From the Director's Desk

As we come to the end of another semester and year, we are going through that most important exercise in the life of a school – stock-taking. At different levels we have been asking ourselves – how are we doing? What are the goals which we need to set ourselves going ahead?  It is a crucial process because in education if we stand still, we wither away. To review honestly is a challenge but also a cause for satisfaction. All the areas we are considering are too numerous to summarise especially since it is an ongoing process but here are some;

   Some Successes:

•             Extending students interests and talents, giving opportunities for them to discover things they didn’t know they could do: Whether it is in the performing arts through music performances in school, the mega Founders Day, the development of inter-school teams in sports, participation in Model UNs etc we provide multiple opportunities for the development of confidence and the consolidation of talent.

•             Creating digital citizens for the 21st century: Technology is both the enabler and the challenge for education. The multiple ways in which students and teachers use technology from the use of online resources, writing of blogs, using IPad apps,

researching intelligently on Google,  reading e-books, interacting with authors on skype, making films,  the use of schedules on google docs etc the school has made great leaps in the e-learning domain.

•             Creating responsible citizens: Our community service and action programme extends right across the school. Whether it is in making students understand our planet’s depleting resources and the importance of responsible action, fund raising for Uttaranchal or for a neighbourhood school, teaching children from economically deprived backgrounds or growing plants for sale,

our students learn to think about their responsibility for improving their world. Next week’s Day of Sharing where our support staff will put up a show for students followed by a langar lunch for all,  served by senior school students, is a good example of creating an understanding of the dignity of all work and the sense of community within the school.

•             Involving parents in the education of children: Our strong belief that education is too important to leave out the entire community takes many shapes. Over the semester parents have come in to run language stalls in the primary

, arranged interesting guest speakers, been involved in academic goal setting in the student-led conferences, helped with Founders Day. The semester is culminating in the Christmas carnival where parents are taking on the huge role of cooking a variety of food, creating interesting activities and working with the student interact club to organize the day.

•             Our teachers: For any school today the biggest challenge is to find the right staff to teach both the academic programme as well as the larger area of student development which is the heart of true education. We are fortunate to have a group of dedicated, impassioned teachers. In addition we have been committed to a strong professional development programme where teachers attend dozens of IB-run and other workshops each semester, there are in-school discussion sessions and invited workshop leaders in school.

Our Goals Ahead

Many of our goals involve doing better what we have already started. The goal posts need to constantly shift for a school to continue to improve the quality of the education we deliver. These are some of the areas we are considering :

•             Advanced Learners: While we have in place a differentiated education programme which aims to meet the learning needs of different levels within the same classroom, there is more to be done to truly stretch and challenge our most able students. Our teachers have been working on strategies for this but there is much to be done.

•             Our Programme Calendar:  While all events are in themselves beneficial for students we need to review which students should be involved in which programme to protect learning.

We have been taking steps such as keeping Form 12 out of Founders Day or keeping the entire senior school out of the International Film Festival. While we are also clear that as in life, students need to learn to balance multiple activities with academics through self-discipline, we need to find a balance.

•             Technology Use:  Although this is a challenge for 21st century schools around the world, we struggle with students who post online irresponsibly or get distracted with the access given by laptops in learning. There are no easy solutions but we need to continue working on this.

•             New Teachers: We have succeeded in enabling a happy working environment and are fortunate that teachers do not leave for other schools. However personal reasons have seen teachers move away from the NCR or the country. When this happens mid-semester it poses a challenge. Although we have support and guidance systems and a mentor programme, we need to continue to strengthen the settling in processes of new teachers.

Reminders

•             Christmas Carnival: This is the first year when we combine the student-run Interact fun fair and the parent food festival into one day which is open to all parents. I do hope you will be there between 10.30 – 1.30 on Thursday 19th.

