Learning a language naturally-Lawrence School

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Speaking our mother tongue was never a challenge to any one of us for the simple reason that the language was not 'taught' to us formally by stressing on the sentence formation, the correct grammar and the vocabulary. We learned it automatically as children by listening to the adults in the house speak it. It just came to us naturally since we were exposed to it.

Shouldn't the same principle hold good for any other language? The best way to learn any other language be it a second or third Indian language in school or even a foreign language would be to listen to the native speakers as much as possible without stressing too much over the syntax and grammar.

Grammar is important to any language but when it is learned in a formal and narrow manner where one needs to learn the rules by rote, solve umpteen puzzles and questions, it just kills the joy of learning. Instead if we can concentrate on reading books in the said language, our minds would automatically grasp the nuances.

Reading and listening should thereby precede talking when learning any language. Thirdly, and most importantly, is the need to shed inhibitions. Fear of making a mistake will only hinder learning. Mistakes are opportunities to correct ourselves and hence should not be taken as a failure.

Lawrence High School, located at HSR layout, Bangalore, focuses on educating children with traditional values to adapt and excel in the world. To know more about Lawrence school, please visit the website http://lawrenceschool.in/ and join us at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-School/ 

Why do we need Scouts and Guides?-Lawrence High School

The youth of today are no doubt very smart with high levels of intelligent quotient and an innate desire to aim and achieve high. However, it is up to the educational system to mould their psyche and their bodies in a way that they think beyond themselves and use their talent and education to contribute towards the society and country in a positive manner.

We do read a lot about young students going to extreme steps as to take their own lives or even lives of others over seemingly trivial issues. Why do some individuals go astray in their thoughts and action when the exposure to education, resources and help is apparently uniformly available? The core issue lies in the thinking and unaddressed fears and insecurities in such individuals that lead them to take steps that are detrimental to themselves as well as the society. 

Here’s where the Scouts and Guide movement comes in as a great aid. The programme and regime is designed in a way that helps the young members to be emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually strong. An inclusion this movement in the school curriculum will go a long way in raising a responsible and mature future generation.

The programme offers the Scouts and Guides opportunities to develop diverse skill-set; it teaches them to be an effective communicator, administrator, taps their creative-side, imparts self-defense training, vital skills of learning how to be a team leader as well as a team member and even to be a good cook. It not only helps them develop a sense of responsibility towards themselves and others, but also inspires them to offer their service towards the community.  

Lawrence School has a well-etched out Scout and Guide programme for its students. The students are well-trained in the activities and are truly an example of the motto which is to be always prepared.

Visit our school website http://lawrenceschool.in/ to learn more about us and be a member of our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-School/ to get regular updates about our events and activities.

 

Tips to enable effective knowledge absorption - Lawrence High School

Studying a course material should not happen just before a test or exam. The intention to study must be for gaining knowledge and not merely to pass or obtain a certain percentage. Keeping this in mind, Lawrence brings to you in a series of blog posts, tips to enable effective learning.

Before you get on to the task of studying, it is important to understand your learning style-what works for your friend need not work you and vice-versa.

An everyday routine: Any concept needs time to be assimilated into your system and this cannot be done with a hurried approach a few days before an exam. Therefore, design a day-to-day learning schedule that involves a slow and thorough approach to understand the given topic.

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Break down the lessons: Taking on a lot of information at one go can be overwhelming and could add pressure. Break down the chapter into smaller parts as per your capacity and time schedule. This way, the concentration and output will be optimum.

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Incorporate your learning style: If you are a visual learner, take down notes as you grasp the concept in a format that will help you recollect the gist at a glance. Remember, that this should not be a method to just learn by rote what you have studied, but only as an aid to help you retain what is learnt. If you are a kinesthetic learner, think of small-sized hands-on projects or get your teachers to help you with small assignments based on the topic. If you are an auditory learner, try reading out aloud or listen to recorded bits of your lessons.

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*The School could provide assistance by offering all kinds of material to benefit all kinds of students in the form of written notes, recorded tapes of lectures and ready assignments that can be taken up by the students as per their learning preference.

Let the information rest and then re-start: Try avoiding taking on a fresh concept immediately after the one before. Take some time to ponder over what has been learnt by attacking the concept/lesson/problem in different ways. Mulling over a newly-learned concept/lesson/problem also gives you time to let your mind smoothen the rough edges.

