LEAD WITH LOVE
Summer School Experience
ABOUT ME
I believe in the power of education to empower every child to rise above, discover their true potential, and achieve greatness.
Helluu! I’m Pragya. My journey into education began during my Masters, where the contrast between cutting-edge AI research and the educational struggles of children in my hometown revealed a stark disparity. This realization inspired me to shift careers and join Teach For India, merging my passion for education with my commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of overlooked children.
ENVISION
Our vision was to empower each student to recognize their inner superhero, embrace their strengths and weaknesses, and contribute positively to their community.
CLASSROOM THEME
In our three-week Summer School, we fostered a dynamic and inclusive classroom culture grounded in the theme of superheroes, emphasizing that "There's a superhero in all of us." We drew inspiration from popular superheroes like Spiderman and Wonder Woman to create an engaging and relatable environment for the students. Our classroom values were built around the themes of responsibility, self-awareness, collaboration, and community. We believed in the power of each student to achieve greatness through their actions and choices, reinforcing the idea that "it’s not who I am underneath but what I do that defines me."
CLASSROOM VISION
We will understand ourselves, recognize our strengths and areas for growth, and work towards our personal goals with determination and integrity. We will uplift each other, creating a safe and supportive community where everyone is respected and valued. We will work together, appreciating our diverse strengths, and collaborate to achieve our collective goals. We will take responsibility for our actions and their impact, knowing that with great power comes great responsibility. We will lead by example, inspiring and motivating others through our actions.
CLASSROOM GOALS
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Academic Excellence: We will all score at least 70% on our Learning Assessments.
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Self-awareness: We will all be able to share our strengths, areas of growth, and interests.
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Community Building: We will all build a caring and supportive classroom community.
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Collaboration: We will all work together to create an End of Summer School Showcase
CONNECT
PLAN
From setting the foundation of our classroom culture to designing tailored lesson plans, each element was thoughtfully crafted to meet the unique needs of the students and drive their academic and personal growth. Through careful planning and continuous adaptation, I aimed to create a dynamic and supportive educational experience.
SETTING THE CLASSROOM CULTURE
ADAPTING THE CULTURE PLAN
At the beginning of the summer school program, I quickly realized that a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn't work for my diverse group of students. Understanding their unique needs and preferences was crucial. For instance, many students showed a strong preference for interactive and playful activities, which led me to incorporate more games and hands-on learning experiences into our daily routine. This adaptation not only kept them engaged but also helped channel their energy positively.
DISCUSSING & DEFINING NORMS AND VALUES
To establish a positive and inclusive classroom culture, we held discussions about the values and norms we wanted to uphold. We centered these conversations around the superhero theme, which resonated deeply with the students. They loved the idea of embodying superhero qualities, such as bravery, kindness, and responsibility. Together, we defined our classroom values.
BECOMING EVERYDAY SUPERHEROES
The students embraced the idea that they could be superheroes in their own right by demonstrating these values in their daily interactions. We explored how small acts of kindness, like helping a classmate with a difficult task or showing respect to everyone in the classroom, could make them superheroes. This helped create a sense of unity and purpose, transforming our classroom into a supportive and empowering community.
By adapting the culture plan to meet the needs and interests of the students and incorporating relatable themes, we established a classroom environment where every child felt valued and motivated to contribute positively.
ANALYSING BOI ASSESSMENT DATA
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Interpreting the Results
After collecting the assessment data, I analyzed the results to understand each student's learning profile. This process involved identifying common challenges, such as difficulties in basic arithmetic or reading comprehension, and recognizing individual strengths, such as creative writing skills or problem-solving abilities.
Tailoring Instructional Strategies
With a clear picture of where the students stood academically, I customized my lesson plans to address their specific needs. For students struggling with math, I incorporated more visual aids and hands-on activities to make abstract concepts more tangible. For those who needed improvement in reading comprehension, the goal was to read and summarize a short story by the end of the week.
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Implementing Ongoing Assessments
To monitor progress, we conducted daily and weekly assessments. These included quizzes, group activities, and individual tasks that aligned with our lesson plans. The continuous feedback from these assessments allowed me to make real-time adjustments to my teaching methods and provide additional support where needed.
Utilizing Data to Inform Instruction
The insights gained from ongoing assessments were crucial in shaping our instructional strategies. If a particular concept wasn’t resonating with the students, I would revisit the topic with a different approach. This data-driven method ensured that our teaching was both responsive and effective.
