Festive Bonds: Celebrating Onam with Our School Family

Onam Celebration at G.H.S., Thalachira

Although our teaching practice had officially concluded, returning to G.H.S. Thalachira for the Onam celebration felt like stepping back into a familiar home, as the school welcomed us with warmth and affection. On the morning of the event, David, Shamna, and I reached early and immediately involved ourselves in the preparations.

We assisted with the arrangements and later took on the responsibility of serving the grand Onam Sadya, an experience that was both joyful and fulfilling. It was a delight to serve teachers and students, sharing smiles and festive cheer over banana leaves filled with traditional delicacies.

The entire campus was alive with excitement as programmes like Malayali Manka, Athapookkalam competition, musical chairs, tug of war (vadam vali), and other traditional games unfolded with vibrant participation. The students’ energy and enthusiasm filled the day with the true spirit of Onam. A small yet memorable highlight for me was joining our teachers in the car to return the tug of war rope—a simple task, but one that gave us moments of light-hearted conversation and laughter that I will always treasure.

We also captured the day in photographs with our mentor teachers, preserving not just the festivities but also the strong bonds we have built with the school community. This celebration reminded me once again that teaching practice is not only about lessons and academics, but also about becoming part of a school family that welcomes you wholeheartedly.

ഏത് മൂഡ്, ഓണം മൂഡ് 🎝🎝

 ആരവം, കോളേജ് ഓണാഘോഷം 2025

ബി. എഡ് . കരിക്കുലത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗമായുള്ള ടീച്ചിങ് പ്രാക്ടിസിൽ നിന്ന് ഒരു ബ്രേക്ക് എടുത്ത് കോളേജിലേക്ക് മടങ്ങുമ്പോൾ ഓർക്കാൻ ഒരിത്തിരി ഓർമകളുമായി വീണ്ടും ഒരു ഓണക്കാലം കൂടി വരവാകുന്നു.

രാവിലെ തന്നെ ഓണത്തിന്റെ മാറ്റൊലി വിളിച്ചോതാനായി ചെണ്ടമേളങ്ങളുടെയും വാദ്യഘോഷങ്ങളുടെയും അകമ്പടിയോടു കൂടി ജംഗ്‌ഷനിൽ നിന്നും കോളേജിലേക്ക് ഒരു റാലി സീനിയർസിന്റെ നേതൃത്വത്തിൽ നടത്തപ്പെട്ടു .ജൂനിയർസും ടീച്ചേഴ്സും റാലിയിൽ പങ്കുകൊണ്ടു.

തിരുവാതിര കളിയോടും, ഓണം മൂഡ് പാട്ടിനോടും ഒപ്പം മഴയെ പോലും വെല്ലുന്ന തരത്തിൽ നൃത്തംവെച്ചു സാരിയുടുത്ത മങ്കമാർ. ജൂനിയർസിന്റെ നേതൃത്വത്തിൽ സ്റ്റേജ് പ്രോഗ്രാമുകളും നടത്തപ്പെട്ടു. തുടർന്ന് ഓണക്കളികളുടെ ബഹളങ്ങളും കോളേജാകെ നിറഞ്ഞു.

കളിക്ക് ശേഷം വിഭവ സമൃദമായ ഓണസദ്യക്കും വട്ടം കൂടി. ശേഷം ആരവങ്ങോളോട് കൂടിയുള്ള വടം വലിക്കും സമ്മാനവിതരണത്തിനും ശേഷം ഈ വർഷത്തെ ഓണാഘോഷങ്ങൾക്കും ഒരു പര്യവസാനം വന്നു.

A Guided Path into Research Methodologies

 PROJECT ORIENTATION PROGRAMME

On 23rd August 2025, our college conducted a Project Orientation Programme from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the College General Hall. The session was led by Dr. Lakshmi A, Associate Professor in General Education at N.S.S Training College, Pandalam, who was warmly welcomed and introduced to the gathering.  

                       

Through a well-structured PowerPoint presentation, she provided us with a clear and detailed orientation on miniprojects, case studies, and action research. Her explanations made the concepts, methodologies, and practical applications of each research type easy to grasp, offering us valuable guidance for our upcoming academic work.

പ്രകമ്പനം – Cherishing bonds, creating memories.

