Hornbill Textbook Overview
General Information
Publisher: National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
Edition: First Edition February 2006 with multiple reprints listed up to August 2019.
Price: Printed price is ₹60.00.
Publication Division: Published at the Publication Division, NCERT, New Delhi, and printed by Ankur Offset Pvt. Ltd., Noida.
ISBN: 81-7450-524-5
Foreword
National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005: Emphasizes linking children's school life with their life outside school.
Departure from traditional rote learning.
Aims to bridge gaps between school, home, and the community.
Child-Centered Education: Encouragement for children to reflect on their learning can foster initiative and creativity.
Curricular Burden: Addressed by restructuring knowledge; promotes interactive and experiential learning opportunities.
Flexibility and Rigour: Importance of maintaining flexible daily timetables while adhering to teaching schedules.
Teaching Evaluation: Evaluative methods impacting students' school experiences positively.
Acknowledgements
Contributions: Acknowledgement to the textbook development committee led by Professor Namwar Singh and Professor R. Amritavalli.
Research and Resource Utilization: Thanks to various institutions and individuals who provided materials and personnel for textbook development.
Continuous Improvement: NCERT encourages feedback for revisions.
About the Book
Objective: Aimed at developing proficiency in English and using language for abstract thought and knowledge acquisition.
Reading Skills Section: Texts chosen to reflect serious reading suited for a school-leaver:
Genres include biographies, travelogues, science fiction, art, and journalistic writing.
Central play promotes relatable themes; poems reflect universal sentiments.
Teaching Strategy: Encourages making educated guesses and offers strategies for understanding texts.
Comprehension Levels: Focus on text understanding and relating to learners’ experiences.
Vocabulary Development: Exercises for informed word choice and grammar awareness.
Independent Writing Skills: Steps outlined for making notes, summarizing, drafting letters, and writing essays.
Constitution of India - Preamble
Purpose: Establishes the foundation of the Indian Republic.
Key Objectives:
Justice (social, economic, political)
Liberty (thought, expression, belief, worship)
Equality (status, opportunity)
Fraternity (dignity of the individual and unity of the nation)
Adoption Date: 26th November 1949.
Textbook Development Committee
Chairperson: Professor Namwar Singh - Formerly Chairman, School of Languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Chief Advisor: R. Amritavalli - Professor, EFLU, Hyderabad.
Members: Various educators and professionals from the field of language education.
Acknowledgements for Manuscript Review
Contributors: Professor M.L. Tickoo, Geetha Kumar, Vandana Singh, and others for manuscript revisions and suggestions.
Copyright Permissions: List of authors and grants for reproduced material from various publishers.
Contents Overview
Foreword: Page iii
About the Book: Page v
Reading Skills: Pages 1-86 covering multiple texts and authors including:
The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh
A Photograph by Shirley Toulson
We’re Not Afraid to Die… if We Can All Be Together by Gordon Cook and Alan East
Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues by A.R. Williams
The Laburnum Top by Ted Hughes
Landscape of the Soul by Nathalie Trouveroy
The Voice of the Rain by Walt Whitman
The Ailing Planet by Nani Palkhivala
The Browning Version by Terence Rattigan
Childhood by Markus Natten
The Adventure by Jayant Narlikar
Silk Road by Nick Middleton
Father to Son by Elizabeth Jennings
Writing Skills: Pages 87-118 including:
Note-making
Summarising
Sub-titling
Essay-writing
Letter-writing
Creative Writing
Conclusion
The Hornbill Textbook aims to provide a comprehensive guide aimed at enhancing language skills through diverse literary pieces and practical writing exercises, all tailored for Class XI students.