Thursday, May 14, 2020

Positive Learning Environment


Everyone should have an opportunity to learn in a positive environment, to enjoy the learning process and feel comfortable and content within it.

                                                                                                                     -Barry Saide

Classroom environment is one of the most important factors affecting a student’s learning process. A positive classroom environment helps to imbibe a sense of belonging, improve attention and supports emotional and behavioral patterns of students.

 At NewAge, we believe teachers foster a positive learning culture wherein children are more likely to acquire higher motivation that leads to wonderful learning outcomes. Children need an atmosphere where they are free to ask anything, learn anything and grow. Maintaining a positive environment in classroom keeps them positive and makes them good learners.

Benefits of a Positive Learning Environment

We at NewAge are of the belief that providing a positive learning experience for our students is of the utmost importance as a child feels encouraged to tackle challenges, take risks and ask questions. We believe the most important aspect in a safe and positive learning environment is the rapport between a teacher and students. When the students understand that their teacher cares about them and wants them to do well, students also feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and taking risks in order to learn something new.
    
     ·     Encouraging Active Engagement
Throughout daily activities the students should be part of a collaborative learning effort, sharing their strengths and encouraging each other. The teacher also may introduce a number of jobs or responsibilities that students need to complete in order to maintain the physical .Active engagement helps students develop skills including thinking critically, using knowledge and information to solve complex problems, working collaboratively, communicating effectively, learning how to learn, and developing academic mindsets.

    ·   Building a supportive learning culture
Students should feel supported by all those connected to their learning experience. It helps to share an understanding of what is a positive school climate at the school and classroom looks like so they can work together toward a common goal. With help coming in from the teachers, students understand what to expect and can make wise choices and take responsibility for their actions.

    ·   Creates a conducive learning environment
At NewAge, we ensure every child learns in a conducive learning environment that poses no threat to their health and safety and enhances positive learning outcomes and academic performance. By doing so, children also feel physically and emotionally safe. They see the classroom as a place where they can be themselves and express themselves and their ideas without judgment.

     ·   Promotes a positive code of conduct
A code of conduct in school will provide a clear and agreed upon rules for positive behaviors that students can follow in a classroom, also promoting healthy relationships in class amongst peers and teachers. Children are encouraged take progressive responsibility for their own learning, to work consistently and complete tasks as required as we believe in learning beyond chairs and tables. Students are expected to behave with courtesy and consideration for others, thus fostering a positive learning environment.

Children are taught to channelize their negative thought to a positive action so as to make them feel good from inside, it would work as a powerful intrinsic motivator and develop the students’ well-being.


Friday, May 8, 2020

Easing into your “Return to Routine”

"I allowed myself to think if I could be doing anything in the world, what would I be doing? And what came to mind is I'd be traveling a little bit, I'd be going to classes, and I'd be going back to school."


                                                                                                                 -Ricky Williams





Returning to school after an extended break can leave you filled with dread and anxiety. The new school year is full of many unknowns and that can feel a little scary at first. You're only going back to school - why does it seem so different? If this question is something you've asked yourself, or if you could use some advice getting back into study mode, these skills will soon beat back your post-lockdown blues and make school a breeze.


  Ø Set goals for yourself


A few days before you go back to school, take a pen and paper and write a list of personal goals that you'd like to accomplish during this academic year. These goals might be social, intellectual, or physical, but by having something to work toward, you can relieve some anxiety about starting up again.

Some goals you might consider:
  Ø Review your homework

 If you didn't have homework assigned over break, take some time to look over the last assignments you did in each class before leaving school. This will remind you of where you left off in class, and looking over homework can prevent you from forgetting to complete it. Take this time also to reflect on the way you've done homework in the past. If you can think of any improvements you might make to your homework routine, returning to school might be the perfect time to make a change.

  Ø List things you can look forward to

There may be a field trip, or maybe your science class has an experiment planned - whatever it might be, chances are you have something to look forward to when you return to school. By making a list of these things, you can replace any fear you have of going back with excitement to return.

