Dhwani > Projects > Poorana
Poorana
Poorana is a 3-year project to support higher-primary teachers with supporting methods and materials for Kannada Language and Social Studies subjects. These methods and materials are based on the Karnataka State Board curriculum. Poorana is being implemented in a mix of rural and urban government schools and private aided schools.



Project Scope
2006-07
  1. 5th, 6th & 7th Stds
  2. 29 schools
  3. 105 teachers
  4. 5700 children
 2005-06
  1. 5th & 6th Stds
  2. 17 schools
  3. 45 teachers
  4. 2100 children
 2004-05
  1. 5th Std
  2. 12 schools
  3. 25 teachers
  4. 1000 children

Project Design

 In this project, we conduct a 2-day workshop for teachers at the beginning of the academic year. In this workshop, teachers and Dhwani Resource persons discuss ways of using Dhwani's methods and materials in the classroom. The teachers also get oriented on the project framework, expectations and potential benefits.

After the workshop, Dhwani Resource persons visit the schools every month. During these schools visits, we deliver supporting materials tailored to that month's lessons and also orient teachers on the new materials. We also get feedback from the teachers on their experiences with the previous month's materials in terms of their usage and children's responses. Teachers also give specific requirements or suggestions for future materials. At the end of the academic year, an annual feedback meeting of teachers is held to get a complete perspective of the project implementation during the year


Material Content

 The Poorana Basket of supporting materials help:
  1. The teacher conduct activities mentioned in the textbook and some others designed by Dhwani
  2. The child absorb concepts in the lesson
  3. Expand the child's mental horizon
  4. Deepen teacher's subject matter knowledge
A given month's Poorana basket of materials is a subset of the following:
  1. Adhyayana Saamagri - Study material for teachers on the month's lessons to deepen their knowledge in the relevant topics
  2. Sanchike - booklet of colourful photographs and pictures illustrating concepts, locations and other elements of learning given in the lesson
  3. Prerana Kaagada - Inspiration or Activity sheets to help children explore and experience learning points
  4. 3-d models/replicas which give the children touch and feel for key historical artifacts
  5. Kiriyara Kana - a wall-magazine of the project children's expression in the form of writings or art
  6. Maester Katte - a newsletter for project teachers
  7. Cassettes of poems
  8. Other booklets purchased from the market
  9. Teachers and headmasters receive a copy of all the printed materials. Sanchike & Prerana Kaagada are given in the ratio of 1 for every 2 children. One or a few copies per school are given in the case of remaining materials
  10. Everything is free for all the participating schools, teachers and children

Dhwani suggests alternatives on usage of the materials. But, teachers decide how and when to use the materials depending on their ability, teaching style and comfort level. 
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