Homework Fun for the kids (and family)
Make a Diwali card (click here for instructions and sample)
Make an origami lotus diya (click here for instructions and sample)
Make a likhita japa drawing of a diya (click here for instructions and template)
Click here to view our Walkathon's Team Page.
Today was a very special class. We gathered at Mercer County Park for our annual CORD Walkathon. The weather was absolutely fantastic — and the enthusiasm was high!
We really want to congratulate everyone for their tremendous work in spreading the word about CORD, and getting donations for sponsorship. As each person did their part in helping this day become a success, we really put into practice one of our greatest Kindergarten lessons: "B is for Brotherhood."
Here's some more great news: Our class fundraising goal was $1,200 and as of Saturday at midnight we had exceeded our goal — our class raised $1,341.00!
And that's not all, folks ... Priyanka Ranganath received a prize (an Apple Nano) for being one of the students who raised the most throughout all the classes! Boy, she really took our commitment to helping CORD to heart and sent emails to all of her friends and family all over the world. She really showed us that if we simply embrace all the significant work that CORD is doing in India, people will automatically and willingly respond with big hearts! Thank you for teaching us this important lesson, Priyanka :-)
Before our walk on the path today, we spent a few minutes talking about how we are putting into practice the first three letters that we have studied so far. "A is for Aspiration," "B is for Brotherhood," and "C is for Cleanliness." We reviewed that aspiration is "dedication to fulfilling a goal," and we did that by diligently working for sponsors. We aspired — and we succeeded. Next we talked about Brotherhood — which we defined as sharing, caring and loving ... not just with our immediate family members, but with others throughout the world — even those we do not personally know. Well, our efforts today were all about helping women in rural India, so we agreed that this was a great way to practice Brotherhood! Hmmm, now how exactly are we practicing "C is for Cleanliness?" A child raised her hand and shared that we are cleansing our minds and hearts by sharing and helping. How cool is that??!! ... pretty sophisticated stuff for 5/6 year olds. :-) After our moment of stunned admiration, we then went on to discuss how the money we were raising would help bring clean water to the villages, and how everyone would be able to have healthier lives with clean water.
Guess the lesson the aunties have learned from the day is that most of our entire curriculum can be exemplified by this single focused event. And to think that we can have lots of fun in the process of practicing our lessons!!
No doubt everyone is tired from the day. The weather was unbelievable. Gurudev clearly made this day possible ... don't know about you, but this aunty is incredibly grateful to have been part of it.
Best wishes to all of you for a wonderful Diwali. We send you all of our love for a very healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year!
See you all in a couple of weeks —
Hugs to our young friends.
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda
October 24, 2010
October 17, 2010
Oct 17 Class: Section 1
Sevikas: Mamtha and Jacqueline
Home Work Fun: Please click here and print out this picture for your child to color. Discuss with your child what this picture is of — and what it means to us.
Likhita Japa Homework: Click here for Diya image. Have your child fill it in with ऊँ.
Morning Prayers:
• Saha Naavavatu (click here for text)
• Vakratunda Mahaakaaya (click here for text)
• Saraswati Namastubhyam (click here for text)
• Shree KrishnaH (click here for text)
Quiet Time: 1 minute of absolute silence and an excellent round of shell counting! (click here for the game instructions)
Geeta Chanting: Chapter 11, Shlokas 1 and 2
Letter of the Week: "C is for Cleanliness"
Activity: Made an origami lotus diya (click here for instructions)
Likhita Japa: Filled in a Lotus Mandala with colorful ऊँs (click here to view)
Ending Prayers: Aarti, prayers and pledge was in the auditorium
Comments: Even though our class was cut short because we had a program in the auditorium, we managed to get through our very busy curriculum. Whoosh!
Today our letter of the week focused on "Cleanliness." We talked about how important it is to be clean ... not just on the outside but also on the inside. Being clean on the inside? How exactly do we do that??!! This was a great opportunity for us to talk about the beauty and significance of a diya — and how it burns away all of our "bad stuff" and replaces it with clean, pure thoughts and feelings. There's no question about it — prayer and meditation is the only way to cleanse our insides!!
After our alphabet review we got out our colorful markers and started to fill in a mandala with ऊँs for our likhita japa segment. Some of the children did a lotus flower, while others did a diya. Please check our children's art gallery (click here) to see their fabulous work. And then, while everyone was busy doing their likhita japa, we set up a separate station for learning how to make origami lotus diyas. We worked with children in groups of 5, until each one of them completed their very own diya. Hopefully, they will remember some of the folds so they can make more during Diwali. If not, be sure and visit the activity link above to view a video on all the moves.
