Little Storytellers of Nashik
With guidance and innovative strategies, Teacher Charushila transformed her first-grade classroom into a thriving space for storytelling and literacy, empowering young children to create and share their own stories
Vaviharsh is a small village nestled at the foot of a hill, 45 kilometres from Trimbakeshwar. The terrain is challenging, and teacher Charushila makes the daily bus journey to the school.
Since enrolling in the Teacher Innovator Program (TIP) in 2021, she’s been enthusiastic. “The strategies CEQUE taught us over the past two years have been invaluable,” she explains. “I used them with my 4th-grade language students in the first year, and then with 5th-grade maths students in the second. The results were remarkable. Most of the children learned to think critically, asking ‘Why?’ about everything, whether it was a maths problem or a lesson.”
However, in 2023, Charushila felt a little apprehensive. She’d been assigned to teach 1st grade. After a story writing training session in July, she confessed to coach Shekhar Salunke during his school visit, “These children are so young. They can’t read or write yet. I’m not sure where to even begin.”
Shekhar encouraged her to take a class, which he observed. Afterward, they discussed her concerns. He suggested starting by developing a reading corner and then demonstrating how to conduct story-writing lessons with 1st-grade students. “We worked together,” Shekhar recalls, “Charushila, the children, and I, creating a reading corner in the classroom. Colourful books were displayed and hung on the board.”
Following Coach Shekhar’s guidance, Teacher Charushila chose the book ‘Manjarachi Ghost’ (The Cat's Story). She introduced the children to the concept of a front and back cover, author, and illustrator. Then, she engaged them in a discussion about the pictures, prompting them to identify the characters and objects, and relating them to their own experiences.
Coach Shekhar continued to support Teacher Charushila throughout the year as she implemented the strategies. Months later, during a surprise visit by Kendra Pramukh Mr. Borade, he found the children engrossed in the reading corner, some trying to retell the stories in their own words, others attempting to write their own, many choosing cats or dogs as their subjects. Impressed, he declared he would recommend other schools replicate Charushila’s approach.
By March, at the annual Seekhe India Utsav, where children showcase their work, 15 of the 17 Year 1 students proudly presented their own handmade storybooks.