•             Christmas Break: Is from 20th December to 14th January. The PTM for Form 10 & 12 is on 20th.  Please ensure that your child is back in school on 15th January. No child may be away later without permission being granted by the Principal.

•             Late Start in January – Do remember that as always for the month of January we begin school late. From 15th January school will begin at 9.30 am.

Finally all good wishes to you and your loved ones for the festive season. I hope happiness and success await you in 2014.

Shalini Advani

School Director

From the Primary School Principal, Mrs. Usha Lamba

“International mindedness” is a term that appears in the mission

Knotting together

statements of a growing number of international schools worldwide, yet we, as educators have found it difficult to define what this is or how to go about fostering it in children of today. This explores teachers’ understandings of international mindedness and the development of international mindedness through our primary school.

Actor Shares

One definition that I’ve found useful is that of a growing sense of the ‘other’ : a journey from ‘self’ to ‘other’. If we can help our children and students to develop a strong sense not only of themselves and their own identity, which is crucial, but alongside that, a deep sense and awareness of other peoples, cultures, countries and customs, then we offer them a great chance to be truly 21st century global citizens.

Exploring Henri Matisse

Can we really say that a six-year-old in primary school is internationally minded? Possibly, but given what we know about how the human brain develops it seems unlikely. What we can do though is to set in place cumulative experiences and opportunities that over time – in this case many years – build on each other and  help move our children along that pathway to a greater sense of the ‘other’. International-mindedness is certainly a ‘frame of mind’ and as such needs time to develop.

International Language Centre

Back to our six-year-old then: what might international-mindedness look like in him or her? It may be knowing that the children in his or her classroom have different home countries or home states, and being able to work with each other and being able to respect one another’s independence and individuality.

For older students, international learning outcomes might include knowing about the ways in which the lives of people in the countries, states, or professions they have studied affect each other, or being able to identify ways in which people work together for mutual benefit.

Rupees 15,410/-, the Highest Fund raised through Readathon, Aditi Amritesh Form 4B

   

This year, I raised Rs. 15410/- against my reading efforts that totalled 910 pages across 8 books. Reading is my PASSION and I could do it 24x7 if I didn't have to sleep or eat!! Even though I had read 910 pages, I was a bundle of nerves at the thought of approaching people to sponsor my reading efforts. But I put aside my nervousness with a hope of achieving something meaningful. So I cheerfully greeted people, introduced myself, our school, the Read-A- Thon and explained how I was hoping for their generous appreciation of my reading efforts to help needy children.

I was touched by the kindness and willingness of people to support my cause. Many people appreciated my reading and some even listened to stories from the books I'd read. Some people were so impressed with my reading that they contributed generously. People appreciated the idea behind Read-A-Thon. I felt good that people had not blindly donated money.

With the money we all have raised, I wish that needy children can get food, toys, clothes, books and some happy moments. At the end of Read-A-Thon 2013, I feel very rewarded that I could use my best skill - READING - for a good cause.

Film Festival at Pathways School Noida

A Wonderful Experience: Children’s Film Festival at Pathways Noida by  Tanvi Amrit, Form  5A, Magazine Editor- Primary School

The Film festival was simply amazing. Each and every one of us loved the experience of cinematic culture.
                                                                                   Lighting of the lamp by Ms. Indu Shrikent

Watching the movies, learning how to watch them, making movie related posters… in others words we did a whole lot in two days. The first day was quite a rush due to the late start. Being the hosts we had to make sure everything went perfect. At one time we were in a session, at the other we were in an exhibition. One of the best things we learnt was ‘how to watch a movie’.

We learnt about camera angles, movie genres, theme, characters and setting. We had all our meals in the amphitheater, which was the perfect place but a shade would have made it much better. We all enjoyed the film screening though it got boring at times. I really liked day-2 screenings as they had a better storyline and message behind them. The closing ceremony was not that good because nobody wanted the festival to end but we know ‘everything must come to an end and so did this film festival’. And I can never forget these 2 days … it was a wonderful experience.

