kamiyakumar

[kamiyakumar]

I often get asked how do I travel to all these beautiful places? . . Read link in bio for 5 ways on making travel more affordable . . Travel makes me feel SO alive! Nothing replaces the uncontainable excitement of waking up in new places, with all five senses grounded and engaged in new inexplicable mysterious ways, you have to experience it to know it! . . . . #makingtravelaffordable #travelinsight #traveltips #traveltipsandtricks #travelblog #travelblogger #livethebestlife #travelbug #traveljournal #traveldiaries #explorer #worldexplorer #_vacilando_ #travelgram #travelphotography #wildlife #wildchild #adventurer #bohogypsy #nomad #nomadiclife #wanderlust #wanderer #travelholic #traveljunkie #travelinfluencer #travelinspiration #travelmore #indiangirlblogger #travellover (at Punta Arenas, Chile) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxYym86pFhW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16uxtzucy53y7

[kamiyakumar]

From one end to the other This to that side Here to there Crossing over Overcoming Moving Shaking Waltzing Take a peak down It’s high Fearless Looking up higher Gliding Holding Being held Taking space Revealing vulnerabilities ? Vulnerability means courage Each step Most important Arriving Vibes of Gratitude Immersed in joy Never fit in Only belong First to yourself And then to it all Bigger but deeper Expansive but connected . . . #throwback #tbt #sanfrancisco #baybridge #california #travel #travelphotography #travelblog #travelblogger #travelbug #travelersnotebook #travelgirl #travelovers #_vacilando_ #indiangirlblogger #travelgram #traveljournal #hippiehappy #nomadlife #bohogypsy #traveljunkie #travelholic #traveltheworld #explore #adventurer #ibelieveicanfly #travelislife #travellingthroughtheworld #travelinfluencer #travelinspiration (at San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxVEjX3Jj97/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tou0zbeeddxk

[kamiyakumar]

Kashmir in the Dark

With the killing of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, Srinagar has been enveloped in pandemonium and chaos. The authorities have chosen to shut down mobile Internet, pre-paid cellphones as well as the publication of newspapers. The State Education minister, Naeem Akhtar, proclaims that this measure has been taken to prevent young people from being charged up “due to certain projections in the media, which results in multiplication of tragedies”. Right to Information is the foundation of a democratic nation and by keeping the Kashmiri people in the dark; the Indian Government is only further perpetuating fear and uncertainty. This is not a “temporary measure to address an extraordinary situation”, rather it is an extreme violation of people’s rights to awareness and recognition of an array of narratives. If the intention of the Indian Government is to protect the people of Kashmir, it needs to begin with respecting the rights of all citizens. A precarious and complex situation such as Kashmir needs to be addressed in collaboration with the people. Leaving Kashmiri’s out of the conversation will only result in further discord, conflict and tragedy.   

[kamiyakumar]

Edgar Degas - A strange new beauty.

Degas's exhibition currently being showcased at MOMA, is an enriching experience to the eye, mind and heart. His early work focused on monotypes and printmaking using light and dark techniques. A video included at the beginning of the exhibition displays the monotype technique; applying printing ink to the metal sheet, using brushes, rags, fingers and hands to carve out figures and objects. What I found most interesting about Degas's work was his attempt to draw figures and forms multiple times from different perspectives. He played around with lighting and background as he re-created similar paintings. His work showcased ballerinas, laundress, brothels, women bathing and in intimate settings, performers in cafe's and theaters in Paris. In the 19th century, as the industrial revolution set in, he portrayed fast pace motion through blurry faces, as one would see people in passing. Towards the 1980's, after having been on a train, Degas work was influenced by the landscapes he had witnessed on his journey. From black and white monotones, to using charcoal and pastels, he moves towards oil paint and colors. Degas encourages other artists on drawing, beginning again, tracing, beginning again and re-tracing it. He views his work, similar to the world - as continually evolving. As you walk through Degas work, you are able to capture the essence of Degas himself, as his gestures are frozen in his work. By using his fingers and hands to create different figures, Degas lends a little bit of himself in each piece of art. The fact that he believed that each form and figure could be portrayed differently in similar instances resonates with our identities as individuals. Through his use of dark, light and color, it made me feel that everyone possess each of these aspects, however, our choices determine how the dark and light are manifested in our environment. Drawing parallels of his work to the present day made me reflect on the darkness that we're experiencing in our current world with regards to shootings, terrorism, hate and violence. If only we could put the world through a monotype print process and illuminate all the light in the world overshadowing the darkness! Far from being that simple, as we continue to challenge the complexities of individuals, institutions, systems and society, Degas's work provided a tool for reflection, multiple perspectives and a deeply thought-provoking afternoon! 

