Report: Thinkers' Club Session 21

Date: 28th December, 2014
Session # 21
Attended by: 8 participants
Report written by: Zainab Salman

Today was the 21^st session of Thinkers’ Club. This session was about a game that we were going to play. First, we used building blocks to build lots of small things, which were obstacles that we would use for the game. We arranged them on the carpet. Then, we were divided into four groups, 2 children in each group. The game was explained. A group of boys went first. One of them was blindfolded and had to make his way through the obstacles without touching the He was called the ‘follower’. His partner, the ‘leader’ or ‘guide’, was to direct him and tell him, which way to go. Every child was blindfolded once, and every child was made a leader once, too. Although just one boy managed to make his way through the obstacles without hitting them, trying and being careful was fun. The game was enjoyable, but challenging too.  Some children were worried while others were enthusiastic. But all were enjoying. After we were finished with the game, we settled down on the mat. We discussed how we felt when we were blindfolded, what the challenges were, and what we learnt. We learnt to explain, specifically and precisely, what we wanted to say. The challenges were to remember clearly the right and left, how to explain the way to your blindfolded partner, and to go exactly where your partner wants you to go without touching the blocks.

This game is actually like your life. You have lots of obstacles in your life. When you can’t see where you are going, you have guides to lead you to your destination.

We also noted down what a guide and follower should take care of:

A guide should…

• Keep calm
• Think before giving instructions
• Make sure that his/her partner is clear about right and left.

A follower should…

• Follow and trust his partner
• Be clear about right and left
• Not give up
• Be confident
• Listen attentively to his guide

From this activity we learnt about leadership, teamwork, guiding clearly, having confidence in yourself, cooperation, coordination, and understanding what it feels like to be blind. The home task was to check the dictionary, read the meanings of the words ‘specific’ and ‘precise’, write them down, along with any examples. Although this session was supposed to be about the questions asked in the last session, but as many kids were not present, the questions will be discussed and answered next time. However, the questions will be posted on the blog soon, so kids can ponder upon them. This session was fun and interactive.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 20

Date: 21^st December, 2014
Session # 20
Attended by: 13 participants
Report written by: Zainab Salman

Today was the 20^th Session of Thinker’s Club. When most of the children had arrived, we gathered up in the library, dragging chairs to form a circle. When all of us were seated, we recalled what we had done in the last two sessions as some children had joined us after a long time.

Then, we were told to make ‘I can’ and ‘I have’ lists, separately, in two minutes each including the best things you have and can do, right now.  (This task had been done before in another session, but most kids hadn’t completed it before so we were doing it again.) When we were done, we observed that our lists consisted of both types of ‘I cans’, the one we can do right now, and the ones we can do but haven’t done yet. We also shared the best things we have, and some things from the list, I can. 

We realized, that we have numerous blessings, and little time and we can’t thank God for all the things we have. 

Then we were asked if we had ever met a blind or a deaf person and spent time with them? Some of us had, and they shared their experience and how they felt after meeting that person. We all thanked God for making us perfect and blessing us with all the senses. Then we were asked the question “Was God unfair to those who he made blind or deaf?” Some discussed the question with each other, while others thought quietly about it.  Here are the answers we came up with:

   1.    Maybe god made some people blind and some deaf because he wanted to save those people from the sins we commit by looking or listening to wrong or inappropriate things.

   2.    Perhaps those people were very close to God, so he decided to test them if they would still thank him if he took something away from them.

   3.    Those people have other senses that are sharper than usual to help them in their life.

   4.    Maybe God wanted to punish them about the wrong deeds they did, so he took away their eyesight/hearing.

   5.    God made everyone equal, but in a different way. Those people have some hidden talent or rare ability that will make up for their disability.

                                                       
 We also talked about the American Writer, businessman, and motivational speaker, W.Mitchell, who had miraculously survived two accidents in which he had burned some of his body. He has said that “Before my accidents, there were ten thousands things I could do. I could spend the rest of my life dwelling on the things that I had lost, but instead I chose to focus on the nine thousand I still had left.”

