12/21/14 Class update

We began the class with our usual OM chanting 3 times. Then all kids gathered up front to Gajananam group chanting couple times. We had a new concept today- the circle time where we all gathered on a sky blue blanket on the floor and got closer to each other. 

We read a book of beautiful color pics of Gods and Goddesses. We began with Ganesa's different names. Gajanana, Uma sutaa, Mooshika Vaahanaa, Lambodaraa, Mahakaaya, ganapathy and Eka danta.

The next God was Muruga. Kids were happy to spot peacock in the picture. We saw couple names of the God- Kumaraswamy and Karthikeya.

Saraswathy was the next Goddess- we chanted the slokam Saraswathy namasthubyam holding each others' hands. We also saw saraswathy Maata is the Goddess of knowledge and we begin to worship her before the start of any learning activity. Maata has 4 hands- 2 plays the veenai- one has a book; other a maala.

Story time was also in the circle and we all laid down in our tummy supporting the chin with palms. How did Ganesa get a big tummy and why did he belt a snake around was the story we heard.

For a stretch after the circle seating, we did our ever loving action bhajan "come here my dear Ganapathy".

A small potty break and a quick stroll in the hallway for a change from class room ambiance to feel refreshed.

Yummy chocolate chip cookies were relished in the snack time.

Coloring- we chose Lambodara (the big bellied Ganesa)

Reminders- Please bring in a box of crayons.

a water bottle

a hand sanitizer.

Our next session is on the Jan 4th 2015. Happy Holidays. Happy new years and enjoy the nice break and stay warm.
Hari OM

Madhuram teachers-

Rajesh and Vidhya

12/14/14 class update

Dear parents and children,

After a great jeopardy quiz in the assembly, we settled down in our class. Siddharth, our new friend joined our class today and we are all happy to welcome him :)

We started the day with our usual opening prayers- OM 3 times, followed by Gajananam slokam. We did a word by word chanting (say and repeat) and then two words and repeat and the third time we all chanted together :) Yay! Good job kids!

We talked about different names of Ganesa. Gajanana, Ganapathy, Eka danta (revisited the story) and Mooshika Vaahana (revisited the story)

We wanted to do the Story where Ganesa ties the serpent as a belt, we will revise this story next week.

Our action Bhajan, come here my dear ganapathy is as always a big hit with our little friends. It is always a beautiful sight to watch tiny hands and feet moving and singing at the same time :)

We took a potty break and then had yummy snacks.

After snacks we chanted Saraswathy slokam- Saraswathy namasthubyam.

** Saraswathy maatha is the goddess of Knowledge

** we pray Saraswathy maatha before learning anything 

** She holds a Veena.

** has a maala on one hand and a book on another.

Our coloring activity had Saraswathy. Kids all did a fabulous job!

We concluded with closing verses and sticker rewards.

Few Reminders-

1. Please bring in a box of crayons.

2. A water bottle

3. A hand sanitizer

4. Parents who volunteer for snacks, please remember it's a nut free School and we request to please bring in nut free snacks. Please do not bring any juice as these little children tend to waste most part and we want them to teach not to waste food. Water should be fair enough to quench thirst after having any cookie or cracker.

Our next class is on 12/21/14. See you all then. Take care and stay warm :)

Hari OM

Rajesh and Vidhya

Madhuram teachers

12/7/14 class update

Dear parents and children,

On a very cold and a windy day we met after a couple of weeks' Thanksgiving break in Balavihar. 

FYI- next week (14th) in the assembly there will be a Bhagavad Gita quiz in jeopardy style (very simple and basic questions on Gita- sample sent out in emails past week, if missed, please check  http://www.bbnjbalavihar.com/doc/GitaQuizv2.pdf

Please try to be at the school at 9.30 for assembly. It will be nice fun :)

After the assembly, we got together in our classroom for our regular session. We had just 2 children present today. Hope all kids doing well and are staying away from cold and taking care.

We began with the usual opening OM chanting 3 times and did the Gajananam slokam. The two children marveled in reciting the slokam.

Since we had very few strength in class, we had a group class with amrutham. Our children answered questions asked and did a great job coloring! Good job kids, Parents please give them a hi5 from us and from you :)

The Amrutham teacher lead the class with the Saraswathy slokam- Saraswathy namasthubhyam (which we have covered in ours)

Some points about Goddess Saraswathy-

1. Blessing us with Knowledge and teaching us to write and learn

2. Playing musical instrument the Veena

3.Having 4 hands 

4.Holding a book in one of the hands and a mala in another.

5. sitting on a lotus

6. Swan is Her vehicle

We repeated the slokam a couple times and also learned 

Yadevi sarva bhutesu- 

Vidhya roopena samsthithaha-

Namastasyai namastasyai 

Namastasyai- namo namaha- 

Another slokam on saraswathy maata. (this second slokam is a little tricky for our little mouth and young talkers, we will eventually go through these slightly tougher ones towards the end of the school year... by then, they will be familiarized with the prime slokas, learning more is always merrier :)) )

A potty break and then yummy munchkins snack time and then got to color Saraswathy maata pic.

We concluded with the closing prayers and sticker rewards.

Our next class on 12/14/14.

Please send in- 

a box of crayons

water bottle and

a hand sanitizer

Hari OM

Rajesh and Vidhya

Madhuram