We had an interesting class this week. After the attendance, each child was asked to step up and recite a daily prayer. Most of the kids managed to earn a sticker during this activity :)
When it came to the Guru Sthothram, almost all of them are comfortable with the first 8-9 verses, the trouble starts after that! Athreya and Vedant were the only ones to recite the 12 verses that we have completed and earned another sticker. Please have the kids practice reciting the verses at home.
We practiced the Bhajan "Atma Nivasi Ram" (page 209-210 of the My Prayer Book). Please make the kids practice the same at home as they will be performing this bhajan at the Republic Day celebrations when we meet next.
The kids learned to write their names in Sanskrit. They were very excited about doing so and have expressed a desire to learn to write their names in their mother tongues as well!
In Bala Ramayana, we covered the chapters involving Rama, Sita & Lakshmana taking blessings from various sages in the forest and settling down at Chitrakoota. Before doing so, they met Jatayu (a descendant of Garuda), who informed them that he was a friend of Dasharatha, and would deep an eye on Sita whenever Rama and Lakshmana went out in the forest to hunt. The children found it interesting that Lakshmana was skilled at building a hut all by himself, despite the fact that he was a prince. We discussed about how we should learn to do our own chores and not depend on others if we can do something ourselves.
We proceeded to read about their encounter with Surpanakha, who wanted to marry Rama, and how Lakshmana cut off her nose when she misbehaved and tried to harm Sita.
Since Pongal was approaching that week, we discussed how different people celebrated the festival. The kids learned a bit about the significance of harvesting of crops and why we offer thanks to the Sun God on this day of Makar Sankrati, about the act of burning old things and welcoming the new on Bhogi, the same celebrated as Lohri in the North over a bonfire surrounded by singing, dancing and munching of roasted peanuts and revdi! That made a couple of them as how come they did not roast marshmallows!! :) Then we talked about Maatu Pongal and why we worship cows on that day. Pranav mentioned that they usually had guests over on the last day of Pongal. The kids made a special mention of how they love Chakkara Pongal!
Then we had a written test of the vowels. Athreya, Shrujana and Vedant scored full marks while Amit and Pranav were a close second. The rest of the kids need to practice their Sanskrit writing. We also went over the first verse of consonants that we had learned in the previous class.
Finally we concluded the class with Sarve Bhavanthu Sukhinaha followed by Om Poornamadah. Each child received a mechanical pencil for doing well in their review tests.
I am looking forward to seeing how the kids perform the bhajan "Atma Nivasi Ram" at the Republic Day celebrations on 26th January. Please be on time and dress up in traditional Indian clothes.
There will be no class on 19th January 2014.
See you on 26th January...
When it came to the Guru Sthothram, almost all of them are comfortable with the first 8-9 verses, the trouble starts after that! Athreya and Vedant were the only ones to recite the 12 verses that we have completed and earned another sticker. Please have the kids practice reciting the verses at home.
We practiced the Bhajan "Atma Nivasi Ram" (page 209-210 of the My Prayer Book). Please make the kids practice the same at home as they will be performing this bhajan at the Republic Day celebrations when we meet next.
The kids learned to write their names in Sanskrit. They were very excited about doing so and have expressed a desire to learn to write their names in their mother tongues as well!
In Bala Ramayana, we covered the chapters involving Rama, Sita & Lakshmana taking blessings from various sages in the forest and settling down at Chitrakoota. Before doing so, they met Jatayu (a descendant of Garuda), who informed them that he was a friend of Dasharatha, and would deep an eye on Sita whenever Rama and Lakshmana went out in the forest to hunt. The children found it interesting that Lakshmana was skilled at building a hut all by himself, despite the fact that he was a prince. We discussed about how we should learn to do our own chores and not depend on others if we can do something ourselves.
We proceeded to read about their encounter with Surpanakha, who wanted to marry Rama, and how Lakshmana cut off her nose when she misbehaved and tried to harm Sita.
Since Pongal was approaching that week, we discussed how different people celebrated the festival. The kids learned a bit about the significance of harvesting of crops and why we offer thanks to the Sun God on this day of Makar Sankrati, about the act of burning old things and welcoming the new on Bhogi, the same celebrated as Lohri in the North over a bonfire surrounded by singing, dancing and munching of roasted peanuts and revdi! That made a couple of them as how come they did not roast marshmallows!! :) Then we talked about Maatu Pongal and why we worship cows on that day. Pranav mentioned that they usually had guests over on the last day of Pongal. The kids made a special mention of how they love Chakkara Pongal!
Then we had a written test of the vowels. Athreya, Shrujana and Vedant scored full marks while Amit and Pranav were a close second. The rest of the kids need to practice their Sanskrit writing. We also went over the first verse of consonants that we had learned in the previous class.
Finally we concluded the class with Sarve Bhavanthu Sukhinaha followed by Om Poornamadah. Each child received a mechanical pencil for doing well in their review tests.
I am looking forward to seeing how the kids perform the bhajan "Atma Nivasi Ram" at the Republic Day celebrations on 26th January. Please be on time and dress up in traditional Indian clothes.
There will be no class on 19th January 2014.
See you on 26th January...
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