CREATING LESSON PLANS
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Understanding Student Needs
Using the insights from the initial assessments, I designed lesson plans that were tailored to the diverse needs and learning styles of my students. The goal was to ensure that each lesson was accessible, engaging, and effective for all students, regardless of their starting points.
Playing kho-kho to teach the concept of collinear lines, with the students sitting in a straight line, demonstrating the alignment of collinear points.
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Incorporating Student Interests
Recognizing that engagement is key to effective learning, I incorporated topics and activities that resonated with the students’ interests. I integrated a mix of interactive and hands-on activities. Where possible, I leveraged technology to enhance learning.
Regular Feedback and Adjustment
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The effectiveness of each lesson was continuously evaluated through student feedback and ongoing assessments. This allowed me to refine and adjust the lesson plans to better meet the evolving needs of the students. For instance, if a particular teaching method wasn’t effective, I would try a different approach in the next lesson
PLANNING FOR THE SHOWCASE
To foster a sense of ownership and pride, I involved the students in every step of the planning process. We brainstormed ideas together, deciding what projects and activities they wanted to present. This collaborative approach ensured that the showcase reflected their interests and efforts.
EXECUTE
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Implementing Lesson Plans
With our carefully crafted lesson plans in hand, I began executing them with a focus on engaging and supporting each student. By adapting the content to their individual needs, I ensured that every student could access the material and participate actively in the lessons.
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Varied Teaching Methods
To cater to different learning styles, I used a mix of teaching methods, including visual aids, interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and educational games. For example, using physical activities and games to explain topics made the lessons more relatable and fun.
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Classroom Management
Managing a lively group of middle school students required a balance of structure and flexibility. I established clear routines and expectations while also allowing for spontaneity and creativity. Incorporating games and activities as ice breakers helped channel their energy positively and maintained a productive classroom environment.
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Addressing Challenges
Executing the plans wasn’t without its challenges. On the first day, only two students showed up, and some students carried emotional baggage that made it difficult for them to focus. Others were simply not interested in sitting still for long periods. By showing compassion, engaging in small talks, and creating a safe space, I was able to build trust and rapport. For instance, connecting with Varad, a particularly disruptive student, on a personal level helped him feel understood and more willing to participate.
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Community Engagement
Every Monday, I visited the students' communities to understand their home environments better and to strengthen relationships with their families. These visits provided valuable insights that informed my teaching approach and helped address specific challenges the students faced. Calling parents and engaging them in their children’s education also led to increased enrollment and support.
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Summer School Showcase
As the culmination of our efforts, the End of Summer School Showcase required meticulous planning and execution. I guided the students in preparing their projects and presentations, ensuring they felt confident and proud of their work. The showcase was a celebration of their achievements and a testament to their growth over the summer.
REFLECT
Student Performance and Engagement
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Initial Assessments: Many students started at varying levels of academic proficiency. This highlighted the need for differentiated instruction to meet each student's unique needs.
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Ongoing Assessments: Regular weekly assessments showed a marked improvement in students' understanding and retention of material. By Week 3, over 75% of students demonstrated a significant improvement in their assessment scores.
Engagement Strategies
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Incorporating Games: Activities like playing "Kho Kho" to teach collinear lines and adding drawing sessions helped students better express themselves and stay engaged.
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Community Visits: Weekly visits to families and personalized outreach efforts increased attendance and enrollment.
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Small Group Interactions: Personalized attention and small talks, such as with Varad, helped build trust and address emotional needs, leading to better classroom behavior and participation.
GLOWS
- I adapted my teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of my students. For instance, recognizing that some students excel with hands-on activities,I have incorporated more project-based learning into my lesson plans.
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- I established a positive classroom culture that promotes inclusivity and respect, 80% of my students felt more comfortable sharing their ideas in class .
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- I researched my content thoroughly and invested significant time in lesson planning to ensure my lessons are engaging and relevant. For example, I use real-world examples and practical applications to make learning more meaningful for my students.
GROWS
- I recognize the need to integrate rewards and trackers more effectively into my classroom culture plan, only 60% of my students feel motivated by the current classroom reward system.
- While I have made strides in adapting to students' needs, I need to improve in framing lessons that cater to the diverse learning levels within my classroom. Some students require more individualized attention and differentiated instruction to fully grasp the material
- To better support students in articulating their thoughts, I need to provide more sentence starters and structured prompts.