  Ø Take your time getting back into the rhythm of things

There's no getting around it, you'll need some time before it feels normal going to school again. Don't be hard on yourself. This process can take a week or two, but coach yourself through your negative thoughts by saying things like: “It’s normal to be a little nervous returning to something after a long break. Everything's going to be alright!"

  Ø Start your day earlier than normal.

On your first day back to school after break, you'll be out of practice doing your normal routine, which will likely add more time than you expect. Try to wake up a little earlier than normal so that you have extra time to make sure you have everything you need to succeed.

  Ø Readjust your sleep schedule, if necessary

 Over the course of your vacation, you might have enjoyed sleeping in or staying up late. This might make it difficult getting back into your school routine. To reset your sleep schedule you should:
  • Return to your routine several days to a week ahead of time.
  • Open blinds/curtains to get natural light in the mornings.
  • Avoid late night meals.
  Ø Pre-pack your bag and choose keep your uniform ready.

It's likely you'll still be adjusting back to your school routine when break is over, and pre-packing school supplies and keeping your uniform ready the night before can save you time and stress. Grogginess in the morning can cause you to take more time than you need to do these simple tasks, so ready your stuff before to make your first morning back as easy as possible. You might benefit from making a back-to-school checklist. Write down all necessary supplies, like books, a calculator, pencils, notebooks, and so on.

  Ø Get a full night's rest the night before school resumes.

Sleep deprivation is terrible for your body, and can result in weight gain, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Protect your health and make the first day back to school after break easier on yourself by getting the sleep you need, which for most children is between 8½ and 9½ hours, but this might be different for you

  Ø Eat a healthy breakfast.

A lean protein, high fibre breakfast could put you on the fast track to feeling better about your school day. Foods like whole grain toast, eggs, yogurt, and cottage cheese can give you an emotional boost and keep you going throughout the day. Regular healthy breakfasts might also improve your memory, daily energy levels, your sense of calmness, and even your mood







Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Keeping your children safe online

       

If your family is stuck at home during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, it’s likely your children are spending a lot more time online. School, chats with friends and grandparents, even music & dance lessons, so much has shifted online.

Being connected helps children and teenagers reduce the impact of this new (temporary) normal and encourages them to continue with their lives. But it also presents a new set of challenges for every parent. How can you maximize all that the internet has to offer, while minimizing the potential harm? It’s not an easy balance on a normal day, let alone when facing a health crisis like COVID-19.

  

Encourage them to express themselves

Spending time at home can be a great opportunity for your children to use their voices online to share their views and support those in need during this crisis. Encourage your child to take advantage of digital tools that get them up and moving, like online exercise videos for kids and video games that require physical movement.

Use of technology to protect them

Check that your child’s device is running the latest software and antivirus programs, and that privacy settings are on. Keep webcams covered when not in use. For younger children, tools such as parental controls, including safe search, can help keep online experiences positive. Be   cautious of free online educational resources. Your child should never have to provide a photo or their full name to use these resources. Remember to check the privacy settings to minimize data collection. Help your child learn to keep personal information private, especially from strangers.
 
Spending time online with your children

Create opportunities for your child to have safe and positive online interactions with friends, family and you. Connecting with others is more important than ever at the moment and this can be an excellent opportunity for you to model kindness and empathy in your “virtual interactions”. Help your child recognize and avoid misinformation and age-inappropriate content that may increase anxiety about the COVID-19 virus. Spend time with your child to identify age appropriate apps, games and other online entertainment.

Promote and monitor healthy online habits

Promote and monitor good behaviour online and on video calls. Encourage your children to be kind and respectful to classmates, to be mindful of the language used and to avoid joining video calls that are unnecessary. Familiarize yourself with school policies and to report cyberbullying or inappropriate online content. As children spend more time online, they can be exposed to more advertising that may promote unhealthy foods, gender stereotypes or age-inappropriate material. Help them recognize online ads and use the opportunity to explore together what is wrong with some of the negative messaging you see.

