Feb 9 2020
1. We started the class by chanting OM 3 times. We chanted all the daily prayers.
2. We spoke about Lord Karthikeya, the story where he went around the world 3 times to get the Mango fruit and also how he got his peacock as his vehicle.
3. Annual day is on June 14,please mark your calendars.
We discussed about our Annual day performance, we are thinking to have the kids dressed as “GODS” and say a few lines about who they are. We will combine with the KG class and teach them a few small bhajans starting next week.Please don't miss too many classes as the child may fall behind with the rehearsals.
4. We ended the class with a few yoga poses.
Homework-
Look at the “One God Many Forms” book and brush the Gods discussed so far.
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Jan 26 2020
Sloka practice
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Jan 19 2020
1. We started the class by chanting OM 3 times. We chanted all the daily prayers.Next week,kids will be picked up in a random fashion and asked to recite a sloka.They will be given a special prize for reciting correctly.
2. We spoke about Lord Hanuman,his birth story and what are his traits and how one can achieve all the traits if we pray to him.
The traits are -
1. Buddhi - intelligent
2. Balam - Strength (can be physical and mental strength)-we explained the difference between the 2 and also the story of Bhima trying to lift Hanuman's tails
Brainstorming- Physical (tug of war,lifting stuff etc) & Mental Strength(roti and dhal over cookies - best judgement)
Tale- Bhima’s Arrogance (discussion at the end – Bhima was physically very strong. Why then could he not move Hanuman’s tail? Bhima was temporarily blinded by arrogance of his own strength and therefore became mentally weak.
3.Yasas- fame
4. Dhairyam- courage
5.Nirbhayatvam-Fearlessness
6.Arogatam- Free from Disease
7. Ajadyam -Free from Laziness
8. Vak Patutvam -Good speech
3. We also did a meditation game of sitting in a circle, hand holding with closed eyes and saying "Jai Bajrang Bali".
Videos below to brush the student's memory-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7PkJUGUkjM&t=223s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSaNrY-scG8
Special shoutout to Dhruv and Niam for chanting out the sloka "Kara chara kritam vaa" perfectly in the class without any help.
Best behaviour shout out goes to again Dhruv,Kayden,Aaryan,Bhuvi and Upasana.
Homework-
1. Finish Hanuman coloring page (be creative and use colors) -please write your name on the sheet.
2. Write 10 other names of Hanuman in the back of the coloring page
3. Also mention the preference of the student in the bottom of the coloring page - Candy or Chocolate ?
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Jan 12 2020
1. We started the class by chanting OM 3 times. We chanted all the daily prayers,the last 2 prayers "Karana charana kritham vaa and Brahmarpaanam" are difficult for kids,we request you to kindly practice at home with them.
2. We revised the lessons taught so far by using a crossword and some of the kids were able to finish it without our help.
3. We spoke about Lord Krishna,his birth story,and also the story of how he lifts the Govardhan mountain to save the villagers from the floods.There are so many Krishna stories,which the kids will learn in detail in Bala Bhagavatham in 2nd grade.
The videos below reiterate the story-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5cfEU_DtTA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-UKAJ6dO-U
Homework-
1. Finish Shiva coloring page.
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Dec 22- Revision done using word search.
Dec 15 - Movie and pizza
Dec 8 2019
1. We started the class by chanting OM 3 times. We chanted all the daily prayers and we are happy that most if the kids are able to say it memorized.
2. We did the bell meditation 2 times as there were distractions the first time,the children understood that when they don't focus and concentrate,not only they fail but also take others down with them too.
3. We spoke about Lord Shiva,his job,the forms he is worshiped as,his vehicle,why his neck is blue and also the story of Pradosha time.
4. We read a story 'Capseller and the monkey" and the kids were able to let us know what they understood.
We see a mob psychology attitude among the kids,if one child does something naughty,the rest of the copy it,We have explained to them that they can be different and unique and not follow others and be a leader.Please talk about this to your child at home.
Next week is Movie and pizza,please let me know if your kid would be attending by tomorrow
No homework,just practice prayers.
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Nov 17 2019
1. We started the class by chanting OM 3 times. Then we moved on to the Daily prayers ,we taught a new prayer with explaining the meaning as well
Kara-Charana Kritam Vaak-Kaaya-Jam Karma-Jam Vaa |
Shravanna-Nayana-Jam Vaa Maanasam Va-Aparaadham |
Vihitam-Avihitam Vaa Sarvam-Etat-Kshamasva |
Jaya Jaya Karunna-Abdhe Shri-Mahaadeva Shambho ||
Meaning:
a: Whatever Sins have been Committed by Actions Performed by my Hands and Feet, Produced by my Speech and Body, Or my Works,
b: Produced by my Ears and Eyes, Or Sins Committed by my Mind (i.e. Thoughts),
c: While Performing Actions which are Prescribed (i.e. duties prescribed by tradition or allotted duties in one's station of life), As Well as All other Actions which are Not explicitly Prescribed (i.e. actions done by self-judgement, by mere habit, without much thinking, unknowingly etc); Please Forgive Them All,
d: Victory, Victory to You, O Sri Mahadeva Shambho, I Surrender to You
2. We spoke about Lord Ganesha and discussed the story of how he got his elephant head,what does each part of Ganesha symbolize (see attached image)
3. We divided the class into 2 groups and did a quiz of what was taught so far.Kudos to Team A with Aashritha, Bhuvi, Veer,Keisha and Avika,they scored a total of 114 points. Team B also did well with a score of 100 points.
