Sevikas: Nanda and Jacqueline
Morning 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: 1 minute of complete silence and stillness. Everyone got an accurate shell count! We are definitely increasing our time to one minute 15 seconds next class.
Geeta Chanting: Shlokas 1, 2 and 3 click here for audio and text
Bhajan: Ganapati, Ganapati. click here for audio and text
Letters of the Week: "M is for Mother" and "N is for Noble"
Story time: PunyakoTi — an all time favorite tale of a cow and her calf.
Activity: KrishnaH vadati. click here for complete text
• verbs: उपविशतु (upavishatu, sit down), उत्तिष्ठतु (uttiShThatu, stand up), उत्पततु (utpatatu, jump), भ्रमतु (bhramatu, spin), हसतु (hasatu, laugh), रोदितु (roditu, cry)
• adverbs: शीघ्रम् (shiighram, fast), मन्दम (mandam, slow)
Likhita Japa:
• wrote राम 21 times
• wrote ऊँ 21 times
Sanskrit Words of the Week: भल्लुकः (bhallukaH, bear), पाञ्चालिका (paaJcaalikaa, puppet), पिङ्गलः (piGgalaH, brown), चित्रलेखन (citralekhana, drawing) click here to view word list
End of Class Prayer: OM Poornamadah click here for text
Comments: After reviewing the Vedantic alphabet we have studied thus far, we jumped into "M is for Mother" and "N is for Noble." Our story today, PunyakoTi, best exemplifies these two ideas – what a wonderfully rich tale! This aunty could listen to it over ... and over ... and over again.
These kindergartners are quickly becoming 1st graders. They are doing very nicely with our morning prayers, and are able to tell us what each prayer means. We are still only on shloka 3 with our Geeta chanting. However, in our next class (February 7) we will begin shloka 4. Please use the Geeta Chanting Blog for practicing pronunciation and memorization with your child. (click here to view) Because of the amount of material we need to cover in each class, we cannot spend all the time we wish we could on pronunciation. This blog is a fabulous tool for learning ... and you can work with your child line by line.
As you probably know by now, we are getting ready for our annual end of the year program. As of this posting, we will be having pre-production workshops in the ashram — every Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. For the next few months we will focus on creating the props and set design for our young friends' performance. We welcome help from any and everyone who wants to lend a hand in the puppet making. So please mark your calendars and come join us in the fun every Saturday.
Regarding the puppet and set designs: we have posted an announcement asking for your child to copy some animal drawings. (click here to read) Please try and have these drawings done by February 7 – and be sure to have your child bring them to class. We will be using their drawings to create life-size puppets for them to perform with. In order to be ready for Spring rehearsals, we need to start making the props now.
O comes after N ... so let's brainstorm what that could be. It's not "octopus," "oven" or "orange" What do you think it could be? Here's a hint, kids: Mom and Dad are very happy when we practice it ...
Don't forget our Ganapati bhajan. We're going to do it even faster next time we get together. Don't know about you kids, but this aunty is ready for a nap ...
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda
January 31, 2010
January 24, 2010
Jan 24 Class: Section 1
Sevikas: Nanda and Jacqueline
Morning 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: 1 minute of silence — with excellent accuracy in the focus game. We had about 6 children who did not budge at all ... complete stillness. Whoaa —way to go, kids!!!
Geeta Chanting: Shlokas 1, 2, and 3 (click here for audio and text)
Bhajan: None
Letter of the Week: "K is for Kindness" and "L is for Love"
Story time: Androcles and the Lion (click here to see a short animation)
Activity: Heart Pop-Up Card (click here to view)
Likhita Japa: none
Sanskrit Words of the Week: हृदय (hRdaya, heart) (click here to view word list)
End of Class Prayers: Aarti and prayers were performed in the auditorium.
Comments: We were able to jump right back into the groove after our mini-break. The aunties are very pleased with our young friends' ability to say the morning prayers ... as well as tell us what each prayer means. We will continue with the prayers listed above for the remainder of this month. However, we are probably ready to move on and learn some new ones starting February :-) The children also led us through our Vedantic Alphabet. They didn't miss a beat ... and eagerly shouted out what each word meant, to boot!
After our story, we spent some circle time discussing ways we can show kindness and love towards others. The children shared different examples where an act of kindness can make all the difference in the world for someone else. One example that everyone related to was "being a new kid in school and not knowing anyone." We all agreed that an act of kindness in saying "hello" to a newcomer can make that person feel welcomed and less afraid.
