Story Telling as a tool of learning

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Published: August 14, 2012 10:05 IST | Updated: August 14, 2012 10:05 IST

Learning to see sunny side up

Staff Reporter

The Hindu THINK POSITIVE: V. Chandra, resource person, handling an NIE session at St.Joseph's Girls Higher Secondary School in the city. Photo: M. Moorthy

Imagine if an entire hour in class were dedicated to simply feeling good. The recent NIE session at St.Joseph’s Girls Higher Secondary School, Ponmalai, was about consciously seeing the brighter side of life.

The first module under ‘Secret of Success’ established positive thinking as the keystone for success. Banking on the belief that a story can capture the attention of even the most distracted student, V. Chandra, resource person, narrated a tale that struck a chord with the girls. The anecdote of Meera who spent a sleepless night worrying over a maths test and an important volleyball tournament on the same day, wondering whether the performance in the former may impact the latter, was reminiscent of their own predicament. In a metaphorical twist to the tale, the narrator introduced the blessing tree, which held abundant wishes, that could be opened up only by positive thoughts.

Cultivating positive thinking is more action than thought, said Ms.Chandra, asking students to draw up a list of three of their happiest moments, skills and talents, traits they wished people would recognise in them and traits they wished they possessed. Analysing one’s strengths is the first step to believing in oneself which in turn can spur positive vibes.

Ms.Chandra laid emphasis on the power of a simple smile and positive utterances to reaffirm confidence. Yet, there are times when negative thoughts crowd the mind. In such instances, replace every negative thought with a positive affirmation. The class was divided into two groups. While the first brought up discouraging and de-motivating statements on why something could not be done by students, the other group countered every statement with an encouraging possibility.

Keywords: NIE session

CHILDREN'S LIBRARY

PRESCHOOL STORY TIMES
Preschool Story Time is held four times each week. Sessions last about 30 minutes and include stories, singing and crafts. Little visitors are welcome every Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:00 and 11:00.

• Saturday Family Story Time is held each Saturday at 10:30. The Morning Rotary Club presents the program once each month, and library staff present the others.
• Group visits are also welcome. We can plan a Story Time around the subject or theme your group is interested in. Please call or e-mail to make plans and schedule a session.

 ELEMENTARY AGE PROGRAMS  The library is now offering programs for elementary age children.

Kids MagazinesA selection of periodicals for children is available for browsing. Periodicals cannot be removed from the library, but photocopy machines are available. The number of years of back-issues available varies according to the title. Contact the Children's Librarian for more information.

• Magazine List

Databases

TumbleBooks is a great new online service for kids! TumbleBooks are created by adding animation, sound, music and narration to create an electronic picture book which kids can read, or have read to them. There are games and puzzles that reinforce concepts from the book. They can even narrate and record their own TumbleBooks to send to friends and family!

Recommended ReadingWe can help with local school reading lists. Do you need to know what your child is supposed to read this summer? We can help, and we may even have an extra copy on hand!

• These lists of books will help parents and children find good reading material appropriate for the age of the child. If you need additional assistance selecting materials, just ask the staff in the Children's Library.

Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee
To register a preschool child (birth until their fifth birthday) of Davidson or Williamson County on-line, click on Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee Official Registration Form (one per child required).
CHESS CLUBAll ages and skill levels are welcome to enjoy this noncompetitive and fun atmosphere. On-site chess coach teaches beginning fundamentals, as well as advanced strategies. This is a wonderful opportunity to enhance your game, learn new skills, or just sit back and enjoy a nice social game of chess. Free of charge. Boards will be provided.
No reservations necessary...just come and play!
Upcoming Dates:  Normally the last Friday of the month, but the next meeting is Friday, August 24Time:    4:30-6:00 p.m.
Place:    Brentwood Library Meeting Room Contact Patricia Rua-Bashir at 371-0090 ext. 8290  for further information. E-mail rua-bashirp@brentwood-tn.org

Activities to Describe Resourcefulness to Children

By Melissa Gagnon, eHow Contributor

Art projects that allow children to choose different materials encourage resourcefulness.

Teaching children to be resourceful is important for their independence and creativity. Children who are resourceful can make confident decisions and are motivated to problem solve. Teach your children to be resourceful by allowing them to think on their own, to try new things and by providing positive encouragement. Activities that describe resourcefulness to children help parents discuss with the child how to make good decisions and how to solve everyday problems.

Collage

1. • Making collages with your child is one way you can begin to discuss and explain resourcefulness with him. Provide a flat work surface and a large poster board. Assemble a range of materials and allow your child to choose which to use and how to arrange and glue the items. By allowing him to make decisions and create his own art, you are giving him the opportunity to figure out how materials can be used to create pictures and designs. Ask your child questions such as "What could you use to make hair for the person you are creating?" rather than suggesting that he use yarn for hair. Allow your child to decide which materials can be used to represent what he is trying to create.

   Recycling

   • Turn your recycling routine in to a fun activity. Teach your child to be resourceful with materials that can be recycled rather than throwing them away. Collecting cans and turning them in for money teaches resourcefulness and provides your child with some pocket money. Save plastic containers such as butter tubs, milk jugs and yogurt cups and ask your child if he can think of any uses for them around the house. He may decide that the cups can be used to hold pencils on his desk or the butter tub can be used to store homemade play dough or even leftovers.
     You can also create projects with the containers. Allow your child to decorate them with stickers, or make a milk-jug bird feeder. Make your own wrapping paper by decorating brown paper bags from the grocery store. Remember to allow your child to come up with ideas on how to recycle on his own as well.

   Regifting

   • Clean out your child's closet and toy box, and have him help decide what items he no longer needs. Suggest to your child that someone else may get use out of these items, and have your child decide where to donate the items. You may even then discuss with your child that he could take some items to a consignment store or second-hand shop, and get store credit to pick new items for himself. By showing your child that you don't necessarily have to spend full price on items, you encourage them to look for ways to be resourceful with their money as well as their belongings and materials.

Read more: Activities to Describe Resourcefulness to Children | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7475228_activities-describe-resourcefulness-children.html#ixzz23gPSN7hj

Training Programme on School Cabinet on 6th August-2012

Today was the first day of training programme on School Cabinet as a platform for child participation for fourth batch of teachers from all across Koraput district being organised at Atithi Bhavan by SSA & Unicef . 

To see the photos from the programme Please CLICK HERE