Methodologies

LEADERSHIP

HPSR performs many functions for the comprehensive development of the student. Leadership like any other skills has to be learned, practised and mastered. A potential leader must be provided ample opportunities to imbibe leadership qualities. The institution helps instilling the student leadership qualities by nurturing their self-esteem, which is  a central element in inspiring a child to perform well. Character development grows when values are instilled in a child. Some children at HPSR revel on stage, some shine on the sports field while others excel in the classroom, thus allowing the child, to build confidence and lay foundation for leadership. Constructive criticism and whole hearted praise is the winning formula. Human values and respect for elders is instilled in children because such a person with genuine compassion is quickly recognized as potential leader. A concerted effort is put-in to raise the standard of the child, and such good behaviors are duly applauded. Support and appreciation reinforces the childs self-image and pushes them to strive for further excellence. The institution persuades children to concentrate on success and failure as a temporary setback. Making such leaders is a gradual process which requires parental support, encouragement and hard work. Such characteristics are at the core of HPSR curriculum to provide direction to students.

LIFE SKILLS

Education must equip the young for adult life.It equips all lifelong learners. Education broadens mind like a farmers prepares a field for crops but the environment transforms the crops into much more than dreamed of. We, at HPSR believe that children need abilities to be successful and relevant life skills when learned young makes life different for them. Our kids today live in complicated 21^st century. Therefore the necessity to incorporate the teaching of life skills along with reading writing and arithmetic. Communication skills, goal setting, decision making skills, conflict resolution skills, interpersonal, critical thinking skills to name  a few where education comes alive for students as they learn, not only from teachers but also from their peers in group activities. These skills that our students learn not only helps academic achievements but also helps them to interact with peers, family members and eventually at their workplaces. More importantly life skills instruction prepares our children for life. To motivate this generation to move and reach to higher levels our institution has recognized life skills teaching to be a major parameter that allows children to think big, to speak their mind, take responsibility, take initiative, analyze information, manage time and money etc. thereby making them, successful learners and active citizens.

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

The core philosophy of HPS with regard to education includes relationships among education   ,technology and innovations and the relationship among teachers ,students and parents. The learners readily adopt and adept technology  ,thus transforming education. Innovation in education does not necessarily require high tech and complex solutions. Often innovation is about an attitude of mind or culture and we at HPS build a sociocultural learning environment which plays a significant role  in the cognitive developmental process of the students .Needless to say,we also believe in inclusive education ,thus welcoming students from all walks of life.

We are beginning to see new collaborative approaches in which teachers and students are co learners. We have moved away from traditional delivery towards more student centric, facilitated and constructive models, a project based learning in which teacher   is the guide. Focus is increasingly on participation and negotiation rather than direction and instruction. We believe in democratization of education,   an approach in education which is done with and by learners rather than done to them. Building capacity through interdependence is the mantra.

Training young minds to think out of the box, we have been using more  sophisticated  practices  to learning and moving towards more sophisticated forms of assessment and evaluation. Keeping the  vision of our school in mind ,our endeavour is always to provide wholesome education with the core values intact, thus training our students to become global citizens and future leaders.

TEACHING METHODOLOGIES

Successful teachers adapt to student needs. Classrooms are like an ever-evolving dynamic organism. A teaching method comprises the principles and methods used by teachers to enable student learning. These strategies are determined partly on subject matter to be taught and partly by the nature of the learner. In HPS we  encourage a lot of creativity. It is a known fact that human advancement comes through reasoning. This reasoning and original thought enhances creativity.

We have  Student-Centered Approach to Learning where  teachers and students play an equally active role in the learning process. Student learning is measured through both formal and informal forms of assessment, including group projects, student portfolios, and class participation.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

Lecturing

In the lecture method, the  teacher exposes students to unpublished or not readily available material.

Demonstrating

Demonstrating is the process of teaching through examples or experiments. For example ,every  science teacher here teaches an idea by performing an experiment for students. A demonstration is used to prove a fact through a combination of visual evidence and associated reasoning.

Demonstrationsis also used for  storytelling and examples in that we  allow students to personally relate to the presented information.  Demonstrations helps to raise student interest and reinforce memory retention because they provide connections between facts and real-world applications of those facts..

