Anjuman I Islam's
Our UK Partner School Teachers’ visit to Anjuman: ( 29th July-5th August,2013 ):
Connecting Classroom Program is a powerful global education program which is anexciting way of bringing a global dimension into the lives of young people and their teachers.
Participants of the Connecting Classroom Program consist of various types of schools, in response to the needs of different schools. The British Council facilitates the education authorities with successful exchange programs in education strategy planning, school management, teaching and learning methodology and practices with their counterparts.
As the program is managed by the British Council, an English teacher Ms.Emily Holmes from North Leamington School, UK had visited our Anjuman-I-Islam’s Begum SharifaKalsekar Girls’ English School, Mumbai Central for a week.The main aim of this visit was to carry out the reciprocal program at the next level which has made significant achievements.
Ms. Holmes first met the principal Ms. Fauzia Ansari who briefed her about the Anjuman Institute and also gave her a virtual glimpse about the school through the website.
The English Department holds a competition each year that is, the Little Literati Competition (elocution, newspaper reading and play reading) wherein she judged the program and felicitated the prize winners.
Ms. Holmes also got an opportunity to observe the geography lesson by Ms Saba Dadan wherein the students learnt about different oceans and lakes of the world. The Safe Kidslesson was taught to the students of the sixth grade by MsFehminShaikh, in which the students learnt how one should walk safely on the roads so as to prevent injury to the pedestrians. The students were told to prepare posters and leaflets in ways they can spread the knowledge of road safety. Ms. Holmes keenly watched the students performing this activity. .
Health education and prevention of diseases lesson was also observed by Ms. Holmes
wherein Ms. Shazia, who prepared a power point presentation lesson and spoke to the
children on whether it's school or lifestyle related, the simplest and most cost effective
way to prevent illness and injury is through proper training and education:
Ms. Parveen gave a lesson on the Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence, for the students entering the teen years. The goal of this lesson was to help young people develop positive commitments to their families, schools, peers, and communities and to encourage healthy, drug-free lives. Subsequently, Ms. Holmes also observed the Science, English, History and Geography lesson. She also interacted with the Student Council which is a part of the Student leadership Programme between both the Schools.
On the last day, “Talent Hunt” Competition was organized to find out the hidden talents among the students. The event intended to promote competition and creativity amongst students. Students of standard V-VII and VIII-X participated in the junior and the senior group competition which consisted of decorative flower making, mehendi design, salad dressing, jewelry design, pot painting, face painting, fabric painting, making articles of waste. Ms. Holmes appreciated the efforts made by the students.
Throughout these years the visits, so far has established a deep partnership with one another, plenty of highly interactive exchange and co-operation programs has been carried out between the schools which have achieved great impact.
Ms Emily also observed some of the ISA activities in the School like ‘Mosaic: Saluting Women of the World’ and ‘Travelogue’ wherein she gave her valuable feedback on students’ work and how they have tried to embed a global dimension in the existing curriculum.
Successful partnership has thus profound lasting impact on the professionaldevelopment of teachers, and an opportunity to share the best practices with colleagues.
Ms Holmes commented, “It has been really insightful have an up close and in depth view of the Indian education system here in Mumbai. I have been particularly impressed with the diligence of the pupils and quality of the work they produce and it has given me lots of ideas to take back to the UK, both for my own teaching and for future collaborative projects with Anjuman I Islam BSK School.”
UK- Students Visit to our School :
A group of about 20 UK students (18-22 years University Students) had visited India and our school in particular in the month of August under the Study India Programme, led by HR College along with the British Council , to experience life and work in India. One of the aspects of this visit was also to gain an overview of the school system in India. Our school had been selected by the British Council for this visit on 30th August from 9:30 to 1 o’clock. The visit mainly involved a quick tour of the school, interaction with Head, teachers as well as the students, apart from observation of a class/an activity taking place as a part of the normal timetable.
The main purpose of this visit was to gain an insight in the education system of India, our school set-up, educational process, life skill education, and education in 21st century. The visit was a great success as both the students as well as teachers received an enriching experience about global perspective in education. They were truly inspired by the good tone of the students, their discipline and mannerisms, the school’s environment, activities and the efforts taken by the teachers towards the 21st Century Education.
