Connect with us

Edutainment

5 Indian Podcasts For Teachers & Students on Wildlife, Feminism, History, Science & More

Here is a list of some Indian podcast channels to introduce your students to, talking about animal cruelty, history and science

Published

on

The Podcast culture is not a famous one in our country but a budding one for sure. A podcast is an episodic series of spoken word digital audio files that a user can download to a personal device for easy listening. 

While the schools are closed, take this opportunity to introduce your students to Podcasts as they learn some hard facts about the most pressing issues in our country and the world at large.

Wildlife SOS was established in 1995 by a small group of individuals inspired to start a movement and make lasting change to protect and conserve India’s natural heritage, forest and wildlife wealth. Today, the organisation has evolved to actively work towards protecting Indian wildlife, conserving habitat, studying biodiversity, conducting research and creating alternative and sustainable livelihoods for erstwhile poacher communities or those communities that depend on wildlife for sustenance.

https://wildlifesos.org/get-involved/podcast/

Advertisement

Mick Sullivan created The Past and The Curious in 2016 and it is a work of love.  Since then people from the founder’s friends and family have joined in as well.  A History Podcast for kids, parents, teachers alike.

https://thepastandthecurious.com/

The Life of Science is a travelling feminist science media project run by Aashima Dogra and Nandita Jayaraj which tells the story of women scientists around India. It is a good way to introduce children to our country’s most prominent women from science and their accomplishment, and parallelly tell girls what they can achieve.

https://ivmpodcasts.com/thelifeofscience

Kidnuz podcast, a new Podcast channel, that introduces children to current affairs of the world in a kid-friendly manner. No, they do not talk about crimes or any other hard-hitting topic, but positive and inspirational news that are age-appropriate.

Advertisement

https://www.kidnuz.org/podcast

But Why is a podcast for curious kids, the ones who are highly observant and curious about the most trivial things in their surroundings. In this podcast, kids lead the episodes by asking questions about anything that tickles their fascination. Answers to such questions are then followed up on the podcasts. 

https://www.vpr.org/programs/why-podcast-curious-kids#stream/0

Advertisement

Edutainment

10 Unforgettable Films That Celebrate Inspiring Teachers

Published

on

Lights, Camera, Learn!

As we celebrate Teacher’s Day in the month of September, here are the list of films that featured some stories and teachers who left an indelible mark on the audience in cinema, showing the world how it only takes one teacher to inspire a million lives…

Dead Poet’s Society (1989): “Dead Poets Society” is an acclaimed drama film about an unconventional English teacher who inspires his students to embrace poetry, think independently, and seize the day. It explores the conflicts between personal aspirations and societal expectations, offering a thought-provoking exploration of individuality and the pursuit of dreams.

Where to watch- Disney + Hotstar
Directed by- Peter Weir

Advertisement

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969): “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” is a captivating tale of a passionate and unconventional teacher who leaves an indelible mark on her students at an all-girls school in 1930s Edinburgh, empowering them to embrace their individuality, challenge societal norms, and strive for greatness in a world that seeks to confine them.

Where to watch- YouTube
Directed By- Ronal Neame

Stanley Ka Dabba (2011): “Stanley Ka Dabba” is a heartwarming film that tells the touching story of Stanley, a young boy with a vivid imagination, who faces adversity when his schoolmates try to steal his lunchbox (dabba) every day. With the compassionate guidance of his teacher, Stanley finds solace, resilience, and the power to overcome obstacles, showcasing the transformative impact of friendship, mentorship, and the indomitable spirit of childhood.

Where to watch- Disney+Hotstar
directed by- Amole Gupte

“A Beautiful Mind” (2001): A biographical film that chronicles the life of mathematician John Nash. The story explores Nash’s struggles with mental illness and the challenges he faces in differentiating between reality and hallucinations. Supported by his dedicated wife, Alicia, Nash perseveres and makes significant contributions to the field of mathematics.

Advertisement

Where to watch- Amazon Prime Video
Directed by- Ron Howard

English Vinglish (2012): A heartfelt film that revolves around the transformative journey of Shashi, a middle-aged Indian housewife who embarks on a trip to New York and enrolls in an English language course. With the guidance and encouragement of her patient and understanding teacher, Shashi not only improves her English-speaking skills but also discovers her self-worth, gaining confidence, and finding her voice in a world that underestimated her.

Where to watch- Jio Cinema 
Directed by- Gauri Shinde

Black (2005): A film that explores the life of Michelle McNally, a visually and hearing-impaired girl, and her relationship with her teacher, Debraj Sahai. Through their unconventional bond, Debraj strives to break through the barriers of Michelle’s disabilities, guiding her towards education, communication, and self-discovery, ultimately illuminating the triumph of the human spirit and the power of perseverance.

Directed by- Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Advertisement

Super 30 (2019): “Super 30” is a film based on the true story of mathematician Anand Kumar. The movie depicts Anand’s journey as he establishes the “Super 30” program, where he selects talented but underprivileged students and trains them for the highly competitive Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance exams. With his unconventional teaching methods and unwavering belief in his students’ potential, Anand empowers them to overcome social and economic barriers, offering them a chance at a brighter future. The film highlights the transformative impact of education, determination, and the power of dreams.

Where to watch: Disney + Hotstar
Directed By: Vikas Bahl

Taare Zameen Par (2007): ” A film that revolves around the story of Ishaan, a young boy with dyslexia, and his journey of self-discovery. When Ishaan’s struggles with academics and unconventional ways of learning go unnoticed by his family and teachers, a new art teacher enters his life. With his understanding and compassionate approach, the teacher helps Ishaan unlock his hidden potential, allowing him to thrive and shine in his own unique way. The film beautifully explores the importance of recognizing and nurturing the individual talents and strengths of every child.