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These were some tips to get started. We will add more in the next few posts will elaborate on them.

Lawrence School helps identify, nourish and foster unique talents and abilities that every child is endowed with. To know more about Lawrence school, please visit the website http://lawrenceschool.in/ and join us at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-School/ 

Top reasons why social media is good for the student - Lawrence High School

We are aware of enough reasons why young children, especially, students should keep away from the internet and social media. However, since they already spend a considerable amount of time on these anyway, maybe it’s a good idea to turn that into a positive idea. Here are topmost reasons how the use of social media can actually benefit:

It’s all about connections: We all know that having a Facebook or twitter account is the easiest way to get connected to people within and outside your group and social circle. There is a high possibility of interaction and resultant exchange of relevant news and information from circles with the same area of academic or career interests.

Networking helps: building connections leads to building networks and this is an age where networking is sometimes more important than the skills themselves. The kind of opportunities that fall your way can depend a lot on how you sell and promote yourself.

Instant exchange of data: if the school encourages it, the teachers could set up a virtual platform where notes, lectures, and relevant research articles on a particular subject can be posted and shared across the student community. This will enable better and active interaction from the students who have the unique advantage of not having to miss any of the important data.

Support groups: students with unique interests or with a particular learning problem find it difficult to find support in the real world. However it is easy to find online support groups to connect with people with similar interests or problems. 

Social-skills: while it may sound ironical, effective communication via Linkedin or Facebook is actually a key asset to place oneself in the right place at the right time. Key contacts can be found and developed, so this is a skill that should not be taken lightly.

Lawrence School believes in bringing modernity and relevance to education while holding on to core educational values. Do visit our website at http://lawrenceschool.in/ and join us at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-School/ for regular updates on the school activities.

Investiture Ceremony held at Lawrence High School ICSE

The School held the Annual Investiture Ceremony on the 26^th June 2013.

The students from Classes four onwards elected their own School Captain – Aiyappa M A, the School Vice-captain – Rahul K, the Sports Captain – A B Karthik and the Sports Vice-captain – L Ghanavi Raj.

In an efficient computerized election process they also elected their respective House Captains and House Vice-captains.

In the presence of Mr.P.M.Subbaiah, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Mrs.Pushpa Subbaiah, Managing Trustee, the Principal, Vice Principal, Staff and the parents, they were presented by their House Teachers – In – Charge and then solemnly took the oath of Office promising to do their best at all times to safe guard the honour and dignity of the school by respecting teachers, all elders and peers.

Mrs.Pushpa Subbaiah, Managing Trustee

The Chief Guest, Colonel Trevor Ledlie, congratulated all the office bearers and urged them to be true to the oath of office they had just taken.

In his address he told the children about the many good lessons he had learnt in his career in the Indian army as a Medical Doctor.  He asked them to develop a strong love of country and a deep sense of service-sacrifice being the key watch word.

The School choir added a unique touch to the occasion by singing two enchanting songs in harmony that spoke of God’s infinite love for everyone and that reminded us that it only takes a spark to ignite the fire of compassion and brotherhood.
This ceremony came to a befitting close with the lusty singing of the school song.

Parents, teachers and all Office Bearers then shared a cup of tea with the Chief Guest and members of the School Management.

Lawrence High School, located at HSR layout, Bangalore, focuses on educating children with traditional values to adapt and excel in the world. To know more about Lawrence school, please visit the website http://lawrenceschool.in/ and join us at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-School/ 

Why you should read? - Lawrence High School

Does the thought of reading seem boring to you? Are you someone who’d rather play Angry Birds or watch T.V. rather than opening a book in your free time? Then, read along to know why you should read and why reading can actually be a fun activity.

Books teach you things that a degree won’t: It’s true. A degree might help you get a job but it will never elevate you on the path of knowledge. Books expand your thinking and help you form opinions about anything under the sun.

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Reading does not have to be all serious: The above statement does not mean that you have to sit down next with a fat book on world history or deep-rooted psychology. While, these may be great reads if you have the inclination for them, start with reading whatever interests or fascinates you. It could even be comic strips. The moot point is to build up the interest.

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Books help creativity and imagination: Reading can transport you to a different place with its vivid descriptions and illustrations. It may not be possible to travel the world, but a book can help you discover the world right here, in the confines of your cozy home.