Then everybody asked lots of questions related to our discussion in today’s session, and the questions were noted. They will be answered by the next session.

We ended the session by watching a Video Clip of a short talk by Nick Vujicic, a man who was born without limbs, also a motivational speaker and author of three books.

Overall this session was meaningful, and it made me think.

Tone and facial expressions, by Zainab Salman, club member

What is the role of tone and facial expressions in our communication?

I believe, tone and facial expression are an important part of our conversation, and things to take care of.

For Example, you’re talking to someone, using polite and friendly words, but with the troubled expression you’re wearing on your face makes the other person perceive the exact opposite of what you mean. The same goes for tone. So remember, if your facial expressions, tone, and words don’t match, the other person will accept the strongest of them three, that is, the facial expressions.

Is it possible for a person to be fully responsible for his/her tone?

I think so. Because tone is something you can choose for what and how you want to say it. Like if you want to be sarcastic, you’ll say polite words, but use a rude tone (or vice versa). So when you choose your tone yourself, according to how you want to sound, you can be fully responsible for your tone.

Can we control our facial expressions?

I don’t think so. If you’re angry with someone, and someone else is talking to you, chances are that your facial expressions won’t be too kind. Also, you aren’t standing in front of a mirror when you’re talking, so you don’t know if you made a face at something when you should’ve smiled.  Maybe some people can control their facial expressions, but I can’t, and I know it.

Tone and facial expressions, By Fatima Salman, club member

What is the role of tone and facial expressions in our communication?

Our tone and facial expressions have a very important role in our communication. If a person really means what he or she is saying, their tone and facial expressions would match their words. For example, if I’m persuading someone to do something, my tone would be determined and I wouldn’t look angry or bored. But if I’m pretending to be nice to someone I actually hate, my fake smiles might even be detectable and my tone could even give the game away.

Is it possible for a person to be fully responsible for his\her tone?

In a way yes, and in another way, no. I think our tones depend on our mood and feelings at that moment. A person may sound unintentionally rude at some time because something has made him or her feel angry. Or he may sound happy because of something else.

I think there is always a reason for the tone we use. The reason may lie in our statement or in something else. I think that if our tone used is according to what we are saying, then we can control it, but if a certain tone is because of something else (i.e.;  other than what we are saying) then we can’t control it.

Can we control our facial expressions?

I don’t think we can control most of our facial expressions that come by naturally. The only facial expressions that we can control are the ones we show on purpose, like in acting.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 19

Date: 14th December, 2014
Session # 19
Attended by: 8 participants
Report written by: Fatima Salman

In this session, everyone was asked to make a detailed timeline of their lives. We had to include any important event that had ever taken place in our life. This was a task that required thinking and recalling our past. Some people were able to finish their timelines while others took theirs home to complete. 
Any other member who wants to can make their own detailed time line and bring it in the next session.

Thank you

Note: We will not be sharing any timelines on the blog for safety reasons.

Verbal and Non Verbal Communication, Writing by Kenza (online member)

We’re always talking and communicating every day. But what makes up the whole of our communication?

Verbal communication makes up only 7% of how we talk and express ourselves every day, while Non Verbal makes up an amazing 93% of all our communications!

Verbal communication includes the sounds and language we use in our individual community to relay a message. We’re born with the ability to speak, but we have to learn a language to communicate in. Language allows us to express what we want to say. Verbal communication doesn’t actually tell the truth of what we are thinking or feeling, though; it only gives us the words and information. For example, we could lie to someone that we weren’t scared, although actually we really are. We can’t always rely on verbal communication to tell the truth.

On the other hand, Non Verbal communication, including body language, is the tool we use to present what we really mean. We use this all the time to give out messages, although we might not even notice it. Even when we’re being silent, we’re still communicating nonverbally. It’s an unconscious language that expresses our true feelings, thoughts and intentions in any given situation.

There are many types of Non Verbal communication. There’s facial expressions, body movements and postures, gestures, eye contact, touch, physical space and tone of voice. It’s very difficult to disguise it all, because not only does Non Verbal communication make up the majority of how we talk and express things, but our body language is automatic and almost impossible to fake.

