Dharma 1 - Satyam Shivam Sundaram

Class Information -

This class covers: Visual introduction to Hindu Deities, Asuras, Festivals through videos, art and crafts. Class teaches kids to recognize basic patterns and conventions. E.g., Krishna is painted blue, but his clothing is painted yellow. The hear the popular narratives of Devatas from the Hindu tradition. Teach the ‘Om Jai Jagadish Hare’ Arati. Each class starts with the Namaste gesture and recitation of Om!

Ages: 4-5 / Grade: PreK-K

Download PDF copy of book: CLICK HERE

Classroom: Mediation Room

Teachers -

Teachers:

• Suddha Bellamkonda

EMAIL teachers: Click HERE

Teenage Volunteers:

• Amritha Ramsankar

• Medhni Shriram

• Amiya Kokate

Class & Homework-

May 6th-

Material Covered in Class:

• We talked about Puja and why and how we do Puja.

• We made a Puja Thali as an art project and children took it home.

• We practiced the following shlokas that kids are going to recite on May 20th.

  • Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha

    • Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada

  • Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kaama-Roopini

    • Vidyaarambham Karishyaami Siddhir-Bhavatu Me Sadaa

  • ShuklaAmbara Dharam Vishnum Shashi Varnam Chatur Bhujam

    • Prasanna Vadanam Dhyaayet Sarva Vighnopashaantaye

  • KaraAgre Vasate Lakshmi, Kara-Madhye Saraswati

    • Kara-Moole Sthitaa Gowri, Prabhate Kara-Darshanam

Homework:

• Read and bring back storybooks

• Practice the four shlokas

• We will recite shlokas on May 20th

April 29th-

Material Covered in Class:

• We covered all the shlokas for our presentation.

• We also reviewed the story of Ramayana.

Homework:

• Their homework is to read the storybooks we gave as well practice the shlokas.

• We will be performing on annual day.

April 22nd-

Material Covered in Class:

• Today, we finished the story of Lord Ram.

Homework:

• Bring back the story books.

March 25th-

Material Covered in Class:

• In class, we learned about Lord Rama.

• We learned a new prayer about Lord Rama. (Shrii Rama Rama raameti rame raame manorame sahasranaama tattulyam Rama naama varaanane)

March 18th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Today we heard the story of Vamana Avatar. We also heard a story about Hanuman.

Homework:

• We rehearsed the prayers from before (Saraswati Namastubiam) (Vakratunda Mahakaya) (Karagre Vasathe Devi).

• We also did the Aarti. Please rehearse these with your child.

March 11th-

Material Covered in Class:

• We had our first session of meditation in class.

• We also practiced the four shlokas.

Homework:

• Their homework is to practice the shlokas because we'll be performing them soon.

• They should also bring their storybooks back if they have not done so.

March 4th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Practiced the four shlokas the children have been learning:

• A. Vikram tunda mahakaya

• B. Shuklambharadaram Vishnu

• C. Saraswati Namastubhyam

• D. Karagre vasate Lakshmi

• Children were told the story of Bhakta Prahalada and Lord’s Narasimha Avatara

Homework:

• practice Shlokas and color the Narasimha picture in the story

February 18th-

Material Covered in Class:

• The Dasavatara stories: We did the 3rd avatara this week - Varaha avatara. Please ask your children to share the stories with you.

• Our class will be reciting slokas in the assembly on March 4. Please mark the date and make sure your kids are ready.

• We practiced the following slokas to perform in the assembly on March 4.

  • 1. Suklaam bharadaram...

  • 2. Vakratunda mahakaaya...

  • 3. Saraswati namastubhyam...

  • 4. Karaagrey...

    • Here is the version of the 4th sloka we are practicing in our class. It is slightly different from the one in the HATS prayer book. Please make sure to work with your children on this:

    • Karaagrey vasathay Lakshmi

    • Kara mudhyay Saraswati

    • Kara moolay sthithay Gowri

    • Prabhathay kara darshanam

• IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

• Attending assembly is a must. It gives children time to get into a good routine and calm down before class begins.

• Class begins when assembly is done — usually around 10.20. Please note this time because many children are being dropped off until 10.45. This is not acceptable as it disturbs my class. Keeping the attention of 25 little kids isn’t easy especially when there are constant interruptions.

February 11th-

Material Covered in Class:

• We learned a new shloka, "karaagre vasate lakshmii karamadhya sarasvatii. Karamuule tu govindah prabhaate kara darshanam."

• It is found on page 7 in the prayer booklet.

• We also went over Vishnu's second avatar. The story is found in the textbook.

Homework:

• Their homework is to review all the shlokas we learnt and to read the storybooks.

January 28th-

Material Covered in Class:

• We finished telling the story of Krishna.

• We recited some of the prayers.

Homework:

• We gave out books this week. Please bring them back next week.

January 21st-

Material Covered in Class:

• We talked about Krishna and told some stories.

• Then we went up to the temple and saw Saraswati.

January 7th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Today, we talked about temple etiquette and reviewed the three shlokas and the bhajan.

Homework:

• Their homework is to practice the bhajans and the shlokas.

• A note for them is to read the storybooks and bring the books back next week.

December 17th-

Material Covered in Class:

• In class, we made Shiva Lingas out of clay.

