Famous Yogi and writer, Sadhguru has said, “Education is not an accumulation of information but essentially about enhancing one’s ability to perceive.” Therefore we can safely say that perception of the subject matter by the students is the key to good education.
What do Junior classes signify?
Junior Classes include grades 6 to 8. It is also termed as the Middle level. This level is akin to the construction of a building above the ground floor. This is a very important stage of education. Before reaching here, the student has already gained basic knowledge of various subjects in the Primary classes. A detailed analysis of Primary Education has been given in my blog post “Educating children through Primary Years”.
At the junior level, deeper knowledge of the subjects is gained by the students. It is basically reinforcement of the information in the minds of the students. As explained in the quotation of Sadhguru’s perception of knowledge at this stage, it holds the key for more advanced levels of education after the junior level.
However, before we go into the details, we must remember what W.B. Yeats had said: “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Therefore it is important that fire of inquisitiveness is burnt in the minds of the students, especially at this stage.
We can understand it better by taking the example of a girl, Taniya. Her parents, Dr. D.S. Chauhan and Dr. Indu Chauhan are very busy doctors of the city. Taniya is studying in one of the best public schools in the city and has passed out in class 5.
She is a brilliant student. However, nervousness was the first feeling she got after seeing her new books and the vast curriculum. She developed a mortal fear if she would be able to continue her good academic performance. The negative impressions are given by her senior friend and neighbor, Shruti further compounded her worries. Shruti was among the last position holders of her class. She believed in studying only on a need-to-know basis and crammed her subjects just to somehow pass the tests and examinations.
Taniya’s aunt is the Principal of another good public school in the city and loved her very much. So Taniya expressed her worrisome feelings to her. She explained the proper approach to study in a sensible manner to her and cleared her doubts in a profound manner.
10 Tips for becoming a better you
She first gave her some important tips:
Let studies be your first priority
Devote more time to study in a planned manner. The junior years are the steps to prepare for High School and College. Successful results at this stage give impetus for the future.
Be regular in your studies
Don’t wait for the tests or exams to study. Learn your lessons on a daily basis.
Plan for the week
Monday is the day for beginning your plans for the week. You also need to make sure that these are followed nicely too.
Get organized
Arrange your bag properly. File your assignment sheets separately. Finish your home task regularly.
Make your own notes
Making notes does not mean for you to copy a chapter from the book. First, read, understand, and then write down the main points of information, neatly in a notebook. It is handy at the time of the tests and helps in the retention of the subject matter.
Make your study time table
For regular self-study, it is very important to make a study time table and follow the same.
Don’t be afraid of asking questions
Don’t feel shy of asking questions to your teachers, parents, and friends. If you don’t understand any point.
Discuss with friends
Any assignment or lesson may be discussed with friends. Discussions help you to understand in an easy manner.
Involvement in co-curricular activities
Co-curricular activities like Debating, Group Discussions, Participation in Skits, Composition, and Creative Arts, etc. are very important for the holistic development of the child. It brings forth the positive side of the student
Play Games and Sports
Physical activities like Sports enhance the strength of the child. Such activities are important to keep up the agility.
Main Subjects
Taniya’s aunt also explained to her that the subjects that she had studied till class 5 would be there in class 6 onwards too. However, the subject matter would go on increasing with the furtherance of this academic journey. The main subjects are also divided. For example, Science comprises of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. These become separate subjects. Thus, the main subjects are:
§ LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE
§ MATHEMATICS
§ PHYSICS
§ CHEMISTRY
§ BIOLOGY
§ HISTORY
§ GEOGRAPHY
§ SOCIAL SCIENCE
§ COMPUTER SCIENCE
§ GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Languages and Literature
This comprises of English and Hindi/ Regional languages. In some schools, one foreign language such as French or German is also taught. The foreign languages form a basis for them to choose to study in that country at higher stage Proficiency in the language helps them understand various subjects.. Language and Literature include the advanced stage of learning Grammar; composition; comprehension; writing exercises; Extracts from classics; stories; poems; informative articles etc. The children are required to learn the same and answer the subjective as well as objective questions from their lessons; various grammatical exercises; vocabulary exercises etc. It builds capacity to understand other subjects also. It also improves their overall knowledge as they are able to read newspapers, books, magazines, etc.
