Bahadurpur, Sangrur, Punjab
PROJECT DETAILS:
Number of Interns: 6
Details of Interns:
- 1. Shashank Garg (Project Head)
- 2. Vaishali Dubey (Project Head)
- 3. Parag Lachotra (Project Head)
- 4. Shivani– Ramjas College
- 5. Ashwariya – Hansraj College
- 6. Deepak – Hansraj college
Location: Akal Senior Secondary School, Mastuana Sahib (Bahadurpur), Sangrur, Punjab
Students Covered: Classes 6th to 8th
Number of Students Covered: 140≤
Objectives and Methodology:
- 1. Assess the level of the children in their ability to read and preferred language
- 2. Begin the creation of a library with children’s books in Hindi and English
- 3. Conduct reading sessions everyday with groups of children divided according to their age and reading ability
- 4. Work on basic phonetics, letters, formation of words, ‘maatrayein in Hindi reading speed, comprehension etc.
- 5. Make use of multimedia, movies, songs, games, charts, graphs et to explain concepts and keep the sessions exciting
- 6. Conduct sessions on science, basic geography, hygiene, nutrition et
- 7. Organize ‘Baal Sabha’, poetry competitions, annual function, drawing competition, writing competition et with focus on maximum participation of children and opportunity to display talent
- 8. Sessions with the parents of the children in order to explain the concept and discuss how they can encourage an atmosphere of learning at their homes
- 9. Create a project report of each child throughout the duration of the program
Selection Procedure:
Interested candidates were asked to fill up the application form, the link for the same was shared on Kitaab Club Facebook page and the website www.kitaab.com. More than 600 applications were scrutinized by the HR Team of Kitaab Club and after 2 rounds of telephonic interview the interns were selected.
Day – wise plan:
| Day | Session-1 (6th standard) | Session-2 (7th standard) | Session-3 (8th standard) |
| Day-1 | Ice breaking session and Hindi Matras. | Ice breaking session and Hindi Matras with vocabulary. | Ice breaking session and Hindi Matras with dictation. |
| Day-2 | Hindi Matras and pollution. | Hindi Matras with dictation and pollution. | Dictation of Hindi words and Human body and various systems. |
| Day-3 | Story reading and Indian states and capitals. National symbols. | Story reading and Indian states and capitals. National symbols. | Story reading and Indian Heritage. |
| Day-4 | Movie- “The Jungle Book” | ||
| Day-5 | Story reading, solar system and drawing competition. | Story reading and dictation competition. | Dictation competition and Men’s work and woman’s work. |
Day-1
- The number of kids were more than expected.
- An ice breaking session was done in each class separately including an introduction of interns and kids.
- The kids were divided in smaller groups of 5-7 kids in each class.
- A session on ‘Matras’ their pronunciation and usage was done in each class separately. Hindi matra chart was used by the interns which were made by them only.
- Along with the ‘Matras’ vocabulary was also done in 7th standard and dictation was done in 8th standard.
- Observations- The kids have good knowledge of ‘Matras’ and know where to use it but the main problem was the pronunciation. As being in punjabi medium They mostly pronounce hindi words with punjabi acsent therefore they write hindi words exactly they pronounce it.
Day-2
- On second day in first session i.e. 6th standard kids first the revision of ‘Matras’ was done in the groups as made on the previous day and a dictation of 10 words were also done.
- Later a session on ‘Pollution’ was done. In this session, they were told about different types of pollution, their ill effects, causes and preventive measure with the help of colorful videos.
- The same session was done with 7th standard kids. Firstly, the revision of ‘Matras’ was done then a session on ‘Pollution’ was conducted. Along with pollution they were also told about organic farming, use of manures obtained from waste by compost pit and also about the ill effects of using chemical pesticides and weedicides.
- With 8th standard kids firstly the revision on hindi Matras was done along with dictation in group.
- After this a session on ‘Human Body’ was conducted with them. In this session, they were told about the human body, it’s composition by cells, major organs of body and different systems including digestive, circulatory, excretory and respiratory system. They are also shown videos on working of different body systems.
