May

May 15

Namaste Parents!

Our annual day presentation is coming up next week! Drop your kids off to the temple at 9:30 AM on Sunday so that they can do one last rehearsal ahead of time. They’ll be presenting at 10:55 in the auditorium. In preparation for next week the kids should go over their slokas and story scripts once or twice more. Additionally they should make sure they have costumes: Those doing the Kartikeya and Ganesha story should all wear Indian clothes; those in the story about the deer, mouse, turtle, crow, and hunter should try and find some small accessory that they can wear to look like their roles (eg. mouse ears or a crow beak), these can be made out of paper; those in the 3 scholars story should have a book if they are a scholar and if they are the lion they don’t have to worry about a costume. The kids will know what roles they have so just make sure they get a small costume/prop ready!

May 8

Namaste parents,

Happy mothers day! Todays class started off with a Mother’s Day presentation talking about how important mothers are in hinduism as well as in our lives. Next, we practices the shlokas for annual day. (remember to practice at home too, they are found at the back of the textbooks!) Then, we moved onto stories. We discussed about guru bee, and how we can learn from many teachers to combine information, guru spider where we can learn about the circle of life, as well as guru bee farmer. Then, we practiced our skits.

A reminder that next week’s class on May 15 at 10:00am will be in person, to practice our skits. We will also hold a party for the students at the end to celebrate all we’ve learned over the years.

Annual day is on May 22, and everyone is welcome to watch!

May 1

Namaste parents!

We started off this weeks class by chanting some slokahs; remember to practice them throughout the week! Next, we listened to some new stories. We learned about the importance keeping our eyes, ears, and taste buds under control! We then practiced our skits and in preparation for our performance on May 22. Finally, we ended class with a fun game of Hangman.

Don’t forget to respond if you can bring your kids in person on May 15th for a rehearsal!

April

April 24

Namaste parents!

Today’s class stated off with some shlokas as well as an earth day presentation. Next, we went onto some shlokas to learn for annual day. Then, we read some stories about how everyone is the same, and how god is in everyone. Therefore, we should all treat everyone equally regardless of who they are. Next, we went over our annual day play scripts and practiced them.

Important! : A reminder that HATS annual day is on May 22. We will recite shlokas we’ve learned throughout the year and also will be preforming a play. The kids are divided up into three separate mini plays, each about a different story we’ve discussed over the year. We introduced the scripts this week and read them over a couple times. Hopefully, by the time we preform, these lines should be memorized. Attached below are the different scripts. If possible, please print these scripts out so each week the kids can practice/memorize the lines.

#15 Script

#43 Script

#63 Script

April 10

We started off this weeks class by chanting some slokas. Afterwards we looked at a couple of new slokas; remember to practice them throughout the week! Next, we listened to some new stories. We learned about the importance of thanking Bhagavan for your successes, being forgiving and patient, and sharing our belongings with others! Finally, we ended class with a fun game of Hangman.

March

March 27

Namaste parents,

We recited shlokas as usual today, meditated for a few minutes, chanted om, and then read and discussed some Tenali Raman stories as well as a Gopal the jester story. We discussed how kindness involves helping others, how knowledge is the brightest light of all, and how we should use our own intellects instead of relying on other people’s.

March 20

Namaste everyone!

Todays class was full of great discussions. It started off with some shlokas, then followed by assembly slides. Then we learned a new shloka, that we will present on annual day. Next, we moved onto stories. We learned about how we shouldn’t discriminate against others. We also learned about a story how you shouldn’t be naughty, but also not get mad at others for it. We then learned about how you should admit your mistakes and not lie to others. The class finished off with some games!

Also, an important reminder! Please mark your calendars for May 22, as it will be the day that our class presents our HATS Annual Day Presentation. We will present shlokas we’ve learned over the year and also put on a play about our favorite stories!

March 13

Namaste parents! Today, we started off with shlokas. Next, we are had a presentation on Holi -!: ways to celebrate it at home as well. Then, we talked about our favorite stories we learned from the beginning of the year. Next we moved onto reading. We learned about how no matter who we are, we should accept our mistakes and apologize for them. Then, we learned about how we should forgive. Lastly, we finished off with a kahoot!

March 6

Namaste parents!

We started off this weeks class by chanting some slokahs. Afterwards we looked at a couple of new slokahs; remember to practice them throughout the week! Next, we listened to 3 new stories. We learned about the importance of never giving up, that no work is beneath us, and to never unjustly complain about others! Finally, we ended class with a fun game of Kahoot about the stories we listened to.

