The primary school curriculum was created to acknowledge the educational needs of young children. We employ student-centered teaching strategies that promote children's holistic development. The curriculum is well-organised and comprehensive, with the purpose of improving students’ analytical skills, practical knowledge, values, and life skills. Learning takes place through a variety of teaching and learning activities that focus on various topics such as child behaviour and learning abilities. English, mathematics, environmental science, Hindi, Kannada, drawing, pottery, and other co-curricular activities are prioritised in the skill-based and integrated curriculum.
Our curriculum teaches children to easily grasp languages so that they may use them to express emotions, hold conversations, tell stories, and follow directions. In everyday activities, children are also exposed to various numeric and spatial relations. To build capabilities, hands-on activities are always encouraged. This improves children's attention span, problem-solving abilities, simple reasoning, and visual discrimination. Instilling general awareness in young minds helps them make better sense of the world. The school believes in establishing an environment that promotes learning, healthy relationships, and the growth and development of children.
The languages taught in primary school are English, Kannada and Hindi.
Kannada is given special attention, as mandated by the Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015, which requires schools in Karnataka to teach Kannada as either the first or second language from Class I to X.
Students in primary school are at the age where they have just learned the fundamentals of language and can communicate clearly. The curriculum is designed to build on this foundation so that students develop a firm grasp of each language they learn. Language skills are developed through art-integrated activities like pottery, drawing, craft and role-plays. The basics of Kannada are introduced in primary classes. The emphasis is on speaking and listening comprehension rather than written expression. Kannada is introduced in Class I. While many of our students do not speak Kannada at home, we make learning easy and fun by using rhymes, poems, stories, and art. Audio-visual teaching aids are also employed to teach pupils whose first language is not Kannada. Teachers provide special support to the students whenever required. The emphasis in the early stages is on spoken language development. Other skills are gradually introduced into the curriculum. The students are educated using an art-integrated curriculum.
The languages are taught to help children improve language skills. The emphasis is initially placed upon improving the child's oral language skills; later, other skills such as listening, reading, and writing are integrated into the curriculum. Teachers take special care of students whose first language is not Kannada, offering them individual attention and creating worksheets and activities to offer extra assistance.
Primary school pupils are not required to take formal examinations because we do not believe in subjecting young students to the stress of exams. Students are evaluated on both scholastic and co-scholastic learning throughout the academic year. Teachers use a variety of approaches to assess students' understanding in the primary sections, including class discussions, classwork, visual testing, assignments, worksheets, homework, quizzes, and oral testing. Grades based on continuous assessment are recorded in the assessment report for English, number work, environmental studies, languages, art and craft, games, and physical education. Language skills including reading, writing, speaking, and listening are assessed as well. Worksheets are another instrument for evaluating learning. Pen and paper worksheets are used twice a year, at the end of each term, to ascertain a student’s learning levels. Students' skills in the visual arts, music, and physical education, as well as their emotional development, social skills, classroom behaviour, personal habits, health, and cleanliness, are evaluated for growth. The ‘continuous assessment curriculum’ approach is intended to help students develop fundamental competencies.
Several festivals are celebrated at the Sri Kumaran Children's Home with great enthusiasm. It has become an essential component of learning and developing strong cultural values. These events help children grasp the significance of many holidays as well as our rich cultural history. We hold grand celebrations for Janmashtami, Dasara, Deepavali, and Christmas on our school campus. We join the other schools in The Sri Kumaran Group of Institutions in celebrating Independence Day with pride.
Students enthusiastically participate in Sports Day activities such as march past, yoga, gymnastics and pompon display that feature beautiful formations. Children practice for weeks to exhibit their skills in front of a large audience of teachers, other students, parents, a chief guest and the principals of all the schools.
All the schools of the Sri Kumaran Group of Institutions hold several exhibitions to display the skills and talents of its students. The Language and Science Exhibitions encourage students to put their classroom learning into practice. They also develop confidence, public speaking skills and teamwork skills as they build their projects and explain them to all the guests.
The Sri Kumaran Children's Home has a pool inside the school campus that helps students learn the sport in a safe environment. Swimming classes are held under the strict vigil of teachers and swimming instructors. This is a time that several students look forward to. Special care is taken for students who are afraid of water and the swimming instructors help them overcome their fears. These students are taught the basics of swimming like floating and paddling. Swimming classes are introduced in classes III and IV.
Chess classes are held once a week for students in Classes II and III. Chess, according to research, not only increases logical and creative thinking in children, but also enhances cognitive skills. Chess is a game that takes concentration and focus. Children develop problem-solving skills while they play the game.
Our school is fortunate to have a vast campus with a variety of flora, insects, and birds. Students are taken on nature walks on a regular basis to connect them to the world around them and to encourage them to enjoy it. These walks also aid in the reinforcement of academic concepts by connecting classroom learning to real-life scenarios.
Practising yoga benefits the growing bodies of our young students by strengthening them and boosting their flexibility. It promotes discipline and reduces impulsivity. Deep breathing exercises and asanas are taught in a fun way so that students enjoy them. It improves the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of students.
This annual event gives students of all ages a chance to proudly express their talents and bring out the best in them. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate their talents through music, dance, fancy dress, shloka recitation, poetry recitation in English, Hindi, and Kannada, clay modelling, drawing, calligraphy, select and speak, and show and tell. It aims to build not only a sense of camaraderie among students, but also to instil confidence and remove inhibitions.
