Transforming classrooms into learning domains, GIIS Balestier Campus organised two remarkable exhibitions on 27th February, 2013. The annual Kindergarten exhibition titled Celebrating Uniqueness focused on Multiple Intelligences to celebrate the uniqueness of every child. Alongside this, Transcending Boundaries, a CBSE-i exhibition for Classes 1 to 3 turned the spotlight on implementation of the schools academic modules that reflected various themes prescribed under the CBSE-i curriculum.

Celebrating Uniqueness demonstrated how each childs special attributes could be drawn out by the teacher, to ensure that the predominant intelligences of a child are fully nurtured for learning to happen at its optimum. Ms Sujata Tilak, the KG Coordinator, enlightened the audience on the theoretical aspects of Multiple Intelligences. Every lesson plan made at GIIS Balestier Campus contains activities that would help tap or enhance these intelligences. This approach ensures that no childs need is left unattended. Childrens activities for six themes - My Body, Fruits and Vegetables, Animals, Plants, Birds, and Transport were displayed at the exhibition. For the themes - My Body, Fruits and Vegetables and Animals, the progression of activities from Nursery to K2 were showcased. The difficulty and complexity level of activities increased with every level. Visitors were able to learn through the eyes of every child as they strolled around the breath taking creative exhibits ranging from endangered pandas munching bamboos to Arctic penguins huddled in snow. Apart from the displays, childrens presentation on the theme Transport for the intelligence Bodily kinaesthetic followed by a presentation on Musical Intelligence enthralled the audience.

Alongside this, Transcending Boundaries, a CBSE-i exhibition for Classes 1 to 3 highlighted five learning areas or units of Enquiry with a core area in the centre. The creative projects and writes-ups highlighted implementation of the schools academic modules that reflected various themes prescribed under the CBSE-i curriculum. The exhibition aimed at giving visitors a birds eye view of the teaching methods used in imparting this curriculum.

Various methods including fun activities, games, outdoor experiences, and role play adopted in classrooms to impart these themes were put up as exhibits for all. The visitors got a peek into the myriad of challenging, inquiry-based and integrated activities that took the rote out of learning and moved away from stereotypic classrooms. Class 1 bore the theme Transport and communication, Class 2 Seasons and Festivals and Class 3 Air, Water & Universe around which a wide range of activities were portrayed in English, Math and Science. Cutouts of all things associated with the themes became learning boards on which different activities were segregated and methodically pasted. Game cards and boards designed by children reinforced that children learn through being engaged in play. Eye-catching models like that of Solar system and Wind vanes arrested the attention of the visitors who gushed that the stimulating displays reflected great imagination and conscientious effort of all those involved. Apart from the exhibits, live demonstrations in the form of role plays, short skits, and song and dance were all part of the effort to portray how dramatization, role-plays and such other appealing exercises motivate students to learn through non-traditional methods too. The meticulous showcasing of the Core of the CBSE-i curriculum gave an impetus to the exhibition. Life skills covered activities that promoted Creative and Critical Thinking Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving and Decision making skills. Perspectives introduced students to global and local issues like global warming and conservation of endangered animals with a perfect mix of thought-provoking worksheets and creative handcrafts. SEWA (Social Empowerment through Work and Action), incorporated value teaching to awaken the senses of students. Age-appropriate activities under Core brought attention to everyday scenarios as teachable moments to convey social and moral values used at GIIS Balestier Campus.

Notable visitors to the exhibition included Mr Gau Poh Teck Principal of Mee Toh School accompanied by two Vice Principals -Mrs Chu-Tan Kim Yan and Ms Kong Su May of Mee Toh School, Mrs Aparna Temurnikar, Mrs Smita Wargantiwar, Mrs Vrushali Bodhankar, Ms Deepti Bhanot and GIIS parents along with other guests.

The two exhibitions resonated how important it is to encourage students to surpass their limits and equip them for challenges in todays world.

Undoubtedly, parents, who are partners in teaching and learning, chalked up fond memories too.

Mr Shaheer Shamsi and Mrs Tabassum, parents of Shimrah, K2 B, GIIS Balestier Campus were delighted to know what their child is learning at GIIS at the Celebrating Uniqueness exhibition. They said, "We can see so much confidence in her when she speaks at home or her friends in our vicinity. She is learning new things at school and look forward to go to school every day. We are pleased with our decision to send her to GIIS."

Mr Ranganath Shankavaram, parent of Saarthak, K1-D, GIIS Balestier Campus, conveyed, "It was my pleasure to attend the Multiple Intelligence (MI) exhibition and I would like to thank GIIS for providing an opportunity to know about the MI as a skill development package that is used in Montessori schooling to develop and progress the MI skills in children. This was the first time I have attended such an exhibition and it gave me a good understanding and put together the different pieces of information that is shared by my child and also the weekly updates from the class teachers. It was enlightening to me that the short topics on a daily schedule would cover the overall development of the children. My hearty congratulations to the GIIS team for all the hard work behind this wonderful exhibition. Kindly keep up the good work."

Mr Praween and Mrs Jyotsna Vukkalam, parents of Varun, Class 1C, said about Transcending Boundaries exhibition: "We greatly appreciate the efforts taken to put this exhibition together. We also have able to been better appreciate some things that Varun said at home about school activities."