If Mars was Compatible for life- Aanya Kumar

I am Mars, and I have a lot to say today! Do you know that it is 2070 going on? My friend Earth is so unstable to sustain life that there are no humans left on it. You might be wondering where your future friends might be living. That’s when I come into the picture. The scientists of 2022, 2023 and so on till 2068 ran many tests on me and made me compatible for life. Now they are in the process of bringing all 7,577,130,400 people from Earth to me. Earth is almost like it was 4.54 billion years ago. But here, people litter me so much, and sometimes I can’t tolerate it anymore. Now I understand all the hardships that Earth has faced. However, she was always calm and nurturing, and now she is fiery and furious.

Aanya Kumar
Podar International School

Grade 6B

Fun in the Office - Snoopy

Hi! It's me, Snoopy! Today we are going to Mr Bobo's office and have some fun! He sits comfortably on his chair, drinking cold coffee and working on his laptop. Just waiting for the right moment, and yes, he got up. Now I just have to throw his cold coffee in the washroom, so he has to clean it, and I can make my move!

Alright, I need to wear my glasses and be all set. I am making a presentation. (After a lot of hard work and perseverance). To be honest, I have no idea what I have made. Oh no! Mr Bobo's boss is here. (I jump out of the chair and hide).

The boss looks at what I have made, and here comes trouble. Mr Bobo's here!
"Mr Bobo, this is what you have made.."
" Oh no! sir, this is.." replies Mr Bobo.
" Say no more; this presentation is probably the best to present to our clients. Well Done!".
" Oh yes, of course, thank you". Mr Bobo got the shock of his life.

So you see, Snoppy is a genius. I knew what I was making. I am so bright!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

The School Bell - Yashraj Sharma

A school bell! The sound can sound carking in the morning to start our day, but the same sound can sound melodious to end our day. The school bell makes a different sound in our ears every other time we hear it, even though it is the same sound every time. 

The adrenaline rush after every period is different. Sometimes, we are very excited about the next period, while sometimes, we are not so much.

Without bells in schools, it will be pretty challenging to maintain an order of the class hours and recess timings and control these; the sound of a bell is the best way. The school bell acts as a stimulus for us and helps us get ready for the next period.

Not only the school bell but many bell sounds play throughout our daily schedule like a temple bell, doorbell, water alarming bell, wind chimes hanging at the windowpane in our houses. Each and every bell creates so many different feelings in us…..

My mom wakes me up every day for school…but in my Nani's house, I wake up to morning prayers and bells. It's so refreshing and calming.

It is indeed true that a sweet little bell has different melodies and is so significant. 

Yashraj Sharma

Grade 8

Gyanshree school, Noida

A true adventure - Snoopy

 My name is Snoopy

Hi, I am Snoopy! Our adventure begins here on a cold frosty morning in London on the 31st of December, which is New Year. 

You have got this golden chance to explore London with me, have lots of fun, and get into lots of trouble (I know how to get out of that)! So, are you in?

First of all, let me introduce you to Mrs Goobey. She is a fat, old woman with a unique name. Nobody can defeat her except Snoopy, which is me. Let's get into her house and create some trouble (naughty laughs). There she is sitting like a sweet grandma (which she is not) knitting a sweater for her grandchildren (she's knitting it for herself), and there I go, whooshing through and I just broke a glass. Hey, don't worry, I am not hurt.

Well, she knows I did that, come on, let's hide in her wardrobe and tear her clothes, except her socks which smell. Okay, she's after me. (After a lot of running). See, I am just fine; I defeated her. Mrs Goobey throws her sticks at Snoopy. 

Ouch, I mean, that is what I would have said if I was hurt, but I am not. I am a bit tired; actually, I think you are, so let's meet again next week!

Rishona Chopra - Snoopy
Grade VI 
Gyanshree School

The School Bell - Simar Kaur

It is bizarre how a school bell can affect one’s mood regularly. The first bell of the day is accompanied by yawns, people rubbing their eyes, cranky comments, and excitement for a new day (which is rare in my case). Ah, the first class is sports. The most beloved classroom is the playground, where there are no rules. You don’t have to stay quiet or tire your hand while making notes when surrounded by the beautiful green grass. I perceived it as starting the day with an ounce of freedom until you get trapped in the strict regimentation as you enter through the large doors. 

