Class on 11/22/15

Hari OM Dear Parents and children.
Today we had a very nice assembly with Swaranjali children singing bhajans so beautifully. Followed by, What's In a Name? (WIN) program, where the family introduces themselves to the BBNJ families. This is a nice way of introducing ourselves to the big BBNJ family at once. You can tell your name and explain the reason behind your name and how you were named or any sloka name you have(derived from any line in a particular sloka) If you are interested please contact the front desk. They will guide you.
Before talking about the class progress today, we would like to really give big hugs to all our children who participated in Chitramela, the BBNJ art exhibition. It was a nice time when we had our young artists drawing and coloring putting all their creative thoughts in. The pictures were displayed at our luncheon session. It was indeed a feast to eyes and needless to say- our taste buds.

Back in class, with the usual OM chanting and Sahana vavatu prayers, we started the class. After a quick chanting of Dhayana sloka, Buddhir bhalam.. we got in to the second part of our curriculum- The Hanuman Chalisa. We chanted the first 8 lines and the first doha along with the M.S.Subbulakshmi amma's version. (We appreciate that most families follow playing the Chalisa at home/car rides with different versions. Our approved version is the M.S.Subbulakshmi amma's since it has 8 lines then the Ramalakshmana janaki, Jai bolo Hanuman ki line repeats, kind of emphasizes what we learned until- 8 lines, 5 times break in between to sing the Ramalakshmana janaki, Jai bolo Hanuman ki- that makes 40 and easier to understand. Also the Sooryagayathri's version is good too) Kindly, please do follow these two versions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ifQJv22G90
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANk4fmRNyuE

Why is Hanuman JI the Bestower?
Hanuman JI is the Ocean of virtues, wisdom and knowledge. He blesses all His devotees.

Why should we pray?
We pray to obtain strength, wisdom and discriminating knowledge.

Who is Pavanakumara?
Hanuman JI. The Wind God (Vaayu/Pavan) has blessed Kesari (Vanara chief) and Anjani (Hanuman's parents) Hanuman Ji is also called Pavanaputra or pavanakumara.

The story of Hanuman JI trying to get the Sun thinking of a fruit was seen and how Pavan Dev was mad when Hanuman JI was pushed to the earth from sky by Lord Indra and how Hanuman JI acquired all divine powers were seen.

Hanuman JI was a wise minister of Sugreeva (the Vanara king)
Hanuman JI with His great vakpadatvam skill (eloquence in speech or speaking nice and concise in a polite manner) is considered the best messenger from both the Sender and receivers' end.

Vidhya auntie and Durga auntie demonstrated how can we pass message from one person to another with the help of a messenger and with the help of an electronic device, the phone.

We also understood how politely we need to do our duties with no expecting any rewards just like the wind. The wind keeps blowing and purifies the place with no expecting any reward.
Hanuman JI also does His duties and serves Rama with no expecting any reward.

Points to remember-
Please send in Notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers and erasers.
Please send in NUT FREE HEALTHY SNACK and a water bottle (labelled)
Please send the prescribed text- 1.Hanuman Chalisa coloring book and 2. Superman Hanuman
Please send My prayers book (to learn/practice Guru stotram)

Homework- Please refer to the pic.

We then concluded the class with closing prayers.
The next class is on 12/6 and enjoy the nice break. happy Thanksgiving and stay warm.

Regards
Dhairyam Teachers.

Attached a pic which summarizes today's lessons.

Class on 11/15/15

Hari OM
Dear Parents and Children,
Today after our regular assembly in the cafeteria, we got to our classes and started off with our usual opening Prayers OM chanting 3 times, followed by Sahana Vavatu...

After which we chanted the Dhyana slokam Buddhir Bhalam.. a couple times and completed all 8 qualities of Hanuman JI from the slokam. We concluded with
  
Ajadyam-
Physical alertness- Being watchful and aware of  danger and description of surroundings..
Mental alertness- Mentally being aware of our actions and feelings.

We did a small activity of question and answers to check how far the kids are aware of their surroundings.

We also practiced to sit straight while class in session (being aware of our sitting posture through the finish)

We also recollected what information were shared in the assembly and how far we are aware to bring those points from memory.

We saw the story of Mitsy the little girl, who understood laziness will give more trouble, so we better work hard and do all our duties by ourselves.

We could relate how Hanuman JI was aware of the surroundings while crossing the ocean.

Vakpadatvam- To speak clear and concise.
Ability to commuinicate your thoughts in an effective and a pleasant manner.

We did a writing activity about how to introduce Balavihar to any new comer.

The power of speech has a few points to remember.
*When to speak
*What to speak
*How to speak and
*How much to speak

Spoken or written- the words have to be nice and simple and easy to understand.
We further understood the topic by Hanuman Ji's "I met Sita mata" a short yet very powerful simple message conveyed to Rama when he got back after seeing the mother at the Asoka Vatika in Srilanka.

