This year we are trying to integrate Maths and Science with life skills.
So, in the month of February, we decided to integrate science with life skills.
In primary we had noticed that many children get daily some money for Khau. Children go to shop and buy many thing that attract them. Parents are not even aware about what the children are eating and how they are spending it. So, we decided to work on ‘Ahar’ in primary group.
In 1st and 2nd std class pulses were introduced to them with their name cards. Many children were knowing only two of them because parents use it very rarely. Tai introduced them, then mixed them and asked them to separate them in small groups.
Then she soaked them in water in front of them and next day all of them again observed them carefully. Children saw that it was bigger in size. Tais discussed with them how it would have become big, where was the entrance for water to go inside. Tais wrapped the pulses in a cloth and put it in a pot. Next day they saw the sprouts and tai informed about how a plant grows and its stages. It was very nice experience for the children. The next day all had a Bhel of those sprouts. Vegetables and fruits were also introduced by Tai to the children with their test and name.
In 2nd std in addition to above activity, tai introduced parts of a tree and informed children which are the roots, the trunk, the leaves, the flowers and the fruits. They understood what grows below the earth, which are trunks that we eat and which are fruits. They made a model of a tree showing the parts. They also prepared a nice pop-up book showing the travel of a seed to fruit.
An exhibition of fruits and vegetables was also visited by the 1st class children in Sambhaji Park. So, they prepared models of the vegetables and a painted a house with vegetables on it as they have seen in the exhibition.
They also saw how leaves grow out of the top of carrot, radish and beat. Tais also talked with them what we get from pulses and each of the vegetables and its importance in our food.
In 3rd std more focus was on the junk food and its bad effects on heath. Tai introduced the concept of ‘Tirangi ahar’ linked with our flag colours and its importance in our food.
Children presented the models made by them in the exhibition and all people and parents appreciated it.
Two children presented experiments showing a lemon swims in normal water but sinks in salted water and oil is lighter than water.
All parents were given a folded flower to drop in the water and watch how its petals open. Also 4 small bags containing 4 different pulses were given to identify only with touch. Parents enjoyed these games with children.
All children had an opportunity to present their knowledge in front of people and it gave them a boost to become more confident.
– Sushama Yardi
