 One Month Foundation programme
Inventive Thinking may simply mean the realization that there's no particular virtue in doing things the way they have always been done.
(Rudolph Flesch)
Picture this. The first month at any school. …a flurry of books, teachers, timetables, homework and tests.
Now picture the first month at Inventure Academy…. A beautiful farm, a set of excited children, and adventures in learning and connecting.
Conceptualized by iDiscoveri Education and spearheaded by Shaheen (who has now joined Inventure Academy, as the Head of Academics) and her team, Xplore, a month long programme at a farm at Sarjapura (near the school campus) was aimed at letting each child learn to 'be'- with themselves, with others and with nature. Strong bonds were forged. The children and their teachers worked and played together and were partners in the learning experiences.
The children realized that learning was not merely about what's written in textbooks. Each tree, flower, seed, bird, insect, rock and sand, the wind rustling through the leaves, the drops of water forming concentric circles in a ditch - each had a tale to tell, if only one was willing to hear. Their senses became their most powerful tools to learn and discover. These experiences led them to question, explore and create - a pond, a tree house, a hammock, a patch of cultivated land, models and drawings - all unique expressions of their learning.
Important concepts were explored - "Where does the water go when I pour it in the sand? How does the chameleon change colour? Will the patterns on the back of a tortoise help me know how old it is? How do plants grow? How do plants animals insects and birds depend on each other? …."
Area and volume were not merely sums done in books. They were critical in determining how large a pond the children wanted to dig and how much water would be needed to fill it up. Concepts of air pressure and energy were revisited in order to design a water device, which would pump water from a nearby tank into the pond.
Each day would start with games, physical activities and challenges. Dodge ball became a fun and challenging way to stay alert and focused, while a simple game of Dog and the Bone taught lessons in honesty, sharing, patience and kindness to the little children. Rappelling down a 45 feet helped them overcome fears and trust themselves and others.
Project time was a time for fun, patience, perseverance and hard work. Each project was fraught with challenges, and when the spirits of some flagged, there were others who lent support. The children learnt much about teamwork and responsibility.
Choice time was a change from group work- each student chose an aspect of the farm to explore and research individually - the snakes, the tortoises, dogs and the chameleon on the custard apple tree, food chains around the pond. Discoveries were chronicled in their journals and discussed at Circle Time.
Circle Time was a serene end to a fun filled morning; it was a time for reflection, soul searching, a time for asking questions and seeking answers, a time for learning to accept others and gain acceptance.
The sleepover at the farm was a first for many of the children. They learnt to pitch tents, get a fire going, cook and clean and brave the lashing rains that did anything but dampen their spirits!
And that was what the Xplore programme was all about - youngsters learning to appreciate themselves and their environment. To engage in experiences and reflect upon their learning. The runaway success of this venture has ensured that we will do it every year as part of the school's foundation programme, for all new students
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> One Month Foundation programme
