PBL: Decorate Our Classroom, Day 5
Date: September 23, 2022
Facilitators: Simran K, Simran J, Jasmine, Swechha and Raveena
Broader Theme: Cultural Festival
Introduction
Today was the culmination of our first PBL series, ‘Decorate Our Classroom’. The whole day witnessed the celebration of Durga Puja and the entire classroom was decorated with the stuff that the kids prepared themselves, including painted and beads studded earthen pots and painted khulas with marigold flowers, kept in front of three different pandals constructed in the classroom. Printable sheets with a kalasha outline, over which the kids pasted colored rice, along with their alpana paintings were hung over the pillars as wall decor. The facilitators had put a poster of ‘Happy Durga Puja’ at the entrance glass door. Besides, all the kids came to school in traditional attire.
Series of Steps
Work Time: Materials used were a book that was specifically created for the children of Arth that described the whole story behind Durga puja celebrations in an animated, picturesque and simpler manner.
Small Group: Materials used were Cardboard boxes, wooden blocks, Soft blocks, Kulos, marigold flowers and kids trumpets.
Sensory: Marigold flowers were put in three different trays.
How did it go?
The culmination of this PBL series was embarked with an actual merrymaking of the nine days of puja celebrations and rituals.
WorkTime: After our opening circle, the first thing that we did in the class was to hear the mythological story of Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura through a graphic book created just for today. Everybody sat down in a circle while the facilitator narrated the story with animated voice, expressions and body movements.
Small Group: Three different pandals were created at three different locations in the class. Kids already knew that these were pandals since we have been making them together during work times throughout this week. The pretend play followed where the kids engaged in pandal hopping. Bowed their heads to pay their respects to the goddess and gave flower offerings (made out of grapat figurines) in the kulos. They were also given mini trumpets that they all blew with utter joy.
Amidst all the celebrations Radhya asked the facilitator to put ‘mehandi’ over each other’s palms using sketch pens!
Sensory: Finally, the kids engaged in some flower play and dance. Puja aarti songs and dhak music was played in the background. One can clearly see and hear the smiles and laughter of our little arthlings. Kaira, Jasvi, Janya, Yuvaan seemed to enjoy putting flower petals over each other's head.
Skills Enhancement
Collaboration: This whole PBL involves working together towards a common goal, i.e., to decorate their own class. This involves collaborating with each other and producing art pieces that are a joint production of the whole class.
Cultural Knowledge enhancement: Celebrating a cultural event can inform the toddlers about who they are and how they connect with others around them, thereby enhancing their sense of belongingness, Knowledge and leading to holistic development.
Creativity Upliftment: The toddlers engaged in numerous activities throughout the day that involved exploring different sensorial experiences, engaging with fine and gross motor skills and finally immersing in the free play around the theme that motivated them to use their personal agency and imaginative skills.
Socio-Emotional skills: The toddlers made colorful memories and many new friendships were formed. It is believed that celebrations can bring people together and induce many socialization skills in toddlers.