Library and Literary Week 2025

In celebration of literature and the spirit of learning, The Indian School – Second Shift hosted Library and Literary Week from 21 to 25 April. Rooted in the ethos of the National Education Policy, the week emphasised holistic and activity-based learning, blending education with entertainment or 'edutainment'—to create joyful, engaging, and meaningful experiences for the students of classes 1 to 10.

Through the week, students explored the rich worlds of English, Hindi, Sanskrit, and French through diverse activities designed to ignite imagination, encourage expression, and develop a lifelong love for literature.

Students of class 1 began their literary journey of the year with the enchanting tale, “The Fly that Forgot its Name”. Through story card sequencing and dragonfly craft-making, they reinforced comprehension and creativity. In the Chocolate Wrapper Art activity, they identified words and practiced reading labels, improving their observation and vocabulary. Hindi learning included word classification and solving fruit and vegetable riddles, all presented in a playful, engaging manner. They also went on a storywalk in the School garden to listen to tales close to nature.

The children of class 2 created colourful posters for the days of the week and recited their favourite poems with expressive flair. The tale “The Friendly Octopus” was shared in a storytelling session, promoting cleanliness, followed by an octopus craft. Activities like tongue twisters, bookmark-making based on “The Kind Tree” and toy-based story narration sparked imagination and developed communication and sequencing skills. During the story telling session, the young ones articulated their stories through beautiful illustrations.

The students of class 3 connected with celebrated authors by designing bookmarks featuring famous quotes. They explored storytelling by arranging picture cards into narratives and participated in Hindi storytelling, blending visual and linguistic creativity to enhance listening, comprehension, and writing skills.

Class 4 students designed profile cards for their favourite authors and reimagined book covers to reflect themes and emotions. They also crafted Hindi crossword puzzles, which tested vocabulary and sharpened critical thinking, making language learning interactive and fun.

The young literary minds of class 5 took on the role of journalists by designing their own newspaper pages, featuring book reviews, author interviews, poems, and short stories. They also presented Hindi stories of their choice, promoting confidence, public speaking, and a deeper appreciation of literature. To make the students 'think on their feet', they participated in an extempore speech event, based on the given topic.

Special Events and Workshops:

The sessions of The Literary Week commenced on 21 Apriwith a storytelling session by Ms. Kiran, who mesmerised the students of classes 4 and 5 with her engaging narration.

On 22 April, Ms Neena Mathew led an English poetry writing session, encouraging students to experiment with rhythm, rhyme, and imagery. Their verses reflected imagination and emerging confidence in poetic expression.

23 April was the most eventful day, featuring workshops by the National Book Trust. These included a musical storytelling workshop by Ms Vasudha Ahuja and Mr Kunal Sharma who blended melody with narrative for a rich sensory experience and a story writing workshop by Ms Shalini Bansal who taught students the essentials of plot and character development. A creative writing workshop by Ms Amrit Nagpal inspired spontaneous, original compositions, nurturing expressive freedom.

The students of class 6 introduced themselves in French, describing their names, ages, hobbies, and preferences—an exciting first step into foreign language learning. They also participated in a Hindi creative writing session and an English vocabulary quest, exploring word meanings, synonyms, and usage through collaborative learning.The students also prepared Literary Calendars marking the birth dates of various writers/poets. The students thoroughly enjoyed the "Spin-the-Genre Storytelling" activity which gave wings to their creativity, and helped build spontaneous thinking and writing and speaking skills.

Class 7 engaged with classic Hindi poetry by reciting Rahim ke Dohe and Kabir ke Dohe. The “Dohe ki Antakshari” game added a joyful twist, reinforcing learning through play. In French, they designed eco-innovative product advertisements, promoting sustainability while honing vocabulary and persuasive skills. English learners created book advertisements, focusing on themes and reader appeal. A presentation on their favourite author was a meaningful way to improve the students’ research, speaking, and organisational skills while promoting a love for literature.

The activity “Chitron Ki Bhasha” challenged the students of class 8 to express ideas through visuals. They also composed English comics with compelling characters and presented on French authors, refining research, public speaking, and cross-cultural understanding. They also transformed their classroom into a Cozy Library Café creating a warm, engaging environment to encourage reading, sharing, and community-building.

The students of class 9 explored Nara Lekhan, using creative lettering to express themes of social and personal relevance. They also presented on “Cultural Stereotypes: France and India” in French, analysing common perceptions, their roots, and their impact—fostering critical thinking and cultural sensitivity. A close reading of a character or figure during the activity, ‘Character Silhouettes’ encouraged the students to go beyond the surface and engage deeply with a text—analyzing motivation, relationships, development, and literary techniques.

Through their short play, “ ” (The Silent Cry of the Earth), the students of class 10  highlighted environmental issues like pollution and climate change, personifying Earth to convey urgency and inspire action. A French debate on “Can money buy happiness?” showcased their analytical thinking and fluency, with diverse viewpoints backed by real-life examples. The students explored how the English language has developed from its early roots to modern-day usage through research, collaboration, and presentation.

Library and Literary Week 2025 was a pageant of language, creativity, and imagination. From storybook crafts in class 1 to debates and plays in class 10, each activity empowered the students to engage deeply with the world of words.
The Literary and Library Week at The Indian School – Second Shift was not just a celebration of books and language, but a joyful journey into the world of imagination, expression, and creativity. Through stories, poems, plays, workshops, and hands'-on activities, our students discovered the power of words to inform, inspire, and transform.

The week served as a meaningful reminder that libraries are not just spaces filled with books—they are gateways to new ideas, cultures, and possibilities. Literature, in all its forms and languages, helped our learners connect with both the world around them and the worlds within.
As the curtains draw on this vibrant week, we carry forward the joy of reading, the curiosity to explore, and the courage to express ourselves. May our students continue to turn pages with wonder, write with purpose, and speak with the confidence that comes from a heart full of stories and a mind open to learning.
The spirit of Literary and Library Week will live on in every word they read, write, and share.