December 11, 2016

What happened in the class today?

Mid term exam

We had the mid term exam today. Students were initially worried about the exam but, did well later. I shall distribute the graded papers in the next class. 
Please note that the next class is on January 8. 

Many students missed the exam. They will have only One more opportunity on January 8 for re-exam.Students who have attended the exam today cannot take the re-exam. Please note the date. The re-exam will be in the same format as today's exam (please follow the same guidelines as posted in the previous blog below for sample exam paper and paper organization). Requests for re-exam on later dates will not be accepted.

Homework

Since we have a break of 3 weeks, please review the following homework carefully. I wanted to repeat that what we cover in class is perhaps 10% of their learning and what you work with them at home is 90% of their learning. Talking to the kids always in Telugu would be a great asset to accelerate their learning.

1. To ensure that the kids retain their memory of the vegetables, either take them to the grocery store every time along with you and ask them to say the corresponding name of the vegetables that they see there. You can do the same exercise at the lunch/dinner table also.

2. We are going to start the theme of fruits in the next class. Here is the reference sheet. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NSnhqYXRoSGM3YjA 

The students can first learn how to say the Telugu counterparts for the fruits. Then  the next step is for them to learn how to write the names. This should not take more than 2-3 hours of work. I am giving a heads up now so that you can spread it out in the holidays.

3. TCA Telugu Badi is organizing తెలుగు భాషా పోటీలు
When: January 7, 2017
Where: Spillane Middle School, 13403 Woods-Spillane Blvd, Cypress, TX 77429

As the parents of Mana  Telugu Madhyama students, let us participate in big number and make our presence felt in the competition. The participation is more significant than winning a prize. Please see below for more information and get in touch with your respective Telugu teacher for any further guidance.

Finally, we wanted to wish you all Happy holidays and a happy new year 2017!

December 4, 2016

Important Announcement

Mid term exam will be conducted on December 11, 2016. The question paper organization was sent out earlier (please refer to the blog on Nov 26 given below for more details) and discussed in detail in class.

What did we cover in the class?

Mid term exam structure and contents were discussed in detail

Padyam (veru purugu) was revised
Reading & Writing practice along with spoken Telugu
    The Telugu words what, when, why, how and where were discussed, usage of these words in Telugu sentences was also discussed.

Homework

No homework this week - Yay!! Please let the students prepare for the mid term exam next week

No student returned the sentences homework from last week. It helps for them in the mid term exam to complete the homework. Please work with your children for this homework

For the midterm, obviously, the more they exercise, the less would be the last minute crunch they need for Telugu mid-term exam.

Plan for next class

Mid term exam

Mid term reference - Save the date December 11

Jai Srimannarayana dear Parents,

As you were informed earlier, the mid term for Mana Telugu madhyama would be on December 11. The mid term reference is given below.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NY0JPT0d2cXN0aHM

Please note:

1. Please make sure that kids carry at least two pencils and an eraser for every class and to the exam.

2. Please start preparing the kids immediately so that last minute crunch could be avoided.

3. We will be discussing in the next class about the format of the exam and how the students can prepare well for the exam.

November 13, 2016

Important Announcements

There is no Prajna class next week (November 20)

The subsequent week, we meet in Ashtalakshmi Temple for a special session with HH Swamiji.

**Please note**

Mana Telugu Madhyama mid term will be on December 11, 2016. The syllabus and model paper would be distributed shortly. Please have the students practice reading, writing and spoken Telugu. This includes names of vegetables, numbers and family relationships

What did we cover in the class?

Story (Anecdote)

None

Core Activity

Since there was a gap in Telugu classes, we revised sentence construction in Telugu with antonym relationship (Big/small, more/less, wide/narrow, loud/silent, firm/soft etc.). Later, we wrote the sentences. Please refer to the notebooks of your children to review what was discussed in the class.

Homework

Very few students are completing their homework. Since they need to practice reading, writing and spoken Telugu for the mid-term exam, please let the students complete last week's homework if they have not completed.You can refer to the earlier post in this  blog for more information on last week homework.

After completing last week's homework, please review Mana Telugu Sisu (UKG) and let them perform exercises. 

Obviously, the more they exercise, the less would be the last minute crunch they need for Telugu mid-term exam.

For practicing sentences, here is the homework. 
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NbTVfWjZpN1I3ZEE
Ideally, you would spread it as 1-2 sentences per day. This would ensure that students have consistent practice and enjoy while learning.