Where to watch- Netflix
Directed by- Aamir Khan, Amole Gupte

Hichki (2018): “Hichki” is an uplifting film that tells the inspiring story of Naina Mathur, a woman with Tourette syndrome who dreams of becoming a teacher. Despite facing rejection and discrimination due to her condition, Naina secures a teaching job at an elite school. She takes on the challenge of teaching a class of unruly and privileged students, using her determination and unique teaching methods to break through their barriers and make a positive impact on their lives. “Hichki” portrays the power of perseverance, inclusivity, and the ability to overcome adversity.

Advertisement

Where to watch- Amazon Prime Videos
Directed by- Siddharth P. Malhotra

Parichay (1972): Ravi, a struggling job seeker, reluctantly accepts the daunting task of tutoring five unruly and privileged children who have managed to intimidate their previous teachers. As he navigates the challenges of teaching this challenging group, Ravi’s unwavering determination and unconventional teaching methods begin to transform not only the students but also his own life.

Where to watch- Zee5, YouTube
Directed by- Gulzar

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Edutainment

Screen Time that’s Worthwhile: 8 Best Educational Shows for Kids

Here are 8 shows—a cross-section of educational TV in terms of STEM, history/culture, the arts, and more—for toddlers to early teens

Published

on

In today’s digital age, children have access to an abundance of entertainment options, including TV shows and movies. However, not all of these options are created equal when it comes to providing educational value. As parents and educators, we want to ensure that our children are spending their time on shows that are not only entertaining but also offer educational benefits.

Luckily, there are plenty of excellent educational shows for kids of all ages available today. These shows are designed to engage and inspire children while providing them with valuable knowledge and skills that can help them in their academic and personal lives.

Here are 8 shows—a cross-section of educational TV in terms of STEM, history/culture, the arts, and more—for toddlers to early teens.

  1. Ask the Storybots

The show follows the story of how some friendly, funny bots discover the answer to a “big question.” The magazine format of this show allows for music videos, letter rhyming, songs, and field trips to different places within the episodes. Find it on Netflix, suitable for ages 3+

  1. Julie’s Greenroom

Julie Andrews plays a performing studio owner and stars alongside original puppets from the Jim Henson Company (as well as some high-power actors) as she teaches kids all about putting on a stage show. Find it on Netflix, suitable for ages 4+

  1. Rosie’s Rules

In addition to learning Spanish language skills and being exposed to Mexican traditions, Rosie’s Rules teaches children about cultural diversity with easy-to-understand lessons. The show is wholesome, educational, and entertaining. Find it on PBS Kids, suitable for ages 5+

Advertisement

  1. Baymax!

Loveable and huggable, Baymax is more than a cute, cuddly robot. He helps people stay well. Each episode teaches children about living a healthy life. Find it on Disney+, suitable for ages 5+

  1. Wild Kratts

Saturday morning never had it so good. In this animated series, kids are introduced to a variety of wild animal species and learn about science concepts such as animal behavior, habitats, and adaptation in this show which is brimming with real-life zoologist brothers Chris and Martin Kratt’s trademark humor and sense of adventure. Find it on PBS Kids, suitable for ages 6+

  1. Brainchild

This science-inspired educational series uses experiments and creative presentations to teach about concepts like the senses, neurology, marine biology, and gravity, all at a level relatable for kids—especially tweens. Find it on Netflix, suitable for ages 7+

  1. El Deafo

According to Common Sense Media, “this beautiful three-part miniseries feels like an animated diary as the show uses audio effects to help viewers understand what the world sounds like with hearing loss. The combination of these effects and the narration helps kid viewers really feel Cece’s joys and struggles.” Find it on Apple TV+, suitable for ages 8+

  1. The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder

Relatable stories, good role models, and zany comedy made The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder a great show for tweens, teens, and young adults. Find it on Disney+, suitable for ages 10+

 

Continue Reading

Edutainment

Paytm Founder Remembers The Struggles Faced In School & College Days

I went from being a school topper to failing in subjects because I couldn’t understand the language.

Published

on

In a recent interview with India Today, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, now one of India’s youngest billionaires and Founder of Paytm, remembered his days as a student and the struggle that he went through during everyday classes.

He recollected his years as a college student in Delhi, sitting in the front row of class and staring blankly at his teacher, who was teaching in a language. Despite being the only student from his school to qualify in the competitive exam and getting admission in DCE, he faced a language barrier in the new city. Since he had a Hindi-medium education background until high school, it became a struggle for him to understand the lessons which were majorly delivered in English.

He grew up in Harduaganj, a small town near Aligarh, with his father (a school teacher) and mother (a housewife). As he met with a language barrier in his engineering classes at the Delhi College of Engineering (DCE, now Delhi Technological University), his life in the premises became intimidating for him. He suffered from anxiety, the feeling of being an outcast, suffered a lack of friends and worried about getting a decent job.

He said, “I was the second engineer to graduate from my school. The first was in 1964. I see myself as an underdog, I was not supposed to be here. In school, I read a lot of books in the library; I read a lot about the glory of India but also realised that the glory was in the past.”

Advertisement

“I believe that whatever comes my way, whatever I do, is part of god’s plan. If there is a challenge [before me], I am meant to solve it. Whatever comes my way is a tool or a resource for me to fulfil my purpose. It is surreal to believe that I am here,” added the tech-entrepreneur.

Shy and overwhelmed, he spent most of his time in the library or the computer lab. “I didn’t understand what the teacher was saying in the classroom. I never felt one with my peers. I couldn’t speak or understand their language. I was a failure in my class but a hero in the lab. I started to worry about whether I would get a job. I went from being a school topper to failing in subjects because I couldn’t understand the language.”

