Science Activity Four: Digestive System (Class VI)

Objectives: The “Digestive System” session was designed using a video and game to help students learn and understand the various parts and functions of the human digestive system.

Explanation: This was the first session that utilized a video.  A prerecorded session along with Indian Digestive League (IDL) game rules was projected.  After watching the video, students played the IDL game.  IDL is an exciting and informative game that uses a game board and stack of cards for play.  Groups of six students play together.  Each is given six cards to begin the game.  Students may pick a card from the stack and discard one unnecessary card at each turn.  The object of the game is to be the first player holding six cards relating to all of the six parts of the digestive system.

Observation Sept 2009 Sessions: Students, as well as their teachers, were very enthusiastic about the multimedia approach of this session.  The students have rarely, if ever, been exposed to video as a teaching tool.  They were quiet and attentive throughout the session. By utilizing a prerecorded video presentation, the opportunity for the trainers to leave gaps in their presentation was greatly reduced.  We found that all the concepts were thoroughly covered in this session and were encouraged by the fact that students responded so well to this innovative approach.  Teachers feel it would be beneficial if future recorded sessions cover an entire chapter rather than just an activity session.   The one impediment to the complete success of this session was the fact that the game cards were written in English, rather than the native Telugu.  A lot of effort was needed to translate the IDL cards and fact sheets into Telugu so the students could use them.

Science Activity Four: Acids and Bases (Class VII)

Objectives: This session was designed to teach Class VII students the different properties of acids and bases as well as a number of tests for determining whether a substance is acidic or basic.

Explanation: Vinegar and Baking Soda were used as the model acid and base in our examples for the students.  We first discussed basic properties like smell and taste of acids and bases.  Next we explained the uses of litmus paper and phenolphthalein tests and allowed the students to utilize these indicators to test baking soda solution, vinegar, lemon juice and lime juice.

Observations Sept 2009 Sessions: The acids and bases activities required a lot of time because the students were not familiar with some basic concepts.  The trainers needed to instruct the students from the most fundamental aspects of the topic up to the point where they could successfully use the indicators for testing.  Trainers also needed to personally assist each group in order to ensure proper usage of the indicators.

Math Activity Four: Algebra

Objectives: This session was dedicated to helping students grasp the basic concepts of algebra: constants, variables, expressions and equations.

Explanation: Algebraic tiles can be used to solve basic algebraic equations in a visual way. Each student was provided with twenty 1” square tiles and twenty 2.5”x1” tiles.  Each tile is green on one face and red o n the other, green symbolizing positive and red symbolizing negative quantities.  The larger tiles represent the variable “x” and the smaller tiles each represent a constant quantity like the integer 1.  Using this illustrative, visual method, students can better comprehend basic algebraic equations.

Observation Sept 2009 Sessions: The algebraic tiles seemed to serve their purpose, helping students visualize their algebra equations.  Many of the teachers were impressed with this method and asked their students to prepare their own tiles to be used in the future.