November 16, 2014

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

·         Om Saha Navavathu

·         Agajaanana Padmaarkam 

·         Yaakundendu 

Stotram:

GuruStotram – Practiced Sloka 1 through 7, and learnt Sloka # 8.

Gyanshakti-samaroodhah tattwamala vibhooshitah.
Bhukti-mukti -pradata cha tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.




Meaning:
        




My Salutations to that glorious Gurudev, who is established in


Knowledge and Power, who is adorned with the garland-of -Knowledge andwho grants both worldly prosperity and spiritual liberation.

Quiz:

Since Quiz has been a great way to reinforce the past story, it was continued this class too. That led to re-telling of several stories from previous classes. Boys and Girls Teams tied at the end of the quiz. 

Story time:

Ayodhya is in mourning. Sage Vasistha sends for Bharata who is on vacation. Bharata who has been restless lately returns to Ayodhya and is confused to see the sad faces on his way to his mother's palace. There his mother tells him about the death of the old king and how she had planned and succeeded in making Bharata the king of Ayodhya. Bharata is shocked. The story continued with Kaikeyi telling Bharata how happy she was to secure the kingdom for him and how she banished Rama to the forest. Bharata and Shatrugna on hearing this are really shocked and angry and yell and scream at Kaikeyi. Shatrugna, who is usually quiet, also drags Manthara on the floor. Bharata performs the last rites for his father and then tells the court that he will go and bring Rama back and make him the king. Ayodhya is very happy and follow Bharata into the forest to bring back Sri Rama. Guha and Sage Bharadwaja meet Bharata and give their blessing and help to bring back Rama.

Activity:

We colored the pictures at end of Ayodhya Kanda in the Bala Ramayana (pink) book. 

Conclusion:

We ended the class with Shanthi Mantra.

Comments:

Please have the kids try the exercises at the back of the first chapter in the Junior Balavihar Bala Ramayana book. This will help them to refresh their memory. Children are making good progress with Guru Stotram. Please make them practice at home. Some kids are still missing ‘My Prayer Book’, and ‘Bala Ramayana’ Junior Balavihar books. Please remember to send those in.

Reminders:

Please remember to send along the following items in your child’s bag along with the folder and books:

Supplies:

• Crayons
• Sharpened 
• Erasers
• Notebook
• Glue
• Age appropriate child proof scissors

and a nut free Snack/Drink to have during the break

Next class is on December  7, 2014. 

November 2, 2014

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

·         Om Saha Navavathu

·         Agajaanana Padmaarkam

·         Yaakundendu

Stotram:

GuruStotram – Practiced Sloka 1 through 6, and learnt Sloka # 7.

Caitanyah Shaashvatah Shaanto Vyoma-Atiito-Niran.janah |

Binduu-Naada-Kala-[A]atiitas-Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||7||

Meaning:

7.1: (Salutations to the Guru) Who is the Eternally Tranquil Consciousness, Spotless and Pure, and Beyond the Ether,

7.2: Who is Beyond the Bindu, Nada and Kala; Salutations to that Guru.

Quiz:

Since Quiz has been a great way to reinforce the past story, it was continued this class too. That led to re-telling of several stories from previous classes. Boys and Girls Teams tied at the end of the quiz.

Story time:

We picked up from the Rama’s good-byes at Ayodhya palace, and saw how Ayodhya-vasis did not want to let go of their dear prince to the forest, and how Rama left in the early morning o that the people of Ayodhya won’t follow them anymore. They met Guha, who became a dear friend of Rama, who helped Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita cross the river Ganges.

Activity:

We glued the Rama, Sita, Lakshmana picture that we colored a few classes ago, on the front of the folder. Some kids were not present at that class, and some others did not bring the folder last class. I have sent pictures with the kids. Please have them color, and glue the picture on the front of the folder at home.

Conclusion:

We ended the class with Shanthi Mantra.

Comments:

Please have the kids try the exercises at the back of the first chapter in the Junior Balavihar Bala Ramayana book. This will help them to refresh their memory. Children are making good progress with Guru Stotram. Please make them practice at home. Some kids are still missing ‘My Prayer Book’, and ‘Bala Ramayana’ Junior Balavihar books. Please remember to send those in.

Reminders:

Please remember to send along the following items in your child’s bag along with the folder and books:

Supplies:

• Crayons
• Sharpened
• Erasers
• Notebook
• Glue
• Age appropriate child proof scissors

and a nut free Snack/Drink to have during the break

Next class is on November 16, 2014. It is also ‘Back-to-Balavihar’ day. We will be going through the curriculum, and answering your questions. We will also have a class potluck lunch. Please sign up in the link below:

http://www.luckypotluck.com/potluck/Nov162014BackToBalavihar