[kamiyakumar]

Making a commitment to inquire....

Continuing with the struggle of creating an enriching classroom space, I have decided to conduct action research in my classroom and commence asking questions that will problematize the teaching learning processes. The goal is to evolve my understanding as an educator as well better support each students’ learning. Some of the underlying questions that are going to guide my exploration of a research question are, 

“What is working in (my) classroom, in (my) teaching? 

Who is learning? 

Who is being left out? 

How does (the) curriculum provide opportunity to learn? When do (I) feel like (I’m) “losing it”?  (Teachers Network Leadership Institute) 

As I think back to this week’s teaching, I have started noticing certain behavioural patterns. The same 5 students raise their hand every single time when we conduct the mini-lesson on the rug. Not wanting to call out names, I wonder are the other students not listening / not understanding / not interested. They at times engage in incessant talking or remain completely silent. It is interesting to challenge these assumptions as I begin to work individually with these students to find out their level of interest / understanding. One morning as I sat with one student, showing her a list of flash cards, I was amazed at how she knew ALMOST ALL the sight words, where as she has rarely ever raised her hand on the rug. 

With regards to the incessant talking, some of my assumptions are that we have spent too long on the rug, the students are not understanding the presented content, it is too easy and thus, the students are bored or the curriculum itself is not engaging enough. Following a pre-defined curriculum such as the TC Reading Writing Project or the Bridges Curriculum in Math, I wonder how I can make the curriculum more engaging!

As I go forward, I do believe differentiating curriculum is key in engaging each student, however, I struggle with having enough time to really plan in-depth for each day.

From the peace education lens, if I challenge the authority that I hold as a teacher and truly want to create a democratic space, which involves students driving their own learning, I am still in the process of exploring what that really looks like! Getting feedback from other teachers and administration that students are taking advantage of me because I am not ‘firm’ enough is making me wonder how I can strive towards creating the perfect balance! 

[kamiyakumar]

Back to School

The first week of teaching in a school has taken me through a set of turbulent emotions! Class management being the biggest issue, this week involved setting classroom expectations and ground rules all directed towards creating a more ‘orderly’ class. By the second day, as the students got comfortable with my co-teacher and I, they started testing waters and engaged in non-stop chatter, not paying heed to anything we were saying. Our class looked like a wild place, resulting in us out of desperation re-stating our power and authority by commencing the threats. “Your recess will be taken away”, “you will get no choice time”. It is amazing, how it works like a charm. There’s pin drop silence and suddenly every word one says matters! It’s been established - we are the bosses! We hold the power to dictate the rules in the class, even though we call them classroom agreements. But the irony is, the students’ responses. They respond immediately and effectively, the moment there is a big consequence attached. Till something is not taken away, it seems there’s no point in listening. Eveything that I believe in, has been questioned this week. I have guiltly played a role in ‘schooling’ these students and socializing them into the ‘ideal’ students they need to become. As I go forward in the school year, I am planning to try and use different strategies to internalize choices and actions. More to follow on that....

[kamiyakumar]

Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.

Rumi

[kamiyakumar]

Boink Zoom Wham

Multiples of 4 - Boink, Multiples of 6 - Zoom, Multiples of 7 - Wham

[kamiyakumar]

Math Reads

The Grapes of Math

Here’s looking at Euclid

[kamiyakumar]

Zeno dichotomy paradox

[kamiyakumar]

Math Mis-Conception Corner

Encouraging misconceptions and adding to the math misconception corner / wall

[kamiyakumar]

Think.

Which offer would you choose?

A. I will give you $0.01 on day 1, $0.02 on day 2, $0.04 on day 3, $0.08 on day 4. $0.16 on day 5 and so on till for an entire month?

B. I will give you $5,00,000

[kamiyakumar]

Origin of 0

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-the-origin-of-zer/

[kamiyakumar]

Smart by Shel Silverstein

http://cmase.uark.edu/teacher/workshops/AIMS-lessons/Smart-Shel%20Silverstein.pdf

[kamiyakumar]

Math Cartoons indicating a plethora of our fears and deficiencies