Dharma 6

Mahabharata

2019-2020

Class Information -

This class covers: Give a connected account of this scripture covering the major episodes. Use these episodes to reinforce moral values and to highlight evils to be avoided. Philosophical sections such as the Shanti Parva should be avoided. Adult content should be modified appropriately. Selected verses from the Vishnu Sahasranama could be taught.

Ages: 9-10 / Grade: 4-5

Download PDF copy of book: CLICK HERE

Classroom: Classroom 3


Teachers -

Teachers:

  • Ashmin Mansingh

  • Kaushal Wadhwani

EMAIL teachers: ashmin.mansingh@gmail.com, marketingus2008@gmail.com

Teenage Volunteers:

  • Aayush Gupta

  • Anagha Manoj

  • Ria Thakker

Class & Homework -

April

April 26

We learned the story of Ghatotkach.

We watched these videos in class:

Homework:

Remember to turn in a painting/music video/video project for annual day.


April 19

Know the Hindu month

Watch the following videos:


April 5

We learned the story of Krishna and Jarasandha.

We also learned the story of the Gayatri mantra.

HW

  • - write down the Hindu festivals with the Hindu months

  • - draw a painting, make a music video, or a video project for the virtual annual day (try to have done by May 3rd)


Student Artwork

March

March 15

We started class at 9:45 and ended at 10:35 because Kaushal Uncle covered everything in that time.


Homework: Watch videos, memorize 3 shlokas, and know the hindu month.

Video links:

Shloka links:


March 8

Homework:

  • Memorize shlokas (sent to parents)

  • Write your experience on how you concentrate on studies (if not, how can you improve?)

  • Are you distracted while doing homework?

  • Note your typical actions while doing homework.

  • Know the hindu month.


March 1

  • We talked about why Arjuna was the best student.

  • We learned the story of Drupad & Dronacharya.

  • Also talked about how Draupadi & Dhristadyumna were born.

HW

  • -Find out the story of Ashwini Kumar

  • -Who was Dronacharya's father?

  • -Did Dronacharya have a mother?

  • -Find out who killed Dhristadyumna and why they killed him.

  • -Memorize the sloka for the presentation (on WhatsApp)


February

February 16

  • We talked about the 4 Vedas.

  • We learned why Ekalavya cut off his thumb for Dronacharya.

  • We also learned that there were 18 akshauhinis in the war (11 Kaurava , 7 Pandava).

HW:

  • What is the Hindu month and tithi?

  • Come up with a script for the play.


February 2

In class:

  • We did meditation.

  • We learned the 3 benefits of meditation : physical, mental, spiritual.


HW:

  • Come up with a storyline for your character in the play

  • What Hindu month & tithi is it?


January

January 26

  • -We talked about the 4 Vedas.

  • -We decided on the overall play idea- the kids will be playing a video game where they are characters in the Mahabharata.

  • -We did trivia questions about the Mahabharata.

omework

  • Come up with a storyline for the play.

  • Find the meaning of the sloka on WhatsApp.


January 19

Write about your experience going to a temple and doing pooja

Write 2 sentences about each of the vedas

What is the meaning of amavasya and poornima?

Ask your parents to check WhatsApp to find the meaning of the sloka

Think of ideas for the setting and conflict in our play


These are the parts students will be playing: CLICK HERE


January 12

We talked about why Indraprashtha is named after Indra.

We also talked about what Indraprashtha was previously called (Khandavaprastha) and why Arjuna tried to burn it.

HW:

  1. Why do we do car pooja?

  2. Who did Takshak kill?

  3. How Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna were born?

  4. What Hindu month is it?

  5. *If you did not finish last week's homework, please finish it for next week*


January 5

Homework for next week:

  • Know the Hindu month

  • Write meaning and 2 sentences about: Dharma, artha, kama, moksha

  • Draw/paint something from Mahabharata if you want


Our play will be sometime in May

These are all the people who have chosen their parts for the play: CLICK HERE


December

December 8

In class: We did the quiz on the second half of the Mahabharata.


HW:

  • - Find out the 8 types of Pranayam

  • - Name of Ghatotkacha's son

  • - Who killed Arjuna (not in the book)

  • - Who is Thakshak?

  • - Why was Indraprashtha named after Indra?


November

November 24

In class today we played a game and the kids got to ask and answer questions about Mahabharata. CLICK HERE for picture of the homework.


November 17

We talked about the Pandavas and their powers, and the story of Karna giving away his armor.

HW:

  • What hindu month is going on right now? (Weekly HW?

  • Find out why they were called Kuruvansh.


*IMPORTANT*

Next week, the kids will be split into four groups (A, B, C, D). They should read until page 120 and come up with as many good questions as possible.

  • Group A and C will ask each other questions.

  • Group B and D will ask each other questions.


November 10

Class: We went over the Pandavas & Kauravas, and talked about how Arjuna got the water quickly so he could learn more.

HW:

  • Who cursed Pandu?

    • What was the curse?

  • Read 51-100

  • Pandavas and Kauravas

  • Name of Pandavas and their strengths/characteristics

  • Meaning of guru & acharya

  • Who cursed Ashvatama?

  • Who was Karna's guru?


November 3

We did a trivia on the Ramayana & Mahabharata.

HW: make sure to bring the book, notebook, and pencil to every class

October

October 27

What we talked about in class today:

  • - Why Karna and Arjun fought a lot

  • - Gurudhakshina and what Dhronachariya asked of Arjun

  • - Bheesma was cursed by Amba

  • - People's actions before the war were reflected in the war

Homework:

  • -Who killed Eklavya?

  • -Don't forget to bring a notebook and pencil to class


October 13

We covered the topics until the birth of Dhritrashtra and Pandu.

Homework

  • Read until page 50 of the textbook.

  • Find out who was the father of Shikandini.

  • Remember to bring a pencil, notebook, and the textbook to every class!


October 6

  • -We talked about Ganga's curse and why she had to drown her babies.

  • -We learned about Devvrata and how he is known as Bheesma.

Homework

  • -Find out who was king after Bharata.

  • -Write down the name of the Hindu Months.

  • -Find out which month Diwali is in.

  • *If you didn't do last week's HW, please do it*

September

September 29

Covered in Class-

Ramayana-

  • Golden deer

  • Rama defeated Ravana

  • Army of monkeys built a bridge of rocks

  • Hanuman helped Sita

  • War between Rama and Ravana

Mahabharata-

  • Ganesha wrote it

  • War between Pandavas & Kauravas

  • Krishna told Arjuna the Gita

  • Hanuman was on Pandava's chariot

  • War between people of the same family


Homework:

  1. Find number of verses in Mahabharata and Ramayana

  2. Ask parents where the war took place

  3. How was King Shantanu connected to King Bharata?

  4. Why did Ganga kill 7 of her babies?


September 22

In class:

  • Discussed who wrote the Mahabharata (Ganesha & Rishi Veda Vyasa)

  • Did a trivia about the Mahabharata

  • Learned that India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan used to be one country called Bharata

  • Learned that it was a war between Pandavas & Kauravas


Homework:

  • Parents should read page 1 of the book ("A note to the parents").

  • Bring the book, pencil, and notebook to next class.