This class is aimed at building 21st century skills, focusing on skills that helps in building the ability to understand, visualize and approach academic content. So, I will be working on the "behind the scenes" skills, that help children become sharp learners. Here are 4 examples of themes/topics which we will cover in the coming 4 sessions. This is to highlight the nature and focus of the classes. The overarching theme will be play-

1) Week of 30th September 2024: Tic Tac Toe: Although a basic game, this game can teach students about directions (upper right corner, center etc), relationality among grid, pattern making, and logical reasoning.
2) Week of 7th October 2024: Connect 4: Besides problem solving and critical thinking and decision making, this game is amazing at helping students understand diagonal.
3) Week of 14th October 2024: Shape Making: I will have random items laying around and the kids will guide me how to build required shapes. Such as making a square with popsicle sticks.
4) Week of 21th October 2024: Pattern Game: Using patterns to help children build their logical thinking. Such as red, blue, red, blue , (what comes next ). And it will increase in complexity as we move forward.

Asking questions is one of the best ways to help students think, or think about their thinking (metacognition). Awareness of what one is thinking or how one is approaching a problem is such an integral skills. It helps children think in abstract terms, and talking about it helps us adults understand what they are thinking, where they are stuck, and how to help them.

In the interest building these skills, I will hold 3 classes every week. Each class we will have a new task, so whoever wants to join in can. Student's who have already taken the class will learn something new each time. Another added advantage of the class structure is that the questions will emerge from the students and their work in the class. I use their interests and their own work to understand their thinking.

I teach in a collaborative manner. Students and I work together. I ensure they have their 'aha' moments. My aim will be to start the class by introducing the task for the day, then I will move onto students sharing something they know about the task. Later we will delve into the task further, which will be lead and directed by me. For instance, if we are playing Tic Tac Toe, I will be using my screen to draw out the grid and it will be me against all the students in the class. If I place an O in the center, the students will be asked to collaborate and decide how their turn will go. If they decide to place an X in a corner, they will have to justify and explain their decision. This is how each new task will be approached and dealt with.