National Book Week activities

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go. Dr. Seuss.

This year due to the pandemic, National Book Week was celebrated virtually. Our School decided to jointly celebrate Library Week with National Book Week with diverse activities planned across the class levels. On 17 November,2020 students started their day by taking a Reading Pledge composed by Ruskin Bond. The pledge was taken in the first period in the virtual classrooms. On 18 November,2020 students of class VI attended a webinar on storytelling by Ms Sangitha Kanjilal, trainer who undertakes workshops for teachers all over India. Ms Kanjilal also conducts programmes for children and on the occasion, she conducted an hour long session. She narrated the story of a boy and his experience of the ongoing virtual classes. It was a captivating session where children asked various questions relating to the story.

On 19 November, students of class 7 attended a webinar titled, Write candidly and with Integrity conducted by Ms. Heeru Bhojwani, Librarian and Information Curator and Coach at the American School in Mumbai. 125 students and 6 teachers attended the same. Ms. Bhojwani began the webinar with a discussion on why it is important for everyone to write candidly and with integrity. She talked about plagiarism and the importance of writing what one desires and not what others would like to read. Ms. Bhojwani made the workshop interactive by involving the students in numerous activities. On the same day, students of class 8 attended an hour long workshop on Time Management conducted by Ms. Rashmi Chari, Member of the Educational Research & Innovations Committee (ERIC) of the Ministry of HRD, Government of India. Ms Chari has been actively involved in the field of education for the last 34 years. Her vast experience enabled our students to pick up and learn several tips and 'tricks' of managing their time effectively. The interactive session was not only a learning experience for the students but also for the teachers present there. The workshop was arranged by Oxford India. The Primary department also observed National Book Week with entertaining activities like a puppet show by the students of classes I and II, virtual storytelling by the teachers using the Story Weaver website, National Book Trust and Eklavya. Students also shared with their peers about the book they treasure the most. They also compiled a virtual book treasure chest! Teachers reiterated the importance of books and reading in their virtual classes. Children of class 5 enjoyed the sessions of storytelling using different types of puppetry like string, hand, finger, sock etc. The activities were conducted in the Library period. National Book Week ended with a promise to be back again next year with a plethora of fresh ideas and fresh activities.