Group Activity

Make a toy:

What you require? Thread, bottle cap, two small rings.

Make two holes on the bottle cap. Tie one end of the thread to one ring and pass the thread through one hole on the cap. Take it to the other ring and tie a knot. Now stretch the remaining thread and pass it through the second hole. Tie the end of the thread to other ring. You are read to play the game!

Wear the rings on the index finger of each hand. Turn the thread such that the bottle cap rolls in one direction. Now stretch the thread by increasing the distance between the two index fingers. Alternatively bring them closer. Hear the sound and observe the cap rolling with speed. Challenge your friends to play this game using other fingers!

[Kaumudi: please draw the picture of the toy.]

Explore:

Observe others using computers and note which fingers they use to type different alphabets.

Find out different activities on the computer that tell you when to take a break.

Teacher's corner

  1. Begin the class by asking the students if the students like to work on computers. (Most of them would say yes). Now ask, how long do they usually work on the computer. Ask them what would happen if they continue using computer for long hours. Summarize the discussion and explain the reasons for taking breaks while working on the computer.
  2. It is important that students understand the reasons for having a balanced diet. Ask the students what food items they like to eat. List these on the blackboard. Now ask the students what food items they think are healthy and everybody should eat. List these on the blackboard. Ask the students to point out the similarities and differences in the two lists. Ask questions, such as --- “what will happen if you only have the food that you like? If you are fond of ice creams, can you keep eating ice creams every time you are hungry?” --- to encourage discussion in the class. Summarize the discussion and explain the importance of having a balanced diet.
  3. Students have studied the Dos and donts as well as what exercises they should do to remain healthy. Ask four students to demonstrate these in the class. Revise these concepts and emphasize the importance of exercises. (Carry copies of Book II, lesson 3 to show the pictures of different asanas they learned in the computer class last year. )
  4. Tell the students what they should do to limit strain on their eyes. Demonstrate eye exercises in the class. Install applications such as RSI break/ Workrave that remind the computer user to take a break.
  5. Teach the students the appropriate posture while using keyboard. Emphasize the importance of sharing the computer with others in the class.
  6. Open text editor and demonstrate how to type using the associated finger. First, position their fingers on the appropriate alphabet and enter these. Tell the students that middle row amongst the alphabet keys is called the home row. For now, they will learn how to type letters on this row using the associated finger. Allow the students to practice. Tell them that each letter when typed with the finger closest to it reduces strain and increases speed while writing.
  7. Summarize the lesson. Emphasize the importance of taking breaks and doing exercises to remain healthy while using computers.