Lesson plan training workshop

Teachers - Educators Of the Heart and Shapers Of The Soul

(Teacher training workshop – 4 Salesian Schools of Mumbai)

-Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala

18^th June 2014

There was a sense of mystery and adventure in the air as the teachers of the four Salesian schools of Mumbai gathered at Don Bosco, Matunga on 13^th June,2014 for the first teacher training workshop for the new scholastic year. It was an imaginary and visionary short trip with a train map in lesson planning, to help lead every teacher and student reach a common destination - the overall development of the child.

After breakfast, there was a short prayer service seeking God's blessings followed by an audio-visual presentation that presented the subtle difference between a teacher and an educator. Fr. Bosco D’Mello, Principal of Don Bosco Matunga, welcomed the members of the Adhyayan team, all the Principals and the teachers of the four Salesian schools for the day’s programme. The teachers of Don Bosco, Matunga then brightened the proceedings with a beautiful rendition of a specially prepared Welcome Song.

Ms. Kavita Anand addressed the gathering – made interesting with a special sign language to communicate collective positive and negative responses - and defined the purpose of this special journey. The 6 Key Performance Areas (KPA's) - The Child, Teaching and Learning, Leadership and Management, The Curriculum, Community and Partnerships, Infrastructure and Resources- were up on the screen for review and reflection.  The teaching community were then introduced to an insightful video clip titled 'Did You Know? Shift Happens 2014' depicting the rapidly changing pace of technology in the world and the need for teachers to skilfully adapt to the changing trends in education.

The teachers were then directed to different classrooms for group discussions on the different learning levels. In the allotted classrooms, the teachers were ably guided by the enthusiastic Adyayan animators. The first session based on 'Settle the Culture - Class Atmosphere' provided group work roles - the Time-Keeper, Record-Keeper, Facilitator and the Material Manager - for the group members. They were handed topics for discussion related to the desired class atmosphere they liked and sought to achieve.  

In the second session, the teachers were led through a PPT to understand the difference between Teaching and Learning Objectives and Outcomes. The two questions, ‘What is Lesson Planning?’ and ‘How do we know when a lesson plan is well planned?’ provided the basis for the group discussion at this time.

The basic steps in the Lesson Plan were then displayed -

* Learning Outcome

* Learning Objective

* Starter

* Introduction In A Lesson

* Development

* Plenary

* Key Words In A Lesson

* Formative Assessment

* Summative Assessment

* Classroom Display

The teachers were instructed about the structure, aims and philosophy of the programme. They were led to recognise the link between effective teaching and learning, lesson planning, peer learning and display. They were then provided with material for the preparation of  a lesson plan using the newly structured guidelines. The creative and well structured lesson plans were presented after the sumptuous lunch break. The best plan, named the ‘Gold Plan’ from each group was selected with the best part (in each plan) being highlighted.

After the last session in effective teaching and learning 'Self Evaluation and Group Evaluation', Ms. Kavita conducted a quick feedback of the day’s program, and thanked all the teachers for their active participation. She looked forward to a healthy and enthusiastic interactive teaching-learning experience with the teachers,

Kudos to The Adyayan Team for invigorating us with the step by step process (each station well designed!) of teaching and learning to make the journey of the teacher and child fulfilling and fruitful!

Fond farewell for Std. IV

Dearest friends of Std. IV, We Will Miss You! We Love You!

-Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School

Wadala

25^th March 2014

Saying goodbye is always hard to do. On 25th March, we bid farewell to the students of Std. IV with heavy hearts and warm smiles. They will continue to be in our prayers, thoughts hearts and minds! Fr. Bernard Fernandes (Principal) and Ms. Nicole Britto (Vice-Principal) were the special guests for the farewell. The farewell programme was wonderfully organised and executed by the teachers and students of Std. III. The students and teachers of all the classes contributed in their own unique way to make this a beautiful and memorable farewell for the students of Std. IV.

After the warm welcome by the two comperes, the students of Std. I sought God's blessings in a special way on the students of Std. IV to bless, guide, protect and be with them always through intentions addressed to God. The students of Std. II dressed as angels gracefully danced to the rhythm of the song 'I Have A Dream' praying that the dreams of the students of Std. IV their dreams to come true. The song Bind Us Together was sung to symbolise unity and a sense of belonging. The Std. III students performed a wonderful mesmerising dance to the medlley of popular Hindi songs which spread cheer and fun, and made everyone smile. The power-point presentation titled 'Memories' prepared by Std. III, brought back cherished memories of the students of Std. IV, as they walked down memory lane. The students of Std. IV with grateful hearts then sang an action song -the 'Thank You Song' to express their love and gratitude to all the teachers and students of the Primary Section, They formed a circle of love enveloping the precious moments they shared and enjoyed in the Primary Section.