GLOBAL CURRICULUM PROJECT AND CONNECTING CLASSROOMS
Through these programmes we aim:
1) To enable our students to know more about global issues
2) Celebrate the rich and diverse heritage represented in our school, and local and national communities.
3) Respect and value different cultures and beliefs.
4) Enjoy regular contact with students and adults living in different countries.
5) To embed the global dimension within the school’s internal and external curriculum, engaging students to celebrate their own cultural identity.
6) To foster respect for other cultures, languages and religion.
7) To work with global partners to achieve their educational goals and ours.
A brief summary of our joint curriculum project :
Our GCP and CCP for the past 5 years have been intended to provide curriculum based opportunities for students to learn from one another and critically reflect upon this. We work reciprocally on projects on the environment, religious diversity, key geographical similarities/differences and how these may develop in the future as well as a project on the implications of globalization for both localities.
Key aspects of the GCP and CCP:
Religious Education - Sharing Common Ground:
This project was aimed at investigating diversity and studying the issues associated with this in each community. Students in both schools investigated religious beliefs in their local areas and perceptions of these groups through questionnaires. The results were then exchanged and shared. Students in both schools conducted a research on the different religions that exist in their locality and again shared their findings with their peers in their partner school.
Students then considered what effect diversity and cross-cultural interactions has had on their local area, including the benefits and issues that this has brought. Students completed the project by investigating prejudice and discrimination in both localities and conducting a video conference on the issue of ‘Sharing Common Ground’.
Eco-Schools Project:
Students began the project by investigating some of the root socio-economic causes of environmental degradation in their country and considered what the obstacles are to a more sustainable future. Students then wrote essays about the reasons for and extent to which environmental problems affect their society. These essays were then shared between the schools and used as a basis for considering the different types and reasons for the environmental issues faced by Britain and India. Both schools investigated the impact that they are having on their local environment through reciprocal questionnaires. The results of these were shared between the schools and students in both institutions. Students then created and enacted action plans to reduce the carbon footprint of their school based on these. On World Environment Day (5th June) Anjuman BSK and North Leamington School organized for speakers to deliver lectures on local and global environmental issues. These were filmed and shared between schools. The project culminated in students assessing the action plans and the success of the measures taken by their partner school throughout the year.
Geography – How do we perceive our areas and their future development?
Students investigated how their own locality is perceived and what forms these perceptions. They then completed the same process regarding their partner school’s city. The students’ perceptions were shared and analyzed between the schools. Students then prepared reports on their own city’s key geographical factors including population, environment and economy. These reports were shared between the schools and formed the basis for investigating how and why the cities are different and what similarities exists between their key geographical factors and accompanying perceptions. Students then investigated and wrote essays on how the two areas might develop in the future, why they may develop in these ways and what the potential impacts these developments could be. These essays were then shared between the schools and analyzed for differences. Students completed the project by reflecting on what they have learnt from their research in particular from engaging with their partner school’s experiences, perceptions and ideas.
Citizenship - Globalization:
Students investigated what is meant by globalization and what impact it has had on their locality. Students created reports on how globalization has affected them and their local area. These reports were shared between the schools. Students took part in a debate on the issue of which area stands to benefit the most from globalization. These debates were then shared between the schools and analyzed. Students then wrote an essay on which area and country is benefitting most from globalization, thus examining the positive and negative consequences for both communities. Students considered issues and problems that arise from living in a globalised era whilst also considering why the impacts of globalization might be different for different countries. Based on these reflections students then drew charters on the rights and responsibilities of global citizens, these were again be shared between the schools.
How the ideas for our project originated, how they have developed and how is the project particularly suitable for our partnership:
Ideas for the project originated mainly during the first two reciprocal visits and it is our hope that a successful application would enable us to consolidate and expand upon our existing activities. It is hoped that we will be able to build on what we have already achieved and add greater scope to the partnership through curriculum based activities that encourage students to learn from the experiences and ideas of their peers.
