May

May 16

- Assembly

- Shiva manasa Puja

- stories on Adi Shankaracharya

- more shiva manasa puja practice for class presentation

- ended with hangman!

HW: Practice the Shiva Manasa Puja!!

May 2

- Started with assembly

- heard and discussed 3 stories relating to Hanuman and his amazing qualities

- Practiced the Shiva Manasa Puja (what we are doing for our class presentation)

- ended with hangman!

homework: please keep listening and practicing the shiva manasa puja!!

March

March 21

- The story of Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya. We talked about how smart and brave he was , but also the bad decisions and interesting take he had on his life.

- Akbar and Birbal story: Akbar tries to trick Birbal with a gift to the neighboring king.

- We practiced through the Shiva Manasa Puja, what we will be doing for the class presentation.

- Ended class with Hangman!

HOMEWORK: Listen to and practice the ShivaManasa Puja at least once a day.

March 14

- We started off with Assembly

- heard and discussed the story of Kannagi and Kovalan (the story of the anklet)

- Dont make assumptions

- Don't think you are better than others

- Make sure you know all sides of the story before making big decisions

- Bhudevi/Andal (the story of her)

- ended with Hangman and closing prayers!

March 7

• We started class off with assembly and announcements. We had a Maha Shivaratri presentation and looked at the pictures the kids sent in of their Shivaratri projects!

• Then we talked about the significance of Shiva's characteristics:

  • Snake- control over ego

  • Ganga- knowledge

  • Trishul- knowledge, action, and desire

  • Moon- timelessness

• We heard two stories about devotees of Shiva.

• We ended class with hangman and closing prayers!

February

February 28

1. Assembly

2. Learned about Nandi and the story of how he became Shivas Vahana

3. Talked about the story of Shiva and the importance of cows to Hindu culture(along with the Tulsi plant significance)

4. Practiced the Shiva Manasa Puja

5. Played hangman till the end of class

February 21

• We started class with assembly and announcements, and reviewed the homework from last week: discussing the benefits of meditation.

• Then we learned a story about Purandara Dasa, one of the founders of Carnatic Music.

• Next, we talked about the importance of communication and not making assumptions with another story.

• We finished class by practicing the Shiva Manasa Puja and playing hangman.

February 7

• We started off class with assembly and announcements, and reviewing the homework from last week.

• Then we learned a story about King Parikshit and patience/managing temper.

• We learned two new verses of the Shivmanas Puja (https://www.sanskrit-trikashaivism.com/en/shiva-manasa-puja-normal-translation/599)

• We talked about Bhakti Yoga, and ended class with hangman!

January

January 31

1. Assembly

2. The story of Kannappa nayanar (eyes for shiva linga story)

3. Heard the story of Bhasmasuran: (nobody can be bad in other eyes// we must control our own actions)

4. practiced the Shiva Manasa Puja

HOMEWORK: Bhasmasura prayed to god to get the boon so anyone whose head he touches will turn into ashes. If you were granted any boon, what would it be and why? What will happen if you are given that boon..will it hurt ANYONE? (keep in mind the story of Bhasmasura, and what his boon did to him!)

January 24

• We started class with Assembly and announcements.

• Next we learned the story of Nandanar who visited many temples of Shiva.

• Then we talked about the dangers of miscommunication and making rash decisions when angry with a story.

• We practiced the Shiv Maanasa Pooja by Adi Shankara Acharya (verses are below).

• We ended class with hangman!

Ratnai Kalpitham Aasanam
Hima Jalaih snaanam cha divyaambaram
Mrigamada modaankitam chandanam
Jaathi champaka bilvapatram rachitam
Pusham cha doopam thathaa
Deepam deva dayaa nidhe pashupathe
Hrit kalpitham gruhyataam

January 17

1. Assembly

2. Talked about the life of Adi Shankaracharya containing multiple stories of who he is and and how he became great

3. Went through the Shiva Manasa Puja (first 5 lines)

4. Parent Teacher Conferences (11-11:15)

5. Closing prayer and ended class

January 10

• We started off class with assembly and a presentation on Makara Sankranti.

