Newsletter April 2021

April 2021

Newsletter Niche

Editor: Saira Raza Design: Irshad ul Islam

Delhi Public School Srinagar

“Spring translates earth’s happiness into colorful flowers.” - Terri Guillements

Campus Roundup...

April has indeed been the cruellest month....just when the tulips were in full bloom and the blossoms were cheering the atmosphere, we heard about the resurgence of the virus. Even though the classes had begun with different groups coming on alternate days, there was an atmosphere of celebration.

The lectures were catching rhythm; the soft inaudible answers from behind the masks began to take the form of interesting challenging debates in class. What a relief it was this one to one interaction.

Something the teachers had been waiting for a long time. This whole process of teaching and learning seemed so simple after, the over exuberance and theatrics behind the computer screen in a zoom lecture. The dates for the board practical exams were announced and the students pulled themselves out of their lethargy focusing once again on their dream of performing well. The Preboards were the next hurdles to be crossed. To safeguard the health of the young aspirants, it was decided that these exams would be conducted online. This announcement came as a big relief to students who by now had become habituated to learning with their breakfast or a cup of coffee by their side. The teachers of course lost their hope of finally having a paper in their hand which would have been entirely the student's own. Unfortunately, that has remained a dream for this passing out batch. The intermittent showers have now turned into an incessant heavy downpour. Apparently the pandemic has taken flight and descended once again in mood that is far more vicious. This time the take off is not a steady climb but as the graphs reflect on the news channels, it is almost as if the flight has taken the upward route, that of a missile, moving straight towards the sky. It now seems that Covid never left us despite all the protocols taken care of. It was lingering amongst us and silently observing us, waiting to take us to task for defaulting. Talking about observation, the Academic In charges were faithfully doing their rounds all through the month, assessing the teaching methodology of the faculties. The entire nation seems to be gripped by uncertainty once again. Delhi Public School has started its vaccination programme to safe guard its family. Finally, while most important things have been put on hold nationwide, our school is preparing ground to welcome the new batch of class XI. We haven't given up hope as it is the only sustaining factor in difficult times. We pray and hope that things normalize soon. In words of Emily Dickenson: Hope is a thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all Saira Raza Abdulla

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Math Phobia The difference between a poet and a mathematician is that the poet tries to get his head into the heavens while the mathematician tries to get the heavens into his head!

The phobia of math can be seen ruling the minds of most youngsters. There can be many reasons but one is definitely the influence of teachers. Students pick up on their teacher’s feelings about math.

If a teacher is excited and positive about it, the students will be as well. But if educators are negative about it, it can have the opposite effect. Another reason is the fear of public embarrassment. Math anxiety has also been linked to negative emotions from the past. If a student has been scolded for getting an answer wrong, it can make his or her anxiety worse. The same is true if he or she has been embarrassed in front of others. A minor fear eventually can take the shape of a deep imbedded phobia.

One major cause of math anxiety is the pressure caused by time limits on tests. The deadlines that timed tests impose on students lead them to feel anxious. This leads to them forgetting concepts that they have no problem remembering at home. Since these tests can have a negative impact on grades, the student’s fear of failure is confirmed. This creates a vicious circle that can be difficult to break.

Speaking about the solutions to this problem. It is well known that there is a triangle- teacher-studentparent- for the success of education, the role of each is important to eradicate math phobia from the minds of the students.

What teachers can do.

A very important factor in motivating children to study math is that the teacher stays positive and enthusiastic about math.

Secondly, the teacher should not give negative re-enforcement when the answer is wrong. They actually help our brains grow.

Tests are important but they should not be the last goal. The true goals of mathematics should be to prepare students to face reallife problems with math as a weapon. Teachers should not present math as an unlearn- able, difficult subject because it is NOT that. It should be shown to children that math is a CREATIVE subject. Learning math is more almost like learning music or art than it’s to learning history or biology. The basic facts of math never change, BUT the way we solve math problems presents tons of variability!

Students are often far more motivated if they’re given open-ended problems to unravel. They are more motivated once they realize where all maths is required. For example, basic math like estimating prices when shopping, fractions in cooking, decimals in financial transactions and measuring skills in sewing or woodwork are very needful in lifestyle. So the teaching of mathematics must be accompanied by everyday life experiences. Teachers should teach the student to make summary notes to prepare for an exam. Many students don’t know the power that lies in making their own summary notes.

What students can do. Ÿ

The first thing students have to do is to know the symptoms of math phobia. There are four common symptoms of math phobia: panic, paranoia, passive behaviour and lack of confidence.

Once a student knows that he/she has math phobia he/she has to acknowledge it. Having math phobia in itself does not make one weak , but not dealing with it will affect one’s life negatively.