But what inspired him amidst this chaos were the stories of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, who had made it big without a college degree. He got encouraged to start something of his own and even started a company out of his hostel with his few friends, named XS Corps. Their business card carried the address of their hostel and a phone number for the DCE’s computer centre.

Later, he went on to grab an on-campus job. “I took the job with the clarity that I had to learn how to run a company, like understanding what departments exist, etc. I did three stints in different companies, learning different aspects of running a business," he stated. 

Rest is history when, in 2001, he took an Rs 8 lakh loan and started One97, the parent company of Paytm. In 2010, he launched Paytm. In 2014, the company launched Paytm digital wallet. In 2016, demonetisation happened that helped Paytm grow tremendously. In 2017, Paytm became India’s first payment app to cross over 100 million app downloads.

Advertisement

What does his story teach us? That no matter how big a failure you may think you're in school, your determination to polish yourself afterwards and perseverance towards that mission is all that matters.

Continue Reading

Edutainment

Top Entertainers That Educators Should Follow On Social Media

Meet the most entertaining and humble comedians, talk show hosts and musicians like Ellen Degeneres, Ru Paul, Joe Dombrowski, Eddie B, BTS Band and One Voice Children’s Choir.

Published

on

Meet the most entertaining and humble comedians, talk show hosts and musicians like Ellen Degeneres, Ru Paul, Joe Dombrowski, Eddie B, BTS Band and One Voice Children's Choir.

Who: Ellen DeGeneres

Bio says: Comedian, talk show host and ice road trucker. My tweets are real, and they’re spectacular. 

X-Factor: Quirky observational humour  

Advertisement

Viral post: There are hundreds of episodes that go viral from The Ellen Show but we remember the one when she met pre-K/Kindergarten teacher, Azel Prather from DC, who, after learning that many of his students couldn’t afford haircut because they belonged to low-income families, teamed up with local barbers, hairdressers, and nail technicians to pamper his students. On the show, Ellen surprised him with a brand new Hyundai Sonata and $20,000 for his NGO The Prather Foundation!

Favourite hashtag: #BurningQuestions

Top 5 accounts followed: Justin Willman, Earth Wind & Fire, The Real Talk Show, Hillary Clinton, Brielle

ScooNews loves: The episode with Memphis high school teacher, Michael Scruggs, who is known to start his class every day with a special mantra – “I am number 1, we all are number 1. Scholars get scholarships, we all get scholarships.” He’s been motivating his students every morning like this for almost a decade now. Go, watch it on YouTube now!

Follow at: @theellenshow (IG & Twitter), @ellentv (FB)

Advertisement

Who: RuPaul Charles

Bio says: You're born naked & the rest is drag

X-Factor: One of the wittiest and most compassionate LGBTQIA+ artists to bring Drag-art to the international platform

Viral post: When RuPaul scared Jimmy Fallon on ‘The Tonight Show’ that mom Jimmy Fallon genuinely thought he’d been cancelled for calling RuPaul a ‘drag queen’. But RuPaul was just joking and the video got millions of views overnight.

Currently talking about: Entering the Guinness World Records list for winning the most number of Emmy awards for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition show

Advertisement

Favourite hashtag: #DragRace

Top 5 accounts followed: J.K Rowling, Moira Forbes, Salon, Ts Madison, The Cut

ScooNews loves: RuPaul educates not just adults about the LGBTQIA+ community in an interactive and colourful way but also children. He/She recently inspired author Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara to write a book called ‘Little People Big Dreams,’ which explains children about the LGBTQIA+ community in a friendly manner. 

Follow at: @rupaulofficial (IG), @RuPaul (Twitter & FB)

Who: Joe Dombrowski

Advertisement

Bio says: Comedian from the 313 currently residing in the 206 which unfortunately doesn’t sound nearly as hard

X-Factor: This educator and comedian is famous for his funny education-related social media content and most notably for his Spelling Bee prank video

Viral post: When he gave his students a fake spelling test 

Current talking about: His Social Studies Podcast

Favourite hashtag: #TeacherHumor

Advertisement

Top 5 accounts followed: Andy Kindler, Gerry Dee, ClassCast Podcast, NatGeo Education, Meghan Mangrum

ScooNews loves: His teacher-memes like this one – “I’m not poor because I’m a teacher. I’m poor because of Amazon’s ‘Buy Now’ button…and I’m a teacher.”

Follow at: mrdtimes3 (IG, FB & Twitter)

Who: Eddie B 

Bio says: Eddie B is comedy on steroids. He started comedy in his senior year in college and never looked back. He has entertained crowds all over the U.S…funny and real!

Advertisement

X-Factor: He’s a school teacher turned stand-up comic. He developed himself as the voice of teachers with his brutally honest comedy.

Viral post: “What teachers really say”

Currently talking about: His virtual comedy show “Unmuted & Virtually Confused” 

Favourite hashtag: #BoredTeacher

Top 5 accounts followed: Hilariously Infertile, MEL Science, Teach.org, Teachers Pay Teachers, Teachers Tips and Fun

Advertisement

ScooNews loves: His current take on homeschooling, Google classrooms and virtual learning while schools all over the world are shut down due to the COVID-outbreak

Follow at: @eddiebcomedy (IG & FB)

Who: BTS

Bio says: This is the Official Instagram for #BTS, 'Life Goes On' Out Now

X-Factor: 7 member band has immense love for each other, world-famous but humble. Lovely voices and mad dance skill.

Advertisement

Went viral: A mash-up video of members Jin, Suga, RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook dancing to a Bollywood song ‘Des Rangila’ surfaced on 15th August 2020 on IG @filmforfare. The video was dedicated to Indian Independence Day and read – ‘Here’s BTS and Team Filmforfare wishing everyone a very Happy Independence Day in India’.