Safety with open communication

Have an honest dialogue with your children about who they communicate with and how. Make sure they understand the value of kind and supportive interactions. If your children experience anything unusual, encourage them to tell you or a trusted adult immediately. Be alert if your child appears to be upset or secretive with online activities or if they are experiencing cyberbullying. Work with your child to establish rules on how, when and where devices can be used.

Always remember to balance online recreation with offline activities, including time outside, if possible.  


Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Focus Group Sessions



                                                                                                                                                                    






NewAge World School provides extra support for the children who needs help in their academic development through Focus Group Sessions. Facilitators have a well-designed plan to cater the needs of each and every child in their own phase of learning in these sessions. It encourages the ability of students to learn and retain the concepts for a prolonged period of time and help them to be at par with their fellow mates.

Focus Group Sessions allows the children to enjoy the education and gain confidence due to individual learning. For the personal growth and development of children, it is important for all of them to receive proper education. Apart from regular Parents Teacher meeting the progress of these children are also intimated to the parents.

Every child has value and the reasonable expectation that everything will be done to help reach their full potential. In a perfect world every student would have their own teacher; a teacher that was tuned into that student and taught to their strengths and developed lessons and strategies to strengthen their academic weaknesses.

Focus Group Sessions is tailored so the academic weakness is being addressed and strengthened through small group instruction or one on one instruction. Now there is more co-teaching in general classes that tries to meet the needs of the students and that can be successful if the program is set right.

Focus Group Sessions will usually contain:
  • an overview of the child’s strengths and areas of need;
  • the current level of the child’s achievement;
  • annual goals written very specifically for the child;
  • an overview of the program that the child will receive;
  • an overview of the methods to determine progress and to monitor progress;
  • assessment data
Focus Group children are able to get help in order to remediate their specific problem. Receiving instruction based on what students need is crucial in helping them excel and be successful in the future. The teachers and staff are better equipped to teach the child in a way that ensures learning by knowing the specific learning area for each student.

                                                                                                                                    -By Soumya Cijish

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Computers in Education


                                                                                             
“When we talk about 21st century pedagogy, we have to consider many things—the objectives of education, the curriculum, how assessment strategies work, the kind of technology infrastructure involved, and how leadership and policy facilitate attaining education goals.” 
                                                                                          - Chris Dede, Harvard University






    




Ø  Computers make the learning process a lot more simple and efficient, giving student’s access to tools and methods of communication unavailable offline. For example, students can check their grades or lesson plans online, and also communicate directly with their teachers via email or educational platforms such as Blackboard.

Ø  Teaching students how to use computers helps them prepare for any number of possible careers, and classes based on computer education can get even more specific.

Ø   Education has benefited from the inclusion of technology and computers by making it easier for students to keep up while helping teachers by improving the way lessons can be planned and taught.


Ø  At NewAge, we believe students who use computers learn to use word processors for work, and subsequently they learn computer jargon and strengthen grammatical skills.



Ø  Students can also look up lessons on websites or through email rather than lugging heavy textbooks with them every day.



Ø  NewAge World School facilities impact learning in profound ways.


Ø  To substantiate theoretical knowledge and also for the academic betterment of our students NewAge has well designed computer lab with one on one access.


Ø  They are advanced with multimedia, 17″ LCD monitors that are easier on eyes which generate less heat and consume less power thereby keeping the atmosphere comfortable for children.


Ø  It is also associated with a smart system which provides an interactive way of teaching the software and the learning becomes easier in children. 


Ø  Our aim is to make students comfortable and at ease in using technology.


Ø  Unlike classroom pods or clusters in the library, most computer labs have enough machines for each student.


Ø  Computer labs that have a teacher and are not just a room of computers provide students access to specialized computer literacy education.

                                                                                                       -PriyaUmashankar




Friday, April 17, 2020

Importance of Stress Free Education a new choice for children in the world of education.


                                                                                                                               

                              

New Age World School aims at building up the luminous future of the students by providing and nurturing them with a stress free environment, the school motto being “To Set the Child Free”.
Academic success and higher order brain functioning are very much a result of a stress free mind. Children learn best in stress free and playful environment. Kids can develop many skills through play. Do not try to force learning.

