Friday, January 31, 2014

Oakridger Wins Tennis Tournament at Lumbini SLN Springs


Sunhith of Grade 4H secured the first place in the Tennis Tournament held at Lumbini SLN Springs on January 26.  It was a wonderful experience for him. Though the competition was tough, he could make it and got recognition all over the community.


Heartiest Congratulations!!

ICT Integration with UOI (Human Body Systems)

Students of Grade IV enriched their knowledge and research skills by using the ICT lab resources and love the online games and quizzes that are available on the Internet about Human Body. They also played games on various organ systems. 




Learning with Online Resources: Decimals

The ongoing topic in Mathematics for Grade IV is Decimal Systems. Students loved the video on “Decimal by Ms. Mars” and learnt many concepts such as conversion of decimals, place value system and much more. 



Adverbs Song

Students of Grade IV loved the song of the adverbs and were humming it all day. The teaching and learning through videos and songs catches the attention of students in a great way and it is one of the best strategies to make them enjoy and learn at the same time.



Season 2 Extra Innings

The much-awaited Season 2 Extra Innings started on January 23, 2014, with 80 enthusiastic students learning and honing their skills in various games offered during the season like Basketball, Soccer, Cricket, Tennis, Table Tennis and Badminton. Students were highly excited and started on their learning journey with vigor and good cheer.













Grade 6 Activity on Unit 3

Task: Group Discussion on how they relate to the profiles ‘caring,’ ‘inquirer’ and ‘thinker’ while playing the games, and reflect on connecting with situations and instances while playing.         

Learning Outcome: We will look into the different profiles during the games when we play according to the situation that arises during the games.


Grade 5 Activity on Unit 3

Task: Group discussions on various associations of different games under the government. They also discussed about the associations’ roles and responsibilities in carrying out the games successfully.         


Learning Outcome: Different games having different associations, the players will play according to the rules and regulations of the association and represent the game.


Grade 4 Activity on Unit 3

Task: Group Discussion on energy required for different games and shots. Students could connect their learning with the types of energy used in games and reflected on how to conserve physical energy while playing different games. They also reflected on the various skills and profiles during the Unit.      


Learning Outcome: We use energy in all games; for example, in cricket, we use energy to hit the ball for fours or sixes and in soccer we use energy to kick the ball and so on in other games also.

Grade 3 Activity on Unit 3

Task: During the Unit, students did an activity of how to communicate a sport event to others in the school and this was followed by a group discussion where they shared their ideas and gave interesting reflections on the same. 

Learning Outcome: Students had a group discussion on ‘Sports: How to communicate to other students’. Also learnt how to co-operate with each other during the sports event and make the event a success. 


Grade 2 Activity on Unit 3

Task: Guest lecture on healthy lifestyle and importance of fitness.  Explained the benefits of physical well-being and healthy diet for playing.

Learning Outcome: By doing fitness, we will be fit and healthy and taking good diet   (milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables) helps us to have healthy life.




                                                                                                                             

Martyr’s Day — A Tribute to Gandhiji


Senior School observed the Martyr’s Day to pay homage to Gandhiji and the victims who fought for the freedom and welfare of the people. Today’s special assembly was conducted by Grade 8A and the students remembered Gandhiji and also spoke about the people who sacrificed their lives for the progress of our country.

Vice Principal Ms. Hema Chennupaty also enlightened the students on the importance of Martyr’s Day. Martyr’s Day is celebrated on 30th of January every year, as on the same day, Mahatma Gandhi (Bapu) was assassinated in the year 1948 before the sunset during the evening prayers. He was a great freedom fighter of India and counted as the greatest amongst lakhs and lakhs of martyrs. He worked very hard throughout his life to free India from the clutches of the British and for the welfare and development of India.


Grade VII Student’s Reflection: ASSET 2013 Achiever’s Award for the Highest English Score


When my name was called out in the assembly and everyone applauded me, I felt a surge of pride rush through me. I had worked very hard for this day and finally it had come! The ASSET test of summer 2013 was a very enriching and enlightening experience for me and I realized I had more potential than I could ever imagine.

I am grateful to Oakridge for giving me this opportunity!

Reflection by Ishaa Dhamne, Grade VII G, CIE


Thursday, January 30, 2014

Student’s Reflection: ASSET 2013 Achiever’s Award for the Highest English Score


When I took the ASSET exam, I did not realize what it could mean. I arrived at school one morning and was told to take it. I did my best in it, but didn't expect much. However, this test now has helped me realize my true potential. This test has made me realize that I can do so much more than I thought possible and I'm glad all the work I put into English has paid off. I had never really considered English to be my forte but I'm beginning to realize that this is not particularly true. I've always been more of a Math person, though, as most around me know, reading has always been one of my greatest passions. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Oakridge for giving us not only this opportunity, but all the other support it gives us as well.
                                                             

Reflection by Rajitha Narreddy, Grade X G, CIE

A Lost Childhood: Student’s Article on Child Labour

“My mother was involved in an auto accident, and I started working when I was 12. I needed money for my mother’s medicine.” These are the words of my maid. By the time she came to us, she had been working for four years.