This is our last week to prepare for the CORD walkathon. If you have not registered your child for the 24th, please take a few minutes and do it today! Next Sunday is an official Balavihar Class and we will be taking attendance. Our class goal is to raise $1,200 for CORD, and we are pleased to announce that we nearly half way there! Once you have registered your child, don't forget to create a fun web page for them to email to all of your friends and family. We can't stress enough that our primary goal is to raise awareness of CORD and what great work they are doing! We are not asking your children to reach into their piggy banks and donate (although that is definitely okay :-), rather we are asking them to work for CORD and raise money by getting sponsored for their participation in the walkathon. If each Balavihar member raises only $50.00, then collectively we will be able to send $50,000 to India. How great this would be!!! "A is for Aspiration!" right kids?
Don't forget to wear comfy clothes next week. Everyone should wear sneakers and sweat pants — no fancy Indian dress, please. Our kindergarten kids have been instructed to take over the playground once they have completed their walk :-)
And speaking of playground, today's weather is shouting for some outdoor fun. Hope you all get a chance to romp around after lunch. Get out those scooters, bikes and hoola hoops. Don't waste God's gift to us today!!
Can't wait until next week —we are definitely going to have a lot of fun!
Lots of love to our young friends.
October 10, 2010
Oct 10 Class: Sections 1 and 2
Sevikas: Mamtha, Nayna, and Jacqueline
Today was a combined class. Next week we will be back to normal.
Homework Fun: Click here and print out this Lotus Mandala picture. Have your child fill it in with colorful ऊँs. This is a great way to keep them practicing their likhita japa at home, while exercising some creative freedom :-) Have them bring in their finished likhita japa so we can photograph it and put in our kid's art gallery. Have fun, kids!
Morning Prayers:
• Saha naavavatu (click here for text)
• Karagre Vasate
• Vakratunda Mahaakaaya (click here for text)
• Saraswati Namastubhyam (click here for text)
• Shree KrishnaH (click here for text)
Quiet Time: 1 minute of silence followed by the shell dropping game (click here for game instructions)
Geeta Chanting: Chapter 11, Shlokas 1 and 2
Letter of the Week: "B is for Brotherhood"
Storytime: "God's Dream" by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (click on the title for book details)
Activity: Sharing Game (click here for instructions)
Likhita Japa: Because of our class size, we were not able to do our likhita japa. However the children agreed that they would practice their japa at home this week. Please see our homework assignment at the top of this page.
Ending Prayers:
• Om Poornamidah (click here for text)
• Chinmaya Pledge (click here for text)
Comments: Today's "Letter of the Day" is probably one of the most significant ones of the year — "B is for Brotherhood." And, seeing that we are gearing up for our CORD Walkathon on October 24, we thought this could be a great opportunity to discuss with the children real ways that we can demonstrate caring and sharing — no matter how old or young we are!
After we read our wonderful book by Archbishop Desmond Tutu , we played a game which helped us understand how great it feels to give and receive ... and how "not so good" it feels to do nothing at all. Please click on this link to see how the game is played. We are really proud of these kids! Most of them volunteered to share their chocolates, even after we had just confessed that sometimes its not easy to share with others. We spent some time discussing what God's Dream is — that we share, care and love one another ... and how we are all one big family — no matter what our skin color is, what language we speak, or how we talk to God.
The class lesson "B is for Brotherhood" became a perfect segue into CORD and how important it is for us to lend a hand, however we can. We explained to the children that in two weeks we will be having our class at the Walkathon — and that we want all the kids to participate and help raise money to send to India. No doubt they are telling you all about it now :-)
Therefore, we can't stress enough how important it is to register your child for the CORD walkathon. It really will only take a few minutes — and it's extremely easy! As you know from our previous emails we have a class goal of raising $1,200 for CORD — which is a very doable goal. All it will take to accomplish this is for each child (and sevika) to mail their personal Walkathon page to family members and friends, asking them to sponsor your child for this very worthy cause. We really feel that this is a great opportunity for our kindergartners to learn the importance of giving ... and that no amount will ever be too small if it is put to good use. We are truly blessed with this opportunity for self growth and awareness, and it would be a shame to not "give it our all." Definitely take a few minutes and visit the CORD Walkathon's blog. (click here for the link.) Also, just so you know, our kids will not do the full 5 miles (unless they want to, of course!) We will probably do 1 or 2 miles ... ending with lots of play on the playground!
And, when your child is registered, please have them email us their webpage so we can write an encouraging message for them. We really want to support their efforts and congratulate them on their spirit of "Brotherhood."
Well, today sure was a lot of fun — and God has given us some fabulous weather to romp around in! We wish everyone a wonderful Navaratri — and look forward to our next get together on the 17th!
Oh yeah, try not to eat too much of all that delicious food while visiting everyone's homes ... gotta save some room for Diwali sweets and Halloween treats :-)
A very Happy Birthday to Neil! He turned 6 on October 5.
Hugs to all of our kinder friends!
Today was a combined class. Next week we will be back to normal.