Special Assemblies are a welcome break from the regular assembly sessions where students commemorate special days through plays, speeches, songs, and other programmes. These help students highlight the significance of each day to their peers. Yoga Day, World Environment Day, Kannada Rajyothsava and Independence Day are some of the days when we hold special assemblies.
School day is celebrated every alternate year in the month of November. Every student is encouraged to be a part of this grand celebration. A specific theme is chosen for each annual day to bring in awareness towards the same. Parents, as well as students, are excited to be part of this mega event. Students practice for weeks to demonstrate their talents through a variety of programmes such as folk dance, dance dramas, singing, and plays. This is also a special occasion as the families of the students are invited to watch them perform.
The cover page of our school magazine Gnanamanthanam, and those of our in-house notebooks and diaries, feature works of art created by our students. This is a unique initiative that highlights the talents of budding artists in our school.
We teach our students to live sustainably and to care for the environment right from the junior classes. Students learn to interact with the environment and solve problems through diverse activities. The school teaches by example, showing students how to separate garbage scientifically. The colour-coded bins on-campus assist children in distinguishing between wet and dry waste and disposing them accordingly. The school's nature camps and hikes create a connection with nature and teach pupils to respect it. Students also participate in activities such as vegetable gardening, scientific waste segregation, composting, and the creation of bio enzymes and seed balls, to name a few.
Field trips are a fantastic way to teach through real-world experiences. Trips to historical monuments and significant sites can help children learn about subjects such as art, history, and geography through real-life experiences. The school organises annual field trips to provide these learning opportunities. Students participate in interesting activities while learning new things.
Young students learn how to garden through activities like planting seeds, growing and managing a vegetable garden. This not only teaches the scientific concepts of how a plant grows but also familiarises them with natural phenomena. They grow to love nature and learn to take care of it.
Art allows children to think creatively while also improving their thinking abilities. Drawing activities focus their energies constructively and allow children to express themselves easily.
Pottery is yet another means of channeling the creative talents of young students while they get to enjoy a fun activity. It not only improves creative thinking capabilities but also improves fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Children enjoy listening to and narrating stories because it stimulates their creativity and brings them joy. It allows their minds to wander to worlds they may never have seen in real life. Storytelling exercises also help students in increasing their vocabulary, communication, confidence, and public speaking skills.
To provide structured music lessons for primary students, all of the Sri Kumaran Group of Institutes' schools partner with SaPa, which was created by Dr. L. Subramaniam and playback vocalist Kavitha Krishnamurthi Subramaniam. It is led by Bindu Subramaniam, a singer and lyricist, and Ambi Subramaniam, a violinist. SaPa's views and objectives regarding education and music are clearly compatible with our philosophy. SaPa believes that music can improve lives and is determined to make it available to every child. SaPa customises according to age groups. Music not only helps inter-disciplinary learning but also promotes important life skills among children.
Our beloved former Director Late Smt. Meenakshi Balakrishnan, fondly known as Mother, advocated certain ideals that the Sri Kumaran Group of Institutes continue to uphold to this day. She believed that service to those in need was service to god. To carry on this legacy the school commemorates October 1st, Mother’s death anniversary, as Seva Day. In her memory, students on Seva Day express their gratitude to the school's non-teaching staff. The students express their appreciation by cleaning their classrooms and surroundings. Student representatives serve food to the staff as well. It teaches children the importance of the work done by the helping staff.
Our pupils, including those in primary school, are encouraged to give back to society in whatever manner they can. Donation drives are held frequently, and children donate clothing, school supplies, toys, books, and food to those in need. Students donate their textbooks at the end of each academic year. Students also gather unused notebook pages to tie together to make new notebooks for underprivileged children.
The Sri Kumaran Group of Institutions is proud to be the first in Bangalore to provide a resource room for children with diverse learning requirements. It is a child-friendly atmosphere that assists pupils with learning disabilities from Classes I to VI. Through innovative teaching approaches, special educators assist children in overcoming various challenges. After careful review by instructors and an informal assessment by special educators, children are referred to the resource room. Before pupils are enrolled in the resource room, their parents are consulted. Reading, spelling, comprehension, study skills, thinking skills, organising skills, and behaviour management are all taught to the children. During their leisure hours, children visit the resource room, where they are taught by professionals. Educators in the resource room teach pupils using specialised teaching methods and assist them in adapting to this new way of learning. The teachers work closely with the parents to assess the student's progress.
Parent-teacher meetings are held regularly and are critical for a child's overall development. It allows teachers to inform parents about their ward’s progress and opportunities for growth. Teachers gain insights into the child's behaviour and development at home by conversing with parents. These sessions provide a platform for both the teacher and the parents to express concerns about the child's academic performance. Every year, four parent-teacher interactions are held, two per term. Parents are informed about their children's development, areas for improvement, and advice on how to achieve those improvements. Prior appointments are also required for parents to meet with teachers and subject coordinators.
A devoted staff of experienced counsellors help students with their emotional, social, and behavioural needs. It is critical to address any emotional issues that a youngster may be experiencing. If left ignored, it may affect their academic performance or conduct. Counselling can boost self-esteem, bridge academic gaps, assist students in recognising their abilities, and improve interpersonal connections. Students might seek counselling either individually or in groups. Teachers may refer them to a counsellor on occasion. Counsellors also hold sessions in class about screen time, healthy behaviours, and emotional expression. After these sessions, discussions on the subject are held.