What Does Transdisciplinary Mean?

Adapted from - PYP From Principles to Practices (https://ibo.my.site.com/ibportal/)

We often confuse "transdisciplinary" with "interdisciplinary" and "multidisciplinary," but they are different. Transdisciplinary learning is unique because it doesn’t focus on individual school subjects. Instead, it helps students understand and solve real-world problems by using knowledge from different subjects together.

Image courtesy: https://imaqpress.com/2678/differentiation-between-interdisciplinary-and-transdisciplinary-concepts/

The Differences in Simple Words:

• Interdisciplinary: Different subjects connect and share ideas, and sometimes they create something new.
  Example: If students are learning about space exploration, they might combine physics (to understand gravity), math (to calculate distances), and history (to study past space missions). The subjects work together to deepen understanding.
  Think of it like: A stew—ingredients mix, but you can still see and taste them separately.

• Multidisciplinary: Different subjects study the same topic, but they stay separate. Students learn the topic from different angles, but subjects don’t mix.
  Example: If students study climate change, they might learn about its effects in science, its impact on people in geography, and the financial side in economics, but each subject stays separate.
  Think of it like: A mixed salad—everything is in one bowl, but each ingredient remains separate.

• Transdisciplinary: Subjects disappear, and learning is based on a big question, theme, or problem. Students use knowledge from different subjects to explore and solve real-world issues.
  Example: If students study pollution, they will use science to understand air quality, geography to map affected areas, ethics to discuss responsibility, and technology to find solutions—all at the same time. The focus is on solving the problem, not the subjects.
  Think of it like: A cake—once the ingredients are mixed and baked, you can’t separate them!

   

  Image courtesy: https://mariosoflano.home.blog/2019/04/14/interdisciplinarity/ 
  

   Why is Transdisciplinary Learning Important?

Transdisciplinary learning helps students:
✔ Think critically and solve real-world problems
✔ Connect learning to their everyday lives
✔ Explore topics based on their interests and questions
✔ Learn in a meaningful and natural way instead of keeping subjects separate

This approach makes learning more engaging, practical, and useful beyond school!

Why Teach? – From My Heart to the Classroom

Teaching – it’s not just a profession, it’s a calling. I’ve often asked myself, why did I choose to teach? And every time, the answer has come from the heart, not the head. It’s not about lesson plans, report cards, or assessments — it’s about humans, connections, and change.

The First Spark

I didn’t just stumble into teaching. It was a conscious choice, but I never realized how deeply it would transform me. When I first stepped into a classroom, I thought my role was to impart knowledge. Little did I know that my students would end up teaching me so much more. Their curiosity, innocence, and boundless imagination made me realize — teaching isn’t about what you deliver, it’s about what you ignite.

The Power of Impact

I’ve seen it happen. The moment when a student gets it. That spark in their eyes when they understand something they once thought was impossible. The joy in their voice when they share their learning with someone else. Every time that happens, I’m reminded why I teach. It’s not for the paycheck or the holidays; it’s for those transformative moments.

Building Relationships, Not Just Knowledge

Over the years, I’ve learned that teaching is less about transferring information and more about building relationships. When you understand a child beyond their academics — their fears, their dreams, their strengths — you unlock the potential that even they don’t know exists.

I remember a student who was painfully shy and hesitant to participate. Over time, through gentle encouragement, he found his voice. The day he confidently presented in front of the class was the day I realized — my role isn’t just to teach; it’s to empower.

The Real-World Connection

Teaching goes beyond textbooks. It’s about helping students make sense of the world around them. Whether it’s through travel writing, eco-crafts, or reflective practices, my goal has always been to connect learning to real life. When a child sees the relevance of what they’re learning, it sticks. And honestly, that’s the most fulfilling part.

A Two-Way Street

Here’s the thing — teaching has shaped me just as much as I’ve shaped my students. It has made me more patient, empathetic, and reflective. Every mistake, every success, every tear, and every smile has contributed to my personal growth. I’ve realized that teaching isn’t about being the ‘expert’ in the room; it’s about being the most human in the room.

Why I’ll Always Teach

So, why teach? Because I believe in the power of education to change lives. Because I believe every child has untapped potential waiting to be discovered. Because the world needs empathetic, curious, and compassionate humans — and I get to play a small part in shaping them.