She was not the only child labourer. In more than fifty percent of the places on earth, there is child labour. Child labourers generally work as maids or in big factories. Companies like Benetton and Primark have been accused of having children work in their factories. Primark forced their child workers to go into an old crumbling factory. The factory collapsed on top of them when they were inside and many of them died. 

There is an organization called UNICEF of the UN to stop child labour around the world. However, many children work to earn money for their family and employers hire child labour because it is cheap.

In India, children work in agricultural places, as factory workers and, in cities, they work as maids. There is a lot of child labour in India because the country is slightly corrupt and there are not enough police officers going around and checking.

Child labour deprives a child of mental and physical development. It stops a child from getting education and many of these children generally work for up to seventy hours a week. If child labour keeps on going on like this, many children will not go to school and there won’t be enough educated people to advance technology in the future. Even though it is illegal, people still do it. 

We need to stop child labour. And to do that, the government should set up more schools and make sure the children’s parents have jobs and earn enough for the whole family. Ultimately, laws are not enough. If we want to stop child labour, we all need to start doing our own work ourselves and not rely on child labour, and we need to educate people not to hire child labour.


Rohan Reddy, 5E

Oakridger is a Winner of Gopichand Academy Badminton League


Prajakta of Grade 3H won 2nd place in Badminton Girls Singles conducted by Pullela Gopichand Nimmagadda Foundation Badminton Academy in Hyderabad.

Heartiest Congratulations!!


Grade 1 Activity on Unit 3

Task: Showed signs and symbols like communication through whistles and making signs using hands. Meaning of different colour cards /referees’ judgment cards in some major games.
Learning Outcome: Through moving in different directions and using whistles, we follow the rules and commands in the game.


Oakridger is Runner-up in National Talent Lawn Tennis Series


Oakridger Ananya Reddy of Grade 7E is the Runner-up in National Talent Lawn Tennis Series Under-14 conducted by NVK Tennis Academy from January 24-27 in Hyderabad.

Heartiest Congratulations!!



Rohan Guides Oakridge into the Finals of Meridian Cup Inter School Cricket Tournament


Oakridge International Junior School Newton Campus student Rohan Negi of Grade 6G guided Oakridge into the finals of the Meridian Cup Inter School U-12, T 10 Cricket Tournament held at Madhapur.

Rohan took 3 wickets and gave 13 runs and contributed with the bat also with 19 runs. Opening batsman Krithik Reddy continued with his brilliant form with the bat — unbeaten in the tournament with 29 runs.

We all wish them very best in the finals!!






Grade 7 Visits the Nehru Zoological Park

A visit to a zoo is one of the most enthralling and exciting trips that a child looks forward to. It is an interesting way to let us see animals, which we cannot see otherwise. As a part of our science curriculum, we, the 7th graders of the CIE segment, had a wonderful opportunity to visit the Nehru Zoological Park. The Nehru Zoological Park is one of the largest zoos of India. We heard that there were more than 160 varieties of animals and birds. This got us really excited as we were very eager to see the varied animals.

There was a lot of chattering as we boarded the buses with our spirits full of anticipation and delight. When we reached the zoo, the first thing we saw were fish. There were so many of them of different types — some large, some small, some bright and colourful, some dark and dull. Next, we went to the ‘Animals’ section. It was amazing to see Tigers, Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Rhinoceroses, Hippopotamuses, Elephants, and the impressive Jaguars.

The Rhinoceroses and Hippopotamuses seemed to be very lazy. But, they were interesting to look at with their huge and bulky bodies. We were hypnotized by their massive size. The Tigers, Leopards, Cheetahs, and Jaguars were huge and fearful to look at. The sharp teeth and claws were very frightening. The king of the jungle was awesome. We all could watch him for hours together.

Lastly, we went to the ‘Reptiles’ section. We saw the Crocodiles lying in the sun and a wide variety of Snakes, Iguanas, and Cobras. Some of them hissed when we knocked at their glass frames and others were coiled up and did not bother to see us. We had an amazing experience and got a chance to look at all the rare and exotic species of animals: From a dog to a lion, we covered everything there is to see.

The visit was an extremely knowledgeable one. We saw so many birds and animals in real. Until now, we had seen them only in books or on television. But when we saw them in real for the first time, we realized how wonderful and marvelous Nature is. We wondered at the vast variety it presents us with and how we city people do not have much time and opportunity to see such marvels. We really enjoyed our visit to the zoo and made up our minds to visit many more such places.