 The Awesome FilmFest at Pathways by Aditya Jain Form 5A

This week we had a first International Film Fest in the school. We were excited and thought we would only watch lots of movies the whole day. Then at the registration we                                             Quiz

were astonished to see that we will also have Workshops, Quizzes and the most obvious " The Film Screening ". We were all put into different groups. I was in Group No.3. On day 1 when we reached school, we kept our bags and went to the cafetaria. Then Ms. Anuradha and

Ms. Pragati called our names                                                   Workshop

and gave us id cards, a booklet and a pen and we went to a room in PYP Building on the 2nd floor. As we were late in time so we thought we would miss our 1st workshop on Film Appreciation and start with the iPad's one, but it was all opposite as well as disappointing. We missed our iPad workshop!!! Then we went to our Cafeteria. We realized that we were going to see the famous actor Roshan Seth Live.

Though frankly, I have not watched any of his movies till date. But it was Amazing! Then in the basement we watched some movies which were animated but some were real. Still all were funny. Then we went to the

Amphitheatre for lunch and went to the Exhibition in which our friends Paarth, Mitakshi, Noyonika, Arti, Tanvi, Samarth and Rishab told us about evolution of Cinema. It was time for another round of film screening. In that we watched 2 movies. One movie Vitthal was very violent and because of the movie some people vomited and fainted. People vomited because a boy Vitthal, by mistake, cut his small brother's little part of the head, and he started bleeding. It was dreadful. Then the second movie made our mood alright because it had a happy ending. Then we went back home.

On the 2nd day we straight away went to our workshop on "Understanding Cinema" after breakfast. We thought that this would also be a boring workshop as we watched parts of the movies like Jab We Met, Sky fall and The great Dictator. After the fun we went to the cafeteria for a quiz in which the Middle school students participated. After the quiz we went for our film screening in which our topic was pollution and we watched clips related to pollution. Then we went to lunch. After lunch we got to hear speeches and after that finally it was expiry date for our fun film fest. It was actually over… I couldn’t believe that 2 fun days had come to an end… may be next year we will have it again!

First International Children’s Film Festival in Pathways School Noida, Mehak Diwan, Ramsha Khan  and Rhea Agarwal, Gr 8A

As a whole the experience was something completely different than other events we had been to in the past. We learnt a different aspect of each movie, the story that runs not only on the screen but how it was created in the first place.

What each camera angle meant, what close up held a certain secret or how one film was ended. We realized this was also a different form of art which was not very well discovered. These workshops or this festival in particular exposed us to a different level of interpretations. We’re glad we could be a part of it.

The Film Festival, Saideep Ganesh, Gr 7

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend both the days and any of the workshops for the film festival. But I got something that I will cherish for life; I got a chance to not only meet but to also be the one to interview Roshan Seth!

After the interview, I really came to appreciate acting; Mr. Seth’s acting skills and acting as a whole. He was so direct with his responses; one could see that he was not a great admirer of Bollywood and its breed of actors. He gave us his definition of ‘talent’ and how one could differentiate between real and fake. I admire his enthusiasm as an actor and I would also like to thank the teachers for giving me this opportunity.

Film Festival, an Amazing Experience ! Arshee Sahni and Prithviraj Bisen Gr 6A

We had an International Children’s Film Festival on the 5th & 6th of December, 2013 in our school. It was the first of its kind. The film festival was a fun thing because we saw different movies from different countries and got to know how movies are made in different nations. It was an amazing experience for us as most of us in school like watching films so we got to see more films, though of a different kind – not like the regular Bollywood and Hollywood films that we watch.

We started off the day by going to our form rooms for a little bit and then we went for the registration where we got divided into six groups, I was in group two; it actually took a lot longer than I thought. We came out about 20 minutes late. All because of that the programme for the whole day was delayed. So that was a bummer.