4. The children did a “Connect the dots Ganesha” activity and colored it.
5. We also spoke about the difference between “Wants” and “Needs”, complete the activity as homework.
If you noticed, I have redone the “Green Reward Chart” with stamps instead of stickers because the stickers kept on falling. If the kids forget to bring the chart to the class, no rewards would be marked for that day.
Homework-
1.Complete the cut and glue activity – Wants and needs sheet provided to all the kids.Attached here for those who were absent (No excuses if homework is not done)
2. Practice slokas from My prayers book.
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Nov 10 2019
1. We started the class by chanting OM 3 times. Then we moved on to the Daily prayers ,we practiced all the prayers taught so far, you can refer to them from my emails or they are also in the ”My prayers” book.
2. We did the kids’ favorite “Bell meditation” and increased the time to 3 mins.We were happy with how well focused they were to get the count right.
3. We spoke about Lord Vishnu and discussed his first incarnation in the form of a fish “Matsya” avatar.Here is a short video of Matsya avatar.the name of the demon is said as Damanaka but as per our books,it was Hayagriva.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08HbPBY7oTQ
4. We also read a story “The woodcutter and the axe” with the moral “Honesty is the best policy”.Please ask the chidren what the story was about and see if they can remember it.
5. The children then did a likitha japa for the word “Rama”,we were impressed that all of them took time and wrote it neatly.
We also would like to thank Atima aunty (Avika’s mom) to give a helping hand in the class yesterday :)
Homework-
Practice slokas from My prayers book.
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Nov 3 2019
Hope all of you enjoyed the Diwali luncheon.Below is the update from Nov 3 class-
1. We started the class by chanting OM 3 times. Then we moved on to the Daily prayers ,we practiced the 3 prayers from last week and also taught a new prayer to be said before taking lighting a lamp for pooja.
Shubham Karoti Kalyaannam-Aarogyam Dhana-Sampadaa |
Shatru-Buddhi-Vinaashaaya Diipa-Jyotir-Namostute ||
Meaning:
(Salutations to the Light of the Lamp) Which Brings Auspiciousness, Health and Prosperity,
which Destroys Inimical Feelings; Salutations to the Light of the Lamp.
2. We did a Diwali wreath which the children would have brought home.(see attached pics)
3. The children watched a movie called Sanjay's super team, link below,we will discuss about what they understood in the next class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=222ztGhX4SE
Reminders-
Please make sure the kids bring in their BV binder with completed homework,My prayers book and the Invocation packet.
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Oct 27 2019
1. We started the class by chanting OM 3 times. Then we moved on to the Daily prayers ,we practiced the 3 prayers from last week and also taught a new prayer to be said before taking a bath "Gange cha yamunae".
Gangge Ca Yamune Caiva Godaavari Sarasvati |
Narmade Sindhu Kaaveri Jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru ||
Meaning:
1: O Holy Rivers Ganga and Yamuna, and also Godavari and Saraswati,
2: O Holy Rivers Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri; Please be Present in this Water (and make it Holy).
2. We explained the story of Diwali,why we celebrate it and also spoke about the Goddess Lakshmi.
3. Since there were only 8 kids present,we did not continue with the lesson,the children were given a maze to complete in class and we played team building games.
Reminders-
We will do a craft next week,please send in glue sticks and safety scissors.
Please make sure the kids also bring in their BV binder with completed homework,My prayers book and the Invocation packet.
Homework-
1.Complete Lord Brahma coloring page if you did not finish it.
2.Practice the slokas
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Oct 20 2019
1. We started the class by chanting OM 3 times. Then we moved on to the Daily prayers ,we practiced the prayer "karagre vasathe lakshmi" from last week.We were happy that Shrey,Jayanth,Niam and Dhruv memorized and volunteered to chant it out loud to rest of their friends.We know that few other kids know it as well,but were a little shy to open up.
2 New prayers were taught .See below with their meaning. We challenged the kids that whoever recites this in next class would get a special surprise gift,so please practice this at home.