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Reading can bring in those extra marks: If you are the kind to weigh reading with marks procured in exams, still it is a good bet to read outside your text books. Extra reading will help to build your vocabulary and general knowledge that can be showcased in your language papers to give you that extra edge.

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Debates, elocution and essays will no longer be scary: A well-read person, or even a person who is not averse to reading books will never shy away from facing the public speaking. Reading would have opened up so many closed doors to information that you automatically develop the acumen to talk on any given topic.

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Lawrence High School, located at HSR layout, Bangalore, focuses on educating children with traditional values to adapt and excel in the world. To know more about Lawrence school, please visit the website http://lawrenceschool.in/ and join us at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-School/

Simple and quick lunch box ideas - Lawrence High School

With the schools begun now in full swing, the constant question that plagues most mothers is, “what to pack for lunch?” And, if the kids are picky eaters then the trouble is even worse. Here are some simple, yet interesting snack box ideas that you can use:

Quesadilla: A simple and Indian style of preparing tasty quesadillas would be to use left-over rotis and fill it up with a mixture of sabzi made of onion, capsicum, some spices and lots of cheese (you can add more veggies of your child’s choice). Fold the rotis after filling in the mixture and lightly roast it over a tawa till the cheese melts and the rotis become a little warm and crisp.

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Frankie: Again, this is an interesting way to camouflage vegetables in rich and creamy sauce of your child’s choice-a mayo, white or simple tomato ketch-up and roll it up in wheat rotis.

French toast with a twist: The goodness of egg and bread can come together by dipping the bread into the whipped mixture of egg yolk, milk, vanilla essence and little sugar, and toasting them over a grilled tawa. You can layer the bread with your child’s favourite jam to give a yummy twist.

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Wheat pan-cake layered with honey: Whip up a healthy pan cake mix made of wheat, egg and milk (you can skip the eggs if you prefer) and make thick pan cakes. Layer them with honey and pack a wholesome box for your kid.

Pesarettu: A south-indian snack that is extremely easy to make and tastes as yummy. Soak whole green moong overnight. Blend it in a mixer the next morning with some grated ginger, onion, fresh coriander and/or mint leaves and salt. Spread it over on a tawa like a dosa, keeping it thicker than a dosa.

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Hope these ideas were helpful to ease the lunch box worries.

Lawrence High School, located at HSR layout, Bangalore, focuses on educating children with traditional values to adapt and excel in the world. To know more about Lawrence school, please visit the website http://lawrenceschool.in/ and join us at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-School/  

Helping children to deal with failure - Lawrence High School

As parents, it is natural to want to shield children from dealing with disappointments and failure in life. We want the best for them and cannot see them lag behind their peers in any respect and feel helpless to see them unable to handle any kind of raw deal that life may throw at them.

However, it is in their best interests and ours to let them handle frustrations early on, so that they turn out to be well-reasoned out adults later.

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Encourage instead of lending a helping hand: Kids are met with tiny frustrations even as young as infancy and toddlerhood. While kids at this age are very resilient and are not prone to giving into despair, there can be times when the child might feel like giving up. It is the duty of the parents to encourage their efforts and let them be at the task, rather than finishing it off for them.

Compete with self: However brilliant a child is, there is always going to be someone who is better. Hence, the aim has always to be bettering oneself than competing with the neighbour. If the focus is on acquiring skill and knowledge and not about beating the next person in an exam, there will be no anxiety or frustration of failure.

Realistic expectation: Parents need to keep realistic expectations from the child. It is not right to saddle them with their own unfulfilled ambitions. Tuning in to the child’s capacity, interest and capability will help the child to achieve his/her full potential.

Larger picture: Score in an exam is very temporary and does not mean much in real life scenarios. This is a truth that needs to be accepted and imbibed by both-parents and children. The larger picture in life is many a time missed out by pursuing shallow goals like winning a competition or topping an exam.

Open channels of communication: Children should feel free and comfortable in approaching the parents in any kind of situations. The lines of communication must be free from judgment on the parent’s side. The child must not feel threatened and should be encouraged to communicate his/her opinion.

Life is never fair and the goal of life should be taking pleasure and lessons from the journey and not keeping a destination in mind. If parents can teach this philosophy early on, kids will be better equipped to deal with failure.

Lawrence High School, located at HSR layout, Bangalore, focuses on educating children with traditional values to adapt and excel in the world. To know more about Lawrence school, please visit the website http://lawrenceschool.in/ and join us at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-School/