Hari Om!
Dear Parents,
Please find below the summary of our class on Friday, Dec 7, 2018.
Opening prayers:
Om Sahana Vavatu
Vakratunda Mahakaaya
Saraswathi Namastubhyam
Guru Brahma Gurur VishnuH
Quote for the day:
To give love is true freedom; to demand love is pure slavery.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapeter 18 verses 51 - 53 (available in the handbook)
Discussion: Personal anecdotes and thoughts to substantiate/justify the quote
Activity: Red/Yellow/Green Light
Ending Shloka: Om Purnamadah
Aarati and Pledge : Temple - Lead by Grade 3
Next Balavihar class: 12/14/18
Announcement: upcoming class is Movie Night. All classes will be watching a movie together. Attendance will be marked.
Summary: This class was a very special since we had JCHYK (High Schoolers) come to our class and teach and work with the kids. Sachi and Vinayak had a discussion with class about the meaning of Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda's quote. Essentially the quote means that true love is one that doesn't place demands and expectations to be accepted. This is very important in the present times of social media that we live in, where everything one does is being judged publicly! They talked about various situations in their personal lives as well as in the lives of famous people where people did the right thing and did not succumb to peer pressure or other kinds of pressure. It was a healthy discussion. It is heartening to know that our 7th graders have quite a clear understanding of being true to oneself and to do the right thing even if it means they may be rejected by so-called friends. Followed by this we had a game where the children were divided into 4 teams. Each time we're given 3 circles - Red, Yellow and Green. They were presented with a few scenarios. After a brief discussion with their teams, they had to show the appropriate card. Green meant that it was a good friendship. Yellow meant warning that something was not fair/right. Red meant that it was a bad friendship which we should stay away from. The children had fun playing this game. They connected very well with the High schoolers, who were closer to them in age and very good role models for them. As the year progresses, we will have more opportunities to work with the JCHYK. We look forward to them. The second grade had their stage presentation. We went to see that and finished with Arati and pledge led by Grade 3. Since next week is movie night, there won't be much of an update. We wish everyone Happy Holidays and a very happy New Year!
Pranam ,
7th grade Sevikas