Fr. Bernard addressed the students. He congratulated everyone for the wonderful and meaningful farewell for the Std. IV students. He asked them what they would take with them to the Secondary Section, to which some students responded: the teachers' care, knowledge, understanding and love! He then asked the other students what they wish to remember about the Std. IV students. Some students said that they were their friends who took care of them. This was indeed a special moment of precious relationships formed and cherished. Fr. Bernard congratulated the winners of the activities held on the previous Fridays, namely the Dodgeball Competitions (Stds. I-IV - Green House), G.K. Quiz Competitions (Stds. I-IV- Yellow House), Marathi Elocution Competition (Stds. I-IV- Std. IIIA) and English Choral Recitation (Std. I-IV - Std. IVB). Ms. Nicole then distributed the prizes to the winners of Greeting card competition-Red Cross, and the Marathi and English Elocution competitions.

The Farewell ended on a nostalgic note with fond memories and beautiful relationships. May God bless you always dearest students of Std. IV! Our wish for you: "Soar High!' God Bless You! We Love You!    

Celebrating the feast of our patron - St. Joseph

St.Joseph - Pray For Us

-Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala

19^th March 2014

On 19th March, Wednesday, the entire family (students, teachers, past-pupils, parents and well-wishers) of St. Joseph's assembled in the Church of Our Lady of Dolours, Wadala for the Thanksgiving Mass at 9 a.m. Fr. Bernard Fernandes (Principal) was the main celebrant while Fr. Godfrey D’Sa (Rector) concelebrated at the Eucharistic celebration. It was indeed a precious moment for the Josephites as they gathered together to give thanks to the Patron of the school - St. Joseph.

Leading to the Feast of St. Joseph, there was a well-organised Earth- saving Novena which projected nine ways (for each day of the novena) of taking care of Mother Earth. The theme for the day was displayed on the special board exhibited in the church. The Masses on the days of the novena were well animated by the students and teachers of the school. Themes such as 'Save Electricity', 'Grow Vegetables - Urban Farming', 'Buy in Bulk', 'Don't Waste Food' etc. were highlighted wonderfully. Fr. Bernard thanked all the students and staff members for the prayerful and engaging animation during the novenas and urged everyone to continue practising the Earth Saving steps suggested during these days. He elicited the qualities of St. Joseph as J-just, O- obedient, S- simple, E – efficient, P - patient, and H- humble. He invoked the blessings of St. Joseph and stated that we in turn must imbibe his qualities. Fr. Rector talked of St. Joseph as a powerful saint and that we need to seek His intercession always and pray that he may guide and bless us.  

After Mass, there was a staff get-together in the school hall. Fr. Bernard warmly welcomed the staff members – past and present, PTA members and well-wishers for the family celebration on the occasion of the feast of our patron.  Fr. Godfrey then addressed the gathering and he focused on the qualities of obedience, hard work and the sense of duty and dedication which St. Joseph lived by, and urged everyone to follow in his footsteps.  The self-introduction round gave the staff members, both present and retired, a fantastic opportunity to get to know each other better and express their sentiments of gratitude on this auspicious occasion. Before the snacks and refreshments were served, Fr. Vivian led everyone in prayer offering our work in the hands of God, seeking the blessings of St. Joseph to be our protector and guide in all the work entrusted to us, so that we reflect his vision and mission wholeheartedly. It was an awesome fellowship gathering in which everyone could feel the true spirit of St. Joseph - a man who placed his trust in the Lord completely. 

St.Joseph - pray for us and bless us always!

'We Are Born For Greater Things!' is the motto of St. Joseph's High School, Wadala. Like St. Joseph, may we the Josephites constantly and consistently live up to this motto!      

FIELD TRIP TO BYCULLA FIRE BRIGADE

-Mrs. Sharmila & Mrs. Rachal

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala

26^th Feb 2014

The students of Stds IIA & IIB visited the Fire Brigade Station at Byculla. The boys were curious to know more about this place.  After a short prayer by Mrs. Matilda for a safe trip, we boarded the bus that dropped us at the venue. The officer in charge Mr. Amul Mulik gave us the relevant information about the various equipments, specialized machines, engines, fire fighters, breathing apparatus set and sky lift A 42 machine, etc.

We were given a demonstration by the concerned personnel on the breathing apparatus set to illustrate how the oxygen marks works to rescue any victims. Later, the fire engines with special sirens were also shown to the students. The children noted down the important information in their notebooks. There was another demonstration for the children – this time on the hose pipe… to help indicate the water pressure level.  The teachers too guided the students with proper input regarding the various equipments and working projects.

We returned at 12.15 pm after a very informative and educative trip. We came back armed with some important emergency numbers given to us - 101- FIRE. 102- AMBULANCE, 103- SENIOR CITIZEN CRIME & 112 – SPECIAL EMERGENCY CALL NUMBER.

We thank one and all for this wonderful trip, in particular, the parents, Mrs. Sheryl Rodrigues and Mrs. Razia Khan, who accompanied us and helped maintain discipline as also record memories of the trip on their video cameras. 

Social concern: Socially disabled

SPECIALLY ABLED – WE LOVE THEM!

-Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

18^th February 2014

At the very outset, the two comperes warmly welcomed everyone in the school hall. Ms. Nicole Britto (Vice-Principal), and Mrs. Matilda Fernandes (Head teacher of the Primary Section) were the special guests. The theme for the class assembly of Std.II A was 'Social Concern - Disability'. The assembly began with a meaningful skit which highlighted examples of people who cope successfully with disabilities and emerge triumphant. In the skit, students took the roles of Nick Vujicic (physically challenged), Helen Keller (blind and deaf), Sudha Chandran (physically challenged), and another autistic child and a mentally challenged child – people who accepted their disabilities and achieved success on their own terms. A group of students dressed as angels then danced to the rhythm of the song' I Have A Dream' - the dreams cherished by each disabled person in the world, and the hopes and dreams which they have fulfilled by mere faith in God and in themselves.

Groups of students then represented different organizations ('Missionaries of Charity', 'Shelter Don Bosco', NGO's, etc.) that reach out and render service to the specially abled. They enacted the kind of support, care and guidance provided by these organizations to people and children with special needs.  In the poem, 'I'm Still A Person' two groups of students wonderfully recited the poem that stressed emphasis on the importance of treating everyone equally including those who are specially abled.  The specially abled have their senses just like ours, the only difference being that they may not be able to 'see', 'hear','speak' or 'move' like us. In fact their senses are better attuned. They are persons who need to be treated with acceptance, love and respect, like any of us. Two students held a banner with the message to treat everyone kindly and respectfully. There was a power-point presentation on the life of Nick Vujicic who is a living example of a man who loves life and is happy. He has accepted his physical disability and has mastered various skills through sheer perseverance and faith in God. He has learnt skills such as cooking, speaking on the mobile, working on the computer (typing), inserting a video CD in a video player, walking his dog, moving on his wheel chair, surfing, swimming, etc. The disabilities were no longer seen as disabilities but as abilities accomplished with strong will power and regular practice, never giving up!

Ms. Nicole congratulated the class teacher and the students of Std. IIA for the beautiful, informative assembly. She reiterated the message that people who face disabilities are not disabled, they are differently abled and specially abled. The winners of the Friday weekly activity (Stds.I & II – Langdi, Stds. III & IV - Kho-Kho competitions) were then felicitated at the assembly. The assembly concluded with the singing of the school anthem.       

Field trip - Std. III

Field Trip to Chatrapati Shivaji Maharai Vastu Sangralaya

-Mrs. Mamta Bale

St. Joseph’s High School

Wadala

20^th Feb 2014

The field trip for Std. III to Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangralaya was scheduled for 20^th February, 2014.  102 students and two class teachers set out on this day to experience learning through fun, play and activity. The field trip served as a means to improve the skill of observation and to know about the history of early man.

The huge royal structure of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangralaya (Prince of Wales Museum) amazed the children. There were many articles, paintings, pictures and carvings that were centuries old. The articles exhibited ranged from tiny fishing hooks to huge stuffed animals and birds that are extinct today. There were ornaments and furniture used in those days by the kings and queens. Along with these were exhibited the personal arms and ammunition used by the kings and their soldiers. The students witnessed a demonstration on how birds and animals are stuffed and preserved. Observing the marvelous progress made by man over the years astonished us.

Once at the museum, the time flew so quickly that before long we found ourselves transported from the time zone of the early man to that of the modern day – our classrooms! 

Field trip - Std. IV

YaY! Awesome trip to 'Our Wonderland' - Mumbai!

-Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala

12^th Feb 2014

The students of Stds. IV A & B embarked on a journey to spend a day out, in order to get acquainted with the important landmarks and places of interest in Mumbai. On 12th February, 2014, the students boarded the bus at 9.15 a.m., to jump out of their classrooms (and books) and discover the places en route the journey to and fro from school. This adventurous field trip was exciting, thrilling, fascinating, enlightening and refreshing.

The students witnessed a range of landmarks associated with spirituality, knowledge, tourist attractions, recreation, travel and health. They came 'face to face' with places like Haji Ali, Mahalaxmi Temple, Siddhivinayak Temple, British Council Library, C.S.T., Gateway of India,Marine Drive, Colaba, Fountain, Jehangir Art Gallery,Prince of Wales Museum, Reserve Bank of India, Lion Gate, Mahalaxmi Race Course, Taraporewala Aquarium, General Post Office, K.E.M., Wadia, St. George Hospitals, etc. The scenic view of the beautiful beaches and places of knowledge like the Nehru Centre, government buildings like Mantralaya, Naval Headquarters, hotels and gardens offered a good blend of all aspects related to the life of the Mumbaikars!

The final destination was our friendly neighbourhood - Five Gardens. Here the students got a chance to be one with nature and play in the company of trees and plants. They were fascinated to see bats hanging from the tall trees and the beautifully trimmed and well-maintained gardens.

The field trip to the various places of interest in Mumbai was an enriching experience which made learning outdoors fun-filled and enjoyable. This awesome field trip drew to a close at 12.15 p.m., and brought the students back to their books, not before experiencing how the wonderful information in their books can come alive! An enthusiastic batch of students then followed the field trip with interesting feed-back and joyful inputs in their classrooms.