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Students should ask questions when they don’t understand. Math concepts build upon each other and if one gets lost in the beginning, it will be much harder to understand later concepts. Students should feel that If they don’t understand something, it’s likely that there is at least one other person in the room who is also confused. Ÿ

Instead of cramming for a test the night before, they should set aside time each day to study and do practice problems.

Repeated long-term practice will help them remember how to solve things when stressed in the testing environment.

Studying early also gives time to focus on the concepts that are more difficult to master.

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Changing the way of studying math may change the attitude towards it. Simply memorizing a formula is not as effective as understanding what the formula means and knowing exactly when to use it.

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Students should read the textbook thoroughly and write down questions to ask in a class later.

Working with a study group can sometimes help understand the subject better than doing everything alone. Peer learning is more helpful to the students particularly those who suffer from math phobia.

What parents can do.

There are many studies that prove the importance of parent involvement in a child’s educational processes. So, one of the easiest ways to reduce math phobia is that parent should be more involved in their child’s education. In addition, research has shown that parents’ perception of mathematics influences their children’s perception and achievement in mathematics. I hope after reading all this students will be able to overcome their phobia and a day is not far when they will fall in love with this subject.

G. M Malik

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Art - A perennial source of joy

A

rt is a lifelong meditation and not a hobby. Proper art education is not a product of reading books or hearing about art. It develops by seeing great examples of art. Still better, if everyone does creative work with her or his own hands, and does it with an understanding directly. Lack of knowledge about art makes people lose their mental balance. Therefore it's very important and helpful for a person to know the basic history of this particular subject. Art is born and is a natural gift from the Almighty God. Art is the poetry of sight. Art is everywhere, wherever we live. Art at home:- Chances are you will have some forms of Art in your home.

Obviously, the first thing that might come to mind will be a painting, print or photograph on the wall.

If you don't have any of these things adorn your walls don't panic, you would be surprised at how much art you actually have in your homes. If you look around art is not purely for looking at and admiring! A lot of it is functional too, especially when it comes to our homes. Everything from a delightful patterned quilt on a bed, decorative tea towels or that cute pink heart covered teapot to the sleek computer case or any angle posed desk lamp can be considered a form of art.

You may be wondering why all these things are so important in our daily lives and that we could probably survive just fine with essential items that were non- artistic. That is just the reason why art is so valuable. While art may not be vital to fulfill our basic needs, it does make life joyful. When you look at a painting or poster you have chosen to hang on your living room walls, you feel happy. The sculpture or figurines on the kitchen windowsill create a sense of joy. These varieties of art forms that we are surrounded by all come together to create the atmosphere that we want to live in, which is personal and very special to us.

By K. ASIF Visual Arts, DPS Srinagar

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Paintings by Asif Iqbal Khan

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Poems by Ms Mushkeen

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Poem by Rajini Mattoo हमारा D.P.S हमारी शान ; हमारा D.P.S हमारा अ भमान 2018 क अलग ही थी बात, मला MR. ALISTAIR FREECE का साथ । होने लगी GROUND म GENERAL ASSEMBLY ; पूरे ाफ को हो गई तस ी, सब को अपने वचारो ं को कट करने क मली FACILITY। सब के वचारो ं क होने लगी जाचँ, शु आ D.P.S म FOOT BALL MATCH। पूरी क ीर घाटी थी खुशहाल, अथवाजन D.P.S म होता था रात को दमाल; छा ो ं ने िदखाया अपना कमाल। था सब पर इस िदन का भार, लेिकन लया सब ने हँ सते -हँ सते सं भाल, थी हमारे लए ये गौरव क बात; ं मसटर DHAR SIR और KIRAN MAAM चले ोिक साथ – साथ । पाते है त वष स ान, करते है DHAR प रवार को शत - शत णाम ॥

D.P.S म होना िकसी के लए नही ं छोटी बात, देते और पाते है EDUCATION क सौगात सुनो सुनाऊँ नयी एक बात, ई २०१९ क शु आत। सबसे पहले िकया गया एक काम , WORK SHOP था जनके साथ MR. B. L. HANDOO है नाम; न था यह ऐसा वैसा WORK SHOP, छा ो ं के लए थी सोलह आने वाली बात॥ ा था इस स ेलन का AGENDA, दरू करो पुराने वचारो ं का फं दा। करो ार से श ा का चार, तभी होगे हमारे सपने साकार। है दरू मं ज़ल सफर है जारी, कर रहे ह वष २०१९ को सफलता क ओर ले जाने क तयैारी॥ छा ो ं क उ त और ग त ही हमारा उ े ह।ै रजनी म

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‫ﻓﺮﯾﺪﮦ ﺟﺎﻥ‬

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