Hari Om Parents,
We started our class by writing Likhitha jaapa (writing the name of any ishta devata god's name). This would help children to settle down in class before we begin the class then followed by daily prayers (Page 11 of My Prayers book). Most kids were not aware of these so we chanted one line and asked the kids to repeat it. Please help kids memorize the daily prayers, and request parents to engage with kids in learning/practice these shlokas.
We discussed the festival of Ganesha( Ganesha Chaturthi) , how it was celebrated at everyone's home and also last Friday being Sanakata hara Chaturthi( 4th day after full moon) , its importance and how Ganesha is worshipped. The kids have homework where they need to check with parents/grandparents on how they celebrated back home in India.
We also went to discuss who wrote the Mahabharata, who recited (Veda Vyas) and who had to pen the Mahabharata (Ganesha).
Veda Vyasa(was initially named as Krishna Dwaipayana) approached Ganesha to write Mahabharata, Ganesha being very intelligent and smart said that he would pen it, as long as Vyasa was able to not stop or give a pause. This made Vyas think and since Vyas being Vyas who is very brilliant equally like Ganesha agreed and put a condition to Ganesha too and said you must understand whatever you are writing before you actually write. Ganesha agreed to do so, and this helped Vyas to recite the Mahabharata and we have to be thankful and grateful to both of them for giving us such a great epic.
Vyasa, also is the author of the 18 puranas and has classified Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva). It was about time for our Gita telecast and learning so we ended our class.
After the gita telecast we had a few mins so we asked children to close their eyes while Shivram ji counted numbers. This exercise helps them to concentrate. It was time for our Aarthi and pledge and we all headed to the prayer hall.
Please note the below
This Friday 27th Sep 2024 is our house inaugural. We are Arjuna's arrows, our house color is Green, our bhajan is Bolo Bolo Sab mil Bolo Om namah shivaya and our house Values are action, perfection. Please make sure to come dressed in green ethnic wear. This year the theme is Ishta devata and developing connection to your favorite god, we are planning to do a lot of fun filled team building activities this coming Friday. Please come a few minutes before the 7pm to class.
The curriculum for this year is
1. Mahabharata by Sri Raja Gopala Chari (please check in the ashram bookstore or it can be purchased in Amazon as well).
2. India the sacred land (no textbook).
3. Ganesha Panchratnam (Page 30 in My Prayers).
4. Nirvana Shatakam.
5. Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 (1-29 shlokas) is available in the 2024-25 year handbook. The handbook was given to all kids. If not please collect from the book store.
Please make sure to send the below
1. An empty notebook to write Likhitha jaapa and notes.
2. Two sharpened pencils
3. Daily Prayers book
4. Curriculum for 5th graders
1. Mahabharata by Raja Gopala Chari.
2. India the sacred land (handouts will be provided by teachers)
3. Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 4 Shlokas 1-29.
4. Shlokas- Ganesha Panchratnam and Nirvana Shatakam.
4.1 Ganesha Panchratnam
4.1.1 Link to rendition with lyrics in English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4lZCKxeJFE or
4.1.2 Link: https://youtu.be/Oyo0FWP9fB8?si=ZaYVDepNkX0YWShI (play at lower speeds for kids to follow lyrics and hear clearly
4.2. NirvanaShatakam
Link to chant
https://youtu.be/rKx7K13OvQ4?si=lM6g_ZtX0kdF5Sfo - Uninterrupted Line Guided Chant - YouTube
Please join the class WhatsApp group by using the link below
https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0cfUe3NUDYCBwYVKD7tyg
The WhatsApp group will be our primary medium of communication. Please feel free to reach us on our phones/ via WhatsApp or you can reply to this email as well
Regards,
Shivram & Anuradha