Homework Fun: Click here and print out this Lotus Mandala picture. Have your child fill it in with colorful ऊँs. This is a great way to keep them practicing their likhita japa at home, while exercising some creative freedom :-) Have them bring in their finished likhita japa so we can photograph it and put in our kid's art gallery. Have fun, kids!
Coloring Page: For those of you who did not get a chance to color this page last week, we've left it up one more week. Parents: print this page and discuss with your child who this is a picture of and why he is so very important to us.
Morning Prayers:
• Saha naavavatu (click here for text)
• Karagre Vasate
• Vakratunda Mahaakaaya (click here for text)
• Saraswati Namastubhyam (click here for text)
• Shree KrishnaH (click here for text)
Quiet Time: 1 minute of silence followed by the shell dropping game (click here for game instructions)
Geeta Chanting: Chapter 11, Shlokas 1 and 2
Letter of the Week: "B is for Brotherhood"
Storytime: "God's Dream" by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (click on the title for book details)
Activity: Sharing Game (click here for instructions)
Likhita Japa: Because of our class size, we were not able to do our likhita japa. However the children agreed that they would practice their japa at home this week. Please see our homework assignment at the top of this page.
Ending Prayers:
• Om Poornamidah (click here for text)
• Chinmaya Pledge (click here for text)
Comments: Today's "Letter of the Day" is probably one of the most significant ones of the year — "B is for Brotherhood." And, seeing that we are gearing up for our CORD Walkathon on October 24, we thought this could be a great opportunity to discuss with the children real ways that we can demonstrate caring and sharing — no matter how old or young we are!
After we read our wonderful book by Archbishop Desmond Tutu , we played a game which helped us understand how great it feels to give and receive ... and how "not so good" it feels to do nothing at all. Please click on this link to see how the game is played. We are really proud of these kids! Most of them volunteered to share their chocolates, even after we had just confessed that sometimes its not easy to share with others. We spent some time discussing what God's Dream is — that we share, care and love one another ... and how we are all one big family — no matter what our skin color is, what language we speak, or how we talk to God.
The class lesson "B is for Brotherhood" became a perfect segue into CORD and how important it is for us to lend a hand, however we can. We explained to the children that in two weeks we will be having our class at the Walkathon — and that we want all the kids to participate and help raise money to send to India. No doubt they are telling you all about it now :-)
Therefore, we can't stress enough how important it is to register your child for the CORD walkathon. It really will only take a few minutes — and it's extremely easy! As you know from our previous emails we have a class goal of raising $1,200 for CORD — which is a very doable goal. All it will take to accomplish this is for each child (and sevika) to mail their personal Walkathon page to family members and friends, asking them to sponsor your child for this very worthy cause. We really feel that this is a great opportunity for our kindergartners to learn the importance of giving ... and that no amount will ever be too small if it is put to good use. We are truly blessed with this opportunity for self growth and awareness, and it would be a shame to not "give it our all." Definitely take a few minutes and visit the CORD Walkathon's blog. (click here for the link.) Also, just so you know, our kids will not do the full 5 miles (unless they want to, of course!) We will probably do 1 or 2 miles ... ending with lots of play on the playground!
And, when your child is registered, please have them email us their webpage so we can write an encouraging message for them. We really want to support their efforts and congratulate them on their spirit of "Brotherhood."
Well, today sure was a lot of fun — and God has given us some fabulous weather to romp around in! We wish everyone a wonderful Navaratri — and look forward to our next get together on the 17th!
Oh yeah, try not to eat too much of all that delicious food while visiting everyone's homes ... gotta save some room for Diwali sweets and Halloween treats :-)
A very Happy Birthday to Neil! He turned 6 on October 5.
Hugs to all of our kinder friends!
October 5, 2010
This aunty was riding her bike today ... and look who was quietly sitting in the river! After a few minutes of admiring this beautiful creature, it became clear that the swan was cleaning herself for a very important puja that will be happening soon (during the last 3 days of Naavaratri.)
Okay kids ... which Goddess sits on a swan?
What an amazing sight — and a true joy to see! Just had to share ....
October 3, 2010
Oct 3 Class: Section 1
If your child is missing a lightweight blue jacket or a white cotton handkerchief with purple flowers, please see one of the aunties.
Sevikas: Mamtha Rau and Jacqueline Gaines
Home Work Fun: Please print out this picture and discuss with your child who this picture is of, and why he is so important to us. (click here for image.)
Morning Prayers:
• Saha navaavatu (click for text)
• Karagre Vasate
• Vakratunda Mahakaya (click for text)
• Sarasavati Namastubhyam (click for text)
• Shree KrishnaH (click for text)
Quiet Time/Focus Activity: One full minute of silence and some pretty good shell counting! We have promised to try and trick the kids next class :-)
Geeta Chanting: Chapter 11, Shlokas 1 and 2
Letter of the Week: "A is for Aspiration" and "A is for Ahimsa."