Then we went for an assembly where we met children from different schools that had come to visit during the festival. The schools were Shiv Nadar School, DPS Mathura Road and Pathways Gurgaon. During this inaugural assembly, two students welcomed the visiting schools . They also welcomed Ms Indu Shrikent who led this film festival. 

After that we went for film screening where we saw some short films, so that kind of made up for the morning because it was A LOT of fun. We saw movies from all over the world; we saw a movie called ‘Grandpa’s Lamp’ which was a Japanese short film.

We also saw a movie called Vitthal, which was an Indian short film.

We then went for two workshops where we learned about how a movie is filmed and how we should watch a film – what we should focus on like the setting, the lighting, the camera shots, etc, and the second one was about how to edit films using iMoive on iPads. My favorite workshop was movie editing because we got to use iPads.

After the workshops Mr. Tagore and Saharsh interviewed Mr.  Roshan Seth, the famous actor, who told us a little bit about his experience with acting.

There was also an Exhibition put up by the organizers about 100 years of Indian Cinema. That was interesting!

The next day was the same thing except that we had different workshops. And of course there was the quiz.

It was conducted by Mr faizal and was about 100 years of Indian Cinema.

Overall I think that the film festival was a very fun experience and I hope that we can have it again!

Inter School Athletics Competition held at Pathways World School Aravali on 15th Nov, 2013, Advitiya Narang, Grade 10

This trip was a very new experience for me as it was the first time that I was representing my school in Athletics.

However, it proved to a be a fruitful experience for both me and the 32 people who came along. With the school coming 3rd overall out of 12 schools participating in competition, we were overjoyed and frankly, a bit surprised. However, the fact of the matter remained that we did well in the Athletics Meet by winning 2 gold, 4 silver and 9 bronze medals

in the various events and we were exposed to the real competition existing in other school as well as our own. It gave us the opportunity to discover where our weak points were and where we could succeed in future competitions. I for one had discovered where I needed to improve and am looking forward to the next opportunity whereby, I will have trained beforehand more than this time. Overall, it was an exciting experience and I look forward to next time! The following are the details of students participated in athletics competition.

All India TAISI Sports Competition, Neel Chawla, Form 11

Our whole Basketball team participated for the very first time in All India TAISI Sports competition held at Vishwashanti Gurukul School Pune from 20th – 25th November, 2013. Our team consisted of 8 Basketball and 2 Lawn Tennis players. We stayed at the host school boarding campus. On the first day we played a game against the Vishwashanti Gurukul School team. While we lost that game we all had a great learning experience.

Our Lawn Tennis Team reached Semifinals which was represented by Vishesh Gaur and Aninda Siddque from Pathways School Noida.  The next day our teacher organized a friendly match for us, as we had been eliminated the day before. We all played very well in the friendly match against D.Y. Patil International School, Navi Mumbai and after that was over we decided to enjoy Pune and go sight seeing. We went to the mall and to Lavasa.

Overall the trip was a great learning and bonding experience for the team; even though we had lost we gained something that was more valuable than winning, trust as a team. Our team now knows where we stand and how we play and I am positive that next time we play we will win without a doubt.

Form 1 trip on Homes, Aneesha Sahni, Form Tutor Gr 1

Form 1 students visited an old house at

Barakhamba road which was constructed in 1932 and a modern house in Defence Colony which was still under construction on Tuesday, 3rd December, 2013 as a part of their current Unit of Inquiry on homes.  Since they are inquiring into houses now and then, they were able to compare and contrast both the houses.

They noticed the big aangan, high ceilings, fireplaces, pillars and the arches in the old house. In the modern house, they looked at the stilt parking, multistoried building with a lift and the interiors which were very different in comparision to the old house. It was nice to see our six year olds ask meaningful questions.