Plan for next class

Padyam

Spoken Telugu - Fruits and vegetables

Writing sentences - continuation

Note:

Please ensure that your children get a note book and pen/pencil to the class, every class

Oct 23, 2016

We do not have class next week (Oct 30). It is a Deepavali holiday.!!

What did we cover in the class?

Core Activity

We delivered books for Telugu class for this year. Although some of the students had books from last year, we delivered a fresh set so that they have the books handy for reference.

Contest covering names of vegetables numbers (from 1 to 1000 and beyond). Students are doing ok with numbers but need improvement. Homework of this week is expected to reinforce their knowledge.

A reference sheet for gunintaalu and vattulu is provided. 

Page 1 gives

• Achchulu and their corresponding structure for gunintaalu
• Hallulu and their corresponding vattulu

Page 2 gives

• gunintaalu for all hallulu.

This is going to be an ongoing reference for the students. Please let them preserve it and bring it to every class. I shall let them use it heavily in the next 2-3 months and as they reach the end of the academic year, they should have enough practice to write without referring to the sheet. For now, bringing this sheet to class is mandatory.

Role play: 10 kids (5 pairs) did a role play of a car sales person and a customer and mother & daughter looking at a report card. They were asked to have the conversation in English first and later, the same conversation in Telugu. Kids are enjoying this and we shall continue this in future. 

It is very exciting to see the kids pick up spoken Telugu skills. At this stage, it is important to reinforce the spoken Telugu skills at home as well. Please talk to your children in Telugu as much as you  can. Pat them and correct them at opportunity. 

Homework

Since we do not have class next week, please bear with me as the homework is slightly higher than usual. At this stage, it is critical they practice their reading and writing skills to get back to a speed where we can learn to read & write simple sentences.

1. Take a printout of gunintaalu practice sheet. Have kids write them in your supervision. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NYzVzWTVjRTFHYXc

2. Take a printout of vattulu practice sheet. Have kids write them in your supervision   https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NalhEWFU0Nm9CbjA

3. Mana Telugu sisu (UKG) - Page 30 to 76 - Let the students write as many words as they can. I would suggest 5-6 words per day. This gives them the consistent practice.

Thank you for your cooperation in working with your children to warm up with vattulu and gunintaalu.

Plan for next class

Vishwamitra story

Reading and writing simple sentences, involving vattulu and gunintaalu

Note:

Please ensure that your children get a notebook and pen/pencil to every class.

October 16, 2016

What did we cover in the class?

Story (Anecdote)

None

Core Activity

A revision of the poem

vEru purugu chEri vRkshambu cherachunu

cheeDa purugu chEri cheTTu cherachu

kutsitunDu chEri guNavantu cherachuraa

viSwadaabhiraama vinura vEma

వేరు పురుగు చేరి వృక్షంబు చెరచును

చీడ పురుగు చేరి చెట్టు చెరచు

కుత్సితుండు చేరి గుణవంతు చెరచురా

విశ్వదాభిరామ వినుర వేమ

Counting from 1 to 1000 and beyond. Numbers like 1122, 2444, 3462 etc. were discussed. Homework includes some work to reinforce this knowledge.

Students did not complete the homework for last week. So, we did a revision of a few words that includes gunintalu.

Role play: 6 kids (3 pairs) did a role play of a car sales person and a customer. They were asked to have the conversation in English first and later, the same conversation in Telugu. Kids are enjoying this and we shall continue this next week. 

Homework

For counting numbers, please have the students practice the numbers given below. Also, you can give them more practice as you choose.

517, 787, 906, 1592, 1929, 2378, 4630, 6722

Gunintaalu needs some more practice before we can get started with writing sentences. Students are expected to work with their parents to write the 4 simple gunintam sheets that can be found at https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NNXhLTG1XQW9HbDg 

They need to bring the completed homework to the class.

Based on today’s class, I think that students do well with a written aid to speak. Students are expected to prepare a written aid for next week’s role play speeches. The context is a car sales person and a prospective buyer (yes we will continue it next week also) and mother/daughter discussing a school progress report (3 pairs of girl students will be performing this). The template for this homework can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3IeuUQA9h8Ncm42bG9QUlp2REE/view?usp=sharing. Students need to work with their parents and come prepared with at least 4 questions or answers. 5-10 students will be asked to present their sales person & customer conversation in Telugu in a max time of 2 minutes

Plan for next class

Spoken Telugu – sales person & customer conversation, mother/daughter conversation in Telugu – Role play

Vattulu revision and dictation

Try to form simple sentences.