Currently talking about: The band regularly talks about mental health, they believe those who have an international platform and millions of listeners should talk about these pressing matters.

Favourite hashtag: #BTS

ScooNews loves: Their lyrics usually focus on the themes of mental health, troubles of school-age youth, loss, the journey towards loving oneself, and individualism. Also, listen to the speech BTS delivered at the United Nations Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security.

Follow at: @bts.bighitofficial (IG), @bts_bighit (Twitter), @bangtan.official (FB)

Advertisement

Who: One Voice Children's Choir

Bio says: We hope to spread a positive message and inspire the world with our music. Singing to make the world a better place!

X-Factor: Synchronisation, melody and a whole lot of adorable children all dressed in the colour theme performing a vast selection of music

Went viral: In 2014, the choir received national attention after releasing their performance of the Disney song "Let It Go"

Currently talking about: Christmas holiday music ‘Mary, did you know’ and ‘The More You Give The More You’ll Have!’

Advertisement

Favourite hashtag: #OneVoice

Top 5 accounts followed: Good Morning America, The Ellen Show, The New York Times, The Tonight Show, Disney

ScooNews loves: This non-profit organisation brings together children and teaches them good music. The members meet up every week once to practice and perform over 50 times a year. The songs always mean more than the lyrics, the children bring a sense of unity for the world to see.

Follow at: @onevoicechildrenschoir (IG), @1VoiceChildrens (Twitter), @OneVoiceChildrensChoir (FB), One Voice Children's Choir (YouTube)

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Edutainment

6 Times Kindergarten Teachers Turned Halloween Into Class Lessons

Let’s learn some cool DIY lessons!

Published

on

We love how innovative and interesting teachers are. They always know how to manifest their best at every occasion, don’t they? 

Recently it was Halloween and boy, did they surprise us again! Internet is flooding with unique pictures and videos of creative activities that some pre-primary/primary school teachers pulled for their beloved students making the celebration scary-fun for everyone. 

While some of their innovated kids’ activities involved easy mathematical problem-solving and science lessons, others taught life skills like observing shapes and colors of this huge, orangish-yellow fruit.  

From DIYs to science experiments to even motor skills, here are some super fun classroom glimpses commemorating the end of October.

Advertisement

1. This one is using art to teach math. To set this up:

  • Lay some butcher paper on the table.
  • Draw some Halloween shapes all over it.
  • Write down a number on each picture.
  • Put out some festive counters.

This activity teaches kids number recognition, sequencing, colour recognition, and motor skills. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SPOOKY HALLOWEEN MATH ???? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This tabletop butcher paper activity is one of my favourite ways to present Math to my kiddos. It's not only quick, cheap, and easy to set up, but provides an opportunity for the kids to do Math while using their artistic flair! ???? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The concept is simple – use the Halloween accessories to decorate each picture with the correct number of things! (i.e. see a drawing of a bone with the number '5' on it, decorate it with five of the mini bones! ☠) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To set this up: 1. Lay some butcher paper on the table. 2. Draw some Halloween shapes all over it. 3. Write down a number on each picture. 4. Put out some festive counters. ???????? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Lots of fine motor work goes on here, in addition to number recognition, counting, sequencing, ordering, colour recognition, and just plain #Math. For such a simple activity, there's a lot packed in! ???? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MomHacks #EverydayInvitationToPlay #PerfectPreschoolPlans #EverydayPlayHacks #InvitationToPlay #EarlyMathSkills #MathSkills #PreKActivities #EarlyEducation #EarlyLearning #PlayAllDay #BoredomBusters #PlayBasedLearning #PlayMatters #EYFSIdeas #ECE #EarlyYearsEducator #EarlyChildoodEducator #PreschoolActivities #Preschool #Montessori #MontessoriAtHome #SimplePlay #HomeschoolPreschool #EarlyMath #HalloweenActivities #HomeschoolActivities

A post shared by Shannon ???????? | Early Years Play (@perfectpreschoolplans) on

 

Advertisement

2. Pumpkin carving is fun but have you tried teaching them pumpkin’s anatomy? This educator has taken the opportunity to tell her little learners about the inside parts of a pumpkin. See how words like skin, pulp, seeds, stem, fibre strands, etc. are taught here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Turn pumpkin carving into a science activity with a color-cut-and-paste PUMPKIN CARVING activity. As kids carve their pumpkins they can learn what to call all the parts inside like the pulp, skin, seeds, and fibrous strands. Just imagine them saying, "Mom, can you please help me remove all the fibrous strands?"–So smart!!! Get this FREE printable. Search "LEARNING ABOUT PUMPKINS" on our blog or click the Holidays-Halloween tab to find this idea and more. Post Url: https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/learning-about-pumpkins-explore-color-and-label-free-printable/ SAVE this idea for later & follow us for more Kids Activities ⭐️@alittlepinchofperfect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #alittlepinchofperfect #carvingpumpkins #pumpkincarving #pumpkins #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoollife #schoolathome #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolfun #homeschoolers #homeschoolrocks #homeschoolcurriculum #scienceiscool #sciencefun #scienceforkids #preschool #kindergartenfun #kindergartener #preschooler #kindergartenactivities #preschoolactivities #firstgrader #firstgradeactivities