Both schools have a deep commitment to celebrating and reflecting upon diversity. Through our proposed project on ‘Sharing Common Ground’ it is hoped that students will be able to find out more about the challenges and benefits that the diversity evident in both areas presents.
The Global Curriculum Project and the Connecting Classrooms is also relevant to both schools as we share a common concern for the environment; NLS is an Eco-School and Anjuman BSK has organized numerous ‘mass-awareness’ events on issues such as the depleting numbers of Indian tigers and use of non-recyclable materials.
To this end an eco-schools project has already been conducted and the outcomes have been celebrated through reciprocal displays in both schools. To build on this three of the proposed projects are aimed, either directly or indirectly, at developing students’ understanding of environmental issues on a local, national and global scale with the ultimate aim of encouraging students to make a commitment to a more sustainable lifestyle. Within these projects the connected issues of population, economic change and globalization were also be addressed as these are issues that both schools feel that students must be aware of if they are to be positive global citizens of the future.
We feel that the projects outlined above and expanded upon below are suitable for our partnership as it reflects our shared desire to enhance the curriculum based features of the ‘global aspect’ of education provided at both schools.
Projects undertaken during the visit:
1 ) Eco Schools project :
Investigation of some of the root socio-economic causes of environmental degradation in their country and consider what the obstacles are to a more sustainable future.
Essays about the reasons for and extent to which environmental problems affect their society
Calculation of Carbon Footprints
Exchange of questionnaires
Comparative Study of Climate Change
Exchange of ppt.
Recycling Project on a National level
Celebration of World Environment Day
Expert Lectures by leading Environmentalists
Environment School Pledge
Action Plan for both the Schools
2 )‘Sharing Common Ground RE project’
This project is aimed at investigating diversity and studying the issues associated with this in each community.
Schools investigate religious beliefs in their local areas and perceptions of these groups through questionnaires
Exchange of questionnaires and discussion
Exchange of ppt. about their research
Presentation of a Cultural Paegent Show
Students will then consider what effect diversity and cross-cultural interaction has had on their local area, including the benefits and issues that this has brought
Students will complete the project by investigating prejudice and discrimination in both localities and conducting a video conference on the issue of ‘Sharing Common Ground’.
3 )BBC School News Report :
It Includes:
Script Writing
Research
Presentation
Editing
Report Writing
Blackdown assembly - launching BBC project.
What is the BBC School News Report Project?
The project, run by the British Council in partnership with the BBC, gives 11-16 year-old students the chance to make their own news reports at school and to broadcast these to a real audience via the internet and other media. The students will create news reports throughout the year and their work will be published on our own school website or on the website of our UK partner school and on the British Council Schools Online website.
The project aims to engage young people with news and international current affairs, hear young people’s voices and stories, and encourage young people to debate the ethics of news-making. The project provides a vehicle for students to improve their communication skills and confidence and to report what’s important to them. It also provides the teachers the opportunity to use digital media to share and showcase the students’ work and have access to high quality educational resources which can be used effectively, even outside the context of the project. You can find out more about the project on the School News Report website.
4 )Citizenship Project.
Students will investigate what is meant by globalisation and what impact it has had on their locality
Students will create reports on how globalisation has affected them and their local area.
Students will then write an essay on which area and country is benefitting most from globalisation,
Based on these reflections students will then draw charters on the rights and responsibilities of global citizens, these will again be shared.
5 ) Geography
– RW Year 11 Similarities and Differences Question and answer session 1. Video conference between North Leamington School and Anjuman-I-Islam school.
Students investigate how their own locality is perceived and what forms these perceptions.
Students prepared reports on their own city’s key geographical factors including population, environment and economy
Exchange of Videos
Exchange of Questionnaires
Students will then investigate and write essays on how the two areas might develop in the future,
Video Conferencing
Talk Group through Voxopop
Both the Schools also created a Talk Group through Voxopop to open a gateway to the exchange of dialogues that can be stored securely on the system and retrieved for documentation.
It has been rightly said, “Nothing worthwhile ever happens quickly and easily. You achieve only as you are determined to achieve ... and as you keep at it until you have achieved”.