set up a system through which, every Monday, I announce the name of the most caring child of the previous week. I also explained to the class what caring is and what acts would lead to their recognition as the most caring child, with the help of examples. This has brought about a very positive change in the children’s behaviour. Earlier, only the buddy used to share his/her tiffin when someone forgot. However, now, almost everyone offers their tiffin to that child. There is a child in class 3 who is losing her vision at a very rapid rate. So, the other children help her in all her school activities.

Caring and kindness are enduring qualities in human beings. And I hope that children will retain this caring attitude even growing up.

Roopa Bhattacharyya
Ahlcon Public School 

Unity and Caring - Rishona Chopra

Unity is working together as a group. We can understand this by looking at a few puzzle pieces. Imagine those pieces are you and your friends who you are working with. Then you join those pieces together to form something beautiful, and in the same way, you are your friends work together as a team and make something marvellous! 

To be able to work in a team united in Unity. To be connected, you first must learn to cooperate and have a good relationship with them to avoid getting into too many fights.

Our body works in Unity; what could have happened if both legs didn't coordinate? One leg would move towards the right, take continuous circles, and manage all movement, while the other would do something similar. By now, we would have fallen and gotten a fracture! Our body cooperates and works in Unity. Because of this teamwork, we can move, breathe, see, hear and whatnot?

In a classroom, Unity plays quite an important role. It is respect for differences and variety. It is rightly said by J.K Rowling that "We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided."

We all must have heard about Caring. Caring is helping someone, right? Yes, but we can do much more if we have a wide heart. We could heal emotions too. 

We should always do it with an open mind, dedication, and love when we do something. Similarly, when we care for someone, we should always do it with a kind heart because if we aren't, then we aren't watching, and maybe we are hurting them too.

Caring is shown out of friendship, compassion and selflessness. A caring classroom is where students feel positively connected to others. Unity and caring are connected, as Unity is caring.

"While educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts."

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Freedom and Peace - Sukhpreet Kaur

 "Human Beings, indeed all sentient beings, have the right to pursue happiness and live in peace and freedom." - Dalai Lama.

Freedom is a mirror of internal peace. They are sides of a coin which are incomplete without each other. The moment we are peaceful from the inside, we feel and provide freedom to all. Looking back to the school days of my life, I am lucky enough to get teachers who provided me with a better environment for learning. I am thankful to all of them for shaping my life. I always remember one line of my past that my parents and my Hindi teacher shared with me-

जो हुआ, वह अच्छा हुआ, 

जो हो रहा है, वह भी अच्छा ही हो रहा है,

और जो होगा, वह भी अच्छा ही होगा। 

If I think about instances, each phase of life indicates some vital message to us. It is us who we need to focus on. The giver and the taker need to understand the importance of life and do things peacefully and with the right intention.

I would like to share one activity where we took our Shreeyans (students) to a micro forest setup in Jewar. Students observed different varieties of plants and herbs and learnt the techniques by which they can grow plants. After the activity, they all sat and had their meal in the arms of Mother Nature. Students were amicably talking to each other. After some time, I observed two of my students talking to the caretaker. I was curious and went silently closer to them and sat near them. They took an interview with the caretaker and asked about his life. I could see the calmness and peace on their faces and the feeling of happiness.                                                                             

It inspired me to write a few lines in Hindi, which I am sharing with all of you.  

रहता जिंदगी में सुकून उसकी मर्जी से 

हम सुकून को ढूंढते हुए बेड़ियों में जकड़ गए 

We can quickly promote peace in the classroom. By promoting peace, students will develop a sense of responsibility, positive regard, and empathy, feel safe and learn naturally and encourage others to learn. Education for peace seeks to nurture ethical development, values, attitudes and skills required for living in harmony with oneself and others as responsible citizens. 

Regards

Sukhpreet Kaur

Gyanshree School

Freedom and Peace - Roopa Bhattacharyya

Few lucky people achieve their dreams. However, multiple factors have to fall into place to achieve your dreams. What may or may not be possible for any person is a combination of the socio-economic realities of the family, the world view of the parents and the extended family as the peer group of not only the child but also the family. So, freedom to dream is limited by what the child knows, reads, hears and realizes based on the juxtaposition of the society in which he or she is growing up.