• Please remember to take the crafts home once we come back from break

Homework:

• We reviewed our bajan and shlokams from before.

• Please revise these over break so the kids will remember when we come back.

December 10th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Today, we practiced the three shlokas: "Saraswati namastubhyam..." "Vakratunda mahakaya..." and "Guru Brahma..."

• We covered the story "Parvati and Ganesha: God lives in all Living Creatures" - which is on page 24 in their textbook.

Homework:

• Their homework is to practice the shlokas and the bhajan.

• A reminder for the students and parents is to bring the storybooks if they have not done so already.

December 3rd-

Material Covered in Class:

• We revised the bajans that the kids have been learning.

• We also learned about the story between Lord Shiva and Ravana (Page 22)

• The kids colored the picture of Shiva on page 20

November 19th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Today, we went to the Mandir and saw Krishna.

• The kids have been receiving books for them to take home. Please remember to bring the books next class.

• Please bring your kids to class on time.

• We will not have class next week due to Thanksgiving Break.

November 12th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Today, we learnt about the birth of Krishna. We colored in our books - the pages that we colored are on page 74 and 75.

Homework:

• Their homework is to bring their books back and to practice the bhajan.

November 5th-

Material Covered in Class:

• We are working on learning three shlokas:

  • Saraswati namastubhyam...

  • Vakratunda...

  • Vasudeva sutam devam...

• We talked about Krishna and how we can identify him. The clues to look for are:

  • The peacock feather in his crown

  • The flute in his hand

  • He is often shown as blue in color

• We also learnt the story of Krishna's birth and colored his picture.

Homework:

• Please ask your children to tell you the story they heard in class.

• Read them the story book they brought home with them.

• Send the book back so that your child can bring another one home. I do not like to refuse to give children books to borrow, but I have a limited collection and I need to get them back in order to keep lending them. If the book is lost, please let me know.

• ANNOUNCEMENT: MANY CHILDREN ARE COMING IN LATE TO CLASS. IT IS DISRUPTIVE TO THE CLASS AND HARD TO GET THINGS DONE WHEN THERE ARE CONSTANT INTERRUPTIONS. Please bring children in on time.

October 29th-

Material Covered in Class:

• We practiced two shlokas:

  • "Saraswati namastubhyam..."

  • "Vakratunda mahakaya..."

• Today, we talked about the "Story of Ganesha and his brother Karttikeya:

  • Ganesha Respects his Parents".

  • This story is on page 13 in the textbook.

  • We went up the temple and identified Ganesha, Shiva, Karttikeya and Parvati.

  • We were detectives with clues: how do you find Ganesha, Kartikeya, Shiva and Parvati? Simple, look for their animal friends.

• We also learnt verse 3 in the "Om Jai Jagadish Hare" aarati.

Homework:

• Their homework is to practice the song.

• If they would like to listen to the song, this is the link for it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ChSzECkdew.

• A reminder for the students and parents is to bring the storybooks if they have not done so already.

October 15th-

Material Covered in Class:

• The class discussed the story behind why we celebrate Diwali. We made lamps today in class and we went upstairs to the temple to see Rama and Hanuman.

Homework:

• Their homework is to review the first paragraph of "Om Jaigadish Hare" aarati - it is on page 5 of their textbook.

• The parents go over the story that is located on page 62 in their textbook.

October 1st-

Material Covered in Class:

• We had yoga lessons from Anisha didi today. We learnt a few yoga postures like Cat, Cow, Downward Dog, Cobra, Airplane, Warrior 1 and 2. Please ask your children to show you what they learnt and let them teach you how to do them. It will be fun for them and for you.

• We practiced the "Saraswati namastubhyam..." sloka and the Aarti song.

Homework:

• Every child was given a book to take home today. THE BOOKS MUST BE RETURNED AT THE NEXT CLASS SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO LET THE BOOKS BE READ AND SHARED BY ALL STUDENTS.

• There is no class next week. We will meet again on Oct 15.

September 24th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Talked about Dussera and Navratri.

• Heard the stories of:

  • Durga and Mahishasura.

  • Rama's victory over Ravana.

• Practiced Om Jai Jagadish ...

• Recited the sloka: "Suklam bharadaram...

• Made a card for Dussera.

Homework:

• Announcements for parents

  • We are not having snack time anymore.

• Please repeat "Suklaam bharadaram..." with your child at home.

• Class ends at 11.20. Level 1 Hindi students can just stay back in their seats.

September 17th-

Material Covered in Class:

• We learnt how to identify Lord Krishna and Lord Ganesh.

• We colored a picture of Ganeshji.

• We practiced Om Jai Jagadish haray....

• We read the story of Saraswathi Devi.

Homework:

• Parents please sing the Aarti with your children and also play it for them. As I said before, play it when they are riding in the car with you- it worked for my kids :)

• We will finish class at *11.20* from the next week. Last class, some of the children were stressed out and crying because of the crowd in front of the classroom and difficulty finding parents.

• If your child is in the Hindi level 1 class that meets in the same room as us, please let us know so we can have them wait in the room.

• Last class more than half the class did not have a snack. It has been my experience in the past years too that most children do not bring a snack. We would like to know if you are all okay if we did not do snack time.

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