24th February 2024

Bal Mela is an one day event organised by Fountainhead school hosting government school students for different activities like Arts and Craft,Dance,etc. The students then shuffle themselves through all activities and try to learn as much as possible. I was never a part of Bal Mela but wanted to try out the experience once and hence opted for it. I was assigned the role under art and craft where I had to teach the students to make wall hanging using yarn. I learnt the same at first through tutorials and other group members of mine. Later, the school didi also helped us as they were well verse with making these type of hangings. Though there were few challenges like teaching to a larger group, they were younger students as well and it was difficult to teach them but at the end it was a special moment to see them being happy with what they made and telling to us how they will use these hangings and how they will make few more. I was also so happy to see how they always showcased gratitude to us and were happy with what was taught to them .

The event helped me gain insights on what kind of activities can be taught to these children, how to teach to these children, build collaboration,creativity and communication skills.

LO5:Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively

While teaching the students, we had to work in groups of 5-6 and then together at first teach each other and then teach the students. Working together as a group helped us a lot as some of us did not know how to make the hanging and some of us did, this helped us learn from each other and then effectively deliver the knowledge to them. Moreover, through this I could develop collaborative skills and understand how it is important to work in collaboration to develop new skills as well.

LO6:Engagement with issues of global significance

The students that came to the school though were having access to education were not well verse with 21st century skills. Through bal mela, I was able to contribute in making them learn the new skills which will help them in future. Moreover, I was able to be a part of their experiential learning as well and give them a glimpse of these activities.

LO7:Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

I had to ensure that I do not make the students feel that they do not know english or do not have the resources we have. Moreover, I also ensured that I am not instructing them to follow the steps but instead teach them so that they do not feel that we have the power but they do not.