1. For instance, in my case, I wanted to learn Sitar when I was in grade 6. However, my parents could not afford to buy a Sitar. So, they sent me to singing classes instead.

2. I never had the opportunity to travel or see places independently, as my peer group never did. Though we did travel as a family to visit places on vacations. Children nowadays have multiple opportunities.

3. I wanted to have a career after education, but I married someone with a transferable job. And I became a school teacher.

        

Though, now, I am delighted. The realities today are different. However, that, too, is dependent on the economic conditions of the individuals.

Violence stems from anger. However, it also stems from the conditioning of the mind. Anger essentially originates from the inability to handle the realities. But, training the mind to hold certain beliefs is an outcome of what the child is taught at home and in schools.

Some individuals are taught from childhood about their inherent superiority over others who do not subscribe to their belief system. This is a significant cause of violence that we see around us. So, to solve the problem of violence, we would need a two-pronged approach.

Firstly, wean our children away from dogma, religion, and racial ideologies. Ideally, these should find no place in educational institutes or society. As far as anger management is concerned, this could be addressed in the classrooms through exposure to practices like meditation that help you achieve mastery over your mind.

Roopa Bhattacharyya
Ahlcon Public School

Freedom And Peace - Shalini Solanki

Nothing is more precious in the world than Freedom. It makes us happy and satisfied. This is for the same reason that we celebrate ‘Independence Day every year with great enthusiasm. Freedom allows us to be what we are, do what we want, and express how we want. But often, we do not experience breathing in the free air of confidence because of certain restrictions.

Most critical instances wherein I felt that more Freedom would have allowed me to realise my potential in a better way-

I cannot forget my experience with the Hindi mentor when I was a grade 7A at a school in Delhi. No matter how good I used to write, forget about giving good marks; she would give me an ‘F’. It would surprise me as I was always good at Hindi. She used to praise my answers but would not give me marks. She wanted me to write the answers, given by herself or in the textbook. I was terrible at rotting the answers. Students were not allowed in her class to write the answers in their own words. It was only allowed in paragraph or letter writing. I used to feel suffocated in that class as I could not express myself the way I wanted, which made me lose my confidence. It took me a lot of time to regain my faith when I met a geography teacher in grade 8. She would listen, correct and guide us when required. She gave us the Freedom to express the situations in our own words. She was the reason I attended school regularly.

I remember another instance from my school. My school used to conduct class-wise special assemblies every week. I was in grade 9A then and finally got a chance to perform in front of the entire school. We had a week time to practice before the final assembly. The speakers, characters and dancers were already decided by the mentor. Some students, including me, still need to get a chance to even appear for the audition. I felt as if I am good for nothing. I was blaming myself for not being good enough to be chosen to perform, but after so many years, I realised it was not my fault. Instead, it was the responsibility of my mentor, or I should say ‘Teacher’, who should have included all of us in the assembly. Every child cannot be good at everything, but he/ she is capable of many things. One must have an eye to see them.

These kinds of circumstances exist even today. I have worked with many schools in the past and noticed that ‘Teachers’ are interested in showing the bright students in their classes and highlighting them in class assemblies, annual functions etc. Appreciation is not in offering something that already exists, as no effort is taken. It is when one can bring out the hesitation from a less confident student and make him/ her believe that he/she is better than anyone. One hand of support can take someone a long way.

I was never a very bright student in my school. But I thank God for that, as it made me a good teacher mentor today. It is not essential to know what a mentor should do; it is more important to understand what he/ she must never do, as his/ her actions can change someone’s life forever. 

In my opinion, people give up Peace and adopt violence when they are not trusted, getting returns on their excellent behaviour and when they are taken for granted. The classroom can be used to shape peace-loving individuals with the help of an understanding mentor. 

1. She must treat all her students equally.

2. She must listen to the problems of every child.

3. Try to find the reason for violence/ anger.

4. Take up the stories to clear doubts without pointing out any child.

5. Create importance of patience, teamwork and leadership.

6. Laugh with them, relate with them.

7. Create a healthy, happy and helpful classroom environment where students know they will be heard, trusted and acknowledged.

I generally tell my students that it is ok to be angry, but one must learn to control and balance the behaviour as it does not give the right to be cruel. I have recently learned that every emotion and emoji is essential, but words are the most important. Use them!

Shalini Solanki

Gyanshree School, Noida