 

An inquiry into challenges and opportunities faced by children.

 Hey all,

I am back. Just thought of sharing a snapshots of a unit  we did in our class. I just love the way students inquire and build on inquiry.

Transdisciplinary Theme: Sharing the planet

Central Idea: Children worldwide encounter a range of opportunities and challenges.

                                                                                                      

Lines of inquiry: 

- Access to equal opportunities

- Children’s response to challenges and opportunities faced

-     - Promotion of equal opportunities among children

Here are a few learning engagements done by the students to build on their understanding about the central idea.

Prior knowledge assessment: 

Gratitude wall - Students built a gratitude wall by mentioning about the things they are thankful for followed by a discussion to be grateful, through which students were able to identify challenges,  and opportunities in their life.
1.      Think pair share - Students unfolded  the meaning of – ‘opportunities’ by discussing with the peers and had a discussion in class. They created a list of opportunities they have in their life sharing multiple perspectives.
2.      Golden hour – Students were provided different opportunities in groups like – opportunities to search anything on internet, use as much stationary as they want to etc. use of any special area. They entered the class using an entry slip where they reflected on their experiences.
3.      Around the world- students researched on different opportunities that children in different countries  get and compared their findings with each other’s using a Venn diagram.
4.      Three – two – one -  students were provoked by displaying pictures of children being mis-handled and they pointed out what’s wrong in it by writing three facts, two questions and one opinion sharing multiple perspectives. Then they were shown a slide show of rights of children to develop deeper understanding of opportunities in order to understand human commonality.

5.      Students completed a table – challenges, risks, causes - who, where, what.
6.      Matinee show - Students watched a movie Pahuna and identified the challenges and risks that children face in the movie. The reflection helped building an understanding of human diversity and how they cope up with the challenges.
7.      Exploring the world – students researched on various challenges and risks faced by the children around the world like child labor, child abuse, diseases, road safety rules, first aid, vaccination etc. and presented their learning in the form of PowerPoint Presentation/Y chart/research paper giving multiple perspectives about human commonalities from local to global level.
8.      Art integration – In groups, students illustrated and added words/phrases/ the ways in which they can overcome all the major risks that they had researched upon under the guidance of Art teacher.
9.      Newspaper exhibition - Students collected newspaper articles and situations where children’s basic needs are denied and created a collage in groups and presented it in the class. They understood human commonality and diversity.

10. The summative task took place in the form of a street play after a number of formative assessments, making sure that each student was walking towards the right path it the learning and teaching process. 

courtesy: my beautiful school - Akal Academy Baru Sahib http://akalacademybarusahib.com/ 

Teachers are SuPeR HuMaNs 💃

Hi guys! Long time no see.

How’s everything going on? All well? Of course it has to be!

So where have I been these days? I was busy taking care of my classroom, my students and myself. Yes, myself! We teachers too, need a lot of care and self-motivation. There are times when I think that I am really messed up with life and I am fed up with what I am doing and I wonder that what am I doing with my life? Am I stuck? Am I done? But then I remember all those innocent faces waiting for me every day in the class. I felt the same a few days ago. It’s like I had a mental breakdown where I stopped talking to everyone and I just wanted to be left alone…

And I know everyone feels the same sometimes or the other and let me tell you the best person who can help you out is you – yourself. Think about all the people who love you and all the things you need to be thankful about.

So where was I? Ah yes -  I was busy, busy reinforcing my ‘super powers’. Ha ha!

We all have powers – power to make somebody smile, power to make somebody feel comfortable, power to listen and power to be patient. And then there are people with ‘super powers’.

Now super – humans are people with unusual strength/power or abilities who use them to help others. And I think that ‘Teachers are super humans’ and there is no doubt in that. Every day I observe my peers, my colleagues and the hard work put in by each one of them. Being a part of residential school, our responsibility is enormous. We are responsible for their overall development for a particular period of time. Every day – the first thing that pops up in my mind is my students. People say mothers are super heroes and so are teachers. Where a mother has to take care of 1 -2 children at a particular time, a teacher looks after 20 – 30 students and some schools even more! Still you would find each one of them smiling at the end of the day because of the efforts put in by them for their students.

I decided to write this article because I heard an elderly person once saying that “teaching is the easiest profession! People who have no job usually end up teaching!” That’s so sad and so not true at the same time!