Fresher's Day

“പ്രകമ്പനം” was a vibrant and memorable Refreshers’ Day celebration, organized by us seniors under the banner of the Ektha College Union to warmly welcome our juniors. The entire day was filled with laughter, joy, and unforgettable experiences that truly strengthened the bond between seniors and juniors.

The program began with cultural performances that showcased the talents of students from different departments. Our Mathematics Department added to the festivity with an energetic six-minute dance performance, which was well-received by everyone. The juniors also put up a variety of engaging performances, and their enthusiasm made the event even more colorful. Particularly, the boys’ dance stood out for its energy and confidence, proving that their limited number did not hold them back from creating a strong impression.

To keep the spirit alive, fun games were conducted in between the stage performances, ensuring that everyone was actively involved. By noon, a delicious meal was served, giving us all a chance to relax and share light-hearted moments together. After the break, a much-anticipated treasure hunt was organized, which added thrill and excitement to the day. The Malayalam Department emerged as the proud winners of this event.

As the day drew towards its conclusion, the atmosphere shifted into full celebration mode with a DJ party. The lights were dimmed, the music took over, and we all joined the dance floor with pure joy and a carefree spirit. It was the perfect way to end the day — dancing our hearts out, cherishing the bond of togetherness, and creating memories that will last long.

“പ്രകമ്പനം” was not just an event, but an experience of unity, joy, and celebration — one that truly reflected the spirit of our college community.

Art Education Comes Alive with Song and Joy

Welcoming Our New Teacher

Today, a new teacher, Smt. Sreelakshmi, joined our college for Art Education and was warmly introduced to us by Riju Sir. She handled the last two periods of the day, and her sessions turned out to be truly engaging and enjoyable. With her melodious voice, she sang songs for us, filling the classroom with a lively and refreshing atmosphere that left everyone delighted.

From Sanskrit Day to School Elections: A Journey of Learning and Growth

    TEACHING PRACTICE PHASE - I 

Weekly Reflection - 5

Day - 20 (11 AUGUST 2025)

This week began with the vibrant celebration of Sanskrit Day, where the entire morning assembly was conducted in Sanskrit, making the experience truly unique and enriching. Although the programme was slightly longer than usual, it beautifully highlighted the richness and cultural depth of the ancient language, leaving a strong impression on me. At the same time, the day felt somewhat incomplete due to the absence of my peer David, who could not attend school because of a family funeral, and his presence was missed during group activities and our usual peer interactions. Alongside these events, I carried out my classroom duties as usual and had the third period with Class 8B, where I introduced the angle sum property of polygons using my innovative lesson plan and guided the students through problems related to the angle  sum properties of polygons. Later in the day I had a substitution during the 5 th period where I had discussed on the problems related to the same concept. Reflecting on the day, I felt a meaningful blend of cultural enrichment and academic engagement, as the celebration of Sanskrit Day reminded me of the importance of tradition while my classroom sessions reinforced the joy of guiding students to construct knowledge through active participation.

Day - 21 (12 AUGUST 2025)

The day began with my regular classroom duties, and during the 3rd period I engaged Class 8B in a discussion on the exterior angles of polygons and their related properties, helping the students to reason through the problems with interest. As the morning sessions progressed, I also managed my responsibilities and prepared for the substitution duty that I later handled in the 7th period. By noon, the highlight of the day arrived with a special lunch menu consisting of vegetable fried rice, boiled egg, salad, and vegetable kuruma, which we enjoyed together with peers and teachers, creating a sense of joy and togetherness. In the afternoon, we joined Sajeev Sir in conducting a Mathematics Quiz for the students, where their enthusiastic participation reflected both teamwork and healthy competition. Towards the evening, we attended a staff meeting marked by mixed emotions, as the work experience teacher offered us a small treat on the occasion of his promotion transfer to Wayanad, also instructions for the preparation for the upcoming Independence Day celebration were also emphasized, adding a tone of responsibility and anticipation to the day.

Day - 22 (13 AUGUST 2025)

The twenty second day of my teaching practice unfolded in a regular and steady manner. I had a class with 8B along with a substitution period, during which I conducted a diagnostic test on the topic Squares of Differences from the chapter Identities. This gave me an opportunity to understand the learning levels of the students and identify the areas where further attention would be required.  The rest of the day flowed with our usual duties, including distributing lunch at noon and assisting with dispersal in the afternoon, both of which gave me a chance to interact with students beyond the classroom setting. Altogether, it was a simple yet meaningful day, balancing my teaching responsibilities with my role in the daily rhythm of the school.

