Good Schools of India
Joy of Learning Weekly #46
Joy of Learning
Imagine children missing out on the joy of reading! It’s not just about reading less; they lose a vital tool for empathy. Books boost imagination, exposing readers to others’ lives, feelings, and challenges. They foster connection and understanding by helping us accept emotions that aren’t our own. Without this, caring for those who are different from us becomes more difficult.
Nestled 4.50 km north of the Clock Tower on Rajpur Road in Jakhan, this pet-friendly heritage homestay offers a quaint getaway, placing guests close to all the essentials.
The Cottage, one of Jakhan's oldest buildings, features a 75-year-old original living room and has blossomed into a charming homestay with a garden and a Fig tree.
Fruit trees and a private walking area, with the hosts staying on campus, ensure your security and privacy. Enjoy the fruits, flowers, birds, bees and sunshine.
Learning Forward Saturday
To review education research and motivate teacher professional development.
Key Takeaways
Research-Backed CPD: The session drew on findings from a multi-partner study (Tata Trust, HP Foundation, etc.) to establish that continuous professional development (CPD) is a research-backed necessity, not merely a school mandate.
Classroom Gaps: The study identified key gaps: inactive print materials (73% of classrooms), rigid seating (73%), and limited use of home languages (9%), despite high teacher proficiency (73%).
Feedback & Differentiation: Teachers’ current feedback is often superficial (e.g., “Good”), and differentiation is rare (30% of teachers). The research recommends targeted strategies like flexible grouping and scaffolded tasks.
Oral Language Focus: The study found that language teaching relies on rote copying. The group discussed shifting to open-ended questions that require inference and prediction to develop critical thinking.
Teacher As A Researcher
Teaching is not a regular job. It requires patience, compassion, a kind heart, self-awareness and lots of good cake and coffee (because how else will you survive the burnout?). While these are essentials, we require dedication towards research. The Oxford definition of 'research' as a verb is 'investigate systematically'. When we read a research report with findings and recommendations, we read, reflect and see what we can take from it. In our session, we addressed questions and considered the assumptions we make about children, learning, and teaching. Can we undo these and feel safe enough to bring them to our group? At Learning Forward Saturday, we continually strive to create a space that invites our limitations and reflections.
Read And Lead, Masterclass 2026: Reading from the book The Courage To Be Disliked, by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. The meeting focused on Adlerian psychology and its application to building trust, confidence, and a sense of community. Sandeep led a discussion on the difference between trust and confidence, emphasising the importance of self-acceptance and seeing others as comrades. The group explored how these concepts relate to work, relationships, and personal growth. Khushie and others asked questions about hypocrisy and age-related learning abilities. The session concluded with reflections on the importance of harmony in life and the ability to learn and grow at any age.
Brewing Knowledge Friday: Drawing on Kamala Mukunda's book, What Did You Ask at School Today?, the meeting focused on classroom environments and student motivation, with participants exploring various approaches to teaching and learning. The group read and discussed a chapter on motivation, examining competitive, cooperative, and individualistic classroom environments. They considered how teachers can support students' autonomy and intrinsic motivation, with participants sharing personal experiences and insights. The discussion touched on the importance of balancing motivation with appropriate guidance and the need for teachers to experience autonomy themselves. The conversation ended with participants reflecting on their expectations for the Brewing Knowledge community in the coming months and suggesting potential changes to enhance the reading and reflection sessions.
The Importance of Reading in a Student’s Life - Sunbeam School Ballia
The session encouraged me to read more carefully and reflect on the messages embedded in stories. Overall, the reading session was enjoyable and informative, and it helped me understand the true importance of reading in a student’s life.
Deenshah, Class IX, Sunbeam School Ballia
Books Of The Week
Brewing Knowledge Friday
Meet-and-greet on January 9th 2026, at 5:30 PM, brought to you by The English Book Depot.
When Birds Talked
Folklore of the Hills | Illustrated Himalayan Folk Tales of Birds & Nature | Uttarakhand Legends Filled With Myth, Magic & Transformation
Discover the enchanting bird legends of the Himalayas—stories that soar beyond time.
When Birds Talked by Neha Negi is a lyrical, beautifully illustrated collection of folklore that reimagines the fascinating myths of Himalayan birds, inspired by Uttarakhand’s rich oral traditions. These delightful tales explore the origins of beautiful birds like the Himalayan Monal, Fire-capped Tit, Spotted Forktail, and many more—telling stories of transformation, longing, and resilience that captivate the imagination. With engaging storytelling and charming hand-painted illustrations, Negi artfully weaves a wonderful tapestry that celebrates mythology, ecology, and the power of human imagination.
#BrewingKnowledge
Writers Writing for Writers
I was talking to one of the staff members at EBD today—a colleague (shelf-mates)— and we noticed something quietly interesting. Almost everyone who walked in and struck up a conversation with us was writing something. A novel in progress, a poetry collection saved in a notes app, a blog on Substack or thoughts spilling into Instagram captions.
Everyone had a story they wanted to write.
Nowadays, we see more writers than readers, especially online. Words are everywhere, constantly being produced, shared, and posted. Yet rarely does someone walk in and say, “I’m a reader.”
Somewhere along the way, being read began to feel better than reading. Validation became easier than attention. Writing offers visibility & reading asks for patience. And in a world chasing instant responses, sitting with someone else’s words feels almost like a lost habit.
This creates a quiet contrast between writers and readers, a widening space in which stories are written endlessly but not always received with the same depth—a world full of voices, yet fewer listeners.
Sneha, an Intern at The English Book Depot
The class discussed themes from "What You're Looking For Is In the Library" by Michiko Aoyama, covering culture, communication, career, character motivations, and personal growth. Then, they read "The Whistling Schoolboy" by Ruskin Bond (Hindi). Students shared their library experiences and plans for a February calendar that included book reviews and guest visits. The talk wrapped up with discussions on reading habits, cricket themes, personal development, upcoming events, and new skills.
GSA Calendar January 2026
Every week, My Good School Sunday and Learning Forward Saturday
GSA Squad: We review programs and plan for the coming week.
At 5:30 PM every Monday on Zoom - GSA Coordinators, Volunteers, and Mentors. #JoyOfGiving
Brewing Knowledge Friday
Fridays at 5.30 PM: Book Reading with Neelashi Mangal, entry by invitation from The English Book Depot. We are currently reading: What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning.
Meet and Greet with Neha Negi, author of When Birds Talked
5:30 PM on Zoom on January 9th 2026
Folklore of the Hills | Illustrated Himalayan Folk Tales of Birds & Nature | Uttarakhand Legends Filled With Myth, Magic & Transformation #BrewingKnowledge Hosted by The English Book Depot
Governing Council Meeting
The meeting will be held at PYDS Learning Academy, with hospitality provided by the Fig Tree Cottage in Dehradun, on January 19 and 20, 2026.
Sunbeam Ballia and Arthur Foot Academy Exchange
Three girls and one teacher from Sunbeam School, Ballia, will visit the Arthur Foot Academy from January 19th to 23rd, 2026. They are volunteers for the Jaabaaz Kishori Project of the Learning Forward India Foundation.
AFA Monthly Review
Zoom Meeting for Arthur Foot Academy Special Projects Review: 4th Friday of Every Month
Good Schools of India
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