A post shared by Katie ALittlePinchofPerfect (@alittlepinchofperfect) on

3. With the help of a simple Halloween-themed paper cut-out, this activity involves finding the same letter that’s spread all over the design, amidst the various other letters. Looks easy? We think not. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Working on letter P identification and came across this idea to make it into a Halloween themed cut out and mixed in random letters. This was a HUGE HIT! What Halloween or fall themed activities are you doing this month? ???????? . . . #otmamacita #otmamacitamomhack #halloweenthemedactivities #letterrecognitionactivity #phonics #phonicsforkids #letterrecognition #preschoolactivities #prekhomeschool #prekactivities #kindergartenteacher #kindergartenactivities #preschoolteacher #holidaythemedactivities #occupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapist #occupationaltherapystudent #cota #otactivitiesforkids #otactivities #earlylearningactivities #earlyreaders #visualperceptualskills #visualmotorintegration #finemotoractivities #pencilgrasp

A post shared by OT Mamacita (@otmamacita) on

Advertisement

 

4. How to better your students’ observation skills? Simple – place pumpkins of all shapes and sizes in front of them and let them draw the way they see this fruit! Here are some adorable results:

 

 

 

Advertisement

5. This teacher has integrated math, science, and social studies together into the thematic activities. One such game includes measuring the circumference of the pumpkin using chain-links and comparing the result with the figure they estimated before doing so. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

???? Pumpkin Week ???? is one of my favorite weeks in October! Teaching thematically and immersing my students in this topic helps increase motivation and student mastery of skills, while allowing me to hit multiple content areas and standards. Plus, these pumpkin investigation activities are just plain FUN! The kids love Pumpkin Week! Some years, we will complete our pumpkin investigations before Halloween. Other years (read… when we run out of time), we complete them just before Thanksgiving. That’s the beauty of pumpkin season… It really lasts all fall long! In the past, I have always used yarn to measure the circumference of a pumpkin, but last year we used chain links. Let me tell you… the chain links are a total game changer! They are so easy for the kids to hook together, fit around the pumpkin and count how many! I’m sharing how I integrate math, literacy, science and social studies into our pumpkin investigation activities on the blog. Click the link in my profile to see all 20 activities! Let me know your favorite pumpkin week activity ???? in the comments! #pumpkin #pumpkinseason #halloween #halloweencrafts #kindergarten #kindergartenteacher #kindergartenclassroom #kindergartenactivities #firstgradeteachers #firstgradeclassroom #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #1stgrade #1stgradeteacher #teach #teachersofinstagram #teacher #teachers #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachfirst #iteachk #onesharpbunch

A post shared by One Sharp Bunch®️ (@onesharpbunch) on

 

Advertisement

6. And here comes our favourite teacher. This one may not be teaching any new skill to her students this Halloween but is making sure they become confident and content individuals and keen learners. She believes that like other subjects, art, too, requires step-by-step guidance. She calls this ‘Directed Drawing.’ According to her, drawing may not come naturally to many kids but with right guidance, they definitely can learn! We second her. 

 

 
 
 
 
Continue Reading

Edutainment

ScooReview: ‘I Am Kalam’ is a Riveting Story of a Child’s School Dream

The film is about an impoverished village child who calls himself Kalam after the former Indian President because he wants to become like him.

Published

on

I Am Kalam is a beautiful film produced by the non-governmental charity called Smile Foundation. The reason behind making this movie was to bring awareness to people about the educational inequality prevailing in India.

I Am Kalam is a 2011 film, which was way ahead of its time. This is the story of a boy from a poor family who works as a child labourer at a highway-side cafe (aka dhaba). Irrespective of the problems in his life, he is a happy child with a simple dream to become someone like Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. 

The plot has the protagonist Chotu being sent to a dhaba to work and earn for the family. Here, he befriends the royal heir, Rannvijay, of a neighbouring resort's owner, who’s his age. Every day, Chotu dreams of wearing a tie and uniform to go to school, just like Rannvijay, as he has an unusual thirst for education and knowledge. He then chances upon the Republic Day Parade and Dr. Kalam’s salutation march. Curious, he finds out about the President and instantly decides to become like him. From here, he begins to call himself Kalam.

As the story progresses, he meets a foreigner woman who tries to convince his mother to let him study as he is a bright kid, but since the family's circumstances aren’t in favour, he is denied an education. As a consequence, Chotu aka Kalam decides to run away to Delhi to meet the President and give him a letter. In this, he writes about how he wants to become like the President of India and thanks Dr. Kalam for making him realise his dreams. Meanwhile, every one from his family comes running after Chotu to find him in the new city. They finally track him down and a relieved Rannvijay and zealous Chotu hug each other with joy.

Advertisement

In the end, Rannvijay’s father offers Chotu’s mother work at his resort and agrees to pay for Chotu’s education and send him to the same school as Rannvijay’s. That is when Chotu says he wants to pay for his education on his own and the movie ends with both Chotu aka Kalam and Rannvijay boarding the school bus in their school uniforms.

Conclusion:

The plot shows that equality in education is still a mere thought and that ideas are still being built around the education for underprivileged. The movie is, without a doubt, an eye-opener for the education sector in India.

The child named Chotu, with the sole dream of education, depicts the scenario of the underprivileged communities in our country and the inequity of education a majority of kids his age face. With this film, Smile Foundation wanted to press on the matter a decade ago. Clearly, the great scientist, an exemplary leader and a visionary teacher, Dr. Kalam, is a huge inspiration behind the script. The film ends on a promising note that where there’s a will, there’s a way. But most importantly, it teaches us that nothing can stop a child from grabbing his right to education if his determination is strong.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Edutainment

Wisconsin Teacher Sings FRIENDS Parody Version For His Students 

Paul Miller, a teacher in the United States, welcomes his new class for a new (remote) session in a very delightful and interesting way

Published

on

Who doesn’t remember the iconic 90's American sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S about six friends living in New York, that was premiered for almost a decade? Recently, a teacher in the USA went viral after he used its famous title song to cheer his students up while the schools are closed. 