Day - 23 (14 AUGUST 2025)

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the School Parliament Election, which turned out to be both inspiring and futuristic, especially since it was digitally organized by Robin Biju of Class 10, whose initiative and technical skill won much appreciation. The presence of police officers monitoring the process added a formal and responsible tone to the event, making it a truly democratic experience for the students. Alongside the election, I had a class with 8B in the third period where I taught the remaining portions of 'Polygons' to ensure completion of topics for the upcoming examination.

The rest of the day went smoothly with no major additional duties, except assisting in dispersal, which gave me a sense of contributing to the overall flow of the school day. Reflecting back, it was a meaningful day that combined the spirit of democracy with my steady progress in classroom teaching.

Day - 24 (16 AUGUST 2025)

Although it was a Saturday, the day was observed as a working day following Friday’s timetable. As per my schedule, I had two periods, both of which went smoothly and gave me a sense of satisfaction. In the evening, we joined the teachers in preparing the classrooms for the upcoming Onam examinations by arranging benches and pasting register numbers, ensuring everything was in order. With the Onam exams approaching, our teaching practice came to a pause, and we were set to return to college for regular classes. Bidding farewell to the teachers and students felt a little emotional, but their warm invitation to join them again for the Onam celebrations added a comforting and hopeful note to the day.

Honouring the tricolour, embracing freedom

 INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

The Independence Day celebration at GHS Thalachira, was truly a memorable experience during my teaching practice. The day began with the hoisting of our national flag by the Headmaster along with the PTA President, a moment that filled everyone with pride and respect. Students sang the National Anthem with great enthusiasm, and the atmosphere was filled with a strong sense of patriotism. Sweets like ladoos and payasam offered by the local youth clubs added warmth to the celebration. Each class presented cultural programs, with dances and songs that highlighted the spirit of freedom, and the performance of Vande Mataram by the 6th standard students was especially beautiful. Inspiring words from the Headmaster and teachers further reminded us of the value of our independence. I felt personally touched as I had brought along my elder sister’s child, giving her the chance to witness this proud moment of flag hoisting. The day left me with a deep sense of joy and belonging, making this Independence Day one of the most cherished experiences of my teaching practice.

Five Days of Growth — Lessons, Observations, and New Teaching Milestones

 TEACHING PRACTICE PHASE - I 

Weekly Reflection - 4

Day - 15 (04 AUGUST 2025)

The fifteenth day of teaching practice was marked by a balanced mix of planned lessons and unexpected duties due to the absence of several teachers. After reaching school at 9:30 a.m., I attended the school assembly and  I had conducted my regular third-period ICT-based class on “Difference of Squares” for Class 8B, which enhanced student engagement and clarity of understanding. Peer observation by David C. Alex provided valuable feedback for improvement. Noon meal duties followed, along with a special serving of payasam as part of the revised government menu, adding a pleasant touch to the day. In the afternoon, I managed a substitution class for 8A before concluding with student dispersal duties, making it a productive and well-rounded school day.

Day - 16 (05 AUGUST 2025)

The sixteenth day of teaching practice on 5th August 2025 was an active and fulfilling one, combining regular lessons with substitution duties due to the General PTA held at the school. In the third period, I continued with application-level problems on the difference of squares for Class 8B, encouraging students to apply the identity in varied contexts and observing strong participation. A substitution class during the sixth period was used for reinforcement activities, further consolidating learning. Noon meal duty was more demanding than usual as egg biryani was served under the revised government order, requiring extra coordination to serve all students efficiently. The day concluded with completing the remaining problems in the seventh period and fulfilling dispersal duties, making it a productive blend of teaching, management, and teamwork.

Day - 17 (06 AUGUST 2025)

The seventeenth day of teaching practice on 6th August 2025 was highlighted by my first general observation by Mr. Arun Raj D, Assistant Professor from Baselios Mar Thoma II Training College. An unexpected power outage in the morning created uncertainty about using ICT, but I adapted quickly by converting the planned digital content into chart form to ensure the lesson could proceed smoothly. During the third period, I delivered the observed class with good student engagement and discipline, followed by constructive feedback from Arun Sir for future improvement. The rest of the day included noon meal duties, academic tasks, and student dispersal supervision. Despite the initial challenges, the day ended positively, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and preparedness in teaching.

