The story follows a mischievous 14-year-old girl whose attitude towards learning changes dramatically under the influence of her passionate and unconventional teacher, Mr. Kaplan. He engages students with interactive lessons about history, prioritizing imagination and experience over traditional methods, which ultimately leads to his dismissal for not adhering to the curriculum. Despite the protests from students and parents, Mr. Kaplan's teaching leaves a lasting impact, culminating in a heartfelt farewell as he moves on to a new school.

1. The Joy of Learning
• The narrator of the story is a
mischievous girl of fourteen who is
the worst nightmare for every
teacher in the school

2. Everything changed when Mr. Kaplan
began to teach in classroom.
He was young and handsome wearing
jeans and v-neck sweater.

3. Mr. Kaplan let his pupils enjoy a lot of
fun.
He jumped on his desk to invite the
attention of his pupils.

4. He was cool but he had a look in
his eyes which said ‘Don’t mess
with me.’

5. Mr. Kaplan taught social studies with
passion and made the class
interesting with his enthusiasm and
ideas. There was a pin drop silence in
the class.

6. He made pupils to imagine the past
events in History and find joy in
learning with their active
participation.

7. He made the students lie on the floor,
move closer to feel discomfort, heat
and cramp. He made them aware the
agonies of the slaves being
transported to America.

8. Mr. Kaplan taught without books
and tedious tests but he made his
pupils to learn and feel that all
subjects are important in the
journey of life.
• It went on day after day, week
after week experience.

9. Matching Actions and Experiences
• Standing on
desks.
• Fighting war
with paper
rifles.
• Dressed for
• Crossing the high
seas.
• Civil war in
America.
• Signing the
Declaration of
Independence.

10. Making to imagine crossing the high
seas
Standing on desks Crossing the high seas

11. Making to imagine fighting the Civil
War
Fighting war with
paper rifles
Civil war in America

12. Making to imagine the signing of the
Declaration of Independence
Dressed for Signing the Declaration
of Independence

13. Mr. Kaplan was the best teacher.
He made history real and memorable.
But the school management fired him
because he did not stick to
curriculum.

14. All the students and parents
protested.
• Mr. Kaplan taught his pupils
about the power to change and
ability to affect others.
• At last, Mr. Kaplan took a job in a
new charter school.
• Everybody was in tears for his
lifetime gift : the joy of learning.

15. It is the supreme art
of the teacher to
awaken joy in creative
expression and
knowledge…

16. The End

17. Thanks
Compiled and presented by-
Diwakar B. Ganjare
Writer & Editor ‘YuvakBharti’ Std.XII English