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Ingredients For A Conversation Filled With Curiosities!

25/11/2021

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A moment of wonder from one of our Mission Classes (SM Plates - where we discuss the mindsets with regards to food, what goes into the food that we consume, etc.),

Chirag (8 Y/O), "Is rice junk food?"
Ryan (6 Y/O) immediately responds, "They polish rice. When it is polished, it becomes like that, we can't eat it. It is not good. But if we grow it and eat, it will be healthy!"

A moment of awe, healthy exchange of information, deep thinking...marking the perfect ingredients for a conversation filled with curiosities and joy!

Let's invite more wonder in together!

#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#wonderbasedlearning
​#everychildcan
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The Art of Indian Cooking | Leopards Annual Day Showcase

23/6/2021

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What do you need to prepare a dish? Recipe duh, right? That's what our children thought too till they read 'The Art of Cooking'. 

Why is it art? Isn't there a lot of science involved? What makes it an art? Why are these instructions so different from the recipes we are used to seeing? Really - can you really make any kind of broth if you learnt this skill? Wow! 

We wondered, explored, experimented, empathized, created personas and discovered that the problem was to learn the skills in cooking that could lead to unlocking the treasure trove of recipes and the ability to work with a plethora of ingredients. Voila! We had magic in our hands. 

Children spent time interviewing, designing and curating the skills that could help different kinds of people discover their inner cooking persona as well as learn and upskill themselves to become better cooks. 

This year for the Annual Day, our Leopards (4th and 5th graders) explored 'The Art of Indian Cooking' from first principles and designed something that each of us can use and work with. Along they way they had some magical moments of bonding with their families, embracing the inner scientist in them while some of them brought out their inner chefs. And well, what got cooked? Find out for yourself by watching the video!

​But before that, let's let Ms. Poorva Agarwal take us through the cooking of this whole process.

And here, the final product!

Here we have our wonderful parents reflecting along with us, and sharing with us their sides of the story as well. Have a look!
​


#noviruscanstopus
#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#annualdaycelebrations
#theartofcooking
#theartofindiancooking
#creativethinking
#thinkingasaprocess
#inspiringconfidentlearners
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Are Bottles The Only Thing You Can Open With Your Strength?

9/6/2021

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Picture
P, a 4 year old, came to me to open her water bottle. It's usually a little tight for her to open by herself, so she asks for help. Yesterday, Ak, another 4 year old, helped her voluntarily. He considers himself strong and he was excited to help the moment he saw her struggling. 

Today when the same scenario happened, S got to P first. Ak also ran to her, causing a tiff. Now S and Ak were at it, wanting to open the bottle. Eventually S opened it and Ak was visibly upset. I called him to ask what had happened,

F (Facilitator): What happened?
Ak, with teary eyes: S opened the bottle. But ma'am, yesterday S opened Ad's bottle also. 
F: Okay, but yesterday you also opened P's bottle all by yourself too. 
Ak: But ma'am, he opened so many bottles. 
F:How do you feel when you saw him opening bottles?
Ak: Sad. 
F: Why? 
Ak: Because he opened Ad's bottle and so many bottles. 

I figured he was upset because he considers himself quite strong but he was failing to see that his strength could be used anywhere he wanted to and not just opening the bottle. After acknowledging what he felt was okay to be felt when he did not get a turn, we continued our conversation.

F: Hmm, Ak, you know you are super strong right?
Ak: Yes. 
F: And that helps you open bottles for others. Right? 
Ak: Yes ma'am. (Slightly smiling)
F: Are bottles the only things that you can do with your strength?
Ak seems to be thinking. 
F: What else can you do with your super strength?
Ak: Climb ladder, draw...

His options went on and on, and so did his mind. The more options he came up with, the more calm and content he seemed. 

F: Ah, see you can do so many things with your hands and strength. So next time you get upset about not being to open somebody's bottle, what can you do? 
Ak: Find something else. 
F: Awesome!

We finished out conversation with a hi five and off he went to sip water. 

When children feel stuck one way, building the skill of creative decision making could help them shift their emotional states into productive states that can help them bring in the flexibility to handle situations differently, just like how Ak started seeing how he could use his strength in multiple other areas too himself, and not just use it in opening bottles. Flexibility is a muscle that can be built overtime which can enable decision making in creative ways, also helping one to see multiple pathways when one feels stuck. 

Contributed by Sruthy Krishna, Learning Facilitator at Sparkling Mindz Global Preschool.

#reggioemiliainspiredlearning
#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool
​#inspiringconfidentlearners
#facilitatordiaries
#21stcenturylearning
#socialemotionallearning
#problemsolving



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Education, an Unconventional Career Path?

8/6/2021

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In today's fast pacing and ever-changing world, the requirements of children are also rapidly and constantly shifting. To be able to help them access their highest potential and become the best versions of who they can be, those around them also need to adapt and evolve, and we can start from the basics - our education system.