• We learned about the Abhirami Anthadhi poem.

• Then we talked about a story where Shiva fulfilled a devotees desire while others were building a barrier before a flood with sandbags.

• Finally, we learned a story about asking for help when we need it and recognizing when God is helping us.

• We finished class with some hangman!

December

December 20

1. Assembly

2. Talked about Budha and Kalki avatar(last 2)

- concludes our 10 avatars of vishnu

3. Heard a vikram and Betal story and talked about it

4. Heard the story of the “golden cage”(buddha story)

5. Played hangman

November

November 8

• We started off class with prayers and announcements, and a short quiz and presentation on Diwali.

• Started learning the Ramayana; ended with Rama being exiled with Sita and Lakshmana. We will continue the story next class.

• Went over the story of Shabari, and the importance of true devotion.

• Ended class talking about plans for Diwali and some Hangman!

November 1

1. Went through announcements

2. Learned about Parashurama avatar(6th avatar)

3. Heard a new Vikram end Bethal story

4. Learned to recite the first line of the Shiva Maanasa Puja

5. Played hangman

Homework: Read up on the next avatar of Vishnu, Lord Rama and come prepared to tell the class any stories or facts about Ram.

October

October 25

• Happy Dussehra to all! We started off class with prayers and announcements, and a short presentation on the significance of Dussehra.

• Learned about the 4th Avatara of Vishnu, Vamana, and discussed the dangers of assumptions.

• Went over a Vikram and Betel story about knowing when to talk and when to keep quiet.

• The homework is to review the five Avatars we have learned about in class so far (Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, and Vamana)

October 18

• We started off with announcements(prayers and information on Navarathri)

• Discussed the 4th avatar of vishnu, Narasimha

• Learned a story on Navarathri (will learn more of the story every class)

• Ended class with Hangman!

Homework: Read about all the forms of Durga

October 11

Prayers and Announcements

Reviewed the meaning of "Saraswati Namastubhyam"

Reviewed the homework:

• Other countries that worship Saraswati include Japan and Myanmar.

Went over a story about not assuming but asking instead, and not giving in to anger.

Talked about the third Avatar of Vishnu (Varaha).

Went over a story about thinking analytically with Vikram and Betal

Played Hangman.

Homework: Read about Narasimha Avatar.

October 4

• Prayers and Announcements

• Reviewed the meaning of the slokha “Vakratunda Maha Kaya”

• Learned the meaning of the slokha “Saraswathi Namasthubyam”

- Saraswathi Namasthubyam

oh Saraswathi; prayers to you

- Varade Kama Roopini

wishes to give; all your wishes/ desires; embodies everything we want

- Vidhya rambam karishyami

education; ——- ;as I am studying

- Sidhir Bavathu me Sadha

go well; so be for; me; always

• Went over homework from last week

  • Which forms of Ganesha have Mooshika in them?

• Learned how Mooshika became the vehicle for Ganesha(story)

• Talked about 2nd avatar of Vishnu (Kurma)

• Listened to a story about how we all have good and bad in us and it is up to decide how we want to embody ourselves

• Played Hangman

• Closing prayers

HOMEWORK: look through your book/online and find out countries where Saraswathi is worshiped.

September

September 27

We started class with the morning shlokas and talked about the meaning of the Ganesha shloka. Then we learned about the first Avatar of Vishnu (Matsya) a story about helping others for the common good, and a story about fulfilling your own roles.

The homework for this week is to learn about the 8 avatars of Ganesha and practice the Ganesha shloka.

September 20

Namaste parents,

It was a great beginning today. Thank you all for joining.

It’s great that a number of you have joined what’s app group link provided. In case if you have not yet, please join. (link in email)

Today we covered stories about Ganesha. We also talked about importance for parents, teachers, and god in our life.
We talked thru oldest music instruments, Veela and mrudangam.
Be sure to discuss these with kids during family dinner times.

If any questions, feel free to reach out.