It’s been proven that our emotions or facial expressions are expressed in similar ways around the world. This includes, happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust and surprise. However, don’t muddle up gestures with emotions, because gestures aren’t always the same in other countries. In the US and UK, for example, putting your thumbs up is usually being positive, while in some other countries it may be an insult. These are cultural differences.

So, whether or not you are talking or being quiet, this won’t affect your Non Verbal communication. Whatever you do, you’re always expressing yourself in different ways that you, yourself, might not even notice. There are thousands of ways to communicate today and it is a powerful tool to help us communicate with ourselves and to interpret others.

by Kenza, Online Member

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 18

Date: 7^th December, 2014

Session # 18

Attended by:  8 participants

Report written by: Fatima Salman

Today was our eighteenth session. First we discussed the questions that are shared on this blog. The question ‘What is the role of tone and facial expressions in our communication?’ was talked about thoroughly. Everyone agreed that our tone has a very important role in our communication. We did a short activity around it. We were asked if we had ever been scolded in our life. Obviously, everyone has been scolded for different reasons many times in their life by their parents, teachers, siblings, etc. Everyone had to recall a phrase or sentence that was said to them when they had been scolded. We had to say that sentence in a harsh tone (or a tone that is used to scold someone) and then say the same sentence in a politer tone. The message perceived is changed just because of the tone! For example if I even call someone by their name in an angry or rude tone, they’d think I’m scolding them, even though I’m just calling out their name. And if I call someone in a soft and polite tone, they wouldn’t feel bad. Whatever you say, affects the listener just because of the tone! 

Facial expressions also affect our communication, but not as much as the tone, which has the most important role in our communication.

Then we talked about ‘What is Confidence’. Everyone suggested their opinions about confidence. These ideas came up:

Confidence is about:

• Believing in yourself
• Doing what we’re doing without caring what others think about us
• Speaking or performing in public

Confidence is mainly about believing in yourself. Many people mistake confidence for Public Speaking. Public Speaking is related to confidence, but they are not the same thing. If a person can speak in public, it is not necessary that he has confidence. We talked about what confidence is and it’s examples for a while.

Then, a last task was given. Each person had to make an ‘I can’ list and an ‘I have’ list. In the ‘I can’ list, you have to list down all the things that you can do. Similarly, in the ‘I have’ list, you have to list down all the things that you have. It can include any thing of any kind. Each list has to have at least ten points or more. 

The members started to make their list in the session, but they have to complete it and bring the complete list in the next session. All the members can do this task, even if they weren't present in the session.

Thank you

Verbal and Non-Verbal Commmunication

Dear Members

In the upcoming session, we will be discussing Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication.

Verbal communication is the words we say.
Non-Verbal is the way we say it. It includes our tone, intonations, facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye-contact, laughter, sighs, etc.

We will start this topic in the coming session. In the meantime, we would like you to think upon these questions.

1. What is the role of tone and facial expressions in our communication?
2. Is it possible for a person to be fully responsible for his\her tone?
3. Can we control our facial expressions?

You have to 'reflect and respond', 'inquire and share' and 'explore research and present' on these questions. It will be taken in detail in the coming session.

Thank you

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 17

Date: 30th November, 2014
Session # 17
Attended by: 12 participants
Report Written by: Fatima Salman

We did the rehearsal in this session. But it is now decided that the rehearsal and practice for the play should not be held in Thinkers' Club. We will continue to do the things we used to do before. The practice and preparations for our play can take place some other day. From the coming session, we will start doing the things we used to do like thinking and reflecting upon important things.
A task for all the members is shared separately. We would like you to work on it until the next session.

Thank you

Report: Thinkers' Club Session16

Date: 23rd November, 2015

Session # 16

Attended by:11 participants

Report written by: Fatima Salman

Today was our first big rehearsal of the play. In the audience were parents of some of the members. We were all excited as well as nervous, quickly revising our lines with each other before the play began.