Collaborating

Collaboration allows students to actively participate in the learning process by talking with each other and listening to others opinions.. Teachers   employs collaboration to assess student’s abilities to work as a team, leadership skills, or presentation abilities.

Classroom discussion

The most commonly used  collaborative method of teaching in a class is classroom discussion. It is also a democratic way of handling a class, where each student is given equal opportunity to interact and put forth their views. A discussion taking place in a classroom is either facilitated by a teacher or by a student. A discussion  also follows a presentation or a demonstration. Class discussions enhances student understanding, add context to academic content, broaden student perspectives, highlight opposing viewpoints, reinforce knowledge, build confidence. This is majorly followed here at HPS.

 Debriefing

After every academic class we have a debriefing session in the class .It is a  conversational sessions that revolve around the sharing and examining of information  taught .It takes into consideration the experiences and facilitates reflection and feedback.

Classroom Action Research

Classroom Action Research is   another method we use for  finding out what works best in our own classroom so we can improve student learning.  Like we have role-playing, debate, engage in case study, take part in cooperative learning. This leads to active learning and the activities included by the teacher are class discussion, think-pair-share, short written exercise, student debate collaborative learning group, Use of technology.

Inclusive Education

We can proudly say that the teachers here work with individual needs and the strengths of all learners. Teachers uses all  these materials in inclusive classes and develop the quality of education for each child including children with various special educational needs (various groups of children with physical disabilities, children from ethnic minorities, refugees, children with emotional disorders, children previously uneducated)

We strive to view students holistically. Children enter into our school from various backgrounds and bring with them various expectations and experiences. The methods that we follow for various subjects .

Language

There are four main areas of language – , listening, speaking  reading and writing.(LSRW)

Listening

Listening is a skill that is as important to children as talking. We try to create a considerate listening environment by providing ample opportunities for children to listen by story telling using stick figures and puppetry. Children are motivated by creative and colorful presentation by the  teachers. Electronic listening post is used as an effective listening aid in the development of this skill.

Speaking

In HPS we encourage speaking as the main method of communication for it is vital for  a child’s ability to think and learn.

Reading

Reading is of great importance in this  school, the aim being not just to recognize words on a page but also to encourage a love of books so children readily turn to them for information and pleasure. All reading books and materials are provided by the school library. How ever, in the primary  school children are encouraged to bring books of their choice and set up their personal libraries in their homes. The English Language teachers have also introduced class libraries which have yielded very positive results in the development of reading.

Writing

Writing of a variety of kinds will take place in school from imagination to real experience, and for projects, science, poetry, languages etc. Each child is encouraged to write down his own thought freely so that his natural flow of ideas . In the initial stages guided writing is introduced and gradually children move on to independent writing. Children prepare book reviews, project reports, news reports, summaries and acquire techniques of writing all kinds of letters.

All this is done through a systematic approach beginning at the Primary Schooll andprogressing further in the school .. It is important too that children feel their writing is appreciated and shared with other children, in the unit or in displays.

Children start to follow a handwriting scheme and  learn “Joined up (Cursive)” writing ; this is built on through the school to lead to a clear legible script.

Spelling is another skill which is learned by children. More attention is paid to correct spelling as a child progresses through the school by encouraging them to learn new spellings with the use of a dictionary.

Mathematics

Mastering mathematical skills is absolutely essential for future opportunities in school and careers. The students are  provided with hands on experiences and rich, meaningful learning opportunities through the use of higher level thinking skill, situational analysis, reasoning, application of technology and problem solving in an ideal setting. The mathematics curriculum is presented in five content areas: Numbers, Calculation, Mental Skills, Problem Solving and organizing and using data.

Science

Science enables students to develop a deeper insight and wider perspective on social issues and cultures around the globe and is an effective preparation for further study. Our curriculum aims to assist teachers in developing the child’s interest and curiosity about the biological and physical world through incorporation of experimental and investigatory skills in their work.