Today's education system needs a major transformation so that children's needs can be catered to in a holistic manner. It goes without saying that educators play a huge role in this. Here is our founder, Ms. Sreeja Iyer, in conversation with The Better India about today's education system and its role in shaping today's generation and the many more to come, and why it could be an 'unconventional' career path.

#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool

#inspiringconfidentlearners
#youngachieversacademy
#21stcenturylearners
#socialemotionallearning
#reggioemiliainspiredlearningphilosophy
​#thebetterindia

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Oh! The Places We Go, an Annual Day Showcase 2020 - 2021

22/5/2021

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This year's annual day was extra special to us. As we like to say at SM, "No virus can stop us!", no virus did stop us from learning and growing this year.

Our 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders came together to express themselves in a different way this year, a special way where both them and we facilitators journeyed along many different paths through our minds. Yes, you heard it right- our minds.

​Now, here is Ms. Poorva Agarwal giving you a brief about the process. So here we go. 
Our 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders were introduced to Dr. Seuss' book, 'Oh, The Places You'll Go', and they went along the character on his  journey through his mindspace. They, individually and as a class explored this together and reconstructed their mindspaces in the form of a narrative poem in classic Dr. Seuss style. 
​
The videos you're about to watch are rendered using children's illustrations and their voice.

Watch out for some amazing twists in the story and some cool illustrations as well as voice acting. 
Sit back and enjoy the show.
Which all places did you go to in your mindspace watching these videos? Do let us know in the comments. 

Our school parents came together to watch children's work on the 22nd of May. Out of all of the heartfelt responses they shared post-watching the final videos of their children's versions of Dr Seuss' 'Oh, The Places You'll Go' poem, we handpicked a few of them, which you are about to watch.

​

#noviruscanstopus
#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#annualdaycelebrations
#ohtheplacesyoullgo
#drseussinspired
#reggioemiliainspiredlearning
#playbasedlearning
#funplacesforchildren
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CareerGuide's Career ChangeMakers Awards 2021

17/4/2021

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​We believe that the world needs Changemakers today who are learning to heed to problems around them as wake-up calls. Those who can think beyond themselves and walk the road less travelled to create new forms of what journeys and destinations can look like.

It all starts with empowering children today with skills like creative expression, innovative thinking, problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking, sharing ideas, a sense of community, an awareness of global citizenship going beyond the knowledge and skills that schools can easily assess and grade upon.

This needs a systems-level innovation at schools and thinking differently to create an ecosystem that can cultivate changemaker mindsets in children today. And we are deeply humbled and inspired for this grand recognition of Top Innovative and Creative Skills Related Initiatives in School Awards Category by CareerGuide's Career ChangeMakers Awards.

We would like to extend our immense gratitude, love and support we have been constantly receiving from our community all these years, and the adventures we have been undertaking together.

​We have stood together and stood strong through these tough times and we will continue to grow strong together. 
​​
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Griffins Poetic Soiree!

18/12/2020

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"Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words." - Robert Frost.'

We have all read/ learned/ wrote poems as kids, in our teens...a lot of which followed well into our adulthood. Poetry to some is an inflow/ outflow of expressionism while to some it is an appreciation of art. Well, you get the idea.

Our children, at SM, found themselves living, breathing, consuming poems and the process of poetry, creating their own, channelling the ones they connected with; pretty sure that this inspiration and love will be life-long. And during our annual Poetic Soiree event, they came together in their houses (Griffins, Pegasus, Phoenix, Sphinx) to express themselves through poems. As our pandemic motto, 'No-Virus Can Stop Our Learning!', they marched through with might and grit, fun and laughter, love and play, and a little bit of 'Learning Never Stops!'. So here they are, showcasing their poems to you.


Sit back and enjoy the show!

#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#everychildcan
#21stcenturylearning
#deeplearning
#creativethinking
​#socialemotionalearning
​
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Not All Rules Are Bad

20/10/2020

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A level 3 Young Achievers Academy Class. A game is laid out and a discussion ensues just prior to it.

​N is a 12 year old who doesn't like rules.

N: I don't like rules, rules are bad.
F: When you are at a traffic signal do you tell your mom to keep going even if it is red light because rules are bad?
N: No!
F: What about in Nikhalasia (his fantasy land), what will you do there?
N: I'll build a bridge for people to walk above vehicles. So no traffic signals.
F: So then people have to walk above and vehicles have to go below - aren't they rules too?
N: Yes
F: Are they bad?
N: Well, no they keep people safe and moving happily. Not all rules are bad :)

"Children tend to take a generic stand towards a few aspects of their lives. It helps them simplify decisions, not necessarily comply because they disagree and is generally resourceful in many ways. " -Sreeja Iyer

Children tend to take a generic stand towards a few aspects of their lives. It helps them simplify decisions, not necessarily comply because they disagree and is generally resourceful in many ways. Changing that stance even to mild flexibility is a success because it means they have started to see some perspective beyond self-protection, they have started to understand logic beyond their own imagined fantasy. That's enough.  Sometimes significant shifts come from very small cracks and the first crack is key.