Day - 18 (07 AUGUST 2025)

The eighteenth day of teaching practice on 7th August 2025 was marked by my first observation from my optional teacher, Ms. Sree Lakshmi, during the third period. I delivered an ICT-enabled lesson on Types of Polygons using a well-prepared PowerPoint presentation, which effectively enhanced student engagement and understanding. The feedback I received was constructive and encouraging. In the sixth period, I conducted another session using the Constructivist model on Regular Polygons, promoting active participation and deeper comprehension. Alongside teaching, I completed my noon meal duties, academic tasks, and student dispersal supervision. It was a productive day that combined effective technology integration, student-centered teaching, and valuable professional feedback.

Day - 19 (08 AUGUST 2025)

The nineteenth day was the Sports Day at G.H.S., Thalachira.

Races, Cheers, and Team Spirit — A Sports Day to Remember

SPORTS DAY

The nineteenth day of my teaching practice unfolded with a burst of energy as GHS Thalachira came alive for its much-awaited Sports Day. Arriving at school by 9:00 a.m., I was ready for a day far removed from our usual classroom routines. Due to heavy rains and a flooded school ground, the outdoor athletics competitions were shifted to an external venue, giving the event an added sense of adventure. From the early hours, I was immersed in coordinating and assisting with various events — ensuring the games ran on time, keeping scores, maintaining discipline, and cheering on the participants. The spirit of the day was contagious, with students giving their best in football throws, sprints, and relays, all under the watchful eyes and encouraging voices of the teachers and us trainees. By 11:00 a.m., we returned to the school premises where the youngest learners, from the KG and LP sections, lit up the morning with their own cheerful and enthusiastic competitions. Their joy was pure and infectious, reminding me that sports is as much about fun as it is about winning.

The afternoon brought more excitement as the focus shifted to the girls’ athletics events for the UP and High School sections. I found myself deeply involved in helping organise the activities, guiding students to their starting points, noting results, and keeping the momentum alive. The races, jumps, and throws revealed not just skill, but also a fierce sense of determination among the participants. The day’s duties were shared equally among us, with everyone playing their part in ensuring a smooth, fair, and spirited event. Between events, I also joined in the noon meal distribution, where the menu — rice, fish curry, pulisseri, and tapioca — provided a hearty break for all. By the time the final competitions concluded around 3:00 p.m., the air was filled with a sense of achievement and togetherness. Sports Day may not have offered a chance for academic instruction, but it gave me something equally valuable — a front-row view of how teamwork, encouragement, and a little healthy competition can bring out the best in students.

A week of learning, teamwork, and quiet growth

     TEACHING PRACTICE PHASE - I 

Weekly Reflection - 3

Day - 10 (28 July 2025)

The tenth day of my teaching practice, held on Monday, 28th July 2025, marked the beginning of a fresh academic week. We reached the school by 9:30 a.m. and participated in the morning assembly led by Class 7A, which included a “thought for the day,” riddles, multi-level news updates, and a quiz, followed by a special address about the upcoming sports day. I had my assigned third-period class, where I focused on extending the previously taught algebraic identity through application-level problems, which the students found somewhat challenging but attempted with interest. After the morning sessions, we assisted with the midday meal duty from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., ensuring smooth coordination. The afternoon was relatively calm, giving us time to review lesson plans and reflect on our academic progress. Peer discussions offered valuable insight into teaching strategies, and we concluded the day with student dispersal duties, signing out at 4:10 p.m. Overall, it was a balanced and productive day, combining instructional, managerial, and reflective responsibilities.

Day - 11 (29 July 2025)

The eleventh day of my teaching practice, held on 29th July 2025, was a hectic yet fulfilling day, marked by a combination of teaching duties and active involvement in school sports events. Arriving at the school between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. with my peers, I was engaged in supervising and coordinating various athletic competitions like football, volleyball, and badminton across different student categories. Despite the busy schedule, I managed to take my regular third-period class as planned. Post-lesson, I resumed my role in sports supervision and also assisted with the UP section’s noon meal distribution. The remainder of the day was spent monitoring matches and supporting student dispersal, with our responsibilities concluding by 5:00 p.m. Though physically demanding, the day offered a rewarding experience of contributing to school activities beyond classroom teaching.