Note:

Parents, the students are gaining good spoken skills in Telugu. Without practice, these skills cannot be retained.

**The students are coming to the class without a notebook and pen/pencil. Parents, please ensure that the students has a pen/pencil and a note book. We practice writing in class and hence this is required***

Please ensure that your children complete home work every week. I have been getting only 1 or 2 home works every week

October 9, 2016

What did we cover in the class?

Story (Anecdote)

The theme was all it needs is a drop of poison to spoil a big can full of milk. The story was of a brilliant student in USA who excelled in every academic field and was offered seat by many prestigious institutes. Later through one of his roommates he got addicted to a few bad habits and ruined his life. This introduced a nice segway into the poem.

vEru purugu chEri vRkshambu cherachunu

cheeDa purugu chEri cheTTu cherachu

kutsitunDu chEri guNavantu cherachuraa

viSwadaabhiraama vinura vEma

వేరు పురుగు చేరి వృక్షంబు చెరచును

చీడ పురుగు చేరి చెట్టు చెరచు

కుత్సితుండు చేరి గుణవంతు చెరచురా

విశ్వదాభిరామ వినుర వేమ

We also revised the 12 Telugu months and 6 Telugu rutuvulu, the significance of navaratri and when we perform.

Core Activity

There was a game with six rounds, all for the practice of spoken Telugu – first 3 rounds was with vegetable translation, the last 3 rounds was about saying sentences with words that have antonym relationship. Kids really loved the game!

Role play: 8 kids (4 pairs) did a role play of a teacher and a student in different contexts. They were asked to have the conversation in English first and later, the same conversation in Telugu. This forms a good mapping in their minds. 

Homework

Gunintaalu needs some more practice before we can get started with writing sentences. Students are expected to work with their parents to write the 4 simple gunintam sheets that can be found at https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NNXhLTG1XQW9HbDg 

Based on today’s class, I think that students do well with a written aid to speak. Students are expected to prepare a written aid for next week’s role play speeches. The context is a car sales person and a prospective buyer. The template for this homework can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3IeuUQA9h8Ncm42bG9QUlp2REE/view?usp=sharing. Students need to work with their parents, with at least 4 questions and answers. The best way to do it is to come with both roles and write questions & answers in English. Then they can translate it in Telugu in class. 5-10 students will be asked to present their sales person & customer conversation in Telugu in a max time of 2 minutes

Plan for next class

Spoken Telugu – sales person & customer conversation in Telugu – Role play

Padyam revision

Gunintaalu dictation. Try to form simple sentences.

Note:

Parents, the students are gaining good spoken skills in Telugu. Without practice, these skills cannot be retained.

**Please try to speak to your children in Telugu to the extent possible. Let’s maximize Telugu speaking at home. You have all been so keen for your children to learn spoken Telugu. Trust me, this one step will make a huge difference. Please try and see the difference yourself***

Also, please ensure that your children complete home work every week. I have been getting only 1 or 2 home works every week

October 2, 2016

What did we cover in the class?

Story – The power of determination

Story of Dhruva, the power of getting positive inspiration from the events in life, determination and commitment, doing well when none is watching

Core Activity

Revision of the names of vegetables through “story of vegetables”. 3 Kids presented their own stories or helped to present. The students absolutely loved it! 

We also revised the list of vegetables given at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3IeuUQA9h8NMGQwdjFpWS1lTWM/view?usp=sharing once again

Continuing with basic sentence construction in Telugu with a theme of opposites. Sweet - Sour, Hot - cold, Hard - soft, Early - late, Difficult - easy, Big - small, Tall - short, Young – old, fat - thin, day - night. Writing of sentences did not start yet.

Homework

Gunintaalu needs some more practice before we can get started with writing sentences. Students are expected to work with their parents to practice achchulu, hallulu and gunintaalu.  Practice అచ్చులు, హల్లులు from  మన తెలుగు పరిచయ *AND* Page 2 to 28 in మన తెలుగు శిశు  (At least 4 words from each page the students should read & write). They need to read to a parent and can use a white paper to write 

Plan for next class

• Spoken Telugu – Some more conversation about vegetables. We shall introduce a role play (for conversations) with the context of a teacher asking student for homework. Two students will play the role of a teacher and student. They will discuss the situation in Telugu. I believe it is going to be fun
• We will play a game for reinforcing the knowledge of antonym relationship.
• We will begin writing simple sentences
• Padyam
• Gunintaalu practice. Try to form simple sentences.

