Classroom Chronicles #3

It’s been almost 3 weeks since I have posted in the blog. There have been amazing things happening in my class, and it is equally hard to post all the updates. So, here’s this week's inspiration!!!

Firstly, a new admission to my class

A new boy sat in my class, and had to find that out when the student count was more than the attendance!! I wondered, a new admission after half academic year…wow, that’s unusual. I wasn’t sure how to make him feel comfortable, but felt that he needed his time to understand the new environment. At the same time, I inquired and found that he was an orphan, admitted by the police in Thara Home. Admitted by police?? That’s unusual again. He lost his parents 3 years back, and also some random grandfather this year who took care of him in the village. He didn’t know what to do, so took a train and arrived at Secunderabad. And, the Ramgopalpet Police Station found him on the road, heard his story and admitted him in the Orphanage. A great thanks to the Police for doing such a generous act and finding him a place to stay.

I felt he was getting along well with other students in the classroom. During the activity class, he also completed one side of the Rubik’s cube without my assistance. He wanted to complete the full cube. And, like another day, after school, he took his bag and started going back to the hostel. I was on the terrace, watching students going out of school, and my eye also caught him. He looked fine, and I thought I should teach him next step of the cube tomorrow…but I didn’t know that was the last time I’d see him. The Orphanage called me evening and inquired as he didn’t turn up. I was stunned. I didn’t know what to reply. I’ve seen him walk out of the school. We hoped he would return back to the hostel and also the school next day, but he didn’t.

  

And, this is just one story of thousands of children across the country. By seeing children on the roads just reminds me of such heavy stories which they carry behind their backs, but no one knows about it. The Police did a great job showing a place of stay for the kid, which itself is unusual in India. But, he didn’t feel included, or felt no one cared for him…Who knows???

Secondly, a re-admission

There was another kid in my class who attended in July and later disappeared. Thankfully, he wasn’t missing. He could be seen everywhere but school. When asked Principal about him, she told the student should actually be in 7^th grade and not 6^th. The Principal continued “I see him every day while coming to school on the roads, but he doesn’t come to school. I ask him to come, he says yes, and slips right out of my hand. This went on whole of last year, and at least I hope he’d come this year.” I wondered and pressed further. Now, I wish I didn’t. The kid lost his father in front of his eyes, and not just normally, but being hanged in front of him. Every day in the class, we work to give exposure to the kids, but this is not the kind of exposure we want for anyone.

After hearing the Principal’s words, I wanted to talk to him, but I don’t know what. I’ve tried, and there were no words out of my mouth. Later, I wish he’d continue coming to school. August, September and October passed, but no sign of him in my class. But, from November, all of a sudden, he became a regular student like any other in my class. I don’t know if he had a sudden revelation, but I hope that’d make him come to school. Maybe he felt comfortable or included, but he started enjoying learning and participating in class. That’s what matters. Academically, he needs to improve a lot, and I’m not even sure if that can be bridged very soon. But, just the fact that he’s coming to school itself is a sign of hope. It is the leap of faith…the hope that things would be better keeps us moving forward.

With the admission & readmission challenges, there are still few amazing which should be accounted.

The Triangle Puzzle

As part of my Morning Meeting, I’ve introduced a new set of puzzles in the class. So, I’ve discussed ‘The Triangle Puzzle’, where they have to flip the triangle by moving any of the 3 pieces out of 10. And, surprisingly, there is Basha from my class who solved the puzzle!!! He solved it quickly, and also explained the same to the class. When the Principal was struggling with the puzzle, and I mentioned that a kid solved it, she was startled!! Unlocking such potential in the unknown areas makes them feel more confident and find their interest in new areas.

Basha with the puzzle 

Here’s the puzzle solution (in case you don't know)

Chess Wizard

Chess, a game as intriguing it is, also keeps me intrigued in the manner the kids play it in class. I also experiment sometimes by changing their opponents to learn more about them. And, here, we have Sri Hari, a potential Chess player and a game with him would be amazing. Not that he wins every game, but doesn’t give up even when he knows he is going to lose the game. A tactic which I used as a kid was to aim for stalemate if I know I’d lose the game. He used the same, and also keeps himself calm during the game. I’m using this interest of Chess to motivate him in other subjects, in which he needs to work a lot. He also started to work on other subjects as that is contingent on learning new tricks on Chess from me.

Sri Hari (on the left) with Muralikanth

Sri Hari on a tough game with Basha

Recently, we had to apply Aadhar card for him (as no one did for him as he is an orphan), and got the card successfully. He was so happy to receive the Identity Proof, that showed he has an identity among the billion odd people living in the country.

The leap of faith!!!

Unlock the potential!!!