Library Week activities across the classes

A book is a gift you can open again and again- Garrison Keillor.

The Indian School observed Library Week from 22nd to 26th of November 2021. Classes I-VIII undertook a plethora of activities for the event including alluring works of art in the form of bookmarks, Google doodle, knowing the parts of a book to book covers. Meanwhile, class XI students engaged in an Origami activity - Readers are Leaders.

Webinars and book reading sessions also took place during the week.

Day One saw teachers of classes I and II familiarising the nascent readers with the concept of a library. What is it? What kinds of books are available? Why is reading books important? And, what change can it bring in the lives of children? The teachers asked the kids to share their favourite storybook in the online class and talk about it. The children were thrilled to explore the parts of their books like the author, blurb, front cover, back cover, illustrations, cost, etcetera.

Class 3 did a fold-unfold activity guided by Samagya, Diksha, and Prachi of class, class XI Art. The gifted trio folded the colourful paper into a monster, butterfly, dolphin, fish, tulips, and a greeting card.

On Day Two, classes VII-VIII attended a virtual webinar on the importance of reading books by Dr Sabina Pillai, educationist and expert in the Applied Linguistics and behavioural skills domain. She has authored many books.

Rishima Dube of class 7 D extended a warm welcome to the guest speaker. Dr Pillai disseminated quick reading techniques. She shared her screen to reveal an unseen passage followed by questions. Children participated in this activity with great enthusiasm.

In the end, Aarav Bansal of class 7 E delivered the vote of thanks. He conveyed that he had especially enjoyed the programme with Dr Sabina Pillai on the importance of reading. Aarav mentioned the different types of reading techniques explained with the help of interactive activities. He particularly loved the unscrambling activity. Her encouragement to read has motivated him to take up reading immediately.

Goyal Brothers Prakashan conducted two webinars on Thursday, 25 November. The first webinar was on steps to improve handwriting by Ms Leena Kapoor, a professional development expert in education.

Mahak Mahto of Class 6 E introduced the resource person Ms Kapoor who has trained hundreds of teachers on effective teaching methods. She has also conducted numerous webinars for students in writing.

Ms Kapoor commenced the session by sharing tips on improving handwriting. She explained that print handwriting was easier to understand, read and write. Ms Kapoor further emphasized that writing on paper gives a personal touch. According to her, one should not depend too much on computers but write whenever possible.

She advised students on the kind of pen to use. The pen grip should be firm to ensure no smudging while writing. She gave some sentences to the students that they wrote in their notebooks. Children participated in the session and loved it.

The second webinar was a virtual book reading session for young readers of class 4 by Ms Leela Gour Broome, educator and environmentalist based in Pune. She introduced her book, Earthquake Boy, the story of a twelve-year-old boy found under a pile of rubble after the devastating earthquake in Bhuj.

Reading from her novel, Ms Broome shared the story behind its conceptualisation and subsequent writing, followed by an interactive question-answer round.

In the end, Ms Broome surprised the children by showing them her wooden puppet, Bina! The kids loved her. The session ended on a happy note with Ms Broom3 promising to visit the School after the pandemic!

Library Week involved a Read-a-Thon for ten minutes daily. Children happily read fairy tales like Rapunzel, Cinderella and Puss in Boots. Classics like The Jungle Book and Treasure Island were also read. Class V read contemporary writers Sudha Murty, Ruskin Bond, Nandani Nayar, Asha Nehemiah, to name a few.

According to World Health Organization, The Human Library builds a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue.

Thus, classes 3 and 4 immersed themselves in a true story through the concept of the Human Library. Ms Bernadette Bedi, their music teacher, narrated the true incidence of scientists on the lookout for medicinal herbs in the Amazon forest. Their encounter with a bushmaster- a deadly poisonous snake that entered the sleeping bag of one of their party and the strategies used to rid it, mesmerised the young listeners.

Ms Bedi also shared pictures of rare animal life from her recent visit to Ladakh. She impressed upon the children the magnificence of the Himalayas as a travellers delight in all its stark glory.

The little ones of class 1 participated in the story narration and Read Aloud programme. Selected students made beautiful finger and glove puppets and narrated inspiring stories using them. A few parents actively participated and read stories to a delighted audience.

Meanwhile, class 2 put on their thinking caps to create a Google Doodle to mark Library Week celebrations. All the teachers were spellbound to see their creativity.

The young readers learnt how to write a book review. They showcased their book reviews in the virtual class. Children dressed up as their favourite characters from recently read stories and briefly explained the reasons for their choice. They used different headgear, carried props, and confidently explained why they admired that particular story character. Children made a book cover writing 'Readers are Leaders'. Children were encouraged to read a storybook every day and note the new words learned.

The last event of the Library Week calendar was a storytelling session, for class V, by School Vice-Chairperson, Dr (Mrs) Nayana Goradia. Goradia ma'am narrated the story of a zamindar family of 19th century Bengal against the backdrop of the prevalent social evils at the time like the dowry system and Sati pratha. The beautifully illustrated story revolved around a young girl, Yamini.

Library Week thus concluded on an exuberant note and with a promise to come back again next year with another set of innovative activities.

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