Nursery Trip to the City Park at Greater Noida, Pihu Kapoor, Form Tutor Nursery A

As we move forward and look at the third and quite important aspect of our UOI (social/ emotional development), Nursery went on a trip to City park Greater Noida. The purpose of this trip was to explore our social surroundings with our Peers. Fortunately, it was a great day.

The weather was beautiful and warm. Children were extremely excited and as we all know that play is vital to children’s social development, we began our day with a long run in the park followed by a go on the swings.

During play, children increase their social competence and emotional maturity. Any child’s success largely depends on his or her ability to interact positively with their peers and adults. It enables children to practice both verbal and nonverbal communication skills, appreciating the feelings of others. 

It was amazing to see all the three Nursery’s bond. They were seen working through conflicts about space, materials and rules positively. The opportunities provided them today, will certainly help them in monitoring and discriminating among feelings and emotions which contribute to their beliefs about their own capacity.

From the Director's Desk

In the school assembly last week I reminded students of the importance of opening themselves up to every opportunity and learning from each new experience which we provide them at Pathways. Just as in later life, we continue to educate ourselves without formal teachers, so too as young people it is important to remember that education does not just come through subject teachers or class teachers but from all the experiences and knowledge which lies beyond our classroom walls. Through such experiences, our students can grab the best opportunities to develop themselves and discover new skills.

Here is an indicator of all that has been happening in the school for the three weeks of November alone.

Student Experiences

 Inter House Music Competition

Over the past three weeks, secondary school students participated in an inter-house music festival which showcased their talents. There were two inter-school events – a cultural festival at the Sri Ram Millenium                                                        School and a technology event at Apeejay school. Two students participated in an inter-school Rotary debate. Primary students visited the National Gallery of Modern Art.

There were some thoughtful assemblies – one on students with special needs and the importance of inclusive education, the other on keeping a focus on the Uttarakhand tragedy with a special presentation by Habitat for Humanity. Two guest speakers from the UK and France, who have been cycling around the world spoke to primary and middle school students about their experiences.

The Readathon is on and visitors to the school can see students sitting back on cushions and mats dotted around the atriums quietly reading. Grandparents day saw nearly 150 grandparents come in. Children’s Day showcased the talents of our teachers with drama, music and dance.

College counsellors have come in through the month from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University College London and Imperial College London. From within India we have hosted the Pearl Academy of Fashion, Ashoka University and Ansal University.

Sports teams participated in an interschool athletics championship at Pathways Aravali where we faced stiff competition and creditably stood 3rd. A team of basketball and tennis players participated in an all-India inter-school tournament at Vishwashanti Gurukul school in Pune. While they did not win, it was excellent experience.

Teacher Development

Teachers have continued to be learners too, at the school.

Professor Jayson Richardson from Kentucky University came in to conduct a training for teachers on technology in education An internal workshop was conducted for Heads of Department on setting smart goals, another on using the ManageBac software. Three teachers attended an international IPad summit at the American school. Last Saturday we hosted an nation-wide workshop on Maths for IB schools.

Coming Up

In the next two weeks we will conduct a training on the Model United Nations for students in preparation for the Middle school MUN which we host annually. This year we are expecting some schools from around the country.

Middle school teachers and students are preparing for the Student Led conferences where they will reflect on and showcase their learning to their parents.

We are also enthusiastically preparing for the ambitious International Film Festival for children which we are hosting. There is a special session for parents on Friday 6th afternoon and I hope that many of you will be able to attend.

Finally, we are looking forward to organizing the first student cum parent event with our Christmas carnival at the end of term. Proceeds are going to our fundraising efforts in Uttaranchal and I hope that all parents will be able to participate enthusiastically.

Meanwhile…

Teaching and learning is continuing as we come to the end of term. Senior school students are centrally focusing on assignments and assessments and Form 12 students are eyebrow deep in final submissions. Primary school teachers are working towards the final documents required by the IB for PYP authorization. Middle school teachers have continued to meet and plan the pilot lessons they are conducting for the MYP. Senior school exams are scheduled from 9th December.

