First Day Of Balavihar - Welcome!

Let me begin by extending a warm welcome to our family of first graders for the year 2013-2014! I am really excited and looking forward  to this year's sessions...

Our class started with the Dhyaana Shloka - Om Sahanavavatu (pg 9). This was followed by an attendance/introduction session. It was wonderful to see that the kids remembered their daily prayers (Om Sahana Vavatu, Karaagre Vasate, Vakratunda, Saraswati Namastubhyam, Bramhaarpanam, Shubham Karoti, Kara Charana - pages 14-17 of the My Prayer Book).

We sang  the first 3 verses of a new Bhajan - Atma Nivasi Ram (pg 209-210).We also learnt verse 6 from the Gruru Sthothram (pg 85-86); the first 5 verses were covered last year.

We had a "fun" first class. Amidst getting serious with the regular shlokas, bhajans and activities, the kids shared a few tidbits about their plans for the day and their thoughts on "Ramayana". We will be covering "Bala Ramayana" with the first graders this year - each one had their own input to give as they are all familiar with the story in general. We discussed the first chapter from the book which was an introduction to Ayodhya and King Dasharatha. The children then proceeded to make their name tag with "Ram" written on it and decorated it with the image of a bow and arrow. They also drew and colored a picture of what they thought Ayodhya looked like at the time of King Dasharatha.

We practised writing "Ram" in Sanskrit. Finally,we concluded the class with meditation followed by the closing prayer - Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha (pg-19).

As a part of their homework I would like the kids to revise their vowels in Sanskrit which they have already covered last year. We will be going over that in the next class before moving on to other things. Also, practice till verse 6 from the Guru Sthothram.

See you at the next class. Please remember to bring you folders.