Workshop on Joyful Teaching And Learning
On 28th February 2025, the Department of B.Ed., Loreto College, hosted a workshop on "Joyful Teaching and Learning" for the fourth-semester students. The session was conducted by Ms. Sonali Lahiri, a proud alumna of Loreto College, whose passion for education and creative teaching methods turned the workshop into an exciting and eye-opening experience.
The session opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Banerjee, Head of the Department of B.Ed., who introduced Ms. Lahiri and spoke about her contributions to education. The discussion quickly moved to the NEP 2020, sparking a lively exchange of ideas about how modern teaching should focus on joy, curiosity, and engagement.
Then came the first activity-one that seemed almost impossible at first. Students, divided into four groups, were given a single sheet of paper and a pair of scissors and asked to make a garland that could pass through Ms. Lahiri from head to toe-without using glue or tearing the sheet apart. It felt like a trick challenge, but the classroom was filled with cheers and laughter as teams brainstormed, experimented, and figured out the hidden technique. When Ms. Lahiri proudly wore the paper garlands, it became clear: creative thinking can turn any challenge into a fun learning experience.
The energy only grew from there. The next segment focused on using dramatization, curious play, and risky play to make learning exciting for young children. Students sang and acted out classic rhymes like "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Five Little Ducks", realizing how movement, rhythm, and fun storytelling can help students absorb lessons effortlessly.
This was followed by an intriguing communication exercise. In pairs, students sat back-to-back—one person described a shape, and the other had to recreate it based on verbal instructions alone. This simple but powerful activity highlighted the importance of clarity and precision in teaching.
Next came the "Feely Bag" challenge, where students had to identify objects-fruits and vegetables-just by touch, before describing and guessing them. The room was filled with excitement and suspense as everyone tried to recognize the objects inside. This led to another thought-provoking activity, where students had to frame age-appropriate questions for Grades 2 to 5 based on the displayed objects, reinforcing the art of crafting engaging classroom questions.
As the session neared its end, students were given a prop and a challenge-to create and act out an original story. The room transformed into a stage where creativity, teamwork, and storytelling took over. From hilarious skits to heartfelt narratives, each group delivered memorable performances, proving that stories have the power to teach, entertain, and inspire.
The workshop ended on a reflective note. Each group received a chart to write down their biggest takeaways from the session, which they then presented to the class. The messages were insightful and inspiring-joyful learning makes a lasting impact, creativity fuels engagement, and great teaching is all about connection.
In her closing words, Ms. Lahiri looked around the room and smiled. "We had the spirit," she said, impressed by the enthusiasm and adaptability displayed throughout the session. Though trained primarily for senior school teaching, the students had proven their ability to make learning magical for younger students too.
To express gratitude, a token of appreciation was presented to Ms. Lahiri, marking the end of an insightful, fun, and truly joyful workshop. The day wasn't just about learning how to teach-it was a reminder that teaching itself can be playful, exciting, and deeply fulfilling.
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