11/16/14

As announced we had Back to Balavihar, where parents get a chance to visit their kids' classroom, meet with the teachers and gets to know how the teachers have planned with the lesson for the year. Since ours is a parent-child class, we as teachers make sure that parents know what's happening in our class and how are we going with the curriculum and activities given to the children. Our classroom BTBV presentation was pretty much an open question-answer session. We had it more interactive way answering parents queries if any.. Only point we brought in was class presentation in the assembly this year will be Mothers' day presentation which occurs in May 2015. (this is a joint presentation with Amrutham class- pre K kids, joint I mean we will have one class presentation followed by the other class)

The following were not discussed on the BTBV- but just a reminder as we have seen these announcements coming in between some of our earlier classes. Please feel free if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks

1. Gita chanting participation. (Applicable to Parents in our class- quote from memory or open book reading- chapter 15) 

2. Slokathan (adult participation- happens every last Balavihar Sunday of the month) and 

3. What's in the name as a family (any significant meaning of the names or why you have been named/ meaning of your name can be shared in the assembly with all names in the family) This is one of the ways of introducing your family to the Big BBNJ Balavihar family.

Class update-

As usual we started with OM chanting 3 times. We went over the Gajanananam slokam, where we normally say-repeat one word at a time, we also did two words together and repeating the same. We did Saraswathy slokam in the same manner. 

We had less number of children today and also some parents would want to attend their older child's BTBV session, they had to leave and some kids wanted to go with their parents.   

A potty break followed by snacks. We wound up with closing prayers and sticker rewards (re-enforcer) for children.

The next session is on Dec 7th and please enjoy Thanksgiving break! Have a great one.

Hari OM

Rajesh and Vidhya

Madhuram

11/02/14

Hari OM dear kids and parents-

We as usual started with Om 3 times followed by Gajananam slokam. We learned 2 new names Mahakaya and Lambodara.

Ganesh Ji's other names seen so far- Gajanana, Uma sutaa, Eka danta, Mooshika vahana, Ganapathy.

We then did Saraswathy slokam, emphasizing on her seat- lotus, her instrument- veenai and the vehicle -swan (hamsa pakshi)

We had an early potty break today. Thank you all parents for pioneering the effort in asking the concerned people to open the hallway bathrooms.. if not, those who want to use might have walked all the way up to the cafeteria area in the cold, windy weather.

We moved on with action bhajan come here my dear.(Parents please sing when the child performs and if practiced this way the child will sing and do someday :) )

Story time saw 2 stories- one revisited and one new. Mooshika vahana was quickly done and 'belting a serpent o' part story was done today...that is the big bellied Lambodara story.

Until now we have seen stories of

1.Gajanana (elephant faced), Uma Sutaa (son of parvathy) and Ganapathy (Leader of the ganas) in one story.

2. The writing of Mahabharatha as Maharishi Vyasa recites- The Eka Danta (single tusk) story.

3. The Mooshika vahana story (mouse becomes the vehicle) and

4. The Lambodara story (big bellied, tying the snake as a belt)

Parents please discuss the stories with children at your story hour, Thanks :)

Snack today was less salted potato chips and fruit snacks. Thank you Maanav for the yummy snacks- that was really a big bag for our little tummies- yes we are not Lambodara ha ha ha

Coloring activity was the Mahakaya pic from the textbook.

With closing verses we wound up the session, rewarding with a sticker.

The next session is on 11/16/14 and it's Ishaan's turn to bring snacks. Also on the same day before we go in for the Thanksgiving break, we have all our BBNJ balavihar family Thanksgiving lunch at the cafeteria. Parents kindly signup for potluck items (menu in the email sent in the luckypotluck spreadsheet) (it is voluntary and please do not feel pressured)

For our class snacks, please volunteer and sign up ( we have the sign up sheets) in bringing little munches for our sweetest munchkins. Thanks :)

Annually, Balavihar has a Bhagavad Gita competition, though not for our toddler kids, it's always nice to learn certain new slokas ( agreed they are tongue twisters at this age ) but an effort is always commended :) Also, adult category has memorizing and chanting and/or reading open book (pronunciation and pace and clarity are the criterion looked for judging if reading) Parents are more than welcome to partake. This year's subject is chapter 15 and practice was started in the assembly. (2 verses or 3 every assembly) 

Reminders-

1. Please bring in a box of crayons

2. Water bottle

3. Hand sanitizer (use your own brand for the kids' safety)

Next class is on the 16th November.

Thank you.

Rajesh and Vidhya

Madhuram Teachers