Sevikas: Ruchi and Jacqueline
Prayers:
• Om Saha Naavavatu (click here for text)
• Vakratunda Mahakaya (click here for text)
• Sarasvati Namastubhyam (click here for text)
• Shree KrishnaH (click here for text)
Quiet Time: One minute of silence followed by a concentration game.
The kids are definitely moving up to 1 minute 15 seconds in our next class – they did great! Ruchi aunty said that they were so still that she could hear the shells dropping into the bowl while standing guard outside in the hallway. Now, that's impressive!
Geeta Chanting: Chapter 10, Shlokas 1 and 2 (click here for audio and text)
Story: Sudaama and Lord Krishna
Activity/Games: Made a puppet of Lord Hanumaan (click here to view)
Likhita Japa: none
Sanskrit Learning: Click here for Words of the Week
End of Class Prayers: Om PoornamadaH (click here to view text)
Homework: None
Comments: Boy, was today a busy day — we certainly got through a lot in an hour and a half, though!
We began our class by reviewing the Alphabet we have learned thus far. "A is for Aspiration," "B is for Brotherhood," "C is for Cleanliness," "D is for Dad," and "E is for Enthusiasm." Our lesson today focused on "F is for Friend." We spent a good chunk of time discussing the special qualities which makes someone a friend. After our brainstorming activity, we then settled down to hear an all-time favorite story about Sudaama and Lord Krishna.
Our Geeta Chanting is coming along nicely — clearly a lot of the children have been practicing at home! We will begin Shloka 3 in our next class. Please continue to work with your children at home. We're trying to pace our learning so that we don't have to do "cram" studying as we get closer to the Competition date :-)
We learned three new words in Sanskrit today: mitram (friend), sakhya (friendship) and paaJcaalikaa (puppet) Click here to view text. We had hoped to play a full game of "KrishnaH vadati" today, but time ran out before we could get to it. In order to include Sanskrit learning in the class curriculum, we will probably end up alternating it with a craft activity from week to week. So, instead of an art project next class, we will play games in Sanskrit. We're thinking that this might be the solution to our weekly time crunch.
Parents: Please note that we now have an attendance sign-in sheet at the front door of the classroom. Please check off your child's name when you bring him/her to class. We are hoping that this will streamline our attendance taking :-)
Also, you will notice that we have a video playlist in the announcement section above. We will be sharing music videos and animations that we think speak to our lessons of the week. Hope that you and your child will enjoy!
Hard to believe that this weather is so fantastic at this time of the year! Have a very peaceful and relaxing week, and we look forward to seeing everyone again after our mini break. Next class: "G is for _______" Bet you kids can guess this one!
OM ShaantiH, ShaantiH, ShaantiH
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda
November 22, 2009
Nov 22 Class: Section 2
Sevikas: Indira
Prayers: We started the day chanting OM 3 times followed by 1 min meditation and Sahana Bhavatu prayer.
Quiet Time: We meditated for 1 min, prayed to GOD to give us a Happy & Fun Filled day.
Bhajans: Ganesha Sharanam (click here to view)
Geeta Chanting: We practiced verse 1 & 2. Kids are doing well and need more practice at home. (click here for audio and text.)
Story: We talked about alphabet 'E for ENTHUSIASM. We talked Gitu, the tiny chipmunk who showed enthusiasm in all her work. All animals in the jungle were making fun of her because of her size but she still worked hard and succeded. We also talked about another story - a boy named Anand. Parents be sure and ask your kids to narrate the stories and recite the Bhajans they have learnt in class. We reviewed alphabet A thru D.
Activity/Games: coloring page for alphabet 'C'. C-for cleanliness meaning having clean thoughts. Kids colored 3 monkeys - see no evil, hear no evil and don't talk evil/bad things.
Craft Project: We did the spinning wheel project. (click here to view) Kids did a great job decorating the top, writing OM and making colorful borders.
Likhita Japa: none
End of Class Prayers: Aaarthi followed by Poornamada.
Comments: We have no class on Nov. 29th. Have a Happy and safe Thanks Giving Holiday! The next Balavihar class is on Dec. 6th. Parents please bring your kids on time at 10am. Please make sure they have their Balavihar bag, folder, crayons & My Prayers book.
Prayers: We started the day chanting OM 3 times followed by 1 min meditation and Sahana Bhavatu prayer.
