India School Fund
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Multimedia

ISF school in Rajugela village in the heart of India (near Mathura) with its 240 students and teachers. Children in front of ISF school - main resource center Children of different age work in small groups based on where they are in their ladder of learning. Because the teachers time is generally focused on 1st graders or slow learners, students learn to rely on each other for help, which has important positive effect on their sense of initiative and self confidence, especially among girls and lower castes. At certain steps in the ladder of learning, students learn how to prepare a puppet show using low cost materials. One of them involves different fruits and vegetables fighting for which is stronger and why...making learning fun and emotional, which also affects the speed and learning capacity. Students at ISF work in small groups based on where they are in their ladder of learning. Teachers facilitate the learning process rather than imposing rote teaching in front of the classroom by spending time with small groups based on needs. Introduction of new concepts generally requires more support from teachers while allowing others to practice and reinforce their understanding. This 10 year-old girl began the academic year at grade one (like the youngest children) but within one year, she progressed so fast that she is now completing her 4th grade...she is now starting to realize that she is intelligent and powerful... Each subject and grade has a different ladder of learning. Students progress from one to the other only if they have demonstrated understanding of learning objectives specified at each milestone. The learning material is developed locally to optimize meaning for children - no point showing pictures or words of bridges if they have never seen one before! The learning cards follow each step in the ladder of learning which allow students of various grades to progress in the same classroom and help one another. Lots of tactile tools (like rubber letters) and physical activities to use multiple senses and intelligences thereby accelerating the learning process. Every Friday, all 240 students assemble in front of the school for the national song, inclusive prayers (given that different religions are mixed) and cultural performances likes dances and music. Parents and community members always come to see children performing with pride and amusement. Local dance A school-age girl out of school before the opening of ISF on July 9th, 2007. President of ISF, Annie Bertrand, in the village before the school opening in 2007.