I believe – teaching is the noblest profession. A teacher creates human material! A teacher nurtures a child from a tiny young sapling to a perfect human material who has to take care of the world. All the professionals are born out of teaching. Teachers take care of the future – the future of mother Earth. Times are changing and so is the world. There is so much to do, so much to conquer but we are still stuck in the rot and partial norms of society.

So people out there let me tell you – It takes guts to be a teacher. We have to sacrifice, not for our children but for the children of the future. Children who will make this place a better place to live in. So kindly start respecting teachers and believe in their abilities to transform…

Live, love, laugh and spread that awesome smile on your faces.

'Politics - a barrier in schools'

There is a friend of mine working in a different school whom I know as a very hardworking and dedicated teacher but who gets really upset at times. The reason is 'politics'.

In India you may find 'ministerism' in every individual. From 'Mauryans' to 'Mughals' - India has always been a land of political conflicts. Today, we may find a 'Neta Ji' in every gali. Chanakya was the first well known politician of India who used politics as a great source for the progress and development of his motherland but not for his own greed or appraisal.
Now - politics is flowing in the blood of each and every individual and it has become a part of educational institutes and schools too. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Politics should be used as a weapon for the development of society not for its collapse....

What has happened now - is that some self proclaimed Netas have taken it to a different level in the schools which is not acceptable for God's sake! Schools are meant to work for the development of the children - our future. Gone are those days when schools were considered temples. The so called priests of these temples have polluted them for their solely mean purpose of increase in salary or appraisal.

When a teacher works with a lot of dedication and some nasty politics comes in the way barring and demoralizing him/her, the person gets totally deviated which affects a lot on the working capabilities of the teacher.

So here is a message for all such 'Neta Jis' who become a barrier in the working and commitment of many individuals - please keep your so called politics as a source of self entertainment or if they find themselves excellent in this field, they should take up politics as their career choice and not ruin the life of students and hard working teachers.

✌ Dedicated to all hard working teachers out there - Remember! This is temporary. You will shine...
God bless us all with happiness and strength.

Gratitude

So how was the day everyone? I hope you are all having a blast - life is short ~ make the most of it...
I, at school have got lots to do. So as most of the days - I got up and then fell again on 'the most comfortable bed of the world'  I was in one of my favorite dilemmas whether to get up right now or after a few minutes. The lazy side of me was about to triumph when my phone rang up and on the other side was my brother - the big boss - "Awake?" "Veerji! I am so tired and I have got so much to do, I dont want to.."  I said in a sad tone...
And then once again he gave one of the most important lessons of life.
Face anything that makes you feel depressed and show it that you are a strong soul. Feel thankful Harpreet - for everything. Not everybody has what you already have. I woke up and then, knowing I need to be ready and go for work, he told me to talk as soon as I get free... I talked and  here is what I learnt today -
1. Be thankful and express your gratitude to God for every little blessing that he had bestowed upon us.
2. Stop cursing yourself. You are strong and can handle a lot. You have survived a lot and will survive whatever is coming.
3. Stop worrying and start acting. Worrying will not lessen your burden. Do your best and keep doing - it is enough.
4. Make each day as beautiful as you want it to. It will not return.
5. Smile because it costs nothing and when you smile it has that magical power to convert all your sadness to happiness. Embrace yourself as you are a wonderful creation of the almighty.
Tomorrow in our class - I am going to tell my students what Winnie - the pooh says. He is one of my favorites..

And yes, we are going to make a gratitude wall and lets see what new those little angels will let me know... 

Let us make every day a favorite day. 

God bless us all with love and care...

Another day passes by...

Hi guys
So another day comes to an end. The most precious time is now - the present that is why it is called so 'present'. I am actually working on the reflections of the previous unit that we have just finished last week. My students inquired about the human body and organ systems. While going through the inquiry - my so called 'student teachers' inquired about all the possible fields of human body they could think of.
They went into organ transplantion and pre and post care in such cases. We had an organ donation drive in which people were advised to help the other inhabitants of the planet by donating organs.
While reflecting and making an action plan some of them spoke about their desire to donate organs! Such is their maturity to connect to things. I sometimes get so motivated by things they do and share.
Children are so innocent yet so mature...
God bless us all. 😊