January 29, 2012

Hari OM!  Happy New Year!

Beginning Prayers

• Om Saha Navavathu
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Saraswathi Namastubhyam
• Ramaya Ramabhadraya
• Buddhir Balam Yashodhairyam

Bhajans:

We reviewed the following four bhajans 

• Vigneshwara Vinayaka

• Rama Lakshmana Jaanaki Jai Bolo Hanuman ki
• Om Shiva Om Shiva Paraatpara Shiva
• Hari Naam Bina (Guru Bhajan)

We have started learning the Guru Bhajan and we will continue this in the next class. 

Stotram:

• GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 9) - We did slokas 1, 2, 3, 5 and 14
• Lingashtakam:

   We reviewed the first and second slokhas and learnt the third sloka.

  
  

Geeta Chanting:

• We learnt the first 3 verses of Chapter XII.

Story:

We conducted a quiz to recap the last two classes. The children participated enthusiastically and the boys won with 3 points. 

We continued the story this week.  Rama and Lakshmana continue to go through the forests toward Lanka. Suddenly they encounter a hideous looking creature with no head and legs. The monster grabs Rama and Lakshmana and his powerful arms encircle them.  The monster has a mouth in his stomach  and an ugly red eye in his chest.  His name his Kabandha. Realizing that the strength is in his arms, Rama and Lakshmana cut off his arms.  Kabandha screams in pain and recollects that he is a celestial being cursed by a risi.  He had to wait for Rama to liberate him.  He thanks Rama and tells him to seek the help of the Vanara King Sugriva who lives on the banks of River Pampa.  As they reach the banks of River Pampa the come across Sabari's asrama.  Sabari a disciple of Sage Matanga spends her life doing tapas.  Her guru tell her that will be rewarded for her tapas by meeting the God himself. Sabari hears of the arrival of Rama and Lakshmana and realizing that Rama is the Supreme being washes his feet with her tears.  She then lovingly offers fruits to Lord Rama, fruits she has tasted to make sure that they were sweet and juicy.  Lakshmana is angry that the old lady is giving eaten fruits to Rama but Rama smiles and serenely eats the fruits enjoying himself.  Sabari feels that her time has come and becomes one with God. The princes continue their journey in search of Sugriva.  Meeting Sabari has strengthened their minds. 

Activity:

Today, the kids made a bow and arrow using straws as arrows.

Games:

We did not have time for a game today.

Likhita Japa:
The kids wrote Rama's name 11 times in complete silence.

Conclusion:

We attended the assembly in the cafetaria.

Comments:

The kids are still working on learning the Gurustotram.  Parents, please work with the kids on the Gurustotram. They also have to practice Lingashtakam - Slokas 1, 2 and 3.

We started teaching verse 1, 2 & 3 of Chapter 12 for Geetha Chanting.  There are extra Geeta Chanting classes on Fridays in Basking Ridge and on Wednesdays in Bridgewater.  Please try to bring your kids for these sessions so they learn to chant the Geeta.  Please encourage your children to participate in the Geeta Chanting competion.

Parents, please encourage your children to participate in WOW-Sanskrit word of the week.

Please get back to Radha Iyer regarding Samskriti participation.  We have to assign roles and start practicing in the next two weeks.  

Reminders:

Please try to send the following items in your childs bag:

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. Scissors
8. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, Ramayana characters and a copy of 'My Prayers'; assembly handbook.

Bow and Arrow

Materials:
 Hanger
 Long rubber band
 Straw
 Color paper for decoration (optional)

Directions:

1.  Clip off the end of a hanger to look like this

2.  Wrap up the hanger with color paper as shown below:

3.  Use a long rubber band and tie it around the hanger and through the hooks as well.

4.  Use a straw for an arrow to use with the bow.



You can use the tighter end of the rubber band to actually fire the arrow.

January 22, 2012

Hari OM!  Happy New Year!

Beginning Prayers

• Om Saha Navavathu
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Saraswathi Namastubhyam
• Ramaya Ramabhadraya
• Buddhir Balam Yashodhairyam

Bhajans:

We reviewed the following three bhajans 

• Vigneshwara Vinayaka

• Rama Lakshmana Jaanaki Jai Bolo Hanuman ki
• Om Shiva Om Shiva Paraatpara Shiva
• Hari Naam Bina (Guru Bhajan)

We have started learning the Guru Bhajan and we will continue this in the next class. 

Stotram:

• GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 9) - We did slokas 1, 2, 3, 5 and 14
• Lingashtakam:

   We did the first and second slokhas.

  
  

Geeta Chanting:

• We learn the first 3 verses of Chapter XII.

Story:

We recapped the story from the last class.

We continued the story this week.  Marica tried to make Ravana see reason by telling him that what he plans to do is against Dharma and as a King he should not do 'Adharma'. Ravana refuses to listen to reason and Marica has no choice but to obey his king. Meanwhile Spring has blossomed in Pancavati and sita is picking flowers from the garden when she sees a pretty golden deer with delicate silver spots trying to lure her into play.  She aks Rama to get the deer for her but Lakshmana cautions saying that it might be the trick of the Rakshasas. Rama thinks that if it is indeed a Rakshas he will kill it but if not he will bering the deer to sita.  He orders Lakshmana to guard Sita and goes after the deer. After chasing it for some time Ram kills the deer only to see it take the shape of Marica and call out to Lakshmana and sita in Rama's voice.  Sita persuades ad threatens Lakshmana to go to Rama's help and while Lakshmana is away Ravana comes in the guise of a Sadhu and takes Sita away.  Sita screams for help and begs Ravana to let her go. Jatayu hears Sita's cries and asks Ravana to let Sita go.  When Ravana refuses Jatayu puts up a brave fight but Ravana cuts his wings with his sword.  He takes Sita to Lanka.  Meanwhile Rama and Lakshmana realize that Sita is missing and go in search of her.  They come across Jatayu and learns that Ravana has kidnapped Sita.  Jatayu dies and Rama does the last rites for Jatayu.  The go south towards Lanka in search of Sita.  At Lanka Sita refuses to marry Ravana and says that her husband will come for her and kill Ravana.  Ravana imprisons Sita at the 'Asokavana' and asks Raskshasas to surround her and trouble her hoping she will change her mind and marry him. 

Activity:

Today, the kids colored a picture of Sita asking Rama to get her the golden deer. 

Games:

We did not have time for a game today.

Likhita Japa:

Conclusion:

We concluded by doing the Aarthi and Pledge in the classroom.

Comments:

The kids are still working on learning the Gurustotram.  Parents, please work with the kids on the Gurustotram. They also have to practice Lingashtakam - Slokas 1 and 2.

We started teaching verse 1, 2 & 3 of Chapter 12 for Geetha Chanting.  There are extra Geeta Chanting classes on Fridays in Basking Ridge and on Wednesdays in Bridgewater.  Please try to bring your kids for these sessions so they learn to chant the Geeta.  Please encourage your children to participate in the Geeta Chanting competion.

Parents, please encourage your children to participate in WOW-Sanskrit word of the week.

Please get back to Radha Iyer regarding Samskriti participation.  We have to assign roles and start practicing in the next two weeks.  

Reminders:

Please try to send the following items in your childs bag:

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. Scissors
8. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, Ramayana characters and a copy of 'My Prayers'; assembly handbook.