Mathematics
Mathematics involves deeper knowledge and problems relating to the numbers; going through the Basic Operations; LCMs and HCFs; Ratio; Average; Simple Interest; Profit & Loss; Algebra & Geometry. It requires the practice of accuracy and speed.
Science Subjects
As already explained, Science comprises of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Each of these teaches lessons which are more advanced from Primary levels. The student gets to know General principles of the subject with the help of the text, diagrams, and Practical Demonstration of the Lab Experiments. The purpose is for them to develop analytical skills. They answer questions given at the end of the lessons and solve exercises. The emphasis should be on a thorough understanding of the basic principles of the subject and develop a scientific temperament of the student.
History, Geography, and Social Sciences
All these subjects are also the next steps of the subject matter taught in the Primary classes.
Computer Science
Computer Science deals with not only Hardware knowledge but also about the Software. Basic knowledge of computer languages and programming is given to the students.,
General Knowledge
It enhances General Awareness of a person along with different fields like Arts and Artistes; Famous Buildings; Renowned People of various fields; Symbols; Traffic signals; important happenings; Current Affairs and many more topics.
Artificial Intelligence
Some schools also teach the basics of Artificial Intelligence to its students who may develop their interest in this important and growing area.
Art & Craft, Yoga, Physical Activity
All these are allied activities that play a very important role in the holistic development of the child.
As Sadhguru had said, the most important point for the child is to clearly perceive the subject matter of each lesson. The topics and lessons learnt at this stage form a very important background for learning and understanding the more complex matters of the subject in the higher classes.
Developing skills
Junior school years help the children also develop the life skills learned in the primary years
Social Skills- They get more mature and confident by practicing synchronization among themselves and with their institution. They also develop certain moral values such as empathy and helping needy persons. It carves their personalities into morally upright persons. They also develop the virtues of friendship, healthy competition, respect, and tolerance.
Inter-personal Communication- By now, they develop certain communication skills. Now they learn to apply and practice the same in their routine affairs. As they become more proficient they also become more helpful in the later stages of their lives.
Time management- They not only have learned this important virtue by now but also set examples for their peers and juniors. This virtue becomes part and parcel of their lives by now.
Multi-tasking- They develop this important asset by this time. It helps them cope up with multifarious assignments that they have to face in their junior as well as senior classes. With time they become accomplished and therefore, are smooth operators by now.
Planning- By a good knowledge of Proper Planning, they make things easier for themselves. For them, competitions and examinations pose no big problem.
Educational Environment
The students blossom well in a healthy environment. It is very important for them to have a creative and analytical bent of mind. Their first quality should be inquisitiveness. Natural curiosity plays a very important role in their development and perceiving the subject.
Qualities required in a Junior Teacher
They need to have the following qualities:
Knowledge of the subject matter- No student would like their teacher to fumble in response to their questions or while teaching the subject. The teacher should have a complete understanding of the subject matter that they are teaching. They should be in complete command.
Reaching out to the students- it is very important for a teacher to speak the language that his or her students understand completely. It the subject matter is complicated, they must try to explain it in a lucid manner.
Enforcement of discipline- This is the age of the children when they become mischievous. The teachers have to be in command to make them observe discipline.
Patience- It is the most important virtue of a teacher. He or she must be patient with the students. The student may not be able to understand the lesson in spite of being explained thoroughly. However, it is important for the teacher to keep the smile on and keep making it more and simpler till it becomes clear to the student.
Regular tests- Tests are the best way to know if the student is able to perceive the lessons or not. However, the purpose is not to demoralize the students if their results are not good but to encourage them to perform even better.
Taniya was more composed and confident that she would be able to take up the challenge in a positive manner.
The author has referred to the following website for developing part of the content.
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The author is trying to share his experience in the field of education through these articles. Please enter your valuable comments in the box given below or send it on the email id: vermarajesh55@gmail.com
This article is to explain some of the points of Junior Education. I would appreciate if you could enlighten with your views and comments.
ReplyDeleteVery comprehensive n useful article...narrated in simple language.I liked it a lot
ReplyDeleteI found it very much useful.
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