At Aster, Robotics is a compulsory module from Grade 3 onwards. This is because we believe that teaching robotics will enable our students to explore, to try new things, and to develop numerous skills that are going to assist them in conquering the world once they graduate from Aster.
Our Robotics curriculum encourage students to discover different ways to solve the same issue. After understanding the issue itself, students will be able to see what are the paths they could walk in order to solve the specific challenge.
Do they need to focus on the robot’s sensors? Maybe a little adjustment to the wheels? These and many more questions will enable your students to analyse the full scenario of possibilities, adding a 360º perspective, and allow them to solve problems in a smarter, more enlightened way.
And of course, it is an engaging, fun activity to transmit this skill to them.
At Aster we put social emotional learning at the centre of everything that we do. As we believe in creating an environment where all adults can offer their best selves and where students have ample opportunities to practice the skills that support their learning and development.
There are many benefits of social and emotional learning (SEL) that can be seen in the classroom and school. They include:
Therefore, we have incorporated SEL as a lesson in our timetable from Grade 1 onwards. These lessons are conducted by our full-time counsellor.
These are some examples of the SEL activities that students do in their SEL classes:
At Aster we believe that sports are an integral part of the educational process and have integrated sports firmly into our curriculum. We have one sports lessons daily scheduled in our timetables as fitness is our most important priority.
Our Sports Education Programme places emphasis on the development of knowledge, attitudes and skills related to a range of physical and health related activities. The Programme aims to encourage students to:
At Aster, we have expert professional coaches to support different sports like swimming, basketball, football, volleyball, chess, netball, karate, cricket, skating, tennis, table tennis, badminton. Also, the students get opportunities to participate in varied recreational programs that include gymnastics, aerobics, yoga, athletics and exercise.
We train our students for both National and International level championships and sports events.
Mindfulness has an extraordinary capacity to build a strong body, mind and spirit in ourselves as adults, as well as in our children. Science has told us that it can help to protect against stress, anxiety, depression, illness and pain, ease the symptoms of autism and ADHD, improve academic performance and social relationships, as well as expand the capacity to experience positive emotions.
Mindfulness is about stepping back and seeing thoughts and feelings come and go, without judgement, but with a relaxed mind, fully focused on the present moment. Children are wonderfully present in what they do, but as life picks up speed, the capacity to experience that calm, strengthening stillness can become more difficult to access. The sooner we can encourage the little people in our lives towards mindfulness, the greater their capacity for mindful presence will be. A regular mindful practice will ensure that existing neural connections are strengthened and new ones established.
At Aster, we have designed the daily schedule such that there is a dedicated time for students to meditate early in the morning. The children will follow a structured lesson plan everyday to help them progressively develop better focus and retention.
Reading is getting redefined at Aster with DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) Programme.
We have incorporated two DEAR lessons in our timetable every week for English and Urdu. The whole idea is that once the DEAR lessons start students and teachers read a book of their choice. So much of what we do in school involves books and reading material selected by the teacher. DEAR time lets students pick whatever reading material they want to just enjoy.
It allows children to see that reading for fun and pleasure is a valuable experience. It also help develop better writing skills. The more children read, the more they are exposed to the written word and that will lead to better reading and writing skills.
The D.E.A.R. Programme inspires in our students a deep and enduring love for reading and literature that leaves a lasting imprint on their lives.
Arabic is a compulsory language at Aster. We start teaching Arabic to our students from Casa Level 3. The aim is to make our students fluent in spoken Arabic.
An Important aspect of Aster is that parents are facilitated as their child is given the ‘Nazra’ and ‘Tajweed’ lessons which start with Iqra Qaida and is then followed by Holy Quran. We also play a strong emphasis on teaching the students Hadiths and Duas that are applicable in everyday lives. The Islamic studies classes are held simultaneously with the other subjects at all levels, helping to fulfil the need of religious knowledge
From Grade 4 onwards, our students also get a namaz break to offer their prayers in school. There are dedicated prayer areas for males and females on campus.