It's clear that many of the children are practicing their Geeta chanting at home — which is great ... we definitely want them to keep it up! Because we've had a sporadic schedule this month, we will plan to work on Shlokas 1, 2 and 3 again next week. However, starting in February, we will begin learning Shloka 4. Registration for the Geeta Chanting Competition is now available on-line. Click here to register your child. The aunties are looking forward to seeing all the kindergartners at the ashram on the big day!! We know they are going to chant beautifully!
We were reminded today that the annual end of the year program is rapidly approaching. Four months may sound like a long way off, but June will be here before we know it. Our two sections will be presenting a combined program at the annual event, so you should expect some emails from the sevikas coming your way soon. We believe this year's performance is going to be lots of fun for everyone — the kids, sevikas, and audience! Once we have the details worked out, we will be sure to let all of you know about rehearsal schedules, etc. So be sure to check your in-boxes over the next few weeks. Starting February, we will be combining the latter part of our classes so that we can begin rehearsals. We are hoping to get the core rehearsals done during balavihar. Once practice begins, we will be keeping an ongoing status report posted on the blog, so you will be able to keep track of our progress, etc.
Well kids, we learned that "K is for Kindness" and "L is for Love." Next week we're going to discuss "M is for _________." Bet you won't have to think hard to figure this one out. Here's a hint: M is a partner to D :-)
Have a great week everyone — and we look forward to seeing you all next Sunday!
Morning 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: 1 minute of silence — with excellent accuracy in the focus game. We had about 6 children who did not budge at all ... complete stillness. Whoaa —way to go, kids!!!
Geeta Chanting: Shlokas 1, 2, and 3 (click here for audio and text)
Bhajan: None
Letter of the Week: "K is for Kindness" and "L is for Love"
Story time: Androcles and the Lion (click here to see a short animation)
Activity: Heart Pop-Up Card (click here to view)
Likhita Japa: none
Sanskrit Words of the Week: हृदय (hRdaya, heart) (click here to view word list)
End of Class Prayers: Aarti and prayers were performed in the auditorium.
Comments: We were able to jump right back into the groove after our mini-break. The aunties are very pleased with our young friends' ability to say the morning prayers ... as well as tell us what each prayer means. We will continue with the prayers listed above for the remainder of this month. However, we are probably ready to move on and learn some new ones starting February :-) The children also led us through our Vedantic Alphabet. They didn't miss a beat ... and eagerly shouted out what each word meant, to boot!
After our story, we spent some circle time discussing ways we can show kindness and love towards others. The children shared different examples where an act of kindness can make all the difference in the world for someone else. One example that everyone related to was "being a new kid in school and not knowing anyone." We all agreed that an act of kindness in saying "hello" to a newcomer can make that person feel welcomed and less afraid.
It's clear that many of the children are practicing their Geeta chanting at home — which is great ... we definitely want them to keep it up! Because we've had a sporadic schedule this month, we will plan to work on Shlokas 1, 2 and 3 again next week. However, starting in February, we will begin learning Shloka 4. Registration for the Geeta Chanting Competition is now available on-line. Click here to register your child. The aunties are looking forward to seeing all the kindergartners at the ashram on the big day!! We know they are going to chant beautifully!
We were reminded today that the annual end of the year program is rapidly approaching. Four months may sound like a long way off, but June will be here before we know it. Our two sections will be presenting a combined program at the annual event, so you should expect some emails from the sevikas coming your way soon. We believe this year's performance is going to be lots of fun for everyone — the kids, sevikas, and audience! Once we have the details worked out, we will be sure to let all of you know about rehearsal schedules, etc. So be sure to check your in-boxes over the next few weeks. Starting February, we will be combining the latter part of our classes so that we can begin rehearsals. We are hoping to get the core rehearsals done during balavihar. Once practice begins, we will be keeping an ongoing status report posted on the blog, so you will be able to keep track of our progress, etc.
Well kids, we learned that "K is for Kindness" and "L is for Love." Next week we're going to discuss "M is for _________." Bet you won't have to think hard to figure this one out. Here's a hint: M is a partner to D :-)
Have a great week everyone — and we look forward to seeing you all next Sunday!
January 10, 2010
Jan 10 Class: Sections 1 & 2
Sevikas: Nanda, Usha Didi, Indira 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 solid minute of silence (with very little movement) and pretty accurate shell counting. Great job, kids!
Geeta Chanting: Chapter 10, Shlokas 1, 2 and 3 (click here for audio and text)
Bhajan: Ganapati, Ganapati (click here for audio and text)
Letter of the Week: "J is for Japa"
Activities: Memory Game with objects in a tray.
