1st grade
The last class followed the usual routine of the Dhyaana Shloka - Om Sahanavavatu (pg 9) followed by attendance and a quick revision of the daily prayers (Karaagre Vasate, Vakratunda, Saraswati Namastubhyam, Bramhaarpanam, Shubham Karoti, Kara Charana - pages 14-17 of the My Prayer Book).
We practiced the bhajan Rama Naama Thaarakam (pg 211) and revised the first 3 verses of the bhajan - Atma Nivasi Ram (pg 209-210). We also revised the Gruru Sthothram till verse 7 (pg 85-86).
Since it was the class scheduled for celebrating Navaratri, we discussed the significance of the festival. We spoke about how the first three days are for worshipping Goddess Durga, the next three days for Goddess Lakshmi and the last three days for Goddess Sarasawati. The kids discussed how they celebrate Navaratri in their homes. All different aspects from fasting moms, to Dandiya Ras and Golu were shared. We also spoke about how kanchakas are worshipped and Prasad (halwa puris) are distributed in some homes while in others Sundals are distributed as prasadam and the women and girls are called for haldi kumkum and given gifts.
Then we related it to Ramayana by discussing how Ravana was killed on Vijaya Dashami. We got to know about Ram Leela and how processions and jhankis are carried out India comprised of characters from Ramayana and how someone dressed as Rama gets to shoot a fire arrow at the Ravana effigy which burns amidst much fanfare and fireworks depicting the end of war between Lord Rama and Ravana.
In keeping with the Navaratri theme, the kids drew, colored and decorated a picture of Goddess Durga. Finally, we concluded the class with meditation followed by the closing prayer - Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha (pg-19).
For their homework, please make sure the kids revise their vowels and the Gurusthothram upto verse 7.
See you at the next class. Please remember to bring you folders.
====================================================================
2nd - 3rd Grade
We started the class with Lord Ganesha's prayer Vakratunda ( pg 37 my prayers book) and Godess Saraswathi's prayer Saraswathi namastubhyam ( pg 15 my prayers book). Following this we introduced ourselves as I was new to kids.
We revised the story behind Hanuman's birth. Who is Hanuman? Why was he born? What are the qualities of Hanuman and why are we studying Hanuman? After revision we continued Hanuman's story with his childhood anecdotes like the one where he tries to grabs the sun thinking it is a red fruit.We also learnt how Maruti got the name Hanuman and how he got various boons from the Devatas.I was impressed that the children knew most of the things and how they related some aspects of the story to their everyday life. For craft the kids colored a picture of Hanuman flying to get the Sanjeevani mountain.The kids also tried to draw Hanuman's family tree.We had some funny moments when the kids tried to discuss about their family tree.We ended the class with Dhyaana shloka Om Sahanvavatu (pg 9 my prayers book).
No comments:
Post a Comment