Social Studies

Social studies is a subject that introduces the child to the past and also unveils the present geographical, cultural, economic social traditions and customs. Our curriculum is designed and taught through drama, role play and activities. . Our curriculum addresses how to kindle the child’s imagination; arouse their curiosity and make them think logically. It develops nationhood spirit by exposing them to the fundamental history . Good citizenship traits are instilled all across the curriculum.

Art & Craft

All children use art as a means of exploring and coming to terms with their world. It acts as a vehicle for expressing ideas and solving problems, encourages aesthetic development and poses intellectual demands on children.

Music

From the start children are encouraged to develop the skills of listening and performing, being introduced to a variety of songs, musical instruments, sound and music.

Activity classes

Various activity classes are held for the students every week where students are taught  social etiquette,  flower arrangement, cooking and embroidery, public speaking and Mehandi art, by qualified teachers. The emphasis is to develop an all rounded personality.

Games & Sports

HPS has a  dedicated sports and games area. We have  a centralized department of games and sports managed through dedicated qualified and experienced, professionals in the field of cricket, football, Volleyball, Throw ball, hockey, karate, tennis, badminton, basketball, Skating, tennikoit, table tennis and chess.
We also encourage our students to play at school, intercity, district, regional and National level for which the school time table has dedicated sporting hours for our students. Moreover the campus has a dedicated sports and discipline incharge. Inter school and Inter House matches are held to promote healthy competition.

Judo / Karate

The school has a dedicated Karate Instructor. Judo Karate instructor trains the students in this art and regular karate classes are part of the school time table.

Carpentry

The school has taken another pioneering step by introducing carpentry as a teaching aid.
Children will be taught to use the saw and hammer and make miniature models to  use them in any event, play or learning situation. Each child has an opportunity to work out his own model.

Education Through Computers & Technology

We at HPS have  introduced information and communication technology as a compulsory subject from Grade 1 and above. Computer education is inculcated at all levels especially right at the early age in order to develop a quick understanding of computer & communication skills. We also give opportunity to students to learn Robotics and the coding language Raspberry Pie

Co-curricular Activities

At HPS  ample opportunities and facilities are provided to activate the mind as well as the body. Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities some of these activities are:

Drama & Art

Dramatics is given immense impetus to bring out the theatrical talents of the students and to create appreciation of art, literature and the stage, The school organises dramas periodically and has won tremendous applause on staging some of the finest plays in twin cities.We hosted ‘ Around the world in 80 days’

Debates & Speech

Elocution and debates are held on regular basis to develop self-confidence and a spirit of competition among the students. Children are encouraged to participate in inter – house and inter – school programmes to cultivate healthy arguing, logical reasoning and self-expression.

Story Telling

Today’s world has become so mechanical and complex that young children hardly experience story-telling sessions with their parents and grand parents at home. Here we made to keep the art of ‘Story Telling’ alive by holding story telling competitions using colourful cardboard figures and puppets. Through this art children develop listening as well as speaking skills and at the same time stimulate their imagination.

House System

Inter-House competitions are held on regular basis to promote among children healthy competition and self-discipline in their work, appearance and behaviour. The school has a well-organized House System  Asif Jahi ( Yellow House ) Kakathiya House ( Green House ) Satavahana ( Blue House ) Vijayanagara ( Red House ) and all students belong to a House. Prefects are appointed to assume responsibility for the discipline of others and to help build the qualities of leadership. The school makes a deliberate attempt to create sensitivity to the needs of those less fortunate than themselves, in times of national and international crises. The students are encouraged to rise to the occasions to make contributions in a way of ‘Giving back to the society’ Besides, awareness of a clean pollution free environment is constantly stressed by arranging “Earth day”, ‘Swatch Bharat Abhiyan ‘, and ‘Vigilance Awareness Week’ etc., by the School.

Study or Field Trips

True to the concept of-Exposure, Expansion and Exploration, the school arranges field trips throughout the year to places of national and educational interest. Such trips are integrated with their areas of studies so that the learning becomes more meaningful and practical. All these trips are preplanned and children are taken on field trips only with the permission of the parents.

 Student Exchange Programme

We also have student exchange programme wherein students of other countries are hosted by our students and their families and vice versa. This is where students are exposed to a true exchange of culture, cuisine, art and ideas at large and this culminates to true accumulation of knowledge.