Time for the balavihar class journal update :)
As usual we began with the Dhyaana
Shloka - Om Sahanavavatu (pg 9) followed by attendance. For the daily prayers
(Karaagre Vasate, Vakratunda, Saraswati Namastubhyam, Bramhaarpanam, Shubham
Karoti, Kara Charana - pages 14-17 of the My Prayer Book), we went around
asking each child to say the prayer out loud. We revised the Guru Sthothram (pg
85-86) till the 9th verse and also sang the bhajan Atma Nivasi Ram. It
would be great if the kids say their prayers regularly at home as it would help
them to retain the verses in their memory and we could move forward.
In Ramayana, we discussed the story
of Rama preparing to go to the forest after obtaining the blessings of his
mother. Just as he advises his mother
Kaushalya that she cannot accompany him to the forest because a wife’s place is
with her husband, Sita convinces him that she is ready to bear any hardship as
long as she stays with Rama. Lakshmana also insists on coming along and Rama
agrees to it. He requests Dasharatha and Kaikeyi for simple clothes, baskets
and spears to help him survive in a forest. When the people of Ayodhya get
angry and upset and insist on going with him, he calms them down and tells them
to not get upset with Bharata and support him instead as he is not to be
blamed. The people and the minister Sumantra follow Rama till the banks of the
river Ganges where everyone decides to rest till the next morning. The chief of
that village, Guha, provides food and refreshments and offers any aid needed.
Rama accepts his offer of a boat ride to cross the river the next morning. Rama gets ready to leave with Sita and Lakshmana
before day break, so that the people of Ayodhya, who are still sleeping, will
not follow him into the forest.
As this was a “Thanksgiving special”
class, I had the kids trace out their hands and make a colorful turkey. On each
finger the kids were asked to list out whatever they were thankful for. Right
from parents to teachers to toys, the list made for some entertaining reading.
We concluded the class with the
closing prayer - Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha (pg-19)
Enjoy your thanksgiving break. See you at the next class. Please be
sure to bring you folders.
No comments:
Post a Comment