February

February 27

Namaste parents!

Happy Mahashivratri!

We discussed Mahashivratri for large part of our class on Sunday, talking about some origin stories for the holiday and some qualities of Bhagawan Shiva.

We wrapped up with some stories about trusting others and ourselves, and a short Kahoot.

February 20

Namaste parents!

Hope everyone is having a great week! Todays class began with some prayers and assembly slides, along with meditation. Following that, we went over some more mantras, and learned a new one! Next we listened to stories and had discussions about how not to show off, not to be overly proud, and learn to be grateful for everything we have. To finish it off, we played a kahoot recapping all of the stories we learned today!

February 13

Namaste parents!

We started off this weeks class by chanting some slokahs. Afterwards we had a meditation class where we learned what we could gain from meditation and the importance of forgiveness and love. Also, don’t forget to have your children meditate regularly!

February 6

Namaste parents!

Today we read stories about greediness and jealousy. The kids expressed that they don’t usually feel jealous when their friends have things they don’t have, or when they see friends receiving praise, which is a good thing. Please try to continue discussion about these topics at home.

The kids also recited their shlokas. For next week, please ask them to practice the shloka Asking Bhagwan's Forgiveness (p. 107) and the shloka Before Eating Food (p. 108).

Additionally, happy Vasant Panchami! We discussed how Vasant panchami celebrates both Devi Saraswati’s birthday and, broadly, the coming of Spring, as well as how Devi Saraswati is worshipped in other countries and cultures like Indonesia and Japan.

January

January 30

We started off this weeks class by chanting some slokahs. Afterwards we looked at a couple of new slokahs; remember to practice them throughout the week! Next, we listened to four new stories. We learned about the importance being helpful, being kind, and being gentle! Finally, we ended class with a fun game of Kahoot about the stories we listened to.

Have a great week!

January 23

Good afternoon parents!

Today’s class started off with some prayers along with some announcements. Next, we went over some prayers and learned them. Following that we talked about how telling the truth is important. To finish it off, we played a kahoot!

Also, if any parent is interested in volunteering to help with the HSMN library project, please contact education@hsmn.org!

Next week’s homework is to learn the evening prayer, which is located in the shloka section of the textbook.

We will have regular classes these next three weeks.

January 16

Namaste parents!

Thank you for coming to conferences today, and sharing your ideas and compliments.

Remind your kids to think over and practice the shlokas we learned in class today. They have improved a lot, and can continue to improve through practice.

We discussed two stories from the Panchatantra: one about thinking before acting, and one about thinking before speaking. We also discussed how, when we greet someone with “namaste,” we recognize the Bhagavan inside them.

We finished with a fun game of Kahoot.

Regular classes continue next week.

December

December 19

We started off this weeks class by chanting many slokahs. Afterwards we looked at a couple of new slokahs; remember to practice them throughout the week! Next, we listened to four new stories. We learned about the importance of eat well, not wasting food, cleaning up after yourself, and sharing with others! Finally, we ended class with a fun game of Kahoot about the stories we listened to.

Announcement: If any parents are interested in helping out with the HSMN library project please contact education@hsmn.org

Reminder: We do not have HATS class for the next 2 weeks because of winter break.

Have a great break!

The Dharma 3 teachers and student volunteers

December 12

Hope everyone is enjoying the snowfall! Today’s class started off with some shlokas, along with a presentation on Gita Jayanti. The presentation consisted of some background knowledge of how Gita Jayanti came to be, as well as a fun quiz at the end!

Following that, we had a special opportunity with Ashwini Auntie and had a meditation class!

We started off talking about how meditation is important, and it’s benefits. We also listened to a story about the relationship of a teacher and student, and how empathy can be so powerful. Then, we meditated for a bit, and everyone did very good!

Reminder: We have class next week, but the following two weeks we have off due to winter break.

November

November 21

Namaste parents!

Remember there is no class next week; enjoy the time off with your kids!

Today our stories focused on friendship (with the last one about focus). We talked about what a good friend should do, and the behaviors of bad friends. For discussion at home: try asking the kids questions about their friends, what they do for them, and why they like them.

Please also ask the kids to continue learning their shlokas.

Thank you,

Dharma 3 Team

November 14

We started off class with some slokas and we went through the assembly slides where we looked at some diwali projects created by the students! Next, we spent some time meditating and afterwards we learned a couple of new slokas, don’t forget to remind your children to practice them for next week! Then, we went over a couple of stories. The stories we heard today taught us the importance of being kind and respecting our peers. We also learned the importance of not bullying others and standing up for ourselves if we are being bullied. We wrapped up class with two Kahoots. The first was about the stories we had gone over and their messages, and the second was a fun Kahoot about candy!

