Sample Class Activity

How to do this activity in class?

Step 1- Begin with Silent Sitting– either through prayer, guided visualization or closing their eyes and observing silence for about one to two minutes. This helps them to calm down and relax.

Step 2– Choose a topic– It should be ONE WORD. Write down the word in the centre of the board. The word should be of interest to the children, appropriate to their age and they should be aware of the word and its meaning. Please avoid using abstract words like love, peace, honesty etc. Let the word be concrete. Let’s say we choose the word “colours”

Step 3– Now we ask children to name all those words that come to their minds when they think of the word colour. This is called Radiant Thinking. Write down all the words in the board/their note books as they call out. Do not organize or number the words. As given in the sample below, children may come up with a gamut of words relating to the topic (word) “Colours”. Encourage all children to participate. Some of the words may appear irrelevant, Gurus in that case should try and gently ask them why they have called out those words. Please note that words should come from children only.

Step 4– Mind Mapping and Web Charting

• Ask the groups to connect and categorise the words; that is- make the children group the words under different headings as it appeals to them. For example, the words randomly listed above can be grouped under the following headings.
• Now organize the children in groups of 5, 6 or 7 depending on the strength of the Balvikas class and ask each group to prepare a web chart based on the categories/headings now decided upon.

Step 5– When each group has their own Web Chart ready, ask them to present it to the class. Now discuss and arrive at one Web Chart for the whole class. This step is important to proceed with the next level in Experiential Learning. The final Web Chart may look like this.

[Class activity steps: Adapted from Experiential Learning – by Dr. Pitre during ‘The Master Trainers’ Training program for GRI&II in January 2009 at P.N]