Library Week, 2024

The Indian School observed Library Week from 21st to 25th October 2024. It was filled with engaging activities designed to foster a love for reading, creativity, and learning among students. The programme featured storytelling sessions, workshops, literary games, book discussions, and a film screening, each carefully tailored for the different class groups.

 The inaugural event on 21 October 2024 was graced by Principal Ms Tania Joshi, Vice Principal Dr Anu Singh, and Headmistress Ms Vandana Tiwari. The celebrations began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by an inspiring address by the Principal in the auditorium, encouraging students to explore the joys of reading.

 Highlights of Library Week

 Monday, 21 October 2024

Library Week began with storytelling for Pre school and Pre primary students, where teachers presented Runaway Pumpkin, introducing the children to farm animals and emphasising the value of home. Classes IV and V enjoyed an engaging storytelling session with Ms Surekha Jain, who captivated the students with tales of famous figures like Dr Abdul Kalam and Mr Ratan Tata. Meanwhile, classes VIII and IX participated in a Library Scavenger Hunt, working in teams, to locate books based on specific criteria, promoting exploration and discovery within the library. 

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

A Creative Writing Workshop for classes VI and VII, led by Ms Kiran Misra, addressed challenges such as writer's block. Ms Misra introduced stream-of-consciousness techniques to inspire creative freedom, emphasising grammar and literary devices for effective writing. Interactive activities explored idioms, similes, and metaphors, leaving students motivated and excited to develop their writing skills. 

Wednesday, 23 October 2024

Midweek activities featured storytelling sessions for classes I and II, with teachers swapping classes and sharing stories from popular children's books. Students also discussed the works of authors like Eric Carle and Dr Seuss. Additionally, they learned library rules and procedures, encouraging independent exploration and fostering a love for books. 

Thursday, 24 October 2024

Classes VI and VII students went on an educational trip to the National Book Trust (NBT), accompanied by Ms Pragati Raychowdhury and Mr Shankar Sarkar. The first session, led by Ms Usha Chhabra, engaged the students with a tale from the Panchatantra, highlighting the importance of voice modulation and expression in storytelling. The second session, 'Fun with Caricatures' conducted by Mr Karan Singh, allowed students to learn the art of caricature through enjoyable, hands-on activities.

Ms Nikita Jain led two interactive sessions at School. Class III participated in grammar games, while classes I and II engaged in a storytelling session, where students eagerly discussed characters and plotlines.

Friday, 25 October 2024

The final day of Library Week began with a screening of The BFG for the second graders, teaching them lessons on friendship and courage. Ms Trapti Yadav  held a 'Time Management Workshop' for classes IX and X, introducing productivity techniques such as the Pomodoro Method and the Eisenhower Matrix to help students manage stress and balance studies with hobbies.

Additionally, School hosted an insightful session with Ms Manoshi Sinha, Indic researcher and author of The Saffron Sword. Speaking to classes XI and XII, Ms Sinha shared stories of lesser sung heroes like King Prithu, Naiki Devi, Emperor Ashoka, and Rani Karnawati. She advocated for a broader, more inclusive curriculum celebrating India's diverse heritage.

The week concluded with class I students showcasing their creativity by designing book covers and bookmarks, and a vibrant Character Parade in which students dressed up as their favourite storybook characters to bring these stories to life.

Special Attractions

Library Week was not just about the scheduled activities. It also featured unique attractions that added excitement to the celebrations.

For instance, the Book Exhibition by Niyogi Publications invited students to explore a variety of books and stationery, generating lively enthusiasm.

The DEAR Time (Drop Everything and Read) activity, held daily for 15 minutes, encouraged everyone to embrace the habit of reading.

The Book Donation Drive encouraged empathy as students contributed personal books for their specially-abled peers, highlighting the values of giving and sharing.

The Book Exchange Corner for classes VI-XII was a huge hit. It offered a fun, coupon-based system in which students exchanged previously read books for new ones, inspiring excitement for fresh reading experiences. The popularity of this corner was a clear indication of the students' enthusiasm for reading.

These activities greatly enriched Library Week, leaving students inspired to continue exploring the world of books and storytelling.