Day - 12 (30 July 2025)

The 12th day of my teaching practice, marked by solemn remembrance and academic focus, began on a reflective note as we joined staff and students in observing a moment of silence at 9:45 a.m. to honor the 53 students who lost their lives in the Puthumala landslide. The tribute was respectfully observed through a two-bell ceremony, setting a calm and empathetic tone for the day. During the third period, I continued teaching Class 8B on square identities, guiding students through textbook exercises that built on the previous lesson's formula. The students showed steady progress and increasing confidence in solving pattern-based problems. During the day time, the DEO Office staffs checking was also there. Despite the lingering fatigue from the prior day’s sports events, we stayed engaged throughout the day, assisting with the midday meal distribution, completing academic documentation, and monitoring student dispersal. The day concluded at 4:15 p.m., leaving us with a blend of emotional reflection and productive accomplishment.

Day - 13 (31 July 2025)

The 13th day of my teaching practice, held on 31st July 2025, was a well-balanced day of academic, reflective, and extracurricular engagements. After arriving at school by 9:30 a.m., the day began with the morning prayer, setting a composed tone. A highlight of the day was the peer observation of my class by David C. Alex, which provided me with valuable feedback and a chance to reflect on and refine my teaching. The forenoon proceeded with regular duties, and by noon, we assisted in the smooth coordination of the midday meal distribution. In the afternoon, we participated in conducting a quiz competition under the guidance of Sajeev Sir and Smitha Teacher, aimed at preparing students for the upcoming district-level Independence Day contests. The event was engaging and saw enthusiastic student involvement. After managing student dispersal, we signed out by 4:15 p.m., concluding a fulfilling and professionally enriching day.

Day - 14 (01 AUGUST 2025)

The 14th day of my teaching practice, held on Friday, 1st August 2025, was distinct as I had no teaching period assigned for the day, having substituted my third period for my peer, David C. Alex, whose class, along with Shamna's, was observed by our college teacher, Dr. Praveena Maheshwari. She observed Shamna's class during the second period from 10:10–10:50 a.m. and David's from 11:00–11:40 a.m. I assisted them in preparing classroom materials and provided support throughout their observation sessions. Despite not teaching, I stayed actively involved by helping with routine duties like the midday meal and student dispersal, while also using the free time to work on my academic tasks and pending documentation. The day was productive and fulfilling, offering valuable insights through peer collaboration and observation.

General Reflection

A total of 17 schools were represented in this round of general reflection, with each student teacher sharing key highlights, challenges, and personal insights from their ongoing teaching practice. The reflections revealed a common thread of active participation in school-level events, including Moon Day observances, quiz competitions, special assemblies (such as Premchand Day), and sports day duties. Many student teachers mentioned their involvement in discipline duties, classroom management, and meal distribution, reflecting their engagement beyond mere teaching.

A major challenge frequently mentioned was the pressure to complete syllabus portions in time for upcoming examinations, often compounded by frequent substitution periods and duties that limited their ability to prepare lesson plans. Some schools lacked proper ICT facilities or functioning projectors, while others faced space constraints or classroom discipline issues. Nevertheless, most student teachers appreciated the supportive role of their mentors, the cooperation from fellow teachers, and the enthusiasm of students, especially during interactive sessions and special programs.

This week’s reflection painted a picture of growing professionalism, where B.Ed. trainees balanced academic responsibilities with school administration support, participated in cultural and extracurricular duties, and gradually adapted to real classroom challenges with greater confidence and clarity.

Optional Reflection

An optional reflection session was conducted for the Mathematics optional group, with full attendance from all 15 student teachers. The session served as a valuable platform for sharing common academic and classroom challenges encountered during their ongoing teaching practice. One of the major concerns raised was the students’ difficulty in subtracting fractions from whole numbers, which reflected foundational gaps in numerical understanding. Similarly, many students struggled with operations involving decimal numbers, particularly in squaring and adding them accurately. Beyond content-related issues, several student teachers spoke about behavioral challenges, noting that students' attitudes often varied based on the teacher’s approach, classroom management style, and rapport.

There was also collective discussion around the difficulty in adhering strictly to lesson plans due to frequent substitution duties and time constraints imposed by the approaching examinations. Many mentioned problems related to ICT tools — in several schools, projectors were either unavailable or non-functional, limiting the implementation of digital learning strategies. Despite these challenges, the optional reflection created a space for collaborative problem-solving and peer support, reinforcing the importance of flexibility, empathy, and innovation in the teaching-learning process.