Paul Miller, a teacher of Appleton East High School in Wisconsin, created a parody of the FRIENDS theme song ‘I’ll be there for you’ to virtually welcome his students in the new session. His parody implied that he shall always be around to support his students and that they can count on him even if they cannot meet him in person. 

His song's lyrics say – “So no one told me that life was gonna be this way. I got my lessons ready, but the students are MIA… I’ll be here for you when you’re learning at home. I’ll be here for you, and you’ll watch me on Chrome.”

Since his school decided to reopen remotely for the new session, this English teacher’s efforts felt right in every way to bring hope and joy among the excited young students. 

Advertisement

Miller said that his ‘welcome ritual’ has been consistent over the years, though this year he did have to be a little extra creative. How amazing that he chooses to sing to his students every year, right?

He said, "Obviously, I am not an expert musician. My intent is to show them that I am not afraid to take a risk and I want them to push themselves as well. This year, I have no live students because our district is fully virtual. So, I decided to put the ukelele down and make a music video to send home to my students.”

Well, we must say his artistic imagination was surely loved by his pupil as well as the people on the internet. See for yourself!

 

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Edutainment

ScooReview: Coach Carter, A Film Based on The Beautiful Mentor-Mentee Relationship in Sports

Its time to watch a sports movie, Coach Carter, starring none other than Samuel L. Jackson

Published

on

Coach Carter, directed by Thomas Carter and starring Samuel L. Jackson as Coach Carter, is an Americal film in the genre of sports teen drama. 

The film is based on the true story of Richmond High School in California and their basketball coach, Ken Carter. They made headlines in 1999 for suspension of the undefeated high-school basketball team due to poor academic results.

The story revolves around Coach Carter and his basketball team in high school. He gets hired as the coach because of being the alumni and ex-team player for the school. Though hired only to better the game of the team, he takes care of their academic scores, too, and makes them abide by a contract which obligates the players to maintain a minimum academic grade if they want to play for the team.

But Coach Carter, when learns of bad grades of the players, suspends the team from playing. He asks the performers to improve their grades as he wants them to have other options than basketball in life. Initially misunderstood and opposed by the board, Coach Carter’s intension and motives get clear to the players and they finally begin to strive hard to advance their academics to be able to play again.

Advertisement

Eventually, all the delinquents and rowdy students realise what their coach has been saying all along, and although they do not win the final game, they get praised by their opponents and coach for the brilliant show and team spirit.

Lesson

There can be times when students reject teachers and their philosophies and not understand what they are doing and why. The moral of the movie is that teachers always think ahead for the betterment of their pupil. With this film, we learn to invest trust in our educators and develop the patience to understand their motives. Because, at the end of the day, teachers only love to see their students succeed, don’t they?

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Edutainment

Life Lessons & DIY ‘Watch & Make’ Session From Harry Potter Films For Kids

A way to teach important life lessons while letting the children enjoy some movie time!

Published

on

Watching movies and entertainment series online more frequently has become a part of the ‘new normal.’ Keeping up with the trend, teachers can encourage their students to watch children-friendly movies that can also bring some kind of information or a lesson to them.

Family-fantasy is a genre of shows/movies that explores the imagination of the viewers as well as entertains them. Children’s films made by, for example, Disney have some deep-rooted meaning to their scripts. Also, consider the Harry Potter franchise. The third movie in the series, Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban, has many interesting lesson points if read between the lines. 

Check them out here:

  1. Make your own future: A character in the movie called professor Trelawney teaches young witches and wizards the art of predicting the future. At one point, they realise that even after predicting the future, it isn’t always accurate. This shows one shouldn't listen to what others say about their future. As teachers, you can explain to the students about how it's up to them to choose their ultimate path.
  2. Focus on the good: When Harry (the protagonist) casts ‘The Patronus Charm’ to wad-off dementors (creatures of negative energy), he needs to think of his happiest/positive memory to conjure the charm. It shows how being positive or recalling good memories can change one’s mood because “happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light."
  3. Keep an open mind: Don't believe everything you hear. During the film, we find out Sirius Black (the prisoner) isn't who Harry thought he was. Teachers can tell the children that there's always more than one side to a story and that they shouldn’t jump to conclusions or judgment until they've received all the facts.

Students could also be motivated to indulge in some DIY activities inspired by the Harry Potter franchise. Here's how:

  1. Make a magic wand: One of the first few cool things about Harry Potter is the wands all witches and wizards use, and so can your students and you! Take a chopstick (wooden), a thread to ⅓ of the top and paint it a wood-brown colour. They could take inspirations from the different pictures of wands of the Potter franchise.
  2. Talk about boggarts: A boggart is a shapeshifter that turns into your worst fear. Sit down and talk about fears with students, and to make it more fun, tell them to think about what their boggart would turn into after using a Riddikulus charm. Act it out or draw it if you want to have a good laugh. 
  3. Platform 9 ¾: The King’s Cross Station in London is a magical portal to reach to platform 9 ¾ for the Hogwarts Express that takes you to the magic school Hogwarts. Take a large chart paper, dip a sponge (anything rectangular-shaped) in colour and print bricks on the chart. Cut the chart in the middle and write ‘Platform 9 ¾’ on it, for your own portal to Hogwarts Express!
  4. Pumpkin juice: The characters mention pumpkin juice and are seen drinking it many times. Making your own Potter-special drink should be fun and, in fact, there are more dishes that can be inspired by these films. Make a tall glass of cold-coffee/shake (yellow/cream coloured) and put some whipped cream on it to make your pumpkin juice/shake!
  5. Floating candles: The Hogwarts great hall ceiling is shown holding charmed candles that float in the air. Your students can have their own floating candles, too. Draw candles on a white chart paper, cut them out and paint the flames. Then thread a thin string from the flames and hang them.