October

October 31

This week we started off the class with some shlokas, followed with a Diwali presentation, a Diwali quiz and meditation. Next, we reviewed the morning prayer and the Gayatri Mantra. Then we listened to stories and had discussions about them. Examples are how valuable our bodies are, and how we can take care of them, the story of Pundalika and how respectful he was towards his parents, and how our parents should mean the world to us. We finished off the class with some games!

The homework for this week is for the students to create Diwali crafts, sweets, and more. Some examples are clay diyas, rangolis, Diwali treats. We encourage families to make our celebrations as interactive and fun as possible, as a way to connect with our heritage and each other. Below is a list of ideas and links you can follow, or you can create your own!

• https://www.thejoysharing.com/2018/10/diwali-crafts-for-kids.html

• https://artsycraftsymom.com/40-diwali-ideas-cards-crafts-decor-diy/

• https://www.bestcoloringpagesforkids.com/rangoli-coloring-pages.html

• https://www.smilingcolors.com/2020/10/how-to-make-rangoli-on-paper/

You can also take a picture of your creation and send it to this link to be posted on the HATS website: https://forms.gle/jRFS76s5bYDnrdDX7

October 24

Namaste Parents! Today’s class started off with some shloka chanting, followed with a Dussehra presentation. We learned about the three guns, tamas, rajas, and sattva. After that, we learned the morning prayer as well as a couple others. Next, we discussed stories about how Bhagavan resides in the beautiful as well as the ugly, how Bhagavan can take on any form, and how Bhagwan helps those who can help themselves first. Following that, we discussed the question as a class; Can you think of some ways in which you are luckier than others? We finished off the class with playing some games.

Thank you to all of those who participated in the Dussehra project! We enjoyed looking at all of the pictures.

October 10

We started off this weeks class by going over the 2 slokhas we had learned in the previous weeks. Afterwards we learned a new slokha for praying in the morning. We also talked about Navratri and what each of the 10 days are for. We also discussed Ravana and why he had 10 heads. Next, we recapped all of the previous stories we have learned since HATS started, reviewing what happened and in the stories and the morals/messages we gained from them. We also listened to two new stories. One was an Akbar and Birbal story about how god loves everyone like his own child and the other was a story about how despite the fact that god has many forms, they are all the same Bagvahn. Finally, we ended class with a fun game of hangman.

October 3

Today in class we learned the stories of Kanakadasa (Bhagavan’s devotee who realized that he is always seen by Bhagavan, and Bhagavan is always present), Gopala (little boy whom Krishna helped because his mother had absolute faith), and Ravana (who had to learn that no one is stronger than Bhagavan).

Additionally, we went over the first two shlokas, which the kids will learn by next week.

During discussion, the kids had more insightful comments than last time and we could hear their differences of thoughts and opinion, which is great.

We asked parents to continue to talk about the stories and ask kids questions at home to continue developing their minds as they learn dharma.

We also assigned a (Fun) homework: Research Ravana’s heads. How many does he have? Why does he have so many? How does he get haircuts?

September

September 26

Namaste parents!

We had a great first class today! This week started off with some shloka chanting followed by meditation. Next, we listened to and discussed stories about Bhagavan. Some stories were about how Bhagavan feeds everyone, how he’s the most intelligent, and how he cannot banish anyone from his kingdom, and how we should always be humble and have Bhagavan in our hearts. To finish, we played an engaging Kahoot quiz online about the stories.

A friendly reminder to try and keep cameras on at all times, but most kids are doing a great job of doing so.

Also, last chance to drop out of classes is October 3rd.

Have a great rest of your week!

September 19

We started off this weeks class with some introductions and then we went over the rules and expectations for future classes. We expect that all the children will have there camera on at all times but remain muted unless answering/asking a question or chanting slokhas. We also expect that children will be able to access the textbook during class until we can provide paper copies of the textbook. During this class, your children will learn the stories of gods and other important Hindu figures. They will listen/read the stories, understand them, and most importantly understand the morals of these stories. We also plan to learn many mantras throughout the year, which are located at the end of the textbook. Lastly, we will wrap up class with a fun Kahoot (a type of online quiz) about the stories the students learned that day.

Reminder: October 3rd is the last day to drop this class