Student Reflection on School Cinema: A Fun Way to Value Friends and Family

School cinema is something that has been going on in our school for quite a while. As a student, I think school cinema is something that teaches me to value the people around me as well as their diversities, personalities, and emotions. School cinema is like a clearer picture of the emotions and skills that I should and do showcase in my everyday life.

From respecting my teachers, family, and friends to respecting the resources around — all this is reminded and taught to me in a fun and interesting way. Learning from school cinema is a treasured experience…a feeling where I am not scared to share my fears, aspirations and dreams. It is a way of learning the skill of telling truth, importance of an apology, and how friendship is the biggest power in the world.

This time, too, I got to learn about something common yet so powerful and important. I learnt how cooperation or teamwork makes a bigger team which is powerful in all aspects. This value education has changed my way of thinking in many positive ways.

Hiba Jamil, Grade 5H


School Cinema: An Important Value of Life for Grade 5

January 27, 2014 was the day when it was time for Grade 5 students to understand the importance of ‘Team’. This year, the teachers of Grade 5 decided to have the game rolling by making the students realise about something very important — teamwork.
Grade 5 students were shown a short movie about how teamwork is always better, brighter, and bigger. They learnt that if an individual work can bear some sweet fruits then a team will bring the same fruit in abundance and in the most beautiful way. Kids also understood the meaning of sharing and cooperating.

After the movie, they were questioned as to what are the various situations where we experienced teamwork. Kids came up with various situations like during class (solving a Math problem) or during a cricket/soccer match or during their inquiry time in PYP Exhibition.

It was great to see so many of them understanding the value of teamwork. These kids sure are growing pretty fast. Kids are eagerly waiting for another school cinema to learn another such value.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Oakridger Ishaan Reddy Solipuram — The Upcoming Golfer

Ishaan Reddy Solipuram, a student of Grade 6C, is greatly inspired by the Australian professional golfer, Adam Derek Scott, and has been playing golf for almost three years. He enjoys playing it and goes to Hyderabad Golf Club, Tolichowki to enhance his skills. The association called South Zone organizes national golf tournaments all over India in different courses. He is happy to have played national golf tournament and his strength lies in short game which is putting and chipping.

We wish him all the best to pursue his passion!!


Oakridger Receives the Best Upcoming Player Trophy


Oakridge International School Newton Campus student Kalash Gupta of Grade 5F received the Best Upcoming Player Trophy in the Inter School Table Tennis Tournament held at Vidya Niketan High School, Khairatabad, Hyderabad.

Heartiest Congratulations!!


CAS Reflections of Students of Grade 8H and 8G

The students of 8H and 8G went on a field trip to Joy Land School. The objective of the trip was to teach the students and help them understand a little bit more about certain subjects. I joined a group with my friends Himika, Sravya, Noyonika, and Shweta. We decided we wanted to teach English because we thought it would be interesting and useful to the kids.

I think that my group handled our class pretty well because the class was very well behaved and focused. I enjoyed this field trip more than our last trip. As some advice to another student going for CAS, I have two tips. First, plan your activities well and try to make them as entertaining as possible. Second, encourage your students and make sure they're not afraid of making mistakes.
Sana 8H

On January 23, 2014, 8H and 8G went on a CAS field trip to Joy Land Government School on the Osman Sagar Road. Tanika, Sushmita, Navya and I taught five 9th graders. We taught them daily and seasonal adaptations. They were interested in biology and enthusiastic to learn new things. Then, we went to the 8th grade. The students were just learning about the periodic table so we taught them the first twenty elements and the 8 groups they belong to. Some of them were really smart and they memorized the elements with no problem.

This is my second CAS Visit to Joy Land School. We had the same objective as the last time: Three plays; three teams; three aides; team with most points wins. We were pleased to see that the kids had improved in drama since the last time. This visit has not only been beneficial for them; we also found ourselves improving as mentors. The children had taken it upon themselves to improve our Telugu as well. I recommend others to attend the school and improve their skills. There are still many areas that need improvement, but I promise that it will also help you, too.
Rithik 8H

Our most recent visit to Joy Land School was on 23rd January, 2014. We had left during the beginning of the second period by my reckoning, and formed a line and our group, rather quickly. The journey was long and when we reached I was confused to where our group should go to. Eventually, we shifted from one class to another, teaching Science and English, respectively.

I was saddened by their lack of knowledge in certain areas, and hoped that our group could help them learn more of the basics. Science is present in our daily life and can help a person by opening up a world of opportunities. English, the global language, is very important for advancement in a connected world like ours. Through this visit, I learnt the importance of learning and patience along with stamina. I also feel very happy to help others.
Mruthyunjay K