A Day at Parvarish - The Museum School
A Typical Day in Parvarish - The Museum School, starts with the Teacher Volunteers fanning out to their allocated slums at 2 PM, to collect the children. This gives the teachers an opportunity to meet their families and enquire their well-being.
The children take a short walk with the teacher to the bus stop, and on the way describe their jaunts in the morning at home, work or school. The bus resonates with greetings and giggles as it picks up children from the stops on the way, and glides through traffic and scenic landscapes.
At the scheduled Museum, the children fall in line, disciplined and well mannered for the prayer song. Following that, the children separate into groups (as decided post their assessment) and led by their respective teachers to different spots and exhibits in the Museum. The Teachers, who are well equipped with their curriculum, and trained to teach using Museum exhibits, start their class with a story, or questioning some known facts. This catches the children's interest, and provokes their inquisitiveness.
The questions / story lead to the exhibit, that the teacher will be using that day for his/her class. While the students touch, feel and experiment with the exhibit in turns, the Teacher asks about the experience, and the reasons behind it. Getting to know the knowledge level of each child on the concept, the Teacher then starts explaining the exhibit and the concept behind it. Children do not write down anything during the class. After the explanation is over, children ask questions to fill their understanding gaps.
This is followed by the children describing the concept and its explanation in parts, like a story chain, with the Teacher asking questions. Post all explanations and question answers, children sit down in front of the exhibit, to write the concept in their notebooks. While they consult each other to verify their understanding, they are not allowed to copy from each other's notebooks. Those who cannot write well, draw the exhibit and label it. These children have separate sessions to improve their writing skills.
For subjects that do not have exhibits, the Teachers conduct their sessions using objects from nature, or through games. All Teachers are instructed, not to use Books while teaching, so that they can experiment with different approaches. After the class is over, children can read the topic in their books and ask questions / solve exercises.
The yearly calendar is set in a manner to teach the children various forms of Arts, Performing arts, Sports, Life skills, Vocational skills, and Personality development as well. Established Artists, Sportspersons, Trainers, and Craftsmen, are engaged to teach the children, and hone their skills.
The teaching session is followed by a group meal, and then its time to roll on the grass, swing and play.
The return trip in the bus is known to every passing commuter, as it resonates with songs sung by the children.
Then its time to go back home accompanied by their Teacher, and share the learning they had today with their families.
The children take a short walk with the teacher to the bus stop, and on the way describe their jaunts in the morning at home, work or school. The bus resonates with greetings and giggles as it picks up children from the stops on the way, and glides through traffic and scenic landscapes.
At the scheduled Museum, the children fall in line, disciplined and well mannered for the prayer song. Following that, the children separate into groups (as decided post their assessment) and led by their respective teachers to different spots and exhibits in the Museum. The Teachers, who are well equipped with their curriculum, and trained to teach using Museum exhibits, start their class with a story, or questioning some known facts. This catches the children's interest, and provokes their inquisitiveness.
The questions / story lead to the exhibit, that the teacher will be using that day for his/her class. While the students touch, feel and experiment with the exhibit in turns, the Teacher asks about the experience, and the reasons behind it. Getting to know the knowledge level of each child on the concept, the Teacher then starts explaining the exhibit and the concept behind it. Children do not write down anything during the class. After the explanation is over, children ask questions to fill their understanding gaps.
This is followed by the children describing the concept and its explanation in parts, like a story chain, with the Teacher asking questions. Post all explanations and question answers, children sit down in front of the exhibit, to write the concept in their notebooks. While they consult each other to verify their understanding, they are not allowed to copy from each other's notebooks. Those who cannot write well, draw the exhibit and label it. These children have separate sessions to improve their writing skills.
For subjects that do not have exhibits, the Teachers conduct their sessions using objects from nature, or through games. All Teachers are instructed, not to use Books while teaching, so that they can experiment with different approaches. After the class is over, children can read the topic in their books and ask questions / solve exercises.
The yearly calendar is set in a manner to teach the children various forms of Arts, Performing arts, Sports, Life skills, Vocational skills, and Personality development as well. Established Artists, Sportspersons, Trainers, and Craftsmen, are engaged to teach the children, and hone their skills.
The teaching session is followed by a group meal, and then its time to roll on the grass, swing and play.
The return trip in the bus is known to every passing commuter, as it resonates with songs sung by the children.
Then its time to go back home accompanied by their Teacher, and share the learning they had today with their families.
