Day: November 9, 2021

‘Necessity is the mother of all invention.’ For a teacher, this is not just a proverb but a life line. As teachers, we need to constantly adapt to new ideas and at times this means that we need to constantly search for things that meet changing requirements.

In the time of the pandemic when we were locked in our homes, we needed to learn new things to keep our classes interesting. That is when I heard about Lego Six Bricks Training. I got enrolled in one of the trainings by Binal Kinder. As I progressed through the course modules, I realized that the Six Bricks training aligned perfectly with my own philosophy, “Teach Smart with Fun”.

The Six Bricks training helped me learn to use both sides of my brain effectively, improve my listening and memorization skill which was getting little weak. The idea of 4 C’s “Connect => Construct => Contemplate => Continue” showed me the way from problems to solutions. So I planned and prepared to introduce it to my students when school reopened.

It was not easy to arrange for the Lego Six Bricks in Karachi, Pakistan. So, while we waited for our shipment to arrive all the way from Dubai, we started using the Funfelt Builder instead. It is an educational product developed by a local company, Toolkit4earlyyears. The kit contains 105 pieces of felt strip and shapes in rainbow colours, with button and button-holes. 

With my rigorous Six Bricks training, I was able to apply the four C’s in my STEAM class using a totally different material-the Funfelt Builder- and the results were remarkable. The students were enthralled by colourful felt pieces and they found the buttoning activity “soothing”.  I realized I had found the perfect kit that can engage the kids in STEAM throughout the year!

Here I list the pros and cons of the Funfelt Builder in comparison to Six Bricks: 

Fun felt Builder	Lego Six Bricks
Pros
Attractive Rainbow colours105 Pieces containing Stripes with buttons and shapes.Felt pieces are easy to manipulate (bend, fold)Doesn’t occupy much spaceEasily availableCan DIYAffordable for all	Attractive six coloursSix Pieces of 4 * 2 brickDurable3D construction possible.Doesn’t occupy space
Cons
Buttons may become loose with repeated useConfined to 2D construction	Not readily available.ExpensivePieces cannot be manipulated (bent or folded)
Skills
Language such as describing in rich detail, giving clear instructions, explaining your reasons, and telling stories, which help you to communicate with others and express your ideas.Problem solving including to stay focused, and remember a task or a challenge, set goals and make plans, come up with creative ideas, and reflect on what you do and how you do it.Collaboration as in working together in pairs or teams, share turns and the materials you work with, learn from your peers and their ideas, and give each other roles and responsibilities	Language such as describing in rich detail, giving clear instructions, explaining your reasons, and telling stories, which help you to communicate with others and express your ideas.Problem solving including to stay focused, and remember a task or a challenge, set goals and make plans, come up with creative ideas, and reflect on what you do and how you do it.Collaboration as in working together in pairs or teams, share turns and the materials you work with, learn from your peers and their ideas, and give each other roles and responsibilities

What’s really great is the company is willing to train teachers and parents who wish to get the most out of their kit. They share ready-made plans and are with you every step of the way. 

I feel I have found a perfect solution to my STEAM dilemma. Are you ready to try it. 

What do you think?
Should smart phones be banned in the age bracket 1 – 18 years? Yes or No?
Why do you think so?
Who will agree with you?
Why will someone get convinced?
How will you prove your points?
What concrete sources will give you proof and evidence to have a healthy argument?
How will you manage your time in the most effective manner to convey your claim?
Taking care of manners and etiquette of speech, how will you convince your opponent that he or she
has lesser valid points than yours to win the debate?
Respecting your opponents opinion and then putting yours… Truly! Debate is an art of speech and
articulation with research and evidence. “Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent,
and debate.”
We saw advocates in Class 7 of BHS when they nailed-it with their debate with their fellow classmates
team. Both the teams were extraordinary and their declamation and vocalization rocked the forum.
Since a couple of weeks they were studying Media Presentation Techniques and now it was time to
show case it. When the sun of 29th October 2021 rose, the students of Class 7 shone reflecting the
sunlight. They were as bright as light. Under the captaincy of their classmates Hamza Sh. Huzefa and
Khozema Sh. Taizoon, 30 classmates were off to the battle field with the power of preparation and
persuasion.
With smartness, confidence, motivation, vocalization, research work and leadership skills they proved
their points. Khuzema Sh. Taizoon’s team emerged victorious as they were able to prove that banning
smart phones is not the answer.
The teams were honoured by certificates of victory and appreciated for their immense participation.
We, thank their parents, too for all the support they provide to our teacher to groom their children and
co-operate with our children with love and respect. Each child is a winner and may victory follow them.