There are many more ideas that can be checked on YouTube/Pinterest for your students to have a fun art lesson. This could be an interesting ‘Watch & Make’ session while learning a thing or two about the real world through a world of fiction which Author JK Rowling has so wonderfully penned down. In fact, her life story and achievements so far in this patriarchal world have their own lessons to inspire youngsters. 

Source Credit: https://www.chicagoparent.com/play/indoor-fun/watch-this-do-that-harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban/

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Edutainment

10 Educational Netflix Series: Must-Watch For Students & Teachers

Learning is not limited to the classroom. For a more vivid and enriching experience, these 10 Netflix Series are a must-watch for every curious being.

Published

on

Netflix has been streaming movies, documentaries, and tv-series of multiple genres, attracting people from different walks of life. There are some series and documentaries which are quite fascinating for classrooms as well. They talk about multiple issues and concepts from wildlife protection to gender-based issues that can educate the young students. Here is a list of 10 such programs which are a must-watch to enhance our knowledge banks. 

1. Our Planet: Our Planet, narrated by David Attenborough, is a ground-breaking and honest series on the flora and fauna. It reflects on the issues that have been intentionally or unintentionally skipped in other series under this genre. It has been filmed in more than 50 countries and covers the diversity of species from coastal areas to grasslands. 

2. Chasing Coral: Directed by Jeff Orlowski, it is a compilation of hard work done over a span of three years, with 500+ hours of underwater shoots, across 30 countries with the support of more than 500 volunteers. The movie sheds light on the depleting number of coral reefs and tries to find the underlying causes of such activity. The team’s work did not end with just this movie, they went beyond and started an impactful campaign afterwards. 

3. 13th: The movie 13th by Ava DuVernay is inspired by the 13th Amendment to the American Constitution. It is a depiction of racial inequality, unjust system and police brutality. The documentary has testimonies from different advocates and scholars on this topic and reasons for a large number of African-Americans in the prison. The message of the documentary is lucid and a must-watch. 

Advertisement

4. Knock Down the House: Directed by Rachel Lears, it is the life-story of four women who aspire to change the face of American Politics and enter the field in 2018 for the Congress race. This emotional and touching documentary follows their life-struggles, their effort and campaign stories.  

5. Period. End of the Sentence: This documentary film by Rayka Zehtabchi is focused upon menstruation, which ideally should be listed as one of the important issues but has been ignored for decades, especially in the Indian context. The plot of the film is set-up in rural India, where stigmas and taboos over period persist and people prefer not to discuss it. The film is about a group of women who revolt against the existing treatment to menstruation and create an impact by producing sanitary napkins at lower costs to ensure their feasibility for all. 

6. The White Helmets: The White Helmets is a British short film on the work done by a relief and rescue crew in Syria and Turkey. The film has been directed by Orlando von Einsiedel and reflects on the daily operations and struggles of the Syrian Civil Defence, also known as The White Helmets. 

7. Zion: Zion is a short film by Floyd Russ about a teenager Zion Clark who was born without legs and has lived in foster care for years. It is an inspiring story of a determined young man who wanted to make it in wrestling despite all the odds. 

8. Explained: Explained is a series by Vog Digs, where a plethora of topics have been discussed from politics to music. It aims to explore cultures, trends and anything relevant happening across the globe, with interviews and explanations by experts in the areas. It touches upon when sound becomes music or why women are paid less or the growing water crisis in the world. It is a well-research series and highly recommended for the inquisitive young minds. 

Advertisement

9. Abstract: Abstract by Mark Mothersbaugh is a series about the aspects of design and its existence in our daily lives. It dives into a different inspiration of designers, who changed the landscape and our perspective of seeing the world. It has talked about Tinker Hatfield’s experiences which shaped his ideas about the Air Jordan series to Es Devlin stage designs. 

10. Babies: It explores the life of infants in the first year of their life. The series is based on ground-breaking science and reflects on the statement of ‘what it means to be a human can be found in the youngest creatures.’ The series observes the emotional bonding between the parent and the child and how it affects the baby’s crawling, first words and sleep patterns. 

Continue Reading

Newsletter

Advertisement
Education2 days ago

Nipah Virus: Is Indian Education System Ready to Face Another Virus Outbreak?

Inspiration2 days ago

GD Goenka’s Shooting Championship 2023 to Honour the legacy of Abhinav Bindra

News3 days ago

Pondicherry Government to Cover Tuition Fees for Govt School Students Pursuing Medical Studies

Education3 days ago

UOW Australia & NSE Academy unveil book on Corporate Finance; Adam Gilchrist rings the ceremonial bell

Education3 days ago

CLAT To Be Conducted In Regional Languages- NTA To Delhi High Court

Education4 days ago

UK-Gujarat Higher Education Conference: Gujarat’s education system to be strengthened

Knowledge4 days ago

Five ways for Indian students to have a successful study abroad experience

Education4 days ago

Maharashtra Launches ‘Adopt a School’ Scheme to Boost Education Quality

News5 days ago

Students launch campaign at Ladakh’s Khardongla to sensitize people on ozone layer

News5 days ago

Government Initiates Re-Employment of Retired Teachers

Education5 days ago

Gurukul The School Addresses New Education Policy and Curriculum Framework-2020

Education5 days ago

CBSE Director Academics, Joseph Emmanuel, delivers a national session on NEP implementation and way forward