It is this combination of challenging academic deadlines, culture, sport and activity which enriches the life of a Pathways student. It also teaches them to manage different priorities, to participate and to take responsibility for their own work. It is, in short, what education for life is all about. 

Dr. Shalini Advani
School Director

From the Middle School Principal, Mrs. Sunanda Sandhir

Students have been involving themselves in many activities thereby getting opportunity to develop different skills. This is an ongoing process. This year we pushed various groups into taking their role independently. This was done with an aim to provide them with live opportunities to recognise their skills and unfold leadership qualities in themselves.

Student members of the parliament got busy in welcoming new students,  solving  conflicts among peers , volunteering on parent  teacher meetings or just being their class voice while  addressing issues .

Editorial Blog team has been another very active team working hard and trying to meet deadlines while ensuring that the blogs were out on time. Production in-charges worked on designing the blog.

Editors and section editors worked extra time to collect articles and edit them. It was also heartening to see student photographers responsibly collecting camera for every event from the middle school office and record it.

Tech team was formed after the Founder’s day event. This team has flair and passion for technology and are an extremely enthusiastic lot. Some of the members are already creating tutorials to teach tech integration in their learning. Others are enthusiastic but are yet to take the lead.

Community Service Club students have also been actively working to promote yearly activity ‘Read-a-thon’

to not only raise funds for an NGO ‘Habitat for Humanity’, but also to promote reading.

Different events shake the students out of their comfort zone and they are thus challenged. In the bargain, they get opportunities.  I know for sure, many students would find their true passion in the process. After all, it is rightly said that opportunities do not come with its value stamped on it !

Readathon, Bhavika Hotchandani 8A

A Pathways’ Tradition … an event that every student awaits for…… to read for a cause… once again Pathways School Noida welcomes the annual Readathon.

The Readathon is an event performed every year when students gather to read for a cause. We have all heard about the tragedy that took place in Uttarakhand earlier this year.  This year’s purpose is to collect funds for Uttarakhand, so as a school… we can make a difference. The Readathon is planned by the Community service club, which puts in intensive effort every year in organizing this memorable event.

Each student is given a reading log and a pledge sheet to record their progress. Students are sponsored by their friends, families, relatives and neighbors to raise money for a good cause. Students get the opportunity to read before lunch time where we all gather in the Atrium accompanied by soft music, cushions and mats that definitely help raise the benchmark of the event.

This event is supported by the charity: Habitat for Humanity. As a school, our goal is to raise a reasonable amount of money to help families in Uttarakhand. I think that this is a very creative way of fundraising, and also a great experience coming together as a school to work towards our goal. I am looking forward to contributing this year, towards making a difference…

Inter House Music Competition, Anya Lauria 8A

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” - Bob Marley

That sure is one thing I should have kept in mind before settling down into my seat to watch the inter-house music competition held in our school on November the 13th. 

There, the music just didn't hit me; it slammed me into the wall and punched me. Each house presented songs of different genres and time period. I’d have to say, the old contemporary genre was my favourite. Who would mind listening to ABBA? There was one compulsory song, too; “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone.

My mouth quite literally dropped open when I heard they were being asked to do a song by her. I’d always thought of her as some sort of vocal goddess, and the thought of someone else being able to match her songs had never even entered my mind. I was really surprised to see, however, that not only did each house do

quite well on the song, but they also altered the song to match their own voices and abilities which was really like a cherry on top of an ice-cream. The instrumentalists accompanying each song were a treat to listen too as well. I’d be lying if I said the judges had an easy show to judge. The amount of talent housed under one roof was amazing, and seeing it all blossom out at once was a real opportunity too.