The play went very well. A couple of characters were unable to come today, because they were ill. But overall, the performance was a lot better than the previous times. Maybe it was even because we were conscious of people watching us. We did the play twice, the second time, it was video recorded too. Then the (video of) play was shown to us. Most people didn’t like seeing themselves on the screen, but as everyone was saying, it’ll help us improve, Insha Allah.

The costume and backdrop designer came today, and she took the sizes of the characters and planned the backdrops.

Some of the children will meet again this week, on a day decided, for extra rehearsals. The whole audience was very happy with the play and they enjoyed watching it, giving each person advice and tips for improvement. 

Article by Nameera Faisal (club member)

This is an article written by our club member, Syeda Nameera Faisal. It is about 'What is the importance of means of communication in a student's life.'
If any member wants to, they can send us any article or writing they wrote, which we will publish on the blog.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 15

Date: 16^th November, 2014

Session # 15

Attended by:  14 participants

Report written by: Fatima Salman

In today’s session, in the first one hour, we did the rehearsal for the play. The roles of some people were changed.  It was announced that the play will take place in January instead of November because we’ll be needing more time to practice and sponsors for the arrangements.

So in the meanwhile between November and January, other than practicing for the play, we’ll be doing other activities related to Thinkers’ Club. Like a Chess competition, that is being planned for the future. Chess involves thinking mathematically, problem solving skills and decision making. It is even good for improving your Math and is a part of the school curriculum in many countries.

After the session was over, most people didn't leave immediately. So we got a chessboard and taught the people who didn't know how to play chess to play chess. Then we played several games of chess. 

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 14

Date: 8^th November, 2014

Session # 14

Attended by: 13 participants

Report written by: Fatima Salman

Today, the second play was handed out. It’s not exactly another play, though; it can be called the first act or a kind of prologue of the original play. There are two characters in it: A small boy and his elder sister. The boy comes to his sister and asks if she can read him a story.  She asks about what he’s reading and tells him about Aesop’s Fables.  Then she says that she’ll tell him a story by Aesop. After this act, the play, ‘Who will put the bell on the Cat’, will start.

We rehearsed a lot, trying to make each move perfect. Most people had memorized their lines and were performing without their scripts. Then we recorded our play for our improvement. We plan to meet once or twice again this week (before the next session) for more practice, Insha Allah.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 13

Date: 2nd November 2014
Session # 13
Attended by: 13 participants
Report Written by: Fatima Salman

This was the thirteenth session of the club. In this session, some more kids joined our club, and some members who had been unable to attend the last few sessions came too. We continued to rehearse for our play, 'Who will bell the cat', which will Insha Allah be performed sometime this month. 

There were some people left out who hadn't gotten a role. So, it was decided that we can perform two plays, the second one after an interval. Manzar Uncle is writing the second play too.

So all those who haven't yet gotten a role, they now have a chance to act. We will start holding rehearsals more often, at least thrice a week because there isn't much time left. I would request all the club members to be regular and on time for the sessions.

Thank you

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 12

Date: 26th October 2014

Session # 12

Attended by: 11 participants

Report written by: Fatima Salman

Time flies by, Session twelve is over too! A few members had been unable to attend the session due to a strike, but most of the members came.

In this session, we mainly practiced saying the dialogues for the play. I think that everyone was doing better than last time. Here is a bit about the characters of the play ‘Who will bell the cat?’

There are two main characters, a princess of the mice and budsoorat, a female slave. Then there’s a king of the mice and an old mouse, who invented the bell. There’s a cat, she’s one of the main characters too. Another important character is Aesop, he’ll come in the beginning and end, to tell about the play. There are some other characters too, like worker mice, but these are the main characters.

There is a prompter too, she won’t be performing, but she would be doing a lot of work offstage. The word prompter means, a person who is offstage and follows a play in progress with the book, repeating missed cues and supplying actors with forgotten lines. Our prompter will also help with dressing the characters in costumes, and calling the people to the stage when their turn comes to perform.

So that’s about it. We will Insha Allah be performing the play sometime in November. I hope it will continue to improve.