 A child starts learning when we see children as innately wise and independent. Always be a guide and never try to teach. It is not always the quantity of learning that breaks a child but the way he chooses to learn. As responsible teachers provide a stress free environment by creating opportunities for independent learning. Avoid comparing among students .Always keep in mind that each and every child is unique. Applying pressure may have opposite effect on a student’s progress.

A responsible teacher always tries to discover the ups and downs in a child’s intellectual, emotional, social behavior a child. Help the child to overcome his difficulties and develop and nurture his innate skills.

Short breathing and meditation exercises can be done to help kids stay calm and focus on the task at hand.

Kids need to spend time in nature .We should understand that as human beings we are instinctively drawn towards our natural surroundings. In stress free natural environment we practice an effortless type of attention which creates a feeling of pleasure and not fatigue. Sports, especially outdoor games is an indispensable part of education for an overall development of the personality of a child. Sports helps in physical development. Sports help students relax and reduce their anxiety.

He learns to deal with setbacks, work better with others and increase the energy levels which helps to balance studies and games equally. They learn to face defeat with a smile and maintain humility even in victory. Games fill the minds of kids with joy and enthusiasm which helps them to face the actual difficulties of life with a healthy mind and will power. Qualities like tolerance, patience and tips to handle pressure is well taught in sports. It promotes health and strength of the body. They strengthen the power of endurance and promote discipline, fair play and team spirit. For an all-round development of a child the curriculum should include sports and games and physical training.

Dealing with adolescence is not an easy task.

• Talk like an adult to them but remember they are still children.
• Have patience but be firm.
• Be a positive influence to students.
• Fear of failure is the biggest barrier to facing challenges-This can be overcome by facilitating an environment where students know mistakes won’t be mocked or criticized.
• While teens have a responsibility to manage their own behavior by understanding the changes and challenges they face, teachers should help them navigate this as happily and successfully as possible.
• Help them to set high goals for their future and channelize their energies towards the attainment of their goals.
• A teacher should not get frustrated or disappointed at normal adolescent behaviour.
• Make sure that students understand that it’s their behaviour you dislike not them.
• Try to find the root cause of misbehaviour.
• Always be an attentive listener. Treat them respectfully and politely.
• Reward or recognize acceptable behaviour .Try to share your humanity with your students.
• With proper care, attention and affection teachers can help teens cross their adolescence peacefully, confidently and with determination to march towards their future goals.

                                                                                                                                     - Sindhu NP 




Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Stress Free Education

A place where education is provided with enthusiasm and free from stress and boredom. 






   

                    Following are the ways to achieve stress free education:

1         1.     Students are being motivated through personal appreciation and guidance on                right path.


2.     Sports activities whether indoor or outdoor is being encouraged to see overall development in the child.



3.     Sports builds up their physical and mental health for improving their immunity which enable them to fight with any circumstances.


4. Moral values are inculcated among the students through personalised experiences.



5.     Holistic development is on much focused parameter for a child’s progress.


6. Exercises like yoga, aerobics and soothing prayer is being practiced for strengthening their mind.



7.  Interpersonal relationship and bonding between students and teachers are build up with strong foundation.


8.   Facilities and resources are provided to the students by keeping their needs under consideration for their overall development.



9.  Hidden talent in the students are brought out by giving them ample amount of opportunity through various exposures such as talent hunt and other such activities.


10.   All sort of creative ideas is always appreciated for the development of child.


11.   Equal exposure for holistic development is under consideration always to bring a positive change in a student.

12.  Current affairs and latest updates in the national and international level is through reading and listening to the news is motivated daily for strengthening their will power and mental strength.


13.   Being approachable to the students in a joyful way will enhance their learning and build up strong relationship between student and teacher.


14.  A young talent is boosted, a young artist is born with wide spreading arms to show their talent worldwide through personal approach and motivation to build their confidence to face the world.


15.  Reading a child’s mind as per their behavior is monitored on a personal basis to stop a hindrance in their growth.


16. Students are in embracement of nature which enhances their instinct of happiness also that makes their learning easier.


                                                                                                     -by Sushila Datta