Likhita Japa:
• राम (21 times)
• ऊँ (21 times)
Sanskrit Words of the Week: लिखतु (likhatu, write), जप (japa, repetition of the Lord's name), माला (maalaa, garland) (click here to view class word list)
Sanskrit Learning:
• KrishnaH vadati (click here to view text)
• Counting numbers 1-10 (click here to view text)
End of Class Prayers:
• OM PoornamadaH (click here to view text)
Comments: Today sure was a fun-filled class! After nearly a month of break, we got right back into the groove. And the best part was that we combined both classes today. So it was a great opportunity to meet our kindergarten neighbors and enjoy the morning together.
Nanda Aunty is back from India — and it sure was nice seeing her again. She brought a very sweet surprise to class with her ... Usha Didi, her daughter. Usha Didi had been in India working with CORD for the past four months. And, while she was there she learned some really great bhajans from a few of the Balavihar students in Mumbai. She taught us a bhajan today ... and this is definitely going to be incorporated into our curriculum. We could not get this bhajan out of our head throughout the entire class :-) Many thanks, Usha Didi! We will be getting the lyrics via email soon ... and once received we will post them on the blog so we can all learn it.
Click the Play Button to hear "Ganapati, Ganapati."
Our letter of the week today was "J is for Japa." Even though our class was doubled in size, we managed to carry on a healthy discussion about the meaning of "japa" and why it is important. And that japa gives us tremendous mental strength, or concentration. While on the topic of "concentration," we then played a concentration game involving 20-30 objects in a tray. Each of the children were asked to focus on all the contents for about 30 seconds and then we covered the tray again. Once everyone had a chance to study the tray, we then asked the children if they could remember everything they saw. As you can imagine, we got a variety of answers ...
We ended the class with our likhita japa and some fun games of Shree KrishnaH vadati (aka Simon Says). It was nice to burn off energy after all that hard focusing ...
Please continue to practice the Geeta Chanting with your children at home. We are delighted to hear how well many of the kids are doing. Just a few minutes a day of practicing makes all the difference in the world.
Everyone stay warm today and enjoy some steaming hot chocolate. We will definitely miss you next weekend, but look forward to another fun class on the 24th!
Ganapati, Ganapati, Ganapati .... just can't get that bhajan out of my head. Absolutely invigorating!
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 solid minute of silence (with very little movement) and pretty accurate shell counting. Great job, kids!
Geeta Chanting: Chapter 10, Shlokas 1, 2 and 3 (click here for audio and text)
Bhajan: Ganapati, Ganapati (click here for audio and text)
Letter of the Week: "J is for Japa"
Activities: Memory Game with objects in a tray.
Likhita Japa:
• राम (21 times)
• ऊँ (21 times)
Sanskrit Words of the Week: लिखतु (likhatu, write), जप (japa, repetition of the Lord's name), माला (maalaa, garland) (click here to view class word list)
Sanskrit Learning:
• KrishnaH vadati (click here to view text)
• Counting numbers 1-10 (click here to view text)
End of Class Prayers:
• OM PoornamadaH (click here to view text)
Comments: Today sure was a fun-filled class! After nearly a month of break, we got right back into the groove. And the best part was that we combined both classes today. So it was a great opportunity to meet our kindergarten neighbors and enjoy the morning together.
Nanda Aunty is back from India — and it sure was nice seeing her again. She brought a very sweet surprise to class with her ... Usha Didi, her daughter. Usha Didi had been in India working with CORD for the past four months. And, while she was there she learned some really great bhajans from a few of the Balavihar students in Mumbai. She taught us a bhajan today ... and this is definitely going to be incorporated into our curriculum. We could not get this bhajan out of our head throughout the entire class :-) Many thanks, Usha Didi! We will be getting the lyrics via email soon ... and once received we will post them on the blog so we can all learn it.
Click the Play Button to hear "Ganapati, Ganapati."
Our letter of the week today was "J is for Japa." Even though our class was doubled in size, we managed to carry on a healthy discussion about the meaning of "japa" and why it is important. And that japa gives us tremendous mental strength, or concentration. While on the topic of "concentration," we then played a concentration game involving 20-30 objects in a tray. Each of the children were asked to focus on all the contents for about 30 seconds and then we covered the tray again. Once everyone had a chance to study the tray, we then asked the children if they could remember everything they saw. As you can imagine, we got a variety of answers ...
We ended the class with our likhita japa and some fun games of Shree KrishnaH vadati (aka Simon Says). It was nice to burn off energy after all that hard focusing ...
Please continue to practice the Geeta Chanting with your children at home. We are delighted to hear how well many of the kids are doing. Just a few minutes a day of practicing makes all the difference in the world.
Everyone stay warm today and enjoy some steaming hot chocolate. We will definitely miss you next weekend, but look forward to another fun class on the 24th!
Ganapati, Ganapati, Ganapati .... just can't get that bhajan out of my head. Absolutely invigorating!
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