Note:

Parents, the following is required for each student in Telugu class.

• 1.     A binder to collect and organize all the material provided in class and taken as printout
• 2.     A note book and pen or pencil

Important links

Mana Telugu Syllabus

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3IeuUQA9h8NWkVzYWFUbkIyWm8/view

Mana Telugu Madhyama class schedule

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NTlNoUlpxUEVsZFE

September 25, 2016

What did we cover in the class?

Story – Acceptance of diversity

Story of Shivaji and how he accepted diversity by accepting Quran with the same respect as Bhagavdgeeta

Core Activity

Vegetables was today’s theme. The names of several vegetables in Telugu were introduced. Here is a link to the vegetables discussed https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3IeuUQA9h8NMGQwdjFpWS1lTWM/view?usp=sharing

Got started with basic sentence construction in Telugu with a theme of opposites. Big/Small, Tall/short words were introduced and many students constructed words using those sentences. Writing of sentences did not start yet.

Homework

Many students did not finish last year’s final exam paper. They are expected to finish it this week with no choice. In other words, students are expected to complete all the questions in the paper. The students are expected to work with their parents while doing so.

The link to a soft copy of last year question paper is https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NSXZNVjQwMU5jTEk

Students are expected to come prepared to speak about a story with vegetables, whether it is their visit to a grocery store, or curries that they liked in their summer time or something else. The students are expected to work with their parents and come  prepared. 5-10 students will be asked to present their “vegetable story” in a max time of 2 minutes

Plan for next class

Spoken Telugu - Story of vegetables – presentations from students

Story - Dhruva

Continue formation of simple sentences.

Note:

Parents, the following is required for each student in Telugu class.

1.              A binder to collect and organize all the material provided in class and taken as printout

2.             A note book and pen or pencil

The kids are provided Madhyama syllabus and class schedule. Please note that the class schedule can vary depending on how the students are performing and responding

September 18, 2016

What did we cover in the class?

Reading and writing warm up.

Core Activity

A few words from మన తెలుగు పరిచయ, for basic Telugu words, from మన తెలుగు శిశు (UKG) for gunintaalu and vattulu were discussed in the class. These words were demonstrated on how to read & write.

Students were individually helped when needed

Homework

The students are expected to complete last year’s final exam paper. Although there was choice given in the exam, for this assignment, there is no choice allowed. In other words, students are expected to complete all the questions in the paper. The students are expected to work with their parents while doing so.

The link to a soft copy of last year question paper is https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NSXZNVjQwMU5jTEk

This homework would reinforce the warm up of learning the achchulu, hallulu, gunintaalu and vattulu to the students.

Plan for next class

• Story – accepting diversity – Story of Shivaji
• Spoken Telugu – vocabulary – vegetables
• Writing simple sentences as translation from English sentences

Note:

Parents, the following is required for each student in Telugu class.

1. A binder to collect and organize all the material provided in class and taken as printout
2. A note book and pen or pencil

Please ensure that the kids have this for the next class. Thanks for your cooperation!

Syllabus and class schedule

Mana Telugu Syllabus
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3IeuUQA9h8NWkVzYWFUbkIyWm8/view

Mana Telugu Madhyama class schedule
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3IeuUQA9h8NTlNoUlpxUEVsZFE

September 11, 2016

What did we cover in the class? This was a class of warmup. Kids were allowed to have some fun while learning Core Activity The focus on spoken Telugu skills  in the coming academic year were announced 5-10 kids described their summer experiences in pure Telugu. They were helped as needed Revision of days of week, family relationships, padyams (kanakapu simhasanamuna, uppu kappurambu), Telugu months Homework మన తెలుగు పరిచయ book pages 3-35. The kids are expected to read and write as many words as possible. We will revise them also in the next class. Plan for next class Revision of Telugu gunintaalu & vattulu through simple words. Practice in class. Note: Parents, the following is required for each student in Telugu class. A binder to collect and organize all the material provided in class and taken as printout A notebook and pen or pencil 1.     Please ensure that the kids have this for the next class. Thanks for your cooperation!