- Observations- The kids enjoyed the video part of the session as the videos were colourful and intresting. The kids of 6th standard were more patient and listen to the speaker carefully but they somewhere lack in responding back. The kids of 7th standard lack patience due to which we had to use different words and actions and pictures to keep them listening. 8th standard kids were listening to things properly and were also responding to the questions.
Day-3
- The kids were divided in the groups as usual and the story reading session was done. Firstly they were asked to predict the story by seing the cover and then they read a story. In the end they were also asked to draw the conclusion of the story.
- The story reading session was done in each class with different books.
- A session on ‘India- states and capitals’ was done in 6th and 7th standard. They were about India, it’s states and capitals, and about the neighboring countries. This session is followed by the session on ‘National symbols’. They were told about different national symbols and about their duty to respect them.
- In 8th standard after the story reading sessio, a session on ‘Indian Heritage’ was done. They were told about different heritage sites of India and how pollution and other anthropogenic acitivies affecting them. In the end they were told about different ways to preserve the Indian heritage.
- Observations- The kids enjoyed the story reading session. Some kids of 6 and 7th standard have problem in reading but most of them can read properly. The major area to work is their pronunciation. The kids understood about the ‘Indian symbols and heritage’ very well. They also understood the importance of preserving the heritage of India.
Day-4
- It was Sunday so instead of taking sessions separately all the kids of 6th, 7th and 8th standard was called all together and a movie session was done.
- They were shown ‘The Jungle Book’.
- After the movie, they were asked about the movie and about various characters. They were also given the homework of writing few line about their favorite character from the movie.
- Observations- The kids were patient and they enjoyed the movie.
Day-5
- In 6th standard first a story reading session was done which was proceeded by a session on ‘Solar system’. They were told about different planets, sun, stars and about the phenomenon of day and night and also about the seasons.
- After the session, a drawing competition was done with them. They were given sheets and colors and were asked to draw anything they want.
- In 7th standard the story reading session was done. The kids were given both Hindi and English books and they enjoyed reading books.
- After the story reading, a greeting card making competition was done. They all were given sheets and colors and were asked to make cards for Christmas and New year.
- With 8th standard firstly a dictation competition was done. They were dictated 20 Hindi words.
- After the competition, a session on men’s work and women’s work was done. Boys were asked the work which they can do and same was done with girls. Then girls were asked to tell the work they can do, among the things told by boys and same was done with boys. Then they were told about the equality among the work between men and women.
- Observations- The kids were great in arts. They made pretty good drawings and greeting. The writing skills of kids had also improved. The kids of 8th standard knows how to respect each other and their work. They even don’t mind doing any work which marks our session on men’s and women’s work as successful.
Day-6
- A closing ceremony was planned. The kids from each standard were selected and were taught songs and poems in hindi.
- The kids rehearsed with the volunteers and other arrangements were also made by the school and volunteers.
- The kids performed with upmost confidence and the performance was applauded by everyone.
- The winners of the competitions held on previous day were also announced and were also given prizes.
PROJECT FINDINGS:
As seen from the day-wise analysis of the students there has been good change in a matter of 5 days in the reading ability and comprehension of the students. However, the students of the school are quite sharp, inquisitive and ready to learn new things and thus, with the help of our interns they were able to bring about a positive change in just a matter of few days.
It must be noted that, if these students continue to participate in similar activities as undertaken by Kitaab Club, they will be able to attain complete mastery over at least one language- hindi. The children took a lot of interest in reading out loud and enacting the stories from Panchtantra, Jatak Katha, Chacha Chaudhary etc.
The most pertinent problems faced by the students is their inability to read hindi fluently, they are often confused about how to use the ‘Matras’ and being in Punjabi medium they write the hindi as they prounce it which has a Punjabi ascent. In such a case, it becomes difficult for students to read and write properly.
Lastly, the most important outcome of the program is that the children have had the opportunity to interact with the interns- whom they fondly address as sir and madam– and make them a role model. The children are now willing to take interest in reading and improving their language as well as knowledge.