Interact Club celebrates Children’s day with the CAS students of Bhavani Inter College and Sai Bal Sansar, Shreya Gupta Form 11

On the 14th of November’ 2013, the Interact Club committee at Pathways School Noida organized a Sports meet for the CAS students from the Bhavani Inter College and Sai Bal Sansar school. The objective was  to celebrate Children’s day with them and make it special for everyone. There were numerous races held, with serious ones such as 100 meters for boys and girls and enjoyable track events such as the sack race for more than 120 children. The field was filled with cheering and clapping from the crowd as children

zoomed across the tracks, with gleeful smiles plastered on their faces as they reached the finish line. The event was concluded with an award ceremony for all the winners of the race. The prizes were given out to the top 3 contestants of each race and pride emanated from the winners as they were given their respective prizes by Dr. Advani, Mr. Abraham and members of Interact Club. Everyone was given a prize for participation as well. After the races, they were all ushered to the

dining hall for a scrumptious lunch of burgers, pasta, French fries and ice cream! All the students, from the two schools as well as Pathwaysian’s sat together and enjoyed the meal together. It was a day filled with laughter, joy and tremendous excitement.

Grand Parents Day

On 8th November we had visitors in our school that have done a lot for us. Guess who they were? “Our own GRANDPARENTS”. The day started with a great bang with us there.

We all invited the grandparents warmly and made them comfortable. Usually our grandparents help us with all small and big things, so as a small token we helped them and served all the grandparents food.They enjoyed every bit of

the meal and at the end they had no space in their tummy. After all the yummy food they all gathered in the “MPH”. We, grade 5 had prepared a short and fun program for them. We started with a lovely poem in our mother tongue that was for “Dadaji”. Our understanding for this poem was that, even if this poem is for Dadaji we recited it for all the grandparents.

To make this day more exciting we carried on with a game called “Kaun Banega Chocolatepati”!! The game was if you answer 5-6 questions you get a chocolate. The questions were not that simple! For example, one of questions was ‘When did Krish-3 release?’

To make the grandparents remember their happy childhood we held a game, in which the grandparents had to pick a chit and do what the chit said. For example lots of memorable and fun things came up like sing a song, recite a hymn you use to say in school or even you missed your CHANCE!

As the wonderful day went by, the last thing came and that was sharing time. In this the grandparents shared things with us from the past. Grandparents shared with us a big tiger paw print,  ancient coins and  a vintage car that was massive to school.We all were given a ride in the car.A day of sharing and caring for all of us!

Mitakshi Mathur, Gr 5 B

Grandparents day! Every child in pathways loves this day, after all everyone's grandparent's come. Today was a very great day. The fifth grade students escorted all the grandparents to the lunch hall and all of them had tasty breakfast.

Then we went to our MPH where we played games- one of it was called KBC , 'Kaun  Banega Choclatepati' .It was a fun-filled game , just like “Kaun Banega Crorepati” which is game is all about money. The game made by fifth grade students is a whole lot different. In this, they have to answer all the questions and win the chocolate being given by our anchor. What a game it was! The next game the grandparents played was a chit game. It was great fun too. Three children would go to the seats where the grandparents were sitting. The children had a bag full of chits and the grandparent had to pick one chit and do what is written on it. There were many interesting  ones -- like sing a prayer that used to happen in your school, tell  the name of your favourite hero and act like him, express your feelings to someone any many more.

All these were very interesting chits .Then some of the grandparents came up and shared some of their experiences. One of the grandparent talked about the tigers in India.  It surely gave us lot of knowledge.  Another grandparent came up and talked about some of the past things like water pumps, old telephones and old coins.

We got to know about past things. We had made a box in the class that contained a message and a letter all the grandparents were very happy after seeing that. Then when we were taking our grandparents to the exit, we got a surprise, we saw a vintage car, it was 1936 model owned by Prithvirajs's grandfather. Such a beautiful car it was, every child in the fifth grade got a ride in that car, we all loved it a lot and then all the grandparents left and we went back. THANK YOU GRANDPARENTS. It was indeed a memorable day.

Siddhant Garg, Gr 5B