#youngachieversacademy
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#sparklingmindzglobalschool

Written by Sreeja Iyer, CEO & Founder of Sparkling Mindz Global School & Preschool (as narrated to her by Anita Ashok, Facilitator, Young Achievers Academy)
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Can you lift ice without touching it?- a Covid-19 challenge!

12/9/2020

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​Times have been unpredictable, with the COVID-19 spreading, driving the world to take refuge in a dark shell of uncertainty. First, the schools were shut, then we were to keep our distance from each other and then, a complete lock down extending for over a month. Does this mean we shut everything down? Should children's learning stop? How are parents going to keep them engaged? These are some of the questions we asked ourselves.

We, at Sparkling Mindz value and nurture growth mindset. We believe that there is always a way, even in the face of adversities. We took to technology and reconnected with our children over video calls. Our children too vibed with our mindset, that NO Virus Can Stop Our LEARNING! 

We have been connecting with our children ranging from 7year Olds to 14 year Olds, reiterating to them about the importance of managing themselves mentally, emotionally and physically, and being able to create a routine that involves productive engagement. Oh! trust me, our children can create amazing schedules for themselves. 

On the last video call with our youngest group of children (the 7 to 8 year Olds), we presented a variety of activities that they could add to their schedules, which included different kinds of chores, workouts, experiments, skill building activities etc. Our children were  more than delighted to accept the repertoire of  options to choose from. 

Here, we have V trying to pick ice cubes with a piece of string as part of his play and learn experiment. The joy on his face shows us his engagement and wonder. Knowing V, we can imagine the curious wonder questions and observations he must have made while he experimented. 

Here is our Advika, doing the same challenge, inspiring all of us in the process, in her own creative way!
We viewed this adversity not as a hindrance but rather as an opportunity that presented itself to help our children and us learn and grow through it. 

Children, need to be encouraged to deal with adversities with a growth mindset. Why? So they become individuals who can deal with their circumstances without giving up on themselves or their dreams.


Contributed by Disha HK, Learning Facilitator at Sparkling Mindz Global School.

#sparklingmindzglobalschool
#sparklingmindzglobalpreschool
#youngachieversacademy
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#everychildcan
#covid19
#gamebasedlearning
#challengingourselves
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Visualizing a Perfect Evening

1/9/2020

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In yet another 10 year old child's case: his prompt was "a perfect evening". Sharing his visualization.

"I've been struggling to watch a particular angle of the moon for several days, got a picture uploaded it onto a forum that I've been following. I won a cash prize of $1000! Yayyyy!

When I told my dad in the evening, Dad and I decided to go for a celebratory walk (mom not joining...yay!!!). I saw a t-shirt at discount and bought it! Day was made!"

Facilitator: What was the perfect part S?
S: Of course, the cash prize and the new T-shirt! Duh!!!
F: In your visualization.

S is looking at external and materialistic things as making up a perfect evening and not seeing the satisfaction in his own effort of getting the snap of the moon or his evening spent in his dad's company.

Visualization


In our overly materialistic world children struggle to see the value of effort and connection, and focus on winning and results instead. This fixation of results as a form of validation vs. the process and the connection gets children stuck with a form of fixed mindset where they find it hard to deal with failure and eventually don't pursue learning as a journey anymore.

The tool, visualization, helps children open up and share which reveals their current status with respect to locus of control and process vs. result orientation. It's through awareness and open communication that we can reach out and help children see the beauty of their own effort and human connection that is hidden right under their noses.

As we embark on the journey to impact more lives through our Young Achievers Academy we invite applications from the ones who are interested to create deep, meaningful impact in children.

#youngachieversacademy
#inspiringconfidentlearners
#sparklingmindzglobalschool
​
Written by Sreeja Iyer, CEO & Co- Founder at Sparkling Mindz Global School & Preschool.
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Admissions are open for 2020-21 batches. Limited seats remaining. Call us at +91 9900080331/2 for more details. Click here to register.

The season 3 of our TED-Ed Clubs are open now! As we are waiting for talks to get published, you can see past videos here!
​​
Next Trinity Communication Skills exam will be held in Oct 2020 at Sparkling Mindz. Our students have achieved distinction across grade levels in the exam the past two consecutive years! Enroll in our Young Thinkers and Achievers Program here today to participate. 


If you are passionate about innovative and joyous teaching and learning and want to be a part of SM Community. Apply here!

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