It is hard to sit down and study right after having an intense sweating session on the ground (which is very true for me since I sweat a lot). As soon as the bell rings, I go upstairs with the rest of the school and sit at my desk panting, drinking water and coughing. That was how I used to follow the bell and get myself prepped for the studying sessions which were to follow. 

When I had maths and physics, I sighed, made a face, and moved on. And in English, painting and computers I used to be excited unless I forgot the equipment at home. To put it in a nutshell, I think nothing besides the school bell has been able to alter my mood so quickly and efficiently. I mightn’t have learnt a life lesson because of the bell, but the fact that it makes the school building feel alive with pleasure or, at times, sadness makes the school, school for me. After two years of frustrating mobile alarms, the school building is alive again, and so is the bell! Simar Kaur Grade X Gyanshree School

If School Bells Could Talk - Aanya Kumar

"TRIIIIIIING! LUNCHTIME!" I would say this every day at noon. Neither a second before nor a second after. I am always on time. However, I am not taken seriously by my folks. I am there in schools so that children learn to be disciplined. Sometimes teachers need teaching too. I am more like a principal of the school. Strict, disciplined and most importantly, very (and I mean VERY) punctual. Here's how my days go. I wake up sharp at eight, and my first words are always "Morning, School!" Next, I talk to the real principal. "Second Period" and "Third Period" and so on till SEVEN periods!. That's how my days end. Moreover, I have to say the same thing every day just for punctuality in children. What a tiring job I have. "TRIIIIIIING! SIXTH PERIOD!" I may be found irritating to those who love the concept being taught during class timings and a lifesaver for those who are getting bored. But now you know… I am way more than that. I am the timetable of those who don't value my friend's time.

Aanya Kumar

Podar International School

Grade 6B

The School Bell

Refections from the reading session on the 27th of March 2022. 
We are reading My Good School Where Passion Meets Education by Sandeep Dutt.
Published by Rupa Publications, available online and in Kindle format at bookstores.

You will definitely hear the school bell ring in your head whenever you lend your ear to it! The sound of the school bell has a certain amount of energy that makes the adrenaline flow, and we look forward to the next hour. 

The first bell of the day brings in great energy as enthusiastic young, and fresh minds come racing into the school gates. The day will see the entry and exit of fun and joy in the class, till the last bell that leaves the campus devoid of energy and seems like the sunset hour in midday.

Perhaps our first lessons in time management are rendered to us by this innocuous bell that may sound jarring at first but part of our growing years. A school period blocks time allocated for lessons, classes, or other school activities. They typically last between 40 and 60 minutes, with around 3-8 periods per school day. Educators determine the number and length of these periods and may even regulate how each period will be used. 

Managing time is really the first challenge for all of us at school; using the 40 odd minutes to ensure learning and capture the imagination is always the biggest challenge for teachers and students alike. 

Perhaps our first lessons in time management are rendered to us by this innocuous bell! 

The race against time, the need to complete the lesson plan, ensure good understanding and give the students the absolute joy of learning between two bells is not an easy task for even the best teachers. How best you use your limited time determines your effectiveness as a teacher or a mentor for a group of learners. There are thus crucial questions to be answered, keeping in mind that the next bell will ring soon- What do I do? When do I do it? How well do I do it?

Our life sets a limit of time, and this is indeed the wealth we often do not value in our quest for materials and the race to beat others to it. 

“...there will be sleeping enough in the grave....” by Benjamin Franklin. 

Hear the bell, find the energy, think for yourself and make a conscious decision about how best you will use your time. Remember the school bell and hear it always ring; let it not make life uncomfortable but instead help you enjoy every moment and be the master of your time. Time management alone will help you find yourself and live a joyous life.

The views expressed above are of Sandeep Dutt alone, and you are welcome to comment and share your thoughts with him by email to sd@ebd.in, please. For more about the author, please visit www.SandeepDutt.com.