Thank you

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 11

Date: 19th October, 2014

Session # 11

Attended by: 12 participants

Report written by: Zainab Salman

Today was our 11^th session. We started at 10:15, when most of the members had arrived. Manzar Uncle had rewritten the fable, ‘Who will bell the cat?’ to a play in Urdu, in a different style. The roles were given and the scripts were handed out. Everyone practiced saying their dialogues in order. A couple of kids were left out, so Manzar Uncle said he’d edit the play so that everyone gets to participate.

The play was really interesting and made me think. Although it was about mice (and a cat!) but the message it constructed about us humans was very true. We give great ideas but when it comes to applying the ideas in real life, no one’s brave enough to do it.

We were told that this play will be staged in the PACC auditorium with proper costumes, tickets, music, and an audience, Insha Allah in the mid of November. Any members not present in the last two sessions can join in the next session with permission from their parents to participate and perform in the play.

Thank you 


Ibraheem Salman, the youngest member of our club wrote about the session too.

Report of session 11 by Ibraheem salman.

We will do a part of the play. 
Manzar uncle told the roles of the 12 kids. 
Manzar Uncle gave the script too.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 10

Date: 12th October, 2014

Session # 10

Attended by: 8 participants

Report written by: Fatima Salman

In this session, Manzar Imam Sahib told us about the play which we’ll be performing in November. Change of plan, we’ll only be performing one play ‘Who will bell the cat?’ in which everyone will get a chance to perform. We’ll be performing this in a huge auditorium with costumes, a background set, props, and music. A pianist is arranged to do the music, a costume making company has been contacted to make the costumes. Manzar Imam Sahib is re-writing the famous fable ‘Who will bell the cat?’ in Urdu. In the next session, he will read it out to us and give out the lines and script. It is all very exciting.

Then, we were asked to question those questions which had ever crossed our mind and we had been unable find the answer. Someone asked that When we heat a liquid, it stays a liquid, but when we heat (boil) an egg, how does it turns into a solid? This was an interesting question, and definitely something to think about; the variety of matter God created. Different questions were asked and answered such as Who invented the clock? A discussion about Bermuda Triangle arose in between and people shared their opinions about it.

After the session was over, most of the kids stayed back for a while and had a good time.
Overall, this session was interesting and the members enjoyed.

From a Cow's\Goat's perspective Writings by club members

This is a writing by Zainab Salman about the feelings of a cow.

Below is a writing by Fatima Salman.

From a Cow’s perspective who will be slaughtered tomorrow.

I am feeling angry, fed up and bored. Tomorrow, I will be slaughtered and cut into pieces. Whenever I see the boy who looks after me, I can’t help thinking that he’ll be eating me tomorrow night. The rope tied around my neck is hardly a meter long and I can’t move around freely at all. When the people take me for a walk, at least twenty more people join us with four or five more cows. They yell around the streets and make us run with them. Sigh. There seems to be no more peace in the little of my life left.

Below is a writing by Rijja Aitesam

I am a Goat. My name is Momo. I was living a green grassy cattle form where I was playing with my friends. I love to play with children who take care of me, they bring green grass for me they enjoy to sit with me and cheering me. I feel very angry when they pull my ear. I feel alone when no one around me I call someone mahhh, mahhh,

I love to play with children we run into the ground. I am very friendly goat. My skin is white with black spots. I have two long ears and sharp horns that I used to protect myself.

Beauty and Fashion by Fatima (club member)

This is a picture I drew on Paint on the theme, Beauty and Fashion. One girl is representing Fashion and the other is representing Beauty and Simplicity. 

Beauty vs Fashion by Zainab Salman (club member)

Fashion is something somebody likes, which gradually becomes ‘Fashion’. For example, nowadays, the ‘Fashion’ is to wear torn Jeans that are torn from one knee. But if someone gives me a ‘fashionable ‘ pair of torn Jeans,  which doesn’t look ‘beautiful’, but it’s quite ‘fashionable’, I may wear it. But if it’s not Beautiful, I’ll patch it up, so it looks much better, and even if it’s not ‘fashionable’ at least it’s ‘beautiful’. This is a simple version of defining and differentiating between what’s ‘Fashion’ and what’s ‘Beauty’ and learning which one is better.  If you go for ‘Fashionable’ and not ‘Beautiful’, you should think once again. For example, if the Fashion is to wear long shirt and I get one stitched, and start wearing it. But soon, as it does, the fashion will change to short shirts, and my long shirt will be left behind, useless. So it’s much better to choose ‘Beauty’, rather than ‘Fashion’,  because your definition of Beauty won’t change soon, and if it does, you’re the one in control of it, and Beauty is always Beauty whether it’s Fashionable or not. 
Can you tell which one is Fashion and which is Beauty?