Effective speakers deliver messages creating maximum impact with very minimal words.

The Bull and the master story- The bull follows direction only when the master tells him in a sweet and polite way and not in a rude manner.

We now moved to the second half of the curriculum- Hanuman Chalisa.
We saw the introduction and learned the starting Doha (couplets) We will subsequently learn all 40 chowpayees.

The Hanuman Chalisa is written by Swami Tulasidas. Singing this makes us fearless and purifies mind. Gives us courage and builds in confidence.

Hanuman JI has an untainted heart- a very pure and heart filled with good thoughts.
An untainted heart can see God.

Chanting Hanuman Chalisa can lead us in the

• Path of virtuous living- Dharma
• Prosperity- Artha
• Joyful life- Kaama and
• Happiness for ever- Moksha

Points to remember-
Please send in Notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers and erasers.
Please send in NUT FREE HEALTHY SNACK and a water bottle (labelled)
Please send the prescribed text- 1.Hanuman Chalisa coloring book and 2. Superman Hanuman
Please send My prayers book (to learn/practice Guru stotram)

Today we revised 5 verses in Guru stotram.
Kindly make children listen to the Hanuman chalisa in youtube (M.S.Subbulakshmi version- for clear and rhythmic singing with beautiful Ragam)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ifQJv22G90

Homework for the week to make children color the first two pics in Hanuman Chalisa coloring book (some kids have done it already- no problem)
Attached are pics from today's class.

Next class on 11/22/15 and we have the Thanksgiving/Diwali luncheon (if possible kindly sign up  for the food from the potluck link sent in emails)
Please work on the keepsake 2016 calendar to be published with our BBNJ balavihar families art works as part of chitramela. You may please drop off your art work at the front-desk or to any coordinator. (theme is Guru parampara)

Thank you.
Dhairyam Teachers

Class on 11/1/15

Hari OM
Dear Parents and Children.
This Balavihar session's assembly gave an important point on learning Guru Stotram. We would want all kids of our class to learn and sing appropriately. (We do not specify to memorize, but if they do that's more than welcome) We have been doing the Guru Stotram in class, learned 5 verses. Our Homework this week is a repeat of last week's, chanting those 5 verses every day and kindly mark the prayer log in the assembly handbook. All in our class has the assembly handbook, which is to be brought to Balavihar every time and sing/chant along in the assembly referring to the book. This also makes to get to the BRHschool on time to attend the assembly and cultivates a discipline in the little ones.

After the assembly when we reached our class, we had a volunteer to help us for the day, Abhiram a freshman from Princeton U. He was our BBNJ balavihar alumni and is a good student. We started our class with OM chanting 3 times and the opening Sahana vavatu. We did art projects in the beginning, with Yashas and Dhairyam for Hanuman Ji's backbone project. (kids those who missed out last week, weregiven extra time to complete the last week's work as well) after which we did the thoran making too.

With a short snack break (please send in healthy, nut free snack and NO candies) we began the qualities from the dhyana slokam- Nirbhayatvam and Arogataam.

Nirbhayatvam

1.  What is Fear?- when we are afraid of some people or situations.
2.  Is fear necessary?- yes, a little bit to finish our duties.
3.  What is fearlessness?- A state of being free from fear.
4.  How can we become fearless?- Honest living, keeping GOD in our minds.

We saw the story of Swami Tapovan Maharaj JI, our Gurudev's Guru JI. How fearless he was in between the forest among all ferocious and wild animals.

Having faith in God, gives us a no fear feel.

Arogataam

1. What is Good physical health?- Body free from all disease.
2. What is good mental health?- Mind free from all disease.

We identified some qualities that make you weak and strong in the form of a game.

How can I avoid getting sick?

1. Eat good and healthy food.
2. Keeping self clean.
3. Living in a healthy environment.
4. Exercise.

Avoiding mental sickness.

1. Take away and clean up the germs of laziness, greed, anger.
2. Avoid harmful TV shows.
3. Read appropriate books.
4. Pray GOD everyday.

Points to Remember-

• Kindly send in Pencils, erasers,crayons, markers -own supplies (sharing is of course caring, but sharing/borrowing should not be a regular business)
• Kindly send in hand sanitizers to quick cleanse palms before snack or after using art materials.
• Kindly send in Healthy and NUT FREE snack and a water bottle (labelled)
• Please make the kids wear Indian clothings (A Balavihar Tee is good enough as well)

The next Balavihar session is on 11/15/15. Please get your art work for Chitra mela by 15th or 22nd latest (emails to follow, please watch out for the same) and the Balavihar Family Thanksgiving Lunch on the 22nd November. Please look out for evites (sent last night) and if possible kindly sign up for potluck. Thanks.
Attached is a pic of 11/1 class.

Have a great Diwali/DeepavaLi. Best wishes.

Thank you.
Dhairyam Teachers.