Quiet Time: We meditated for 1 min, prayed to GOD to give us a Happy & Fun Filled day.
Bhajans: Ganesha Sharanam (click here to view)
Geeta Chanting: We practiced verse 1 & 2. Kids are doing well and need more practice at home. (click here for audio and text.)
Story: We talked about alphabet 'E for ENTHUSIASM. We talked Gitu, the tiny chipmunk who showed enthusiasm in all her work. All animals in the jungle were making fun of her because of her size but she still worked hard and succeded. We also talked about another story - a boy named Anand. Parents be sure and ask your kids to narrate the stories and recite the Bhajans they have learnt in class. We reviewed alphabet A thru D.
Activity/Games: coloring page for alphabet 'C'. C-for cleanliness meaning having clean thoughts. Kids colored 3 monkeys - see no evil, hear no evil and don't talk evil/bad things.
Craft Project: We did the spinning wheel project. (click here to view) Kids did a great job decorating the top, writing OM and making colorful borders.
Likhita Japa: none
End of Class Prayers: Aaarthi followed by Poornamada.
Comments: We have no class on Nov. 29th. Have a Happy and safe Thanks Giving Holiday! The next Balavihar class is on Dec. 6th. Parents please bring your kids on time at 10am. Please make sure they have their Balavihar bag, folder, crayons & My Prayers book.
November 15, 2009
Nov 15 Class: Section 1
Sevikas: Nanda and Jacqueline
Prayers:
• OM Saha Naavaatu (click here for text)
• Vakratunda Mahakaya (click here for text)
• Sarasvati Namastubhyam (click here for text)
Quiet Time: Man, oh man — these kids did great! They sat absolutely still for one minute — and nearly everyone got the correct number of shells dropped into the bowl during our focus game. Looks like these children will soon be ready to try for one minute and 15 seconds.
Geeta Chanting: Chapter 10, Shlokas 1 and 2 (click here for audio and text)
Story: How the squirrels helped Lord Ram build the bridge to Lanka, and how they came to have three stripes on their back.
Activity/Games: Made a spinning top (click here to view)
Likhita Japa: Practiced writing राम with our tracing cards. (click here to view)
Sanskrit Learning: Click here to view words of the week
End of Class Prayers: Aarti and pledge were done in the auditorium.
Homework: None
Comments: We have decided to banish the "big people's" tables and chairs for our class — and sit in a circle on the floor instead. And boy, did it feel right! We all seemed to be a bit more comfortable and together as a group. We will be conducting our class in this fashion from now on — so please have your child remove their shoes and line them up at the door when they first arrive. We will have a table at the front of the room where your child can keep their coat and backpack.
After what seemed like such a long break, it sure was nice seeing everyone again! We reviewed our Alphabet Safari letters: "A is for Aspiration," "B is for Brotherhood," "C is for Cleanliness," and "D is for Dad." Today we learned that "E is for Enthusiasm." We discussed what enthusiasm felt like, and why it was important that we do everything with this certain type of feeling. To further illustrate this "Word of the Week," we had the children make spinning tops (click here to see example) and see how long they could keep them going. Guess you can imagine how much fun we all had.
Today we tried something new during our activity segment. We introduced a few Sanskrit words and had the kids repeat them. We were very encouraged with how well they picked these words up ... so, at the end of our class (and only if we have time) we will try and have a Sanskrit Learning segment. We will play games and read interactive books to help us learn colors, numbers, clothing articles, verbs, etc. Next class we will plan to play "KrishnaH vadati"(click here to view text.)
We hope that your child had as much fun as the aunties did today! We will be missing Nanda aunty for the next few weeks while she travels to India. Though we are sad to not have her in class for the next month, we are really lucky that Ruchi Aunty will be joining us.
Please continue to practice Geeta Chanting with your child at home. We will work with Shlokas 1 and 2 next week, and plan to begin Shloka 3 in December.
Look forward to seeing everyone next week. In the meantime, enjoy the fabulous weather!!! This aunty is going for a verrrry long bike ride after this entry gets posted.
