Exploring Creativity: Extracurricular Offerings at Manthan

As part of holistic development, Manthanities develop their creative talents across four key mediums – art, craft, music, and drama. With the help of educators, students learn to express themselves, inspire creative thinking, and experiment with new ways to achieve excellence in their respective fields.

Art

We believe nurturing a child’s creativity is vital for their overall development. Practising art develops their creative, problem-solving and critical skills. At Manthan, we encourage students to experiment with traditional and modern art forms.

For pre-primary and primary students, art classes are mandatory. They learn the fundamentals of drawing, sketching, shading, and painting. Middle and high school students can delve deeper through the ‘Art and Craft’ club. Club members get assignments and are encouraged to exhibit their artwork.

Craft

Craft classes at Manthan promote imagination and help to improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in pre-primary and primary school students. The teachers use cutting, pasting, and paper folding techniques to encourage students to express themselves and develop their conceptual understanding, concentration, organisational, and planning skills.

For pre-primary and primary students, craft classes are mandatory. Middle and high school students can delve deeper through the ‘Art and Craft’ club. Club members get assignments and are encouraged to exhibit their creations.

Art & Craft Club

Art & Craft Club students learn the basic principles of drawing, sketching, shading, painting, and constructing intricate figures. As they master these fundamentals, the focus shifts to more advanced techniques. Students can showcase their creativity through various mediums, such as print, paint, sculpture, and pottery. Their creations are sometimes displayed and sold as part of Manthan’s community outreach initiative, with the revenue collected going towards charitable causes supported by the school.

Dance

Dance helps students mature physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially. At Manthan, we create various opportunities for students to express themselves through a range of dance genres.

Dance is a mandatory part of the pre-primary and primary students’ curriculum. Middle and high school students can choose to continue learning more advanced forms and choreography techniques by becoming members of the Dance Club. Students of all ages showcase their talent during festival celebrations, events, and assemblies.

In the Dance Club, qualified teachers focus on various dance elements, body movements, and expressions and provide students with in-depth training. Club members also prepare to participate in inter-school events and have a successful track record of participating and winning in solo and group competitions.

Music

Our Music rooms are well-equipped with keyboards, drums, guitars, harmonica, computer and music systems. Music classes are a part of younger grade students’ daily schedules, allowing them to unwind and express themselves. Children showcase their skills through melodious musical performances during assemblies, festival celebrations, or on the annual day.

Music Club members of Middle and High Schools learn their chosen instrument or music genre in great depth. They are encouraged to compose their pieces and perform at different school events and interschool competitions.

With access to fully-equipped music rooms, students in the Music Club can learn and play instruments such as drums, guitar, keyboard, tabla, dholak, daphli, and more. Teachers take into account each student’s level of expertise and encourage them to compose music and form a school band. The band performs at all school events.

Theatre

Theatre is introduced in Grade 4 to build students’ confidence, tackle stage fright, and become comfortable with public speaking. It is often an integral part of language classes to help students improve their vocabulary and to use the language in everyday situations.

The various activities introduced in the drama class aid their learning and enhance soft skills such as observation, memory, voice and speech modulation. The students also learn about teamwork, characterisation, control of body movements, role-play, forms of expression, and problem-solving methods. Theatre also provides students with a different perspective which helps them tackle different subjects in academia.

For example, an explanation or a lesson can be understood through theatre techniques. Such integration between subjects allows learners to get a more well-rounded experience. Students often perform skits during assemblies. A lot of the material used in theatre classes is derived from their other academic classes. Middle and High School students can choose to pursue their interests in the performing arts by being part of the Theatre Club.

In the Theatre Club, students perfect their stage skills, explore topics beyond the classroom, and read world plays and dramas. Club members meet weekly to discuss and learn new aspects of theatre production and rehearse for cultural events at the school and state levels.

FAQ’s

1. What is the teaching methodology followed at The Manthan School?

At Manthan, we embrace a student-centered approach to education, prioritizing the active engagement and participation of learners in their own development. Our lessons are built around collaborative learning, where students work together in groups to research, discuss, and analyze their findings. This process is guided by our skilled and experienced teachers, who provide support while encouraging independent thinking and teamwork.

Additionally, our lessons are designed with differentiated learning in mind, ensuring that the diverse needs of students with varying cognitive abilities are met. By tailoring instruction to accommodate different learning styles and mental capacities, we create an inclusive environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.

2. What are the academic programs and curriculums offered?

At Manthan, we provide both the CBSE and Cambridge curricula, offering students a well-rounded education with global perspectives. All students follow the Cambridge curriculum until Grade 7, after which they and their parents are given the choice to continue with either the Cambridge pathway or switch to the CBSE curriculum, based on their academic goals and preferences.

For those opting for the CBSE curriculum, students will sit for the national board examinations at the end of Grade 10 and Grade 12. Alternatively, students who choose the Cambridge pathway will take the internationally recognized IGCSE exams at the end of Grade 10, followed by AS Level exams in Grade 11, and A Level exams in Grade 12.

3. What extracurricular activities are available at Manthan School?

At Manthan, we provide range of co curricular activities such as Dance, Art, Music and Theatre

4. Are art and craft classes mandatory for all students?

Art and craft classes are mandatory till grade 5. From Middle school, students can pick a specialised club with Art and Craft.

5. What skills do students develop in craft classes?

In art and craft classes, students develop creativity, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities through hands-on activities like drawing, painting, and crafting. They learn patience, attention to detail, and the ability to focus, while also honing collaboration and communication skills in group projects. These classes foster an appreciation for aesthetics and design principles, boosting students’ confidence and encouraging self-expression.

6. Can students participate in dance competitions?

Yes, our students participate in inter as well as intra school competitions.

7. What instruments can students learn in the Music Club?

Guitar, Keyboard and Drums

8. At what age do students begin theatre classes?

Theatre classes begin from the age of 8 or 9.

9. Does Manthan offer clubs for students to pursue creative activities in-depth?

Yes from Middle school. We also have student- led clubs initiated in High School.