Samudra-Vasane Devi Parvata-Stana-Mannddale |
Vishnu-Patni Namas-Tubhyam Paada-Sparsham Kssamasva-Me ||
Meaning:
1: (Oh Mother Earth) O Devi, You Who have the Ocean as Your Garments, and Mountains as Your Bosom,
2: O Consort of Lord Vishnu, Salutations to You; Please Forgive my Touch of the Feet (on Earth, which is Your Holy Body).
Sarasvati Namastubhyam Varade Kaama-Rupinni |
Vidya[a-A]arambham Karissyaami Siddhir-Bhavatu Me Sadaa ||
Meaning:
1: Salutations to Devi Saraswati, Who is the giver of Boons and fulfiller of Wishes,
2: O Devi, when I begin my Studies, Please bestow on me the capacity of Right Understanding, always.
2. We began our lesson on lord Brahma,how he looks and he holds in his hand.A story of why Brahma does not have a temple was told in the class.
3. We did the bell meditation and surprising most of the kids gave the count right and were focused for 2.5 minutes straight with their eyes closed.Kudos for that,we will slowly increase the time and also start likitha japa in class.
4. The kids got their stickers in their reward chart.A few kids came late,so we did not give stickers to them for attendance,but later came to know from Sudha Sankaran that there issues with parking,so we will adjust that.
5.The students got their invocation packets,which has Invocation prayers and Bhagavd Geeta chapter 1 verses.
Diwali potluck RSVP and menu link is out.Please don't forget to signup.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4baaa722abfa7-balavihar8
Homework-
1.Complete Lord Brahma coloring page
2.Practice the 2 slokas
3.Please make sure they bring in their BV binder with completed homework.
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Oct 13 2019
It was good to see the kids after a 2 weeks break.Due to some lighting issues,we had a short and combined class with the KG students for 15 minutes.We practiced our invocation prayers with them.
Then,we headed to the temple upstairs to take a look at all the Gods.When we came back,most of the students were able to answer the questions related to the gods like- what is their roles,what did they have in their hands,what is their vahanas(vehicle for eg Ganesha has a mouse).We spoke about the story of Durga,how she came into the world to kill Mahisasura.
We also played the meditation game,where the kids were asked to close the eyes and focus just by hearing the number of times the jingling sounds were made by the bell.
Special applause for Aashritha,Bhuvi,Aaryan and Harikesh,who guessed the number right.We are thinking to play this at every class since the kids liked it.It will make them to sit calm for a few minutes,absorb what is happening with full concentration.
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Sep 22 2019
Field trip to Ramapo reservation
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Sep 15 2019
We had a successful class yesterday.We started the class by checking on the homework given last week.Most of the kids came prepared and were not shy in coming in front of the class to explain their name's meaning.
The kids were given a green "Reward chart" and 5 stickers were handed for each task completed and followed in class.Some of the kids did not get all the 5 stickers,please take some time to talk to them about why they did not get it ? Even though,its ok,they should be able to think about it.The kids with the most stickers will be able to pick from the treasure box.
We also practiced the first prayer from the "My Prayers book"
Karaagre Vasate Lakssmih Karamadhye Sarasvati |
Karamuule Tu Govindah Prabhaate Kara darshanam ||
Meaning:
1: At the Top of the Hand (i.e. Palm) Dwells Devi Lakshmi and at the Middle of the Hand Dwell Devi Saraswati,
2: At the Base of the Hand Dwell Sri Govinda; Therefore one should Look at one's Hands in the Early Morning to have a beautiful positive day.
We also talked about OM,what does that represent and why we say it? We did a "connect the dots activity" to make the OM.
Also discussed about the 3 Main Gods Brahma,Vishnu and Shiva and their consorts.
GOD stands for Generator (Brahma) Operator (Vishnu) and Destroyer (Shiva)
Homework-
1. Write down places where you see "OM" (may be your own pooja rooom, Friend's Home,Temple etc)
2. Color the "connect the dots" OM page completed in class.
3. Practice the sloka "Karagre vasathe Lakshmi"
Reminders-
1. Please send a notebook,pencil,eraser etc to the class.
2. Purchase the book "One God many forms" book.
2. RSVP to the form sent for Hiking event..see below email from Ramesh Nagarajan
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Sep 8 2019
Welcome to Achyuta class! Myself Radha and Vimala aunty will be the sevaks teaching 1st grade this year.We would be following the book "One GOD many forms".We will be discussing the different Gods,their families,what they symbolise etc.
Classes start at 10 am sharp,so we would request you to be here at 9.55 am.
All children should bring a binder with the picture of their favorite God. Balavihar handbook packet with the invocation prayers and Bhagavad Gita-chapter 1 will be distributed in October (these papers go in their binder, along with any other papers handed out in class).
Each student needs one notebook ,My prayers book, a pencil and eraser. A bag would be really useful to keep all of these together. Please make sure all their books have their names labelled
Homework-
1. Find the meaning of their names.