Kids: be sure and check out the videos in the announcement section above. You'll find these to be fun reviews for "E is for Enthusiasm" and भ्रमति (bhramati, spins). Oh yeah, and if any of you are LEGO enthusiasts, make sure your have your bucket of LEGOS handy while watching the last two videos :-)
Prayers:
• OM Saha Naavaatu (click here for text)
• Vakratunda Mahakaya (click here for text)
• Sarasvati Namastubhyam (click here for text)
Quiet Time: Man, oh man — these kids did great! They sat absolutely still for one minute — and nearly everyone got the correct number of shells dropped into the bowl during our focus game. Looks like these children will soon be ready to try for one minute and 15 seconds.
Geeta Chanting: Chapter 10, Shlokas 1 and 2 (click here for audio and text)
Story: How the squirrels helped Lord Ram build the bridge to Lanka, and how they came to have three stripes on their back.
Activity/Games: Made a spinning top (click here to view)
Likhita Japa: Practiced writing राम with our tracing cards. (click here to view)
Sanskrit Learning: Click here to view words of the week
End of Class Prayers: Aarti and pledge were done in the auditorium.
Homework: None
Comments: We have decided to banish the "big people's" tables and chairs for our class — and sit in a circle on the floor instead. And boy, did it feel right! We all seemed to be a bit more comfortable and together as a group. We will be conducting our class in this fashion from now on — so please have your child remove their shoes and line them up at the door when they first arrive. We will have a table at the front of the room where your child can keep their coat and backpack.
After what seemed like such a long break, it sure was nice seeing everyone again! We reviewed our Alphabet Safari letters: "A is for Aspiration," "B is for Brotherhood," "C is for Cleanliness," and "D is for Dad." Today we learned that "E is for Enthusiasm." We discussed what enthusiasm felt like, and why it was important that we do everything with this certain type of feeling. To further illustrate this "Word of the Week," we had the children make spinning tops (click here to see example) and see how long they could keep them going. Guess you can imagine how much fun we all had.
Today we tried something new during our activity segment. We introduced a few Sanskrit words and had the kids repeat them. We were very encouraged with how well they picked these words up ... so, at the end of our class (and only if we have time) we will try and have a Sanskrit Learning segment. We will play games and read interactive books to help us learn colors, numbers, clothing articles, verbs, etc. Next class we will plan to play "KrishnaH vadati"(click here to view text.)
We hope that your child had as much fun as the aunties did today! We will be missing Nanda aunty for the next few weeks while she travels to India. Though we are sad to not have her in class for the next month, we are really lucky that Ruchi Aunty will be joining us.
Please continue to practice Geeta Chanting with your child at home. We will work with Shlokas 1 and 2 next week, and plan to begin Shloka 3 in December.
Look forward to seeing everyone next week. In the meantime, enjoy the fabulous weather!!! This aunty is going for a verrrry long bike ride after this entry gets posted.
Kids: be sure and check out the videos in the announcement section above. You'll find these to be fun reviews for "E is for Enthusiasm" and भ्रमति (bhramati, spins). Oh yeah, and if any of you are LEGO enthusiasts, make sure your have your bucket of LEGOS handy while watching the last two videos :-)
Nov 15 Class: Section 2
Sevikas: Kalpana and Indira
Prayers: We had morning prayers
Quiet Time: One minute meditation and kids were sitting still for almost 40 seconds
Bhajans:
• gajana he gajana (click here for text)
• ganesh sharanam (click here for text)
Geeta Chanting: 1st 2 shlokas (click here for audio and text)
Story: Story of Sharavana where kids helped filling the blanks of the sentences had a great time.
Activity/Games: none
Craft Project: Made keychains and they all loved it. Keychain said "I love Dad." (click here to view.)
Likhita Japa: None
End of Class: Poornama Poornamidam prayers (click here for text)
Comments: Parents should bring their child on time and pick them up on time and if they are running late and if they see lights are off they should wait outside until we turn on the lights.
Prayers: We had morning prayers
Quiet Time: One minute meditation and kids were sitting still for almost 40 seconds
Bhajans:
• gajana he gajana (click here for text)
• ganesh sharanam (click here for text)
Geeta Chanting: 1st 2 shlokas (click here for audio and text)
Story: Story of Sharavana where kids helped filling the blanks of the sentences had a great time.
Activity/Games: none
Craft Project: Made keychains and they all loved it. Keychain said "I love Dad." (click here to view.)
Likhita Japa: None
End of Class: Poornama Poornamidam prayers (click here for text)
Comments: Parents should bring their child on time and pick them up on time and if they are running late and if they see lights are off they should wait outside until we turn on the lights.
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