Education5 days ago

France to Host Education Fairs Across India to Attract Students

News6 days ago

Pearson India Unveils NVision Foundation Book Series for JEE and NEET Aspirants

Education6 days ago

AICTE Accredits Bhartiya Shiksha Board as Pan-India Education Authority

Education6 days ago

PM Modi to Inaugurate Atal Residential Schools on September 23rd

Education7 days ago

Defence Minister To Establish 23 New Sainik Schools In India

Education7 days ago

BMC Plans to Introduce CBSE Curriculum in Every Ward’s Civic School in Mumbai

Education1 week ago

Super 30 Founder Anand Kumar Announces The Opening of a New School in Bihar

Education1 week ago

Study In India Portal: Everything You Need To Know About It As An International Student

News1 week ago

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates Educational Initiatives in Uttarakhand

Education2 weeks ago

हिंदी दिवस 2023- भारत में हिंदी माध्यम की शिक्षा का महत्व: भाषाई विविधता और राष्ट्रीय पहचान के संरक्षण

News2 weeks ago

Partnership Between Ministry of Education and Meta to Empower Students, Educators, and Entrepreneurs Launched

Education2 weeks ago

Kangaroo Kids Celebrates Grandparents Day, Fostering Inter-generational Bonds

Edutainment2 weeks ago

10 Unforgettable Films That Celebrate Inspiring Teachers

Knowledge2 months ago

Metaverse-Powered Learning: Shaping the Future of Education

News3 months ago

CBSE Chairperson Interacts With Participants At The Adolescent Summit Pune

Knowledge3 months ago

The Power of Emotions: A Practical Guide to Implementing SEL in Schools

Knowledge2 months ago

Exploring the Vibrant Journey: Seamless Transition from School to College

Knowledge3 months ago

The Power of Emotions: A Practical Guide to Implementing SEL in Schools

Education4 days ago

Maharashtra Launches ‘Adopt a School’ Scheme to Boost Education Quality

Knowledge3 weeks ago

Re-evaluating the Pedestal: Is Western Education Over-Glorified in India?

Education2 weeks ago

EuroKids unveils EUROTOTS, a toddler transition program to aid learning and development

Knowledge2 weeks ago

International Literacy Day: Why Physical Books Still Matter?

Education2 weeks ago

हिंदी दिवस 2023- भारत में हिंदी माध्यम की शिक्षा का महत्व: भाषाई विविधता और राष्ट्रीय पहचान के संरक्षण

Knowledge3 weeks ago

Being Human Amidst the Robots

Knowledge3 months ago

10 Things Teachers Look Forward to When Starting a New Academic Year

Education2 weeks ago

Lighthouse Learning Celebrates the 3rd edition of Educators’ Impact Awards honoring excellence in Education

Education1 week ago

Super 30 Founder Anand Kumar Announces The Opening of a New School in Bihar

Education2 days ago

Nipah Virus: Is Indian Education System Ready to Face Another Virus Outbreak?

Knowledge4 days ago

Five ways for Indian students to have a successful study abroad experience

Knowledge3 weeks ago

Celebrating the Heart and Art of Teaching

Knowledge3 weeks ago

Reimagining Higher Education: Responding to the future of work

News1 week ago

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates Educational Initiatives in Uttarakhand

News3 months ago

Andhra Pradesh govt signs agreement with ETS to boost English language among state schools

Knowledge2 weeks ago

Teaching EQ to Youngsters!

News3 months ago

MCD school principals to be trained at IIMs

Edutainment2 weeks ago

10 Unforgettable Films That Celebrate Inspiring Teachers

Education5 days ago

Gurukul The School Addresses New Education Policy and Curriculum Framework-2020

Knowledge3 months ago

Equipping Teachers for the 21st Century: The Significance of Fostering STEM Educators

Knowledge8 months ago

Aftermovie | NIES2 UP Chapter | 21 Jan 2023

Knowledge9 months ago

WEBINAR | Gamification in Education: How Digital Badges Can Boost Student Motivation and Engagement

Knowledge9 months ago

ScooNews | WEBINAR| Importance of Physical Activity for Children at School | Plaeto

Knowledge9 months ago

SCOONEWS | WEBINAR | WHY DIGITIZING YOUR SCHOOL IS A MUST | TEACHMINT

Knowledge1 year ago

Keynote Address | Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar

Knowledge1 year ago

Anurag Tripathi, Secretary, CBSE at SGEF2022

Inspiration1 year ago

How schools can nurture every student’s genius

Knowledge1 year ago

Aftermovie | SGEF2022 | Jaipur

Knowledge1 year ago

Li Andersson | Minister of Education | Finland

Knowledge1 year ago

Anurag Tripathi, Secretary, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) discusses NEP2020

Knowledge5 years ago

ScooNews | Early Ed Asia 2019 | Aftermovie

News5 years ago

#PodarECEconf : Pursuing quality ECE

News5 years ago

#CBSE Class XII #Results #Highlights

Education6 years ago

The interesting story of India’s educational system | Adhitya Iyer

Inspiration6 years ago

A young scientist’s quest for clean water

Inspiration6 years ago

The Danger of Silence: Clint Smith

Knowledge6 years ago

National Digital Library of India is an initiative by HRD Ministry

Inspiration7 years ago

Remembering Kalpana Chawla on her birthday!

Inspiration7 years ago

Message from Sadhguru for Students!

Inspiration7 years ago

Message from Sadhguru for Students!

Inspiration7 years ago

The Untapped Genius That Could Change Science for the Better

Education7 years ago

Eddy Zhong: How school makes kids less intelligent TEDxYouth@Beacon

Education7 years ago

#TEDxCanberra : What if every child had access to music education…

Education7 years ago

Confessions of a Megaphone – Shrutidhar Paliwal – TED Talk

Inspiration7 years ago

TED Talk: Bill Gates on Education and Good Teachers

Trending