Beauty and Fashion, by Kenza (online member)

Symbols of Love and Beauty

• Chinese Symbol of Beauty – The Chinese symbol of Beauty is 美 Měi. It is also known to be a sign of being pretty, exquisite or fine.
• Isis, Aphrodite, Venus – These famous goddesses were symbols of beauty or love in their ancient cultures. Isis was known to be the goddess of love in Egyptian mythology, while
• Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty in Greek mythology and Venus was the Roman version of Aphrodite. 
• Swans – Swans are used as a symbol of grace, love and faithfulness in many cultures. The reason is because they are known to have a longer relationship and fidelity
• Roses – Roses are a very common symbol of love, beauty and romance, mainly the red rose. They were commonly known in the War of the Roses, in 15th Century England, now being the national flower of the country.

Symbols of Fashion

• Jeans (ripped, faded, etc) – Ripped/Faded Jeans are a popular way of expressing fashion these days. They are deliberately cut at the knees or coloured over in a messy light colour to show they’ve worn out, even when they’re brand new.
• Handbags – Modern handbags are a way of exhibiting bags, slung on one ­half of the shoulder. They can even be tacky and come in lots of different styles.
• Red Carpets/Limos – Fame always links to the red carpet and limos. They’re often symbolised as a way to brag about being rich and stylish and are usually shown to be the centre of attraction.
• Make­up – Make­up has been a very popular way of dressing up for centuries. Until recently, lead was used for eyeliner until people found out that it was dangerous. In ancient Egypt, people would wear black eyeliner, also known as kohl. Nowadays, many girls and women wear a lot of mascara, nail varnish, hair dye and lipstick when going out, whereas modesty does not follow this trend.

Fashion vs Beauty Artwork by Kenza

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 9

Session # 9
Date: 5th October, 2014
Attended by: 7 participants
Report written by: Fatima Salman

This session was on the day before Eid ul Azha, and therefore, several participants were unable to join today’s session. However, a very special announcement was made today. 

Manzar sahib told us about a play he had written, Mir Kallo ki Gawahi. He told us about that play in which there is a case in the court, and the witness runs away. So the people have to find a new witness. They ask a man standing outside the court to be witness for them in exchange for some money. But the man knows nothing about the case. So when he is questioned, he gives weird answers that would fit any situation.

The play seemed very interesting, but it was very long, so we didn’t listen to the whole of it. But the announcement was that we will be performing that play in a real theatre. Probably in mid-November. Along with this one, we’ll also be performing the fable ‘Who will bell the Cat?’

In this session, we also presented the art work and writings on Fashion and Beauty. All the work will be shared online.

Another task was also done in the session. We had to write   a narrative about the feelings of an animal that will be scarified for Eid ul Azha. The writings will be shared online.

My message to all the members who are reading this is to Please be regular. If you want to perform in that play, please come in the next session and the sessions after. We will start holding proper rehearsals soon. If it is not possible for you to come, let us know through email.

Thank you

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 8

Session # 8
Date: 28th September, 2014
Attended by: 14 participants
Report Written by: Fatima Salman

Today’s session was a lot more fun and interesting than the previous ones. We started with a round of names, although there were no new members. Then, we began our discussion.

Two words were written on the board; Fashion and Beauty. We discussed on forms of human beauty, which makes anyone look beautiful.