Story Time: Mahatma Gandhi and what he aspired for.
Activity: Each child took a turn spinning cotton on a Book Charkha. (click here to see a picture of the charkha .)
Likhita Japa: ऊँ 21 times (click here to view tracing sheet.)
Ending Prayers:
• Om Poornamidah (click here for text)
• Chinmaya Pledge (click here for text)
Comments: Whoosh — this morning sure was busy! We added a new prayer today — Shree KrishnaH. We spent a few minutes talking about the meaning of this prayer ... and why it is so incredibly beautiful!
You will notice that the children have begun their Geeta Chanting for Chapter 11. We introduced Shloka 2 ... and everyone did Absolutely Awesome with repeating after the aunties! We will continue working on Shlokas 1 and 2 for the month of October — and then we will add one new shloka per month.
Our topic today was "A is for Aspiration" (defined as "dedication to fulfilling a goal") — and there is no better person to exemplify aspiration than Mahatma Gandhiji! We talked about how this shy little boy grew up and became the Father of India. We then went on and talked about one of the Mahatma's aspiration for the world ... "Ahimsa" and what that word meant. After we spent a good chunk of time talking about his life, hard work, dedication and devotion, we pulled out a book charkha to show the children what Gandhiji loved doing most ... spinning cotton. Each child got a turn to spin some cotton on this wonderful little tool ... and then took some cotton and thread home to put in their treasure box.
As you know, we are starting to gear up for the October 24th CORD walkathon. Our kindergartners will definitely be participating in this event, so please be sure and mark your calendars. Also note that we will meet directly at the park on this day. Please keep checking the blog for more details — which will be posted shortly. We'll even be bombarding you will lots of emails over the next few weeks :-)
Well, fall is definitely here. Naavaratri, Diwali, and of course, Halloween are lurking around the corner. We wish everyone lots of fun preparations and look forward to seeing you all again next Sunday. And even though everything seems really crazy and busy right now, don't forget to go outside and take a walk every now and then ... just to admire God's great paintings!
Sevikas: Mamtha Rau and Jacqueline Gaines
Home Work Fun: Please print out this picture and discuss with your child who this picture is of, and why he is so important to us. (click here for image.)
Morning Prayers:
• Saha navaavatu (click for text)
• Karagre Vasate
• Vakratunda Mahakaya (click for text)
• Sarasavati Namastubhyam (click for text)
• Shree KrishnaH (click for text)
Quiet Time/Focus Activity: One full minute of silence and some pretty good shell counting! We have promised to try and trick the kids next class :-)
Geeta Chanting: Chapter 11, Shlokas 1 and 2
Letter of the Week: "A is for Aspiration" and "A is for Ahimsa."
Story Time: Mahatma Gandhi and what he aspired for.
Activity: Each child took a turn spinning cotton on a Book Charkha. (click here to see a picture of the charkha .)
Likhita Japa: ऊँ 21 times (click here to view tracing sheet.)
Ending Prayers:
• Om Poornamidah (click here for text)
• Chinmaya Pledge (click here for text)
Comments: Whoosh — this morning sure was busy! We added a new prayer today — Shree KrishnaH. We spent a few minutes talking about the meaning of this prayer ... and why it is so incredibly beautiful!
You will notice that the children have begun their Geeta Chanting for Chapter 11. We introduced Shloka 2 ... and everyone did Absolutely Awesome with repeating after the aunties! We will continue working on Shlokas 1 and 2 for the month of October — and then we will add one new shloka per month.
Our topic today was "A is for Aspiration" (defined as "dedication to fulfilling a goal") — and there is no better person to exemplify aspiration than Mahatma Gandhiji! We talked about how this shy little boy grew up and became the Father of India. We then went on and talked about one of the Mahatma's aspiration for the world ... "Ahimsa" and what that word meant. After we spent a good chunk of time talking about his life, hard work, dedication and devotion, we pulled out a book charkha to show the children what Gandhiji loved doing most ... spinning cotton. Each child got a turn to spin some cotton on this wonderful little tool ... and then took some cotton and thread home to put in their treasure box.
As you know, we are starting to gear up for the October 24th CORD walkathon. Our kindergartners will definitely be participating in this event, so please be sure and mark your calendars. Also note that we will meet directly at the park on this day. Please keep checking the blog for more details — which will be posted shortly. We'll even be bombarding you will lots of emails over the next few weeks :-)
Well, fall is definitely here. Naavaratri, Diwali, and of course, Halloween are lurking around the corner. We wish everyone lots of fun preparations and look forward to seeing you all again next Sunday. And even though everything seems really crazy and busy right now, don't forget to go outside and take a walk every now and then ... just to admire God's great paintings!
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