Final day of Grade 6

On Thursday, the boy had SLC where he presented to us parents, what he has achieved in his current year in each of his school subjects, his strengths and weaknesses.

Last day of school on Friday. The boy got up early at 530 and the wife helped make 32 cookies. 95% of the work was done by him. He also practiced clean as you go.

Out of the blue, the boy signed up for Camp Vama – Military Themed Experiential Getaway for 4 days. We didn't think he would. Dropped him off yesterday and have to pick him up at Thursday. Based on the photo updates, he is having a good time and has not called us. Which is a good sign.

Ahmedabad and Dasada Trip - 4 days

The boy had an exciting and educational trip with a well-rounded itinerary, filled with diverse experiences and hands-on learning. Here's a summary of the trip:

DAY 1: Edutour Kick-Off

- Flight from Bangalore to Ahmedabad: The journey began with a flight to Ahmedabad, followed by a transfer to Dasada.

- Ice-breakers & Journaling: The trip started with an introduction and ice-breaker activities to help everyone get to know each other. The boy also spent time journaling his experiences.

- Afternoon Safari: The highlight of the day was an afternoon safari to the Little Rann of Kutch, where the boy explored salt pans and observed the unique ecosystem of the area.

DAY 2: Medieval Architecture & Traditional Arts

- Modhera Sun Temple: The group visited the Modhera Sun Temple, known for its stunning architecture, and participated in a sundial-making workshop.

- Cook-off Challenge: The students took part in a fun cook-off challenge, adding an interactive element to the day's activities.

- Traditional Arts Workshops: The boy learned about local crafts through hands-on experiences, including a beading workshop and a Lippan art workshop, where he engaged in the region’s traditional art forms.

DAY 3: Exploring Ahmedabad

- Sabarmati Ashram: The group visited the Sabarmati Ashram, where the boy learned about its historical significance and the role it played in India’s freedom struggle.

- Amul Plant: The trip continued with a visit to the Amul Plant, offering insights into India's White Revolution and the dairy industry.

- Cultural Immersion at Vishala: In the evening, the group experienced a vibrant cultural immersion at Vishala, likely a traditional village setting, where the boy could learn about local culture and cuisine.

DAY 4: Science City & Edutour Conclusion

- Team Games: The day began with engaging team games, allowing the students to bond and collaborate with one another.

- Science City: The boy visited Science City in Ahmedabad, exploring the robotics gallery and the space exploration exhibit, learning about cutting-edge scientific advancements.

- Gratitude & Reflection Session: The trip concluded with a gratitude and reflection session, allowing the boy to reflect on his experiences and lessons learned.

- Flight back to Bangalore: The group then flew back to Bangalore, marking the end of an enriching and educational trip.

Overall, the trip combined history, culture, science, art, and hands-on learning in a way that was both fun and educational. The boy not only enjoyed the experience but also gained a deeper understanding of the world around him.

School Trip

So yesterday we dropped the boy for his Pench school trip. 5 am flight to Nagpur and a bus from there. Some 40 children from his Grade. This is the first time he has been away from us (sleepover in neighbor's apartment does not count :)) It was a bit surreal and mixed emotions. Watching him walk away with a backpack and trolley suitcase to board his flight. The scene may happen again and who knows he may go away for higher studies once school is done. I think it was a good emotional drill :) He will be back on Saturday night. The house feels quiet. There is a some relief that I have a kind of routine back, but yeah I miss him.

Sports Day

 The boy was a part of march-past and the House jingle group. Sang his heart out.

Double achievement

Participated in a skit in the GP Showcase at school. Although it was a short part, the boy was good. He also got his Green Belt in Taekwondo today.

5th Grade

 starts and the daily routine starts. This year we opted to send him my school bus which picks him at 7.10 am. Back home by 4.15 pm

PTM

The boy had Grade 4 PTM today. Feedback :- - Bright student, the teachers love to have him around - Reading comprehension is good - LOVES Maths and is always enthusiastic about it - Need to improve his spelling - Need to be more expressive when it comes to Science, work on his analysis and express his opinion - Need to work on his matras in Hindi

4 Grade - Day 1

 Missed it as the wife was not well and due to Covid protocols we couldn't send the boy to school. The boy was so upset. Eventually after 3 days, he was able to attend.

School reopens

I went and dropped the 3 (the boy, Ata and Kv) today. Chatting all the way. For now the plan is a couple of days of offline classes and the remaining 3 days, online.

Uniform Confusion

We ordered the boy's school uniform online, as instructed by the school, and the size did not match despite giving the correct specification. After a lot of going back and forth on the phone, we decided to head to their warehouse and pick it up. It was in the back of beyond of HSR. Turns out it is a new vendor and after trying on a couple of sizes, we got the right fit. 

The boy couldn't wait to wear it to school. He had to wait till it was washed.

Offline classes!

Or attending school physically as they call it.

Ever since the boy heard that he can go to school for 2 days a week, he was super thrilled. He decided that he is going to dream only about that. The previous day his bag was packed and he slept early. The bag was super heavy.

He was so excited that he woke up at 530 am. I dropped him off at 745 am and we will take turns to pick / drop him, K and A in the mornings and evenings.

Online timing change

The class timings were changed from today to accommodate hybrid learning across the school and to support children with the transition process to regular school timings. It is now 9 am to 130 pm. More time for the boy to sleep in the morning. The day is not far away when the boy will start to attend school physically.

Grade 3

And the boy is into Grade 3.

Online classes continue. Login to Zoom by 830 am and by 12 pm he is done.

Strange class

So all the children in boy's class were on the floor on a mattress along with a pillow and a blanket. Once the music played they all had to go under the blanket, then dance covering themselves with it. Very different and all enjoyed it.

Hindi

In his previous school, because of limitations, Hindi was not taught well. 

That showed now as the boy was not confident and resisted learning it. At one time he said he hated it. The wife had a talk with his class coordinator and things have improved now.

Birthday and online classes

What a day for the boy to start his online classes - on his birthday.

He was thrilled. The morning started with decorations outside his door with cards from his friends.

The classes started well with him taking some time to warm up. Reluctant initially but loved it at the end.

Online classes orientation

The boy's online classes are set to start.

It started with an orientation.

2 Classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of 30 minutes each with a break and optional classes on Tuesday and Thursday.

Homework

And the boy started getting some homework. He is very happy to do it.

Skating on Monday and Karate classes on Wednesday have started in school.

Homework

And the boy started writing down his homework.

Class 1

And the boy goes off to Class 1. Just like that.

Time flies.

First time in a school bus, t-shirt tucked in, belt, shoes, backpack and all. Thankfully he has 2 friends from the apartment.

It is a strain on the wife. We have to be up by 530 am to pack his breakfast and lunch. The school is 10 km away.

The bus picks him up between 710 am and 715 am. School gates close by 815 am, he leaves school after 3 pm and he is home before 4 pm. In bed by 730 pm. Any delay in sleeping, it shows up in the form of crankiness the next day.

I do feel bad that he has to wake up so early and go through bumpy roads to get to school. So far he has been enjoying it. Although he keeps comparing his current teacher to his VNM teacher. I believe has to get used to being uncomfortable. If required we may have to move closer to school.

The food boxes have been coming back empty except for 1 day when the boy said the dosa was soggy (the wife asked him the meaning of soggy but he didn't know). And this is not the first time he is taking dosa to school. We have specifically told him to use the loo before he boards the bus and not to sit in the last seat.

The boy is excited and looking forward to skating, football, karate and music classes. And starting of this month, we also restarted his weekend football classes.