Human Beauty

• Behavior
• Smile
• Mood
• Talk
• Facial expressions
• Tone

A member described two forms of beauty very precisely, inner beauty and outer beauty. Inner beauty is being kind to others, respectful and caring. Outer beauty is what we look like. We then discussed about what makes a place beautiful. Someone answered that the Flora and Fauna of a place makes it beautiful. Flora is the kind of plants or greenery found in a place. Fauna is the wildlife.

Then, we discussed on how beauty is different from fashion. Beauty and fashion are two totally different things. Fashion keeps changing, beauty doesn’t. Often, the thing that is in fashion doesn’t even look good, but people are doing it because everyone is doing it. An example is ripped jeans, or keeping hair in spikes. Several people have lost their sense of beauty doing things that are in fashion but do look good.

Our home task was to do some writing or art work on symbols of beauty and symbols of fashion.

Then, Manzar Imam did an activity with us. He said a list of words and asked the class to repeat the words. Then, he asked some people to say the list of words he had said. It was a memory activity.

Then, he told us some of Aesop’s fables. One was about a man and his son going with a donkey and then people laugh at them. Here is the full story.

Another story he told was Who will bell the cat? In that story, a group of mice do a meeting to plan what to do with a cat, which came quietly and ate several mice. A mouse suggests that they can put a bell on the cat so that they can hear it coming. But no one is brave enough to bell the cat. The lesson is to only suggest things you can do yourself.

Then, our last activity began. This was what made the session fun and interesting. The class was divided into three groups. Each group was given a stack of old newspapers and they had to make tower out of it. They had fifteen minutes to do it and the tower had to be taller than the tallest person in their group. It was fun making the tower. All the groups made the tower, but only one was strong enough to stand without any support. Here is a picture of the tower with the group members. 

In the end, there was nothing but a great big mess! But the activity was really fun. After the session was over, several members stayed back and worked with the newspapers. We wrote Thinkers' Club with rolls of newspapers.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 7

Session # 7
Date: 21st September, 2014
Attended by: 16 participants
Report Written by: Azka Javeria

On the 21st of September, in the first session of Thinkers' Club, we started off with yet another round of names and brief introductions about ourselves. Ma'shallah more people are joining our group day by day.

After the round of names and a recap of the last two sessions of our club, we had a talk on Negative Self Talk and Positive Self Talk. (The first step to understanding this topic is to understand what Negative and Positive self talking. Positive Self talking-thinking and saying positive things to yourself about others or even your own self. Negative Self Talk- thinking and saying negative things to yourself about others or your own self.

What we read, watch or listen to, effects our brain and our thoughts greatly. We should avoid depressing novels, dramas, movies and audio stuff. Secondly be careful of what you say to yourself when you are alone or talking to yourself or even thinking about yourself. Because whatever you say when you are in isolation echoes inside your head again and again and has an effect on you whether it's yourself who you are talking about or others).

Later on Abiha Salman   shared some information about Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan's National Poet. Zainab Salman also came up to tell something about our mind and the nervous system. Next Manzar Imaam Sahab told us about Aesop and his fables (Aesop's fables are very popular even these days though he lived almost 3000 years ago. Plus they always have a moral). Manzar Imaam Sahab told us two short Aesop's fables, and another story (not by Aesop) on how, what people say can effect us.

Then we returned to the Positive and Negative thinking topic we learnt that Positivity= Thinking Negativity=Taking Stress. We were also told that there are three types of people:

1.People who tell others "you can't do it"

2. People who tell themselves "you/I can't do it"

3. People who are easily degraded when somebody tells them "You can't do it"

What type of a person are you?


Note: We are planning a field trip, so if you have any suggestions on where we can go, please answer in the form of comments.

Thank you

Facts about the Brain by Kenza (online member)

Here are some interesting facts about your brain!

1. What does my brain do? The brain is the one organ in the body that makes the real you. It’s made up of electrical circuits, about 100 billion neurons, that connect together and continually rewires itself and changes as it learns. Our brain does many activities in our body, including controlling the body and senses, thinking and learning, memorizing, and so much more…
2. Do we have one brain or two? Technically, we don’t just have one brain and we don’t have two brains. Instead, we have two brains in one, the left side and the right side with different characteristics and abilities. But the two sides communicate with each other. See this word: Green. The right side of your brain will try to read the word, whereas, the left side of the brain will insist on you trying to read the colour. This is a common subject, called the Stroop Effect*.
3. Where do our thoughts and feelings come from? We all have a sense of who we really are. We call this our inner-self, or the real you. This is how we see the world individually, unless we’re asleep of course; that’s when our thoughts are no longer in control. This makes our conscious self and our unconscious self and we can’t pinpoint where it is in a specific part of our brain, just like our memories. You can find out more about this by studying the different parts of the brain.

Links

*If you’re interested in playing a cool game about the Stroop Effect, check this out! http://www.brainmetrix.com/color-game/

Check this out for interesting and educational lectures from the RI (Royal Institution) about the brain! http://richannel.org/christmas-lectures/2011/meet-your-brain   

There is also an interesting book by Professor Robert Winston called “What Makes Me Me” (www.dk.com). He also does topics like this on his popular TV series.

Qualities of a Good Thinker, by Zainab Salman (club member)

A Good Thinker…..

  1.Should be Curious about how things work.

A good thinker should be curious about how things work-would want to learn and research more about things that interest him/her and those that he/she knows less about.

   2. Should listen to other’s opinions and value them too.

If we believe that we are the most creative and the best thinker of them all,

This would be very wrong and selfish. A good thinker should learn that other’s opinions and other’s knowledge could be more advanced and better than one self.

  3.Should be positive and proactive.
A good thinker should be positive about things and should think about positive and should be proactive. Being negative and reactive aren’t good signs of a Good Thinker.

44.Should think on things worth thinking.

If I start to wonder how to drive a car, this wouldn’t be something worth thinking. Anyhow, if I learn how to do it, the information wouldn’t be worth it, because I can’t drive a car till I am of age. But if I start wondering about how to ride a bicycle, this information would be useful, because I do have a bicycle and I can start riding it.

  5.Should speak about things after thinking on them.

If I keep thinking and thinking about some ideas in my mind, the ideas would be of no use because after all, they are only in my mind and only I can benefit from them. By sharing my ideas with others, other people would learn about it, and they might also advise me some important things, and they would also benefit from it. Anyways, speaking a lot could also irritate others.

How Our Mind Works, Presentation by Rijja Aitesam, club member

Qualities of a Good Thinker - by Kenza (online member)

1)      Be alert. You have to notice the little things that others might not have noticed. Like when you’re doing something scientific, you could miss the little, but important, details. For example, when someone was trying to build an invention to make it fly, they’d rarely ever get it right on the first try. This is because they’ve missed something. Take that into account!

   2)      Care about something. Don’t be afraid to read, take notes and research for a topic. Bring up more questions!

   3)      Don’t give up. Even if you can’t grasp something, keep trying! Never abandon your ideas!

   4)      Don’t get put off. If someone teases you about the thing you’re learning, or if someone gives you a bad impression of it, don’t listen. Decide for yourself and pick the thing you want to learn!

   5)      Accept mistakes. You’ll always make errors or mistakes. Don’t let this put you down. Besides, you’ll always learn from your mistakes. After all, if you never made mistakes (like when you started to walk, or started to hold a spoon and fork), you’d never learn!

   6)      Learn from others. See what others think, your friends, your family, people you know. Don’t be afraid to ask them or listen to what they say. You can always learn from that!

   7)      Learn more. Even if you think you are intelligent, it does not mean you know everything. The more you work, the smarter you get!

   8)      Take your time. You may not have all the time in the world, but use the time you have at your pace! Don’t rush it – if you rush what you have to do, you won’t learn as much as those who take their time to take something in.

   9)      Focus. Don’t always go down the path you don’t need to take; take the path you’re aiming for. For example, if you’re a scientist, focus on the things you need, to become one, before you explore different paths . Save other interests for your free time, but don’t discount them – they can be valuable sometimes!

  10)   Develop ideas. After looking at all these steps and taking them into account, try to develop your own ideas